Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[bitseeker]

I'll let fleaBay sort it out. Once I leave negative feedback I can't take it back, and it shows bad faith re: the negotiation process when I turn it over to eBay Dispute Resolution. The unit is visibly materially different from the auction photos. If eBay Dispute Resolution locks out feedback for this transaction, I'll live with it and just add his username to the eBay plonkers list on Facebook.

Heh. A seller touting, "You will have to ask ebay to step in and decide the matter," instantly qualifies him/her for the plonkers list in my book.

[bd139]

I’ve actually just had to say that with signal generator dude. 

It got delivered and signed for and Argos sent it back because he didn’t collect it because he had buggered off on holiday but it hasn’t arrived here. I’m not going to refund unless I get the goods back.

YMMV but that dude knew he was selling a turd and is now gambling with eBay. If you resolve in your favour eBay will cancel the transaction and you can’t leave feedback then so he gets to pull it again tens of times and no one will ever know.

[Specmaster]

Ebay will refund you and you get to keep the meter as well.  I had an a hole customer when I was selling some decorative 13A wall sockets on BIN. All sealed in original makers plastic bags, he wanted 3 so I gave him a deal, 3 for 2, he then made me wait 3 days for the money, as soon as he paid, I wrapped each one in bubble wrap and packed them carefully in a box, again wrapped in bubble wrap. Posted them the same day on a signed and tracked service and let him know that they were dispatched.

They were signed for by him the next day and almost a week later I emailed him asking if he would leave me feedback. Within minutes I had a message stating that he wanted to return them as one was scratched. I asked for a photo as I had said no returns and I had photos of each one being bubble wrapped and they were packed in such a fashion that they could not scratch each other even without the bubble wrap. Anyway after a bit of toing and froing and me talking to Ebay as I offered this guy a partial refund so he was in effect then only paying for 1 socket but no, he wanted me to pay for return postage and give a full refund. I printed a returns label from Ebay and emailed it to him, a week later I got the sockets back, 2 had the sealed bags opened, the scratch was hardly visible and was covered when the plug was inserted, they were also not even protected from scratching each other as they were floating around in the box with no bubble wrap around them or in the box.

This pissed me off, I spoke to Ebay again they told not to refund him because of it and that they would issue a refund to him, so I ended with slightly damaged goods and his money. He even had the cheek when leaving feedback to knock me on dispatch time so I have a rating now of 4.9/5 bastard, before then I had 5 stars for everything.

[mnementh]

I’ve actually just had to say that with signal generator dude. 

It got delivered and signed for and Argos sent it back because he didn’t collect it because he had buggered off on holiday but it hasn’t arrived here. I’m not going to refund unless I get the goods back.

YMMV but that dude knew he was selling a turd and is now gambling with eBay. If you resolve in your favour eBay will cancel the transaction and you can’t leave feedback then so he gets to pull it again tens of times and no one will ever know.

No question. But this is how eBay has set up their system; and it is a risk you take every time you put your money in the bin. There's a reason Amazon gets more and more of my business, and fleaBay gets less and less.  So the Bad Sellers list gets another name, and maybe one user in a thousand looks there first. I'll admit I didn't; I looked at his feedback history, almost as old as mine and 100%, and I bid with confidence. 


Now here's an interesting twist re: the bunk scratch-magnet screen for my phone.

I started a return on it; I was ready to send it back to him and buy another screen from a local vendor I've done business with before, even though it means waiting for him to get it and paying more. He just got back in touch with me; turns out, NOBODY has OEM glass for this phone. He couldn't get any supplier who could deliver a confirmed Gorilla Glass (or Mineral Glass of any sort) screen for my phone from any of his contacts.

Looking back on my purchase, the screen came in a box from Centaurus Electronics, a vendor on eBay who evidently specializes in the cheap Chinesium phones. He suspects this vendor may very well have custom ordered them, and everybody who's selling this screen is getting them from Centaurus. Looking at the listings, it does appear they all lifted their text direct from his listing.

So now what do I do? Bash this vendor for selling me a poor quality screen, when that's all that he or anybody else could get?

Or be glad I have my phone back, and just live with the fact it needs a screen protector, even though that makes the touch sensitivity all out of whack?

 


mnem
*Back into the pit*

[mnementh]

Ebay will refund you and you get to keep the meter as well.  I had an a hole customer when I was selling some decorative 13A wall sockets on BIN. All sealed in original makers plastic bags, he wanted 3 so I gave him a deal, 3 for 2, he then made me wait 3 days for the money, as soon as he paid, I wrapped each one in bubble wrap and packed them carefully in a box, again wrapped in bubble wrap. Posted them the same day on a signed and tracked service and let him know that they were dispatched.

They were signed for by him the next day and almost a week later I emailed him asking if he would leave me feedback. Within minutes I had a message stating that he wanted to return them as one was scratched. I asked for a photo as I had said no returns and I had photos of each one being bubble wrapped and they were packed in such a fashion that they could not scratch each other even without the bubble wrap. Anyway after a bit of toing and froing and me talking to Ebay as I offered this guy a partial refund so he was in effect then only paying for 1 socket but no, he wanted me to pay for return postage and give a full refund. I printed a returns label from Ebay and emailed it to him, a week later I got the sockets back, 2 had the sealed bags opened, the scratch was hardly visible and was covered when the plug was inserted, they were also not even protected from scratching each other as they were floating around in the box with no bubble wrap around them or in the box.

This pissed me off, I spoke to Ebay again they told not to refund him because of it and that they would issue a refund to him, so I ended with slightly damaged goods and his money. He even had the cheek when leaving feedback to knock me on dispatch time so I have a rating now of 4.9/5 bastard, before then I had 5 stars for everything.

I thought eBay locked out the shipping time field when you shipped the same day as payment?

Don't fret too much... 4.9 is still awesome, and in a year that'll clear up, as they only count the last 12 months in the metrics.


mnem
*currently nuking a lightsaber*

[Specmaster]

Ebay will refund you and you get to keep the meter as well.  I had an a hole customer when I was selling some decorative 13A wall sockets on BIN. All sealed in original makers plastic bags, he wanted 3 so I gave him a deal, 3 for 2, he then made me wait 3 days for the money, as soon as he paid, I wrapped each one in bubble wrap and packed them carefully in a box, again wrapped in bubble wrap. Posted them the same day on a signed and tracked service and let him know that they were dispatched.

They were signed for by him the next day and almost a week later I emailed him asking if he would leave me feedback. Within minutes I had a message stating that he wanted to return them as one was scratched. I asked for a photo as I had said no returns and I had photos of each one being bubble wrapped and they were packed in such a fashion that they could not scratch each other even without the bubble wrap. Anyway after a bit of toing and froing and me talking to Ebay as I offered this guy a partial refund so he was in effect then only paying for 1 socket but no, he wanted me to pay for return postage and give a full refund. I printed a returns label from Ebay and emailed it to him, a week later I got the sockets back, 2 had the sealed bags opened, the scratch was hardly visible and was covered when the plug was inserted, they were also not even protected from scratching each other as they were floating around in the box with no bubble wrap around them or in the box.

This pissed me off, I spoke to Ebay again they told not to refund him because of it and that they would issue a refund to him, so I ended with slightly damaged goods and his money. He even had the cheek when leaving feedback to knock me on dispatch time so I have a rating now of 4.9/5 bastard, before then I had 5 stars for everything.

I thought eBay locked out the shipping time field when you shipped the same day as payment?

Don't fret too much... 4.9 is still awesome, and in a year that'll clear up, as they only count the last 12 months in the metrics.


mnem
*currently nuking a lightsaber*

Nah, not fretting over it just annoyed at him when all the delay was on his part, delayed paying me and delayed telling there was a problem then even more delay in him sending the items back but it was my rating that took the hit grrr. My seller status with Ebay is above average so they tell me so I'm happy with that.

His rating as a buyer was 100% but I was prevented from leaving him feedback...

[bd139]

My eBay account says “member from 2014”. I had some shenanigans with a fraudster who ripped me off for £800 for an iMac I was selling. PayPal took refund out of my account although the buyer just sent the box back. No shit.

Bank sided with me and raised it as PayPal fraud and refunded the money.

Cue the debt collectors. The sick nefarious bastard I am I like intimidating them until they go bright red or try and hit me 

I now run a mule account via Halifax with balance zero.

[Specmaster]

Yep, there are some real bastards out there and its up to us look after ourselves and each other as much as possible, its a real shame that we aren't able to name and shame them. But then, they are really beyond shame, they couldn't care less because just like you they probably also run mule accounts and operate from multiple addresses and names to avoid being caught.

[tggzzz]

... and just add his username to the eBay plonkers list on Facebook.

Reference?

[bd139]

There’s a shitlist here: https://myip.ms/browse/ebay_blacklist/Blacklist_Ebay_Buyers_Live_DB.html

Edit: there are a few actually. I might build an aggregator for them.

[Specmaster]

There’s a shitlist here: https://myip.ms/browse/ebay_blacklist/Blacklist_Ebay_Buyers_Live_DB.html

Edit: there are a few actually. I might build an aggregator for them.

Looking at that list USA suffers the most.

[bitseeker]

I’ve actually just had to say that with signal generator dude. 

It got delivered and signed for and Argos sent it back because he didn’t collect it because he had buggered off on holiday but it hasn’t arrived here. I’m not going to refund unless I get the goods back.

YMMV but that dude knew he was selling a turd and is now gambling with eBay. If you resolve in your favour eBay will cancel the transaction and you can’t leave feedback then so he gets to pull it again tens of times and no one will ever know.

When I had that kind of issue with a buyer, I contacted eBay to get an immediate ruling on it before the buyer could weasel a different outcome.

[bd139]

Says ready for collection in their system so not my funeral

[bitseeker]

There’s a shitlist here: https://myip.ms/browse/ebay_blacklist/Blacklist_Ebay_Buyers_Live_DB.html

Edit: there are a few actually. I might build an aggregator for them.

Thanks. I need to check this stuff before buying.

Like mnem, I buy more from Amazon these days. Their customer service is so much better. However, I didn't like selling on Amazon when I used it a few years ago due to having to take returns for no reason and their unreasonable shipping price restrictions (i.e., can't charge what it actually costs you, only as much as they allow).

[bitseeker]

Says ready for collection in their system so not my funeral

Yep, your situation seems OK. It's pretty straightforward, but some buyers will try anything.

[Specmaster]

There’s a shitlist here: https://myip.ms/browse/ebay_blacklist/Blacklist_Ebay_Buyers_Live_DB.html

Edit: there are a few actually. I might build an aggregator for them.

Thanks. I need to check this stuff before buying.

Like mnem, I buy more from Amazon these days. Their customer service is so much better. However, I didn't like selling on Amazon when I used it a few years ago due to having to take returns for no reason and their unreasonable shipping price restrictions (i.e., can't charge what it actually costs you, only as much as they allow).

Amazon also problems, I got done by a dodgy seller and Amazon didn't resolve it either way. They are however very good if the seller uses their packing and delivery service.

[GregDunn]

Hi, my name is Greg and I'm a test equipmentaholic.

Hamfests are money sinks, right?  But I figured: $8 to get in, nothing really lost if I don't find anything.  Of course, immediately I see a table with some decent brand-name gear on it, and I start scanning for the model numbers.  I really wanted another power supply for testing analog breadboards - look! Here's an HP 6236B just like we used to have in the lab.  And a nice DMM so I could measure voltage and current simultaneously on amplifiers - oh!  A Fluke 8600A in great condition.

They had low prices on them, but there was a bigger sign saying "MAKE OFFER", so I did.  He accepted, which made back my entry fee and more, on just the power supply.  It will replace an old beater supply I picked up for $10 a long time ago, and is far nicer in every way.  And the Fluke: someone told me autoranging meters were addictive.  They were right.

[pigrew]

My University is trashing a bunch of components, and random crap. It makes me sad, and I'm grabbing way too much stuff I'll never use. I'm an addict. I need help.

What are we supposed to do with hundreds of 74S logic ICs, X5S capacitors, AC transformers, and 5% carbon resistors? There doesn't seem to be much of a market anymore, but I do wish the young students would learn how to use this stuff.

I picked up a box of wire wrap sockets, EEPROM programmer, Hall effect current sensors, tantalums, triax cable, stepper motor controller, and 250 lbs of other stuff I'll rarely use.

Maybe I'll be able to give some of it back next semester for the design students to use...


(And how do I post anonymously?)

[Cubdriver]

My University is trashing a bunch of components, and random crap. It makes me sad, and I'm grabbing way too much stuff I'll never use. I'm an addict. I need help.

What are we supposed to do with hundreds of 74S logic ICs, X5S capacitors, AC transformers, and 5% carbon resistors? There doesn't seem to be much of a market anymore, but I do wish the young students would learn how to use this stuff.

I picked up a box of wire wrap sockets, EEPROM programmer, Hall effect current sensors, tantalums, triax cable, stepper motor controller, and 250 lbs of other stuff I'll rarely use.

Maybe I'll be able to give some of it back next semester for the design students to use...


(And how do I post anonymously?)

Pictures like that make me cry.  Good on you for rescuing what you can.  74XX ICs can be very useful to those restoring old gear that used them, and many types are going obsolete and no longer readily available.

-Pat

[Johnny10]

Those old Triplett meters are nice. You need larger pics so we can drool over all the free stuff!

[med6753]

Hi, my name is Greg and I'm a test equipmentaholic.

Hamfests are money sinks, right?  But I figured: $8 to get in, nothing really lost if I don't find anything.  Of course, immediately I see a table with some decent brand-name gear on it, and I start scanning for the model numbers.  I really wanted another power supply for testing analog breadboards - look! Here's an HP 6236B just like we used to have in the lab.  And a nice DMM so I could measure voltage and current simultaneously on amplifiers - oh!  A Fluke 8600A in great condition.

They had low prices on them, but there was a bigger sign saying "MAKE OFFER", so I did.  He accepted, which made back my entry fee and more, on just the power supply.  It will replace an old beater supply I picked up for $10 a long time ago, and is far nicer in every way.  And the Fluke: someone told me autoranging meters were addictive.  They were right.

Welcome to our world. 

[bd139]

Hi, my name is Greg and I'm a test equipmentaholic.

Hamfests are money sinks, right?  But I figured: $8 to get in, nothing really lost if I don't find anything.  Of course, immediately I see a table with some decent brand-name gear on it, and I start scanning for the model numbers.  I really wanted another power supply for testing analog breadboards - look! Here's an HP 6236B just like we used to have in the lab.  And a nice DMM so I could measure voltage and current simultaneously on amplifiers - oh!  A Fluke 8600A in great condition.

They had low prices on them, but there was a bigger sign saying "MAKE OFFER", so I did.  He accepted, which made back my entry fee and more, on just the power supply.  It will replace an old beater supply I picked up for $10 a long time ago, and is far nicer in every way.  And the Fluke: someone told me autoranging meters were addictive.  They were right.

Welcome to the party

HP6236B is a lovely power supply. I recently got a 6237B

Also had an 8600A not that long ago

Hamfests are dangerous. Lots of bargains. Shame there aren’t that many decent ones here in the UK any more.

[med6753]

Ever have one of these crap out? I did.   

Caused my Kindle Fire to lock up. Luckily there wasn't much of anything important on it. And once I removed it the Kindle booted and re-formatted itself and is working fine.

Neither of my laptops can accommodate these micro SD's so I can't check it. 

[med6753]

Hamfests are dangerous. Lots of bargains. Shame there aren’t that many decent ones here in the UK any more.

The last hamfest I went to didn't have nuthin worth considering. And what was there was a whole bunch of wishful thinking. For example: a B&K 2120 20Mhz scope identical to mine for $60 USD. And it was beat up! 

[pigrew]

I'm

Those old Triplett meters are nice. You need larger pics so we can drool over all the free stuff!

I'm a child, brought up in the digital & solid state age (except for CRTs). Those meters don't have an ADC.

I ordered a Kepco 1000V supply the other day from eBay. I didn't pay attention that the "OPS 1000" wasn't an "OPS100B". It was delivered, and what did I find? a pentode. My first reaction was to search DigiKey for high voltage FETs and tear out the electron valve. I've not yet gotten up the courage to warm up the beast, probably should do so with a variac.  (Don't worry, I realized that using a vacuum tube is a reasonable choice, even today, for such high voltages. I've been scared away from GaN by blowing up too many depletion mode FETs due to issues with power-supply ordering and oscillations.).

In my real life, I'm struggling with deciding between waveguide and coax for doing some Q-band measurements. I've never used waveguide before, but the waveguide RF thingies seem to have better performance. On the other hand, I'm used to using coax, though this is getting towards needing 1.85mm everything.