"sellers" in eBay are truly destroying the used audio market, when I do searches nowadays I have to deal with all their noise (like a Radio Shack receiver for 1000 bucks)..... here's an example... thing doesn't work, doesn't power up but it's described as in "very good condition"
I mean, this picture could be funny, in a very sad way...
I offered the guy $1.00 if he covers the shipping.
I mean, this picture could be funny, in a very sad way...
I offered the guy $1.00 if he covers the shipping.
Actually, I retracted the offer.... I just wanted the seller to get a feel for why that thing is not selling. The last thing is for the offer to accept it and then eBay will actually charge me for the shipping....
Here I was thinking it was only cheeky Australians doing that. Only yesterday I was whinging to my wife about the number of audio items for sale in our city that don't work, but if they did they'd be worth a middling amount, so people try it on with a silly price. I'm looking at CD players at present, and many don't read the disc and people still want a couple of hundred because they're 'vintage'.
In the 'old days', these would be given away free to someone who would be willing to tackle the repair.
The internet…and especially eBay I think
Stupid is the New Black
EDIT: I forgot about social media…since I don’t partake in it at all…that beats eBay
Stupid is the New Black
EDIT: I forgot about social media…since I don’t partake in it at all…that beats eBay
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Teach your kids to play with rats!
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And I'm sure a lot of this "vintage" gear comes right out of the e-waste bin at the local recycling center, which means it's already been trashed and the seller knows nothing of its real condition or history.
My view is that information of any kind spreads very quickly today and few people take the effort to filter with their own brain what is "divulged".
A further possibility is that perhaps the word has spread that there are those who are willing to buy vintage audio material and then repair it, increasing the prices or that there are vintage devices that are "worth" a lot of money for a certain audience of "amateurs" and these are some possible results.
Where I come from there is a saying that goes: "Don't let the farmer know how good cheese is with pears".
Which also rhymes, in the original language.
I got into a "discussion" about such things with the "moderator" at reddit/audiophile... don't bother, the guy is no audiophile. He's active in ASR too.
I always look at the pedigree of the seller. Sellers that specialize on audio tend to have the best prices... except they do add their markup....
Mostly, individual sellers have the best prices, and on audio enthusiast sites you tend to have the most individuals. Besides, IMHO, audiophiles selling stuff are some of the most honest, and interesting and intelligent, people around.
Second in quality are direct manufacturers and specialist sellers that have a direct online presence.
@silverprout "chicks for free"..... well, the lyrics of the song won't work in today's hyper sensitive World. Besides, MTV no longer plays music. Are they still around even? Recently I got the 45RPM MoFi version of Brothers in Arms.... excellent.
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I actually sense what a seller divulges, as much in the "smell" of it as in the rational descriptive terms. My "favs" are descriptions that only say "ships with USPS ground economy". Yeah, thanks - I think I'll pass.
If in doubt, i.e. cant discern from pictures with zero effective description, I'll look at their sales history to see what others have said about other sales. Try to amass evidence for confidence from different angles.
Recently purchased a small FM transmitter, supposedly new but missing the antenna. Doubtful from the pics that the OEM wrapper hadnt been previously opened. Convinced myself that I should take the gamble, based on what others said about the seller. Turns out it was new and unopened, I could handle the missing antenna easily with a wire length and my soldering iron - and it works well. Got it for $23.50 shipped, versus the 60 - 80 other sources wanted for the same.
Dont let the farmer know how good cheese is with burgers to almond butter. The second half - whatever it is, like Celery - being just an excuse to eat more cheese.