Author Topic: Ebay Rant (Read 13983 times)

tyguy2 · « **on:** July 20, 2015, 11:14:09 pm »

A bit of a rant about eBay Sellers:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tenma-Oscilloscope-72-740-40MHZ-/331605244710?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d35367b26
So I found this on eBay and considered buying it for a while (though I knew it would probably be a repair job), until another user pointed out that the seller is probably BS'ing me: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/tenma-oscilloscope-manuals/ I decided to do a little more poking around, and found something that bothered me. Firstly, the listing was re-listed after being sold (I've been watching it for a while to see what would happen) with the exact same pictures. Secondly, he states "I do not have a power cable that fits this unit so I couldn't test it." This bothered my because, well, everyone has an IEC cable SOMEWHERE. I looked around on his account, and found he had this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ibanez-SW65-/331609561607?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d35785a07 for sale. He even states in the description: "Unit works great" The pictures of the back show the same plug as the Tenma Oscilloscope.

So what I'm wondering is, how was he able to power up an amp, but not an oscilloscope with the exact same plug? The logical answer is, of course, he did power up the scope, found it didn't work, and decided to sell it saying "Assumed to be working." Sometimes eBay sellers infuriate me.

Anyway, if anyone has a differing opinion, I'd love to hear it. Should I even bid on this?

XOIIO · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2015, 11:17:59 pm »

Contact him and ask about it, I'd love to hear this guy's response.

tyguy2 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2015, 11:18:35 pm »

Doing that currently

tyguy2 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2015, 11:21:51 pm »

Alright, done. Sadly, he probably wont reply before the auction is over. 4 hours remaining, d'oh!

XOIIO · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2015, 11:22:45 pm »

Yeah if he even replies at all, I'd love to see how he tries to squirm out of this.

TerraHertz · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2015, 01:54:10 am »

Gee, from the title I thought this was going to be an ebay-bashing session, for which I'd happily put on some steel-capped boots, and join the kicking.

Instead you're complaining about some guy listing a possibly nice scope for $1, but he's either too lazy to power it up, or knows it's dead. And he's listing as 'for parts...'. His only 'crime' is to not say "I am lazy" or "I know this is dead/ratted for parts/whatever. So, just bid accordingly.
I'd guess the previous buyer failed to pay.

Seriously, haven't you anything better to complain about?

tyguy2 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2015, 01:55:50 am »

Hey man, just felt like I needed to share my story, no need to get angry $:-\$

TerraHertz · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2015, 02:05:18 am »

Quote from: tyguy2 on July 21, 2015, 01:55:50 am

Hey man, just felt like I needed to share my story, no need to get angry $:-\$

I'm not angry, just surprised you considered that 'bad'. Far, far worse things happen in ebay. From sellers, buyers, and ebay themselves.

If you're looking for a cheap scope, set up a snipe bid of $10 on that one.
https://www.bidnapper.com or any other sniper, or do it manually.
Mainly just don't let yourself care if you win or lose.
Maybe it works, maybe it's a hollow shell. $10...

Edit: Oh, I meant to add, sometimes 'suspect smells' like that in listings can be good. They scare overly emotional bidders away, so you can get a cheaper deal. So long as you're not betting big bucks on a risky item, that's good.

Shock · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2015, 02:06:03 am »

This is completely outrageous, demand He calibrate it and relist it as "used" instead "for parts" immediately. If you find evidence He had to relist it due to non payment make sure you report him as well. As for not knowing what an IEC cable is, criminals like these should not be allowed to auction electronics on 99c starts. Don't get me started on the fact that it's re-badged!

tyguy2 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2015, 02:07:05 am »

See, someone agrees with me

tyguy2 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2015, 02:08:12 am »

Think I should buy it?

retrolefty · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2015, 02:18:20 am »

Quote from: tyguy2 on July 21, 2015, 02:08:12 am

Think I should buy it?

Depends on what your expectations are and the price your willing to pay for the risk. Buy it at a sniped $10 and even if parts only would make an educational tear down.

TerraHertz · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2015, 02:20:38 am »

Quote from: tyguy2 on July 21, 2015, 02:08:12 am

Think I should buy it?

Wrong approach. You should decide on a max $ you'd pay, given the circumstances, and set up a snipe bid.
That way you don't goad anyone else to start bidding against you. At end of auction you either get it for less than your chosen ceiling, or you don't.

If you watch the bid values vs time lists for ended auctions, you'll notice that most serious buyers use snipe bids, that show up in the last few seconds. For one thing, it's much less stressful. Also no need to waste time hovering over auctions near end.

You're interested in it, clearly. How much can you afford to spend on a possible dud? That's your choice, but if you say "nothing" you're being unreasonable. But do consider what the shipping cost might be.
Also that you've advertised the listing here, so more than usual numbers of possible bidders will be watching. In future, maybe don't do that if you're interested.

XOIIO · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2015, 02:22:42 am »

Is it just me that saw the part about it being re-listed after it was sold once?

tyguy2 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2015, 02:25:06 am »

That's the thing I'm worried about.

TerraHertz · « **Reply #15 on:** July 21, 2015, 02:28:53 am »

Quote from: XOIIO on July 21, 2015, 02:22:42 am

Is it just me that saw the part about it being re-listed after it was sold once?

No. But it happens. Buyer skipped out, or was overseas and didn't know what the shipping cost would be, or seller didn't want to post overseas... can be plenty of reasons.
Was there long enough between 1st sale and relisting, for it to have been shipped and returned? If not, then it can't have been due to 1st buyer deciding he'd been ripped off.

tyguy2 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 21, 2015, 03:15:23 am »

It was relisted a day after being sold.

TerraHertz · « **Reply #17 on:** July 21, 2015, 03:31:31 am »

Quote from: tyguy2 on July 21, 2015, 02:25:06 am

That's the thing I'm worried about.

Wait, "This listing has ended" in your pic doesn't mean it sold. I don't have the listing number for the original listing so can't see it. Are you sure it sold? There should be a bidders list if so. If zero bids, it just expired and he relisted.

tyguy2 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 21, 2015, 03:33:19 am »

No it had 1 bid.

edavid · « **Reply #19 on:** July 21, 2015, 03:34:45 am »

Quote from: TerraHertz on July 21, 2015, 03:31:31 am

Quote from: tyguy2 on July 21, 2015, 02:25:06 am
That's the thing I'm worried about.

Wait, "This listing has ended" in your pic doesn't mean it sold. I don't have the listing number for the original listing so can't see it. Are you sure it sold? There should be a bidders list if so. If zero bids, it just expired and he relisted.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tenma-Oscilloscope-72-740-40MHZ-/331598891399

Corporate666 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 21, 2015, 03:40:06 am »

Quote from: tyguy2 on July 21, 2015, 02:08:12 am

Think I should buy it?

I bought something that guy said "seems to work fine but I don't know how to test" and it ended up being bad. When I said I wanted to return, he complained that other buyers asked him to test it and it failed, and if he'd known I would return it he could have sold it to the other buyers.

Moral of the story - this guy lists it for parts or not working. Don't put any stock in his claim that he didn't test it. He probably didn't... maybe he did and he knows it doesn't work. But don't buy it expecting it to work. Most likely, even if it doesn't work, it's not like he's done a board level repair on it. So you might get lucky and it just needs a regulator leg re-soldered. Or maybe it has a giant hole in the PCB where the fire started.

For a buck... or even 20 bucks... it seems like a fun gamble to me. Worst case, you turn around and re-sell it for parts or not working. No need to put anything in the description, just sell it as-is with a clear conscience (as long as you state the condition as for parts/non-working).

Shock · « **Reply #21 on:** July 21, 2015, 07:52:39 am »

And if you're confused in the future...

Don't buy or sell anything on ebay if you can't accept a certain amount of risk. Don't expect sellers to do anything they say or send the correct item or send the item in same condition. On the other hand, don't expect people to automatically be cheating you just because it doesn't go right. That is what the "report item", "item not as described" and "feedback" systems are for. You don't last long on Ebay cheating people.

Deathwish · « **Reply #22 on:** July 21, 2015, 08:23:37 am »

I tend to check completed listings for the same item, then I think to myself would I get it for less than 25% lower than what it would fetch normally at a certain price range. I then factor in the possible cost of replacing such as the CRT or a major component and the value of the item as spare parts and if I am happy I purchase.

I expect honesty from any seller who has a professional knowledge of electronic items, more so If I find out they are a member of a forum such as this one, any less shows lack of morals, I feel there is no excuse to lie or deceive a buyer if you have this ability. Just be honest and say it is a dead donkey if it is. If I find the seller has limited or no knowledge of electronics then Caveat Emptor applies in my mind, in this case I would be looking at it and thinking " would I get more than the dollar I spent in spares on ebay or craigslist ". I know there are genuine bargains on Ebay, but be honest, if you truly think your going to get a piece of kit like this, even if outdated, for a dollar or two then you are kidding yourself,the seller isnt stupid and would know its worth if working, I would expect problems with it.

Halcyon · « **Reply #23 on:** July 21, 2015, 09:07:01 am »

Quote from: tyguy2 on July 20, 2015, 11:14:09 pm

...he states "I do not have a power cable that fits this unit so I couldn't test it." This bothered my because, well, everyone has an IEC cable SOMEWHERE.

Reminds me of a particular seller currently selling some old vintage computer gear (old Mac classics etc...). He gave the usual spiel about "pulled out of a working environment" or "worked last time it was powered up" or something equally non-descript and useless. But then also goes on to state (and I paraphrase) "I will not power this unit up under any circumstances. This is the buyers responsibility".

To me, either he is really fucking lazy or more likely that he clearly knows that they don't work or are very unlikely to work but is listing them for at a price that fully working units are selling for. I mean those who do their homework will realise that some of those old Macintosh's were notorious for dodgy and leaking capacitors and batteries which just corroded the motherboard.

I found with eBay, the ability to read between the lines and look for information that is deliberately omitted or glossed over is absolutely essential.

XOIIO · « **Reply #24 on:** July 21, 2015, 09:21:21 am »

Quote from: Halcyon on July 21, 2015, 09:07:01 am

To me, either he is really fucking lazy or more likely that he clearly knows that they don't work or are very unlikely to work but is listing them for at a price that fully working units are selling for. I mean those who do their homework will realise that some of those old Macintosh's were notorious for dodgy and leaking capacitors and batteries which just corroded the motherboard.

I guess another thing is that if he's that lazy, how well would he package something he is selling? Might come all smashed up in a box with two newspapers or something.


EEVblog Main Site	EEVblog on Youtube	EEVblog on Twitter	EEVblog on Facebook	EEVblog on Odysee

Author Topic: Ebay Rant (Read 13983 times)

Share me