A spot-on overview of N.I.T. vs ebay--many thanks.

Because sellers often don't understand what they have, and are more middle-men than "previous owners," I always communicate with them before a sale. If they respond quickly, with an actual answer, that counts a great deal.

Even so, their idea of an unscratched screen is usually different than mine And wear-n-tear is in the eye of the beholder.

A missing stylus would make me look elsewhere, regardless of the seller's prompt enthusiasm about the machine's condition. If you cared about the machine, you wouldn't lose the stylus and you sure as heck would replace it if you did.

Unless it's NIB, I won't buy from a recycler or wholesaler--on ebay recently, there's been a nice enough fellow who's selling 10 or so N810s for $49usd BIN. Lord knows the condition of those machines. How can anybody vouch for so many devices?

I see myself good for one more N810 and that would be NIB--whether I can remain married after such a purchase is another matter entirely

Jake