This really has nothing to do with Pentax or any other brand individually... it applies to all of them.
It may seem cold-hearted of me to say so, but I don't feel we bear any responsibility to support or show loyalty to brands - except perhaps for a self-serving one, where we feel it's in our interests for them to prosper and survive such that we have continued access to their products. We're not talking about charitable foundations here, or small "Mom 'n' Pop" enterprises providing vital supplies or services to local communities - both of which arguably deserve our support... No, these are medium-to-large-size businesses whose primary goal is to make profits for the owners or shareholders by moving money from our pockets to theirs. It's entirely on them to make and sell products we find attractive, and up to us whether we spend our hard-earned money on them.
Buy a new product from a reputable in-country retailer, and you enjoy the benefits of consumer protection laws, after-sales support, an easy returns policy and process at minimal shipping cost, manufacturer's warranty covering manufacturing defects and faults developing from normal reasonable use, the option of purchasing an extended warranty, and the certainty that no-one has misused, abused, fiddled with or poorly stored the product before it reaches you. Of course, if you decide to flip the item quickly, you'll lose out to depreciation... but otherwise, the risks are minimal (within the warranty period, at least). You pay a considerable premium for these benefits, and that's fair enough.
Buy a used product, and it's very much a case of "caveat emptor"... buyer beware. It's impossible to know an item's true condition based on the seller's description and external appearances, the convenience and cost of returns varies considerably depending on the type and location of the seller, your consumer protections and remedies in the event of dissatisfaction or subsequent failure are far more limited, and you've no way of knowing the product's detailed background - how carefully or carelessly it was handled, carried, used and stored (and in what conditions) by the previous owner(s), its service and repair history etc. A used product may appear to be in great condition and could last for years - but if it fails within a few short months, you'll most likely have to take that on the chin. If it lasts, when you come to sell it the depreciation on used gear is likely to be less severe. Overall, though, the risks and potential for disappointment are greater - but you pay far less for such products, and that's fair too.
I'll say again, this has nothing to do with individual brands - the benefits and pitfalls of buying new and used equipment apply to them all. Buying new gives you greater peace of mind and the joy of owning a factory-fresh product, but is subject to faster depreciation. Buying used saves you money at the time of purchase and resale, but with increased risk. Which is the better option - and whether it's a good or bad financial decision - depends on your individual circumstances, priorities and risk appetite... not the brand. You pays your money and takes your choice... but there's no logical reason you should be more or less inclined to buy new with one brand compared to another if your budget allows. That just doesn't make sense.
If money were no object, I'd buy new from reputable in-country retailers every time, for the benefits already mentioned - but I don't have unlimited funds, photography is just a hobby for me, and I try to spend wisely... so - depending on my priorities and circumstances at any given time - I'll sometimes choose to buy used instead. When I do, it's always with a little trepidation and I set my expectations accordingly. For higher value items - more than a few hundred £ or $ - I'm more likely to buy new, or if I buy used then it's generally from an established and reputable in-country dealer that offers easy returns and 6+ months of warranty, or just occasionally a trusted individual whose honesty I know I can rely upon. For lower value items I'll quite happily buy used from any reasonable source, as I can more easily justify writing off the loss if they should fail or break unexpectedly in the short-to-medium term.
Regardless of brand, buy what you need, want and can afford, new or used, from the sources that suit you. Just be aware of the various benefits and pitfalls of your choices, and prepared to accept any consequences ;)
