We're talking just drums, right?
Used sticks or heads, but that's a duh. I'd say there's more good deals than ripoffs. But they are both out there. I have no problems with used cymbals, or almost anything else you can name. Instruments are a bargain if you try. Getting good at them is something altogether different. Electronics I can't speak intelligently about, but drums, hardware and cymbals can last a very very long time. Drums improve with age. The drums today will sound KILLER in 50 years.
Drum stuff lasts. The friggin bottom 2 teeth on my DW 5000 sprocket are worn to mere nubs now. They're almost gone. I don't even have to tighten stuff on that pedal. I can't remember the last time I oiled it. I've had it for 10 years now. I do try and tighten the screws every now and then but nothing budges. That pedal goes from cold to hot quick too.
There's no reason really to spend more than about 600 bucks on shell packs anymore. Unless you like non standard offerings and/or a lot of drums. If you know what you are doing with heads, tuning and (egad!) muffling, you have everything you could possibly need to get any variation of tone possible.
