My preference for discontinued rods and reels means that most purchases in recent years have been from Ebay. I study the ads, ask questions and look to buy from angler-owners. If the seller's "other items" are a random bunch of clothes, household goods etc, I tend to assume they're just selling on stuff they've acquired one way or another, and avoid.
It has usually worked out fine, but the last two reels were a disappointment. A shimano fs reel - in top condition according to the seller - which should run silently clattered like a centrepin with a clicker when wound. I returned it, and asked the seller to wind it and listen, and tell me what they hear. They replied that it still seemed fine to him! Must have been deaf or unfamiliar with reels. Another, which appeared mint inside and out - a friend who services them checked it over - was inexplicably stiff to wind, and went back. I'm not rushing to buy another.
I rarely buy bits - you have to give some trade to local tackle shops if you want to have any, and it feels daft - just my opinion - to have delivery vans clogging up the roads just to rush me some feeders or a packet of hooks or whatever that I could pick up next time I go for bait.
Thinking about it, I've had as much success buying and selling rods and reels via fishing forums and club websites, where it has often been possible to make collect or meet up somewhere arrangements.
