Author Topic: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?  (Read 5865 times)

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Offline J-R

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #25 on: September 30, 2023, 12:52:44 am »
These anti-West statements are common amongst the butt hurt jealous types and communists.  The fact is that significant amounts of successful technology innovation and "supremacy" sprung from and exists in countries such as Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

Export restrictions/controls and sanctions basically apply to countries with leaders that wish to do those countries harm, so naturally their allies comply.  Furthermore, certain countries are known for state-sponsored extreme levels of intellectual property and technology theft for military and other reasons so that requires constant due diligence.

And I don't want to hear any come backs about racism or nationalism because that has nothing to do with this.
 

Offline deepfryed

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #26 on: September 30, 2023, 01:44:37 am »
This was my question a while back in another thread. I think it's rare to come across good deals anymore, especially if you're looking for equipment marked as "not working, for parts". Got to keep looking and hope you get lucky.
 

Offline arvidb

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #27 on: September 30, 2023, 08:29:53 am »
Yeah, they changed some things and it took me a loong time to figure out what the problem was. For some reason, if you have entered a non-ebay country "delivery location"(the field immediately below the "sort" drop down menu when you search for something), then ebay removes the option to filter by item location. If you enter e.g. Germany as delivery location, the function comes back and you can filter by "European union".
Wow, thank you for this! I never would have found this out by myself. I wonder if it's a bug or intentional. Weird, anyway!
 

Offline watchmaker

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #28 on: September 30, 2023, 12:33:24 pm »
Only remaining question is where do I go to satisfy my need for test equipment?
New.
Good new instruments have never been so well priced.


Several thoughts on this.  First, Tauteg is right.  Siglent 1004xe upgradeable to 1204xe w/o discount at Saelig for $375???
THOUGHT I wanted Agilent used, luckily they treated me like crap (I am in US) and I canceled the order.

And I fully support the export controls.  What the US  did to Motorola in the 70s was unforgivable.  While the horses are out of the barn on the tech since, there are economic and national defense reasons I support the controls.

As far as used, I am setting up my learning lab (was HS voced electronics 55 years ago; USN curriculum).  I also think "value" also depends on what you need the TE for.

My problem kink in life is I like data over opinion.  Here we go.

Ebay prices including shipping:
BK 1520 scope; perfect only needed adjustment  $95   (this enabled me to relearn scope basics and rule my Sig)
Fluke 8084/AF; cal sticker intact, from a component manufacturer; completely consistent with Sig scope and HP below  $140
HP 3478A; see above; only needed new battery  $95 (consistent w/ Fluke w/in 2 digits)
DM 441B; perfect, consistent with the two above $80 (somewhat expendable but I like the counter and quick Beta tester)
BK 501A Curve tracer; perfect, just needed BNC connectors  $180 (Reason for 1520 scope)  Had I known more; woulda waited for a turnkey tracer station
Fluke 27/FM w/trimmings and US Army Cal till Oct 2024  $85 (will surplus out; I have a Simpson 647 which I calibrated to above)
Micronta 220-20 in box  $30 (for expendable checks)
I understand most here will consider my TE is uncalibrated.  But at least the results are reliable if not valid and I never imagined the need to measure below one mV, one uA or one ohm!

So I have a learning lab for about $1K.  Maybe I just overpaid? 

I am gobsmacked at the TE available today at prices unthinkable 55 years ago (a $20 thing that measures L,C,R and measures and IDs semiconductors???)  A calculator that does calculus for $25; I remember simple ones for $100!.  And they were banned in college.

Try adjusting all these prices for 1980 (better 1970) dollars.

This is like 15 years ago when the AO/B&L $2000 optical scopes were selling for $100 due to digital imaging.  Put all my loupes in a drawer!

Regards,

Dewey

Regards,

Dewey
 

Offline petemateTopic starter

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #29 on: September 30, 2023, 09:51:42 pm »
Yeah, they changed some things and it took me a loong time to figure out what the problem was. For some reason, if you have entered a non-ebay country "delivery location"(the field immediately below the "sort" drop down menu when you search for something), then ebay removes the option to filter by item location. If you enter e.g. Germany as delivery location, the function comes back and you can filter by "European union".
Wow, thank you for this! I never would have found this out by myself. I wonder if it's a bug or intentional. Weird, anyway!

No clue. I was basically slamming ebay with questions on this, because it seems so stupid.. But they did not even understand the issue, despite being sent screenshots that I was unable to select "item location" filters. In the end I used a VPN to show them the issue and the answer I got back was "I suggest you don't use a VPN".


Only remaining question is where do I go to satisfy my need for test equipment?
New.
Good new instruments have never been so well priced.

True, for the most "basic" stuff. But I don't need another oscilloscope or PSU. I want all the niche equipment that would be too expensive for me from new :)
 

Offline tszaboo

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #30 on: October 02, 2023, 07:48:23 pm »
I mean, who needs deals when you can have this rusty 40 year old whatever for 180 dollars instead of 200
www.ebay.com/itm/374807675481
« Last Edit: October 02, 2023, 07:55:12 pm by tszaboo »
 

Offline J-R

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #31 on: October 03, 2023, 06:44:15 am »
eBay fees are significant, about 15%.  Many sellers maintain their own storefront where the prices are lower, or you can contact them directly for other arrangements.
 

Offline KungFuJosh

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #32 on: October 03, 2023, 03:19:52 pm »
eBay fees are significant, about 15%.  Many sellers maintain their own storefront where the prices are lower, or you can contact them directly for other arrangements.

Yes, 15% is a lot, but not when they're charging 5000% over the real value. The ones I love are when people charge $1000 over the new price for current products still available new.
"Right now I’m having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before." - Steven Wright
 
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Offline J-R

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #33 on: October 03, 2023, 05:43:23 pm »
eBay fees are significant, about 15%.  Many sellers maintain their own storefront where the prices are lower, or you can contact them directly for other arrangements.
Yes, 15% is a lot, but not when they're charging 5000% over the real value. The ones I love are when people charge $1000 over the new price for current products still available new.
This is a different issue and has been discussed in other threads. 
 

Offline nidlaX

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #34 on: October 03, 2023, 07:58:45 pm »
Do you guys base your opinions on eBay live auction prices or completed listing prices?

Two observations from me:
  • It's possible that eBay hides some completed listings below a certain threshold price from sold / completed item searches, so you may not know the true average / median price unless you're watching the auctions live. You also no longer have the ability to view the selling prices for Best Offer listings, so that information is also missing.
  • Buy it now sellers tend to anchor high with their asking prices, which means you'll need to anchor low when making offers despite any negative sentiments about "low-balling". I feel like the general culture of selling has moved more towards BiN style reverse auctions over the years, so you'll have to play the game to get the deals.
 

Offline aeg

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #35 on: October 03, 2023, 10:54:04 pm »
It's possible that eBay hides some completed listings below a certain threshold price from sold / completed item searches, so you may not know the true average / median price unless you're watching the auctions live. You also no longer have the ability to view the selling prices for Best Offer listings, so that information is also missing.

I don't think eBay hides completed listings below a threshold price per se, but the time horizon for completed items searches has gotten pretty small. So you'll only see the recent high-dollar unsold BIN listings, and not the hot deal from 2 months ago. They also prune the active listing results when you sort by price, which can make you miss some listings.
 
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Offline Stray Electron

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #36 on: October 03, 2023, 11:29:42 pm »
Do you guys base your opinions on eBay live auction prices or completed listing prices?

Two observations from me:
  • It's possible that eBay hides some completed listings below a certain threshold price from sold / completed item searches, so you may not know the true average / median price unless you're watching the auctions live. You also no longer have the ability to view the selling prices for Best Offer listings, so that information is also missing.
  • Buy it now sellers tend to anchor high with their asking prices, which means you'll need to anchor low when making offers despite any negative sentiments about "low-balling". I feel like the general culture of selling has moved more towards BiN style reverse auctions over the years, so you'll have to play the game to get the deals.

   Both.  I check prices for certain TE literally everyday and the asking prices are getting higher and more ridiculous everyday.  And very little of it is getting sold and none of it at the high prices.  But hey, as a seller when you can list things for free and relist them dozens of times for free,  there is NO incentive to ask realistic prices.  I've looked at the completed sales of some sellers and they actually sell very little of what they have listed.

"It's possible that eBay hides some completed listings"

    Not that I've ever seen. I've looked at the closed auctions of hundreds of items and I've never found one that wasn't shown.  OTOH if the seller is asking X and accepts a lower price, Ebay shows what they were asking and not the amount that they eventually sold it for.
 

Offline chilternview

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #37 on: October 04, 2023, 08:47:20 am »
There has definitely been a change in eBay UK listings this year. Previously, search for something like 'Agilent 4156C' and you'd get half a dozen items, all in the US, some of which would not ship WW, or just didn't show a postage for non-US buyers. Now, you don't get any of these listings.

They are still there in ebay.com, so I just look there instead. And if I really want an item, I ask the seller if they'll ship to the UK. Some say its too much bother, so I ask them if I arange DHL to pick it up from them is that ok (they still need a packing list and invoice but I can help them with that). They usually agree.
 

Offline tszaboo

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Re: Where did all the used test equipment deals go?
« Reply #38 on: October 04, 2023, 01:15:10 pm »
There has definitely been a change in eBay UK listings this year. Previously, search for something like 'Agilent 4156C' and you'd get half a dozen items, all in the US, some of which would not ship WW, or just didn't show a postage for non-US buyers. Now, you don't get any of these listings.

They are still there in ebay.com, so I just look there instead. And if I really want an item, I ask the seller if they'll ship to the UK. Some say its too much bother, so I ask them if I arange DHL to pick it up from them is that ok (they still need a packing list and invoice but I can help them with that). They usually agree.
Actually coming to think about it, I think the shipping costs are somewhat responsible for this. During the lockdowns the shipping costs skyrocketed, and I don't think it came all the way down since. So if you want to buy a 600 EUR DMM, and the shipping is 150, and most of the available units are in the USA, the local price will follow and it will be 750. And then they look up the prices it was sold when listing, they see it was sold for 750,then they will list it at 750, then the locals start selling it at 900. And that's where we are now.
 


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