Blog suggestion. Repair of the odd random Ebay "untested"  purchase. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: Chris Wilson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2012, 07:49:03 pm
content: I would love to see a few blogs on how to tackle repairs of those Ebay buys we all love, where the thing is sold "untested", or with the less legally couched "not working" description. Perhaps something basic like a dead multimeter, and something more complex like a dead or dysfunctional analogue oscilloscope? The blog could show the best way to isolate the area(s) of trouble, safe testing procedures, for the device and the tester, and the most effective and efficient ways to test to find the problem(s). Even if the ultimate repair was impossible or financially not viable it would, I feel, make compelling viewing for many of us. Thanks.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2012, 08:00:33 pm
content: Is it just me or does everyone else translate "untested" into "not working" anyway? Years ago when I used to frequent radio rallies (must start going again, though I understand they aren't what they once were - Elvaston Castle will be missed) there always seemed to be the "tested and working" pile and the "untested" pile - oddly there was never a "tested and not working" pile :-/

author: Mashpriborintorg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2012, 08:07:56 pm
content: According to my experience, buying untested stuff is just like playing russian roulette. You can get real pieces of junk (as water damaged stuff), and real bargains, when the seller didn't test the item by lack of knowledge, lack of means or... simply because of a missing power cord !

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2012, 08:11:41 pm
content: It depends if the item is really "untested" or if the seller knows it's stuffed and puts "untested" on the auction to try and sell it.The main problem you run into is when an item has already been taken to bits and all good parts removed.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2012, 08:13:09 pm
content: QuoteThat, er...., is my point entirely.Edit: Actually, being fair there are businesses that deal in surplus stuff that genuinely might get hold of a sufficiently large batch of items that they just want to move them on, but I still tend to view "untested" to mean we tried it and it didn't work.To get back on topic I'd be interested to see more repair/restoration threads but I'm not sure what would be of most general appeal. One thing I've noticed as well is that "For Parts or Not Working" items on Ebay often go for worryingly close to those for working items. A Yamaha DGX-520 keyboard that I'd spotted and was interested in when it was a tenner ultimately went for £80 despite being totally dead. A working one only went for £100.

author: PStevenson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2012, 08:22:31 pm
content: going by me experience "untested" means it doesn't work, they have tested it, they know full well it doesn't work and they are ambiguous because they want a bit more money.I'm more than happy buying broken stuff, I love the challenge I just wish people were abit more honest also it would make it easier for me to search for "stuff which is fucked" haha

author: ModemHead
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2012, 10:48:17 pm
content: As for the blog suggestion, I think I recall Dave saying that repairing stuff didn't interest him, so I wouldn't expect too much there.And to me, "untested" means the same as "broken". Sometimes you get lucky though, it's just a quick repair. It's a source of entertainment for me, so I also look for the broken/untested stuff. And then I watch it go by as it gets bidded up to 80% of a working unit.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2012, 02:40:40 am
content: If you are interested in the repair of classic Electronic Instruments,etc,have a look at this site:-http://jvgavila.com/Jose' is the type of guy who will take on the most fiddly jobs & end up with an effective repair.No videos,but a good read!

author: Chris Wilson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2012, 01:19:46 pm
content: Thanks for the link, but you are preaching to the converted, he does some awesome work, especially that Tek gel removal and repair. Very patient guy, very knowledgeable guy, obviously. I have his pages bookmarked. Thanks for the mention though, it is indeed a place of interest

author: wkb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2012, 04:50:39 pm
content: Quote from: Chris Wilson on February 13, 2012, 01:19:46 pmPatient is indeed the keyword here! Impressive detective & repair work I have to say!I'm afraid my patience is not even in the same league

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 13, 2012, 11:41:58 pm
content: The one phrase I love the most is "was pulled from a running environment" (by five dogs and a mad cow).It's usually not worth it unless you know you can fix it or need a certain part.

author: tekfan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2012, 11:50:40 pm
content: Quote from: Neganur on February 13, 2012, 11:41:58 pmOne ebay seller comes to mind:http://www.ebay.de/itm/150726048148?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648I know it's wrong but I laughed very hard when I saw this. Hey at least they are honest and say that it doesn't power up.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2012, 12:27:04 am
content: Quote from: tekfan on February 13, 2012, 11:50:40 pmThey always offer stuff like this. We had pictures of their stuff here before. What pisses me of is their standard "we don't have the tools to test it" disclaimer. Heck, they sold more than 5000 items on eBay. One would think they came about a few working measurement instruments now and then and got some clue how to use one or the other instrument over the years.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2012, 01:21:19 pm
content: I'm impressed by the number of sales, the shipping costs for any item tends to be fairly high.I find researching the seller as much as the product give you better luck in getting a running or easily salvagable unit, despite being untested.For example, consider this ebayer, Surplus Tech Mart. Most such folks have separate websites, that link to eBay or vice versa. From there, we can find added hit words to locate:http://junkyard.recycleinme.com/jy-effy8000/buyoffer-722.aspxand the guy Effy Sal and his phone number. From there we can find Sal's name against electronics sales ebay etc. and find additional links to him like his publicly offered dossier:http://www.liveperson.com/effy-sal/and possibly his US based home:http://www.dotmed.com/services/user/118491/What does this tell us? It suggests Sal is likely a broker of junk goods. The likelihood of the online seller knowing technicalities about the item is fairly small, since the items can come from anywhere and from any network of purchasers, all flowing into a some type of warehouse. If you buy from him, you are likely to get WYSIWYG, and the photo and descriptor is everything.Now look at his eBay rating, the type of people who buy from him, particularlypowerbuyers, and what type of gear they buy. What makes those folks risk buying from him? How much negative feedback have they given others? Good buyers rarely give negative feedback either because they haven't the time or they rarely make errors. How can they not make mistakes while others do?Now, finally, why would anyone who knows how to decipher excellent 'untested or 'was pulled from a running environment' etc., eBay goods, give away such a technique publicly? Armed with those techniques, others looking for a similar item will become formidable bid opponents, and raise the buying price for teacher.Quote from: tekfan on February 13, 2012, 11:50:40 pm

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2012, 03:01:26 pm
content: Hey, I bought a scope in better condition than that. Was some special Tak medical stuff, and was auctioned. scope sides still work, but they have no drive, only able to do XY traces. I will someday make one into a component curve tracer, the other has a storage tube ( 2 screen TEK storage tube, 1970's 7 series mainframe I think, probably works) that is a little flat and is quite burnt.