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I can't remember the last piece of gear I bought new. I usually buy used from services like MPB, which are trustworthy and offer a warranty. You won't see me buying the latest and greatest, as I like to wait until it gets some real-world use and the price goes down a bit.
You can sometimes find even better deals on eBay, but it's very important to research the seller. Don't just look for negative reviews, read them. Some people complain about trivial things, and you can ignore those. Others describe real problems, and that's a seller to stay away from. Most of my Sony gear was bought on MPB and eBay for very good prices, and I sold all my Micro 4/3 gear on MPB. I recently bought the Benro Tortoise and the 25-200 new from B&H, since the used options weren't appealing.
Want to know why I switched? Read My Switch Story.
Tip for Panama:
If you live in Panama, keep in mind that Sony has excellent local support, and although there are relatively few authorized retailers, their prices are often very competitive.
A good example is the recently released Sony 100-400mm f/5.6-8. After exploring options at B&H, Amazon, and several other retailers, I discovered that Sony Panama had it on sale, and I ended up paying less than I would have in the US. Plus, the lens is covered by Sony Panama's local warranty.
This experience has made me reconsider buying Sony gear locally in the future rather than automatically looking to US retailers. That may not hold true for other brands, but for new Sony gear, buying locally might be the better choice.
I personally recommend Digital Photo Supply as a trustworthy retailer.Now go visit my GEAR LINKS