With Dave's recent YT blog about sub 100 dollar scopes. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 04:45:07 pm
content: Well, I am having no luck so I suck but I did come close withhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/HITACHI-V-1070-4-CHANNEL-DUAL-TRACE-100Mhz-Ocilliscope-/261286189954?pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item3cd5dedb82but at $138.50 that is over my budget so he is getting a sweet deal if everything is really in working order.How Dave can do it, and we watched him on YT do it, I just don't get it. Maybe he has better mojo than I do or something.edit: Modified the link to the correct one.

author: Carrington
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 05:08:54 pm
content: Wow It looks in excellent condition.

author: krivx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 05:15:00 pm
content: 4-channel 100MHz scopes will be more sought after than 2-channel lower bandwidth models, the prices will usually reflect that.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 05:17:02 pm
content: Quote from: krivx on September 19, 2013, 05:15:00 pmOf course but the prices for 2 channel scopes, since Dave's video, have seemed to have gone up by double. Even the lesser known brands.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 05:17:51 pm
content: Quote from: Carrington on September 19, 2013, 05:08:54 pmYep, he is going to steal it and resale it I can tell with 388 rating. Might not be back on Ebay (I bet so) but some where.

author: tehmeme
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 05:31:50 pm
content: Quote from: Dark Prognosis on September 19, 2013, 04:45:07 pmI can guarantee that this will go for much more than the current bid.After the item ends go back and have a look at the final flurry of bids.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 05:39:36 pm
content: Quote from: tehmeme on September 19, 2013, 05:31:50 pmThat is what I plan to do. The guy seems to be bidding sort of weird by putting the 50 cents on it but I wonder if suddenly more will come at the last minute?Hell, all I want is a decent 20mhz dual channel scope for around 75 delivered or 40mhz for 100 and that used to work but now 75-120 is for broken no named ones. I will keep after it as a deal will emerge I bet.

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 06:28:55 pm
content: You live in the test equipment on ebay wonderland. There are even "buy it now" offers that meet your requirements.eBay auction: #200961946978eBay auction: #231056887906It has 30 days warranty!eBay auction: #130996990121And many more.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 06:35:11 pm
content: Quote from: sync on September 19, 2013, 06:28:55 pmI am not sure what the first two are (I didn't see those when I looked) as i have never heard of that model but that last one I did see but it looks like it has phosphor burn on the X reticle as that black smudge across it kept me from looking at it for long.Do you reckon that is a burn?

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 06:52:11 pm
content: Maybe there is a light burn-in. Maybe it's just the picture or dirt on the screen. Just ask the seller. Even with a light burn-in it's usable. The trace will only a bit darker at this position.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 06:54:28 pm
content: Quote from: sync on September 19, 2013, 06:52:11 pmI already did.Oh, btw, that first one you showed had a knob broken out of it. Dunno much about that so as my first scope I wouldn't want something to be really bad inside because something broke the knob off which is not an easy task to do.

author: tehmeme
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:02:47 pm
content: the bk precision looks good to me, it depends what you'll be using it for. 3 channel 60MHz and waranty.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:10:58 pm
content: Quote from: tehmeme on September 19, 2013, 07:02:47 pmThat brings up a point about my lack of experience with scopes but I understand 1,2,4 channels but why 3? Seems odd to me.edit: Now I know why I skipped it because of this -> "PICTURE IS STOCK AND ACTUAL SCOPE IS IN GOOD COSMETIC CONDITION SHOWING USE AND WEAR"

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:15:56 pm
content: Quote from: Dark Prognosis on September 19, 2013, 06:54:28 pmThere is always a risk buying used gear. To minimise it buy one with warranty.PS: If you looking for a bargain then you need to be patient. This means looking for month. And they will likely come without warranty or return option.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:18:00 pm
content: I received a message back about the possible phosphor issue on that one scope and the reply was "Unfortunately, this item has already been sent to our shipping warehouse to be processed. I am unable to obtain any further specs on this item. I apologize for not being able to assist you with this inquiry. Thanks for looking!"As far as waiting I agree it will happen as I can see them on the completed listings but I was too late or away when it closed.

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:29:20 pm
content: I assume there aren't many sub-$100USD scopes that have a shallow mounting depth? They all seem to be 18" or more.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:32:18 pm
content: Quote from: george graves on September 19, 2013, 07:29:20 pmNot in the Analog realm that I have seen due to the CRT's neck. There were shallow neck CRTs in some televisions in the day but they were not fast enough for scopes or so I was told back then. I never owned a scope back then because 1500 for one in say 1981 would be like 10 grand now accounting for inflation.

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 07:41:36 pm
content: Quote from: Dark Prognosis on September 19, 2013, 07:10:58 pmIt has two main channels and the 3rd is limited (only 0.1 and 1V/div). A standard two channel scope has an additional external trigger input. On this scope it's ch3 and you can display it's trace. That was an easy and low cost way for the manufacture to get more that two channels.QuoteLook at the sellers feedback profile. It's very good.

author: tehmeme
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 09:12:54 pm
content: Quote from: sync on September 19, 2013, 07:41:36 pmI agree, with the total transactions (over 10k) 100% is pretty good.

author: orion242
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:30:21 pm
content: They are out there all day long.After Dave's video I kept an eye on Ebay for about 3 weeks. Ended up scoring 2 - LG 0S-3020Ds for $70 delivered. They both where listed as for parts. Figured worst case I should be able to get one working.Powered up the first and it was apparent that the power supply was a problem. $10 of caps latter it worked fine.The second had issues with intensity. Comparing it to the first and reviewing the service manual tracked it down to a worn out pot. $15 later new pot and power supply caps replaced it was working also. This guy still had a loose connection somewhere and needs a slap to the case every once and a while. At some point I may tear it apart again.None the less I havetwouseable 20Mhz dual channel scopes with limited digital storage, for $70.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 10:43:53 pm
content: Quote from: orion242 on September 19, 2013, 10:30:21 pmI wouldn't trust it to buy "for parts" but some of those I saw sure looked in better shape than the ones that worked but aesthetics only goes so far when it is the inside that matters.

author: orion242
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 11:07:36 pm
content: Well I looked at it this way.1. I could find the service manuals.2. I would have two, so if their was hard to find parts bad in one, I should be able to salvage from the second.3. If I was foolish enough to buy them, if all else failed, hopefully someone else would and I turn around and re-list.I had people bidding against me, so I should have been able to get most of my money out of them should I flip them back on ebay. Now that they work, I could turn around and sell them for a profit.So assuming your smart about it, I don't think your risking too much.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2013, 11:24:32 pm
content: Quote from: orion242 on September 19, 2013, 11:07:36 pmIf I had a working scope I would do just that I think. I just hate auctions and prefer the buy it now or make an offer because waiting a week to find out someone will bid you into the ground is not for me. Heck, I don't even use auction with bids in my virtual economies in video games either as I always do a buyout only.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:02:21 am
content: This is crazy but when I bid on that Hitachi within 2 mins I am outbid by the same guy, lol.The last bid was within 45 secs he out bid me and that is just crazy.

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:22:22 am
content: Quote from: Dark Prognosis on September 20, 2013, 12:02:21 amBlah! You want to wait till the last 3-5 seconds before putting in your max bid.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:32:09 am
content: Quote from: george graves on September 20, 2013, 12:22:22 amHeheheh, sniping was killed by fleabay a few years ago as it extends the auction or so it did to me the last time I tried it. Anyway I am now just being a douche and trying to make him pay out the nose for it because I know what he is going to do with it. I don't like people bidding on stuff just to flip it when honest people need it. Don't like that in the housing market that cost me many a home over the last 7 months since my wife passed away and I sure don't like it with this.edit: I sent in for more information from several people and all but one contacted me back with an answer. The one that didn't I asked a simple question of them and it was that they had 2 for sale and only one picture of one unit so which one would we be getting since no two are identical? They haven't answered me yet.

author: Seg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 09:41:40 am
content: I find the best eBay strategy is to drive up the price as early as possible. Just decide what you're willing to pay, and put it down right away. The longer the price stays low, the more potential snipers will zero in on it. Fend off competitors early, seems to keep the snipers at bay. Works for me.At the very least, you'll be outbid sooner, freeing you to bid up your next choice auction. And it is far less aggravating to be defeated by a legitimate bid early on, than to be the one to get sniped at the last second. Let someone else take that bullet.Sniping is stupid.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 10:26:01 am
content: Quote from: Seg on September 20, 2013, 09:41:40 amSince eBay doesn't show your maximum bid, just the one step above the second largest bidder, and competition often just shows up in the last minute (the snipers), a big bid at the start it does not really help in fending of competition early. The competition doesn't see that you put down a huge sum.The action is in the last seconds. Snipers, especially the ones using automatic software, are not deterred when there is a visible $1 bid at the start of the last seconds. And all they see of a large bid is often just that, $1. Just like you, they have a maximum price in their mind they are willing to pay. The difference is only that they try to place their bid at the latest possible moment.Sniping is not about gradually finding out the highest existing bid of your competition, and trying to stay just 50ct above it - that is what eBay will anyhow do for you. Sniping is about trying to make sure that no one can raise his bid above your bid should they have a change of heart at the last second. It is about excluding slow(er) bidders.I do like to use this fire-and-forget strategy for items I am only mildly interested in, because it is a bit less hassle to just put in a bid and then continue with my life, but I don't think it raises the chance to win. I think it lowers your chance, because it gives the seller more time to play tricks. Like having a buddy placing a big bid to check how large your bid was, then withdrawing or canceling that bid, and getting another buddy to place a bid just below your maximum bid. Or withdrawing the item as "damaged" if they figure you haven't bid more than $1.There is just one algorithmic advantage in bidding early. If I remember it correctly eBay prefers the early bidder if there is a tie between two bids. But that is an unlikely event, especially since people like to add a few random cent to their bids to get above those bidding nice values like $1.00 or $1.50.QuoteThis is risky because of the shenanigans plaid on eBay. Like I wrote, if the bid above you gets canceled or withdrawn it can happen that you are suddenly in the lead again.

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 10:32:35 am
content: Hello instruments geeksI'm building my lab during the last 2 months and acquire several instruments, I'm a long time ebayer (more than 10 year) and build up some experience, let me give you the following advice when you want to buy something:1/ In a auction never start bidding, keep for the end and use if possible a bid snapper, some are free on the net, don't use one on your PC, it need to be close to the internet back bone and react the last second or even less (some are working in the last fractions of seconds but they are not free)2/ Many instruments are acquired by German people who do business in electronics and instruments, they hunt on the German Ebay but as well on the USA ebay, usually not in Asia. They sometimes drive the price on the level that a private user let it go.3/ Don't be afraid buying is Asia, I don't have any bad experience with that. Always check the ebay rating, check the negative feed back, this is valid for all country's.4/ Try to buy instruments outside ebay if you have contacts, I got my TDS784D this way, mint instrument full with options for a decent price.5/ Pay by paypal, it save me already 2 times, one time on ebay and one time ordering a service that I never got.6/ Don't be afraid to buy in another country, from USA to Europe by using USPS prices are quite OK and delivery time acceptable, as an example a box of 12 kg from New Mexico (USA) to Belgium price was 76 US$ and from door to door in 9 days (including customs clearance of 2 days). Always ask to add a proforma invoice (or any document that show the value, check in your country what is needed) otherwise it can stay for 2-4 weeks in custom clearance. Ask to add insurance is usually not expensive.7/ When it is possible to propose a price always start as low as possible, usually they propose a new price that you can accept or not.8/ When you buy an instrument that is not working always be very careful, sometimes could be very hard to repair, sometime need proprietary components that are hard to find and very expensive or not available anymore, always check first that maintenance/repair manuals are available.This is my ebay experience and I hope that is useful.eurofox

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 12:48:57 pm
content: Quote from: Dark Prognosis on September 20, 2013, 12:02:21 amThis is how ebay works. Maybe you should look for alternatives. craigslist? surplus stores?

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 02:17:38 pm
content: Quote from: sync on September 20, 2013, 12:48:57 pmYep. Where I am currently living since my Mrs. passed away in Feb is a crap hole place. They don't fix anything they just throw things out that might only need a switch to fix but here they just buy new and throw the older one out. So, you can't get test equipment, it is very hard to get even parts locally as everything has to be ordered so I just order it online myself and screw the local BluffCity electronic bastards.On fleabay I know one such tactic is for the seller to use an alternate account to bid their other account's auction up and hopefully drive it up to a point they really wanted in the first place. So, I do not trust any auction anymore.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 03:45:15 pm
content: With 1 hour to go someone brand new came in and outbid the other 50 cent increment person and it is up to $155.00 now (a person with only 4 feedbacks). I can't wait to see what happens to the price.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 04:37:27 pm
content: Minimum bid is $2.50 so unless a bid is higher, every other bid will end with .50Only $15.95 shipping to me!I'd like to know how this guy is going to ship it that cheap.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 04:41:07 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on September 20, 2013, 04:37:27 pmA contract with the shippers as he does a pumping business with a lot of shipping.12 mins left and it is still at $155.00.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2013, 04:54:21 pm
content: Quote from: tehmeme on September 19, 2013, 05:31:50 pmAuction is over and there was no flurry of bids just one over that one guy who was outbidding me so he didn't get it (glad of that) and if feedback numbers are indicative of anything the one who did get it probably needed it. He had only 4 feedback and paid $155.00 for it.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2013, 08:39:51 pm
content: There is a guy who I found via Ebay that is within 10 miles of me and he gets tons of working and non working scopes and makes his living off of ebay by selling them. What I wonder is where around here does he get them from? He isn't going to tell me and that is for sure.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2013, 09:04:22 pm
content: BINGO, I got him."are you looking for analog or digital as I have several scopes that I have yet to list one is a sencore 100mhz and there are several of the leader model 522 and 508's that are 20 Mhz.these are all analog...I also have several disassembled tektronics digital scopes that are totally disassembled that all need the B&C connectors replaced. They don't make that type of connector any more so it would be a challenge to replace them but not impossible.thanks"My reply to him was:"B&C? I have never even heard of that before just BNC connectors.Just looking for a really cheap used, and working, 100mhz analog scope. I came back to Memphis after my wife suddenly passed away in Feb so I am not sure where places to get used test equipment are at around here but my mother said there is a place out by the airport and I will check that out soon.I know if I wait long enough something will show up."His immediate response to me was:"As you took the time to correct my b and c connector with such precision and arrogance I believe I will be blocking you as a buyer immediately. please do not contact me any more I was only trying to offer you some product that you could use and afford."Damn, a tad touchy because I honestly didn't know what a B&C connector was as I have seen some really old scopes that didn't have the standard BNC connectors so I thought those might be it especially with him saying they don't make them anymore since I know BNC connectors they do.I think my mom was spot on and this dude is getting these out by the airport so I need to go take a trip there (just up the road actually) and see what they have.

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2013, 03:39:20 am
content: Ahahahahha.....That guy is a butt-head. It was good for a laugh though.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2013, 04:25:09 am
content: Quote from: george graves on September 23, 2013, 03:39:20 amHe did block me too and my family came over tonight and had a heck of a good laugh over him too, lol.He weirded out when I first sent him a message asking about his scopes I ended it by saying I will be watching him and be seeing you. Well, he mentioned that I was a weirdo and I will never see him and I swear I could see him closing the blinds and locking the doors. I did send him one other message to tell him that my watching him was as a seller as Ebay has a watch seller feature and I left it at that.I am weird? Yeah maybe but I don't act like some dude who is making meth in his house either, hahahaha.

author: Whuffo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 10:26:21 pm
content: My best strategy for getting good deals on eBay requires two things: you need to know just exactly how much you are willing to pay for the item. Then, place a bid in the last few seconds for that amount. You'll either win it for your price or less, or someone else will pay more for it.How this works: sellers usually list items for very small amounts to save on the listing fees. So if an item was listed for 50 cents, and someone put a $10 bid on it, eBay would show the current bid as $1.50; each subsequent bid raises the current bid by the bid increment, and if any previous bids were higher, then that bid is automatically increased so it's in the lead by one bid increment. So if another bidder comes along and bids $5, eBay will show the current bid as $6 and the person who bid $10 is still in the lead. It's very common for folks to go through the listings and enter tiny bids on hundreds or thousands of items; if nobody else bids, they get something dirt cheap that they can resell at a profit.Anyway, this bottom feeding goes on and the serious bidders wait to see what's going to happen. Listings can come to a close on items worth $200 with high bids of $10; if you bid early you're giving the other bidders a target to shoot at. Much better to jump in last with your bid while they're chuckling about how they're going to get it for $6. Your bid hits, the current bid goes to $11 and you win at that price.Don't get involved in bidding wars - all that does is drive the price up. And don't shoot at someone else's bid; you'll see that they always come back with a bid one bid increment higher. That's eBay adjusting the previous bids - and you'll see items with long lists of bids going up by 50 cents at a time. The extra activity attracts sharks and the price ratchets upward.One bid of the most you're willing to pay at the last moment - this will get you the most wins and the lowest prices. And for goodness sake, read the listing very, very carefully before you post that bid. Sometimes the shipping is astronomical (to save on final value fees and get a good price), sometimes vital information is hidden in the small print. If you see "don't know if it works" or "untested" then it's broken. And watch for the accessories to be included; a decent set of probes will cost more than your eBay scope did.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2013, 11:20:56 pm
content: Yeah, I will attempt that but there is this little voice in my head telling me to say eff it all and just save up for a Rigol 1152E and let those scopes that are from before 1985 go to whomever wants them. I mean I am seriously seeing prices for used POS analog scopes that are broken for 200+. I guess if you are into them or something but I find a 30-40 year old scope with a buy now for 200 to 300 dollars as ludicrous but they sell and sometimes even the broken ones do for those prices.

author: Marc M.
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 05:37:20 am
content: I've been on Fleabay for close to 15 years. Much of the equipment on my bench was purchased there. Personally, I usually buy untested/broken equipment. I always try to verify that it is at least intact - nothing physically broken (other than the occasional knob) and nothing missing. I'd say that at least half the time there is nothing wrong what so ever with the item other than dirty contacts/switches/case, etc. 20% of the time it's a minor repair that doesn't require any parts, usually just re-inserting cards/boards/connectors. Another 20% it does require some level of troubleshooting repair, but minor items like replacing caps. Maybe 1 out of 10 have required spending hours troubleshooting and/or replacing multiple active components. I recently picked up a Tek 7844 Dual Beam off Fleabay for $100 plus $50 shipping. It was completely dead but pretty clean. Powered it up and it had the classic 'ticking' supply caused by the supply trying to start, sensing a problem and shutting down, then trying again etc. Found 3 tantalum caps shorted out in the power supply. Replaced them, flipped the switch and it came alive. So I've got an evening of troubleshooting and $4 worth of caps to get it working. That's been pretty typical of the non-working equipment I've purchased. So once an item has passed all sniff tests, I set my max. bid in a sniper and forget about it. If I get it, great. If not, there will be something else sooner or later. Sometimes you have to have a lot of patience. I waited for close to 3 years for a servo motor that matched the drive I had to show up at a reasonable price. Cheap comes to those who wait - gotta have it now, be prepared to pay a premium. Another technique I've used is placing reasonable offers for Buy-It-Now auctions. I look at the what the same item has been selling for, taking condition into consideration, and present the seller with a fair price for the item based on my research. I also make sure they know that I'm purchasing it for my own use, not flipping it, and I'll pay immediately with PayPal.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 06:26:59 am
content: Quote from: Marc M. on September 25, 2013, 05:37:20 amYou meant on the Make Offer type auctions? So, you just send the seller a note telling them this is for my personal use not for flipping it back on Ebay and how much you bid? When do you make your highest offer and if not a make offer then when do you make your highest bid and go to bed?I haven't used Ebay since 2007 so all of this is new to me and I haven't been a seller since 2004, or 5, but the account is over 13 years old (my original account I never could log in so I had to make the new one back in 2000) so I consider myself a modern Ebay noob since so much has changed.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 06:37:40 pm
content: I can't win any of these as that same guy "Member Id: b***k ( 526Feedback score is 500 to 999)" ALWAYS out bids me. Basically he bids on most of them so he can flip them. If only there was a way to cause him to be electrocuted the next time he touches the keyboard.Business & Industrial > Test Equipment 2 Seller 1 <1hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 2 7hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 2 Seller 3 3hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 4 4d 17hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 5 1d 18hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 3 Seller 3 <1hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 2 Seller 3 5hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 6 2d 8hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 7 <1hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 8 10hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 9 3hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 10 1hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 11 7hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 2 Seller 12 <1hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 3 Seller 13 7hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 3 15hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 2 Seller 14 12hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 15 <1hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 16 1hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 17 13hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 18 <1hBusiness & Industrial > Test Equipment 1 Seller 19 <1hYou can't win with him around unless you bid way over what the thing is worth.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 07:27:25 pm
content: I just won the auction. I waited for 10secs to go (was more bidders happening) then hit the magic place bid button and waited until 6 seconds and placed it. Here is what I grabbed for $34.55 + $25 shipping and I sure hope it is a decent scope.http://tinyurl.com/p5ehj7y

author: cyborg
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 25, 2013, 11:16:42 pm
content: You should be able to find a scope for less than $120 US. I recently bought a Tektronics 2215A (60MHz) for less than $100 shipped that was a buy it now posting. I quit using ebay years ago because of the rampant/crazy bidding that would drive the price of a used item to more than the price of a new in box item. You might have to look for buy it now items as well. Good luck.

author: Marc M.
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2013, 02:31:37 am
content: Quote from: Dark Prognosis on September 25, 2013, 06:26:59 amOn E-Bay in the US they have a "Best Offer" option. If the seller offers this option, you click on the "Best Offer" button which brings up a page that allows you to enter what price you are willing to pay per item and the quantity. Note that your offer does not include the shipping costs. There is also a box where you can add a note to the seller. This is where I'll explain that it's for my personal use and refer to average prices similar items have sold for and point out damage/repair costs. For instance, the Tek scope I purchased was originally listed for $150 plus $50 for shipping. I found several 7844's that had sold in the $200 price range that were either working or included 4 plug-ins. The sellers scope was not working and had no plug-ins. The 7000 series power supplies are relatively complicated therefore take a lot of time to diagnose and repair. I felt that $100 was a fair offer for the scope based on past sales (not the often ridiculous listing prices that never sell). In this case the seller agreed to my offer and Ebay automatically sent me an invoice for the $100 offer + the $50 for shipping. If the seller doesn't want to accept your offer, they can either decline it or make a counter-offer. You then have the option to accept their counter-offer, make a counter-counter-offer, or decline it. This cycle can repeat a number of times. Keep in mind that you are contractually obligated to make the purchase should the offer be accepted by the seller.Another method I've used on normal auctions without a "Best Offer" option is to contact the seller and make an offer. For example, recently a seller had 4 non-working Kikusui 35-10 power supplies (35V @ 10A) separately listed for $70 each with free shipping. I contacted the seller and asked if he would accept $110 for 2 units with shipping. The agreed and changed the auction to $55 w/ shipping and I purchased the 2. I wanted one for the bench at home and 1 for my bench at work. Someone at work saw it and wanted one. So I contacted the seller again and made the same offer for the other 2. He happily accepted my offer and I picked up the second 2. I repaired them all for about another $100 in parts. I sold one to my coworker for $150 and will sell the second for the same. On Fleabay they are going for $150-$250 on average so it's not a bad deal @ $150.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2013, 02:48:07 am
content: Well, I don't think I did too bad on the scope I managed to snag. Sure it is only 20mhz but it should handle most stuff I will throw at it and eventually I will get a 100Mhz DSO anyway.

author: Dark Prognosis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2013, 09:18:57 pm
content: I am nervous now as the dude I bought it from hasn't even bothered to respond to me when I sent him a message. First time a seller hasn't bothered to respond after a sale. Most times they respond back within 12 hours but sometimes one day. I figure I will send him another message on Monday through Ebay, of course.Well, at least Ebay has a buyer protection program now and I have had to use it once already and there is one other I am waiting on before I file on it (I never get my items from China) as the tracking information has nothing in it and it will be almost a month since I bought it.That purchase has until Oct 2 but the scope has until Oct 9. I sure hope the dude isn't mad that I bought it for so cheap and might do something to it or simply not send it. Either way thank goodness for the protection program Ebay has now or I would never use them at all.