Buying old test equipment from ebay - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: scatterandfocus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2019, 12:31:24 am
content: Let me get a low cost good working analog oscilloscope from ebay...It arrived partially working. The seller sends a replacement, but the replacement was less working than the original. Eventually I got a refund, but the seller didn't want the partially working scopes back. I guess it was a bit of a hassle and a bit of a score. Maybe one day I can repair them.So while I'm still keeping an eye out for a good working scope I find a supposedly good working signal generator that I was keeping an eye out for. It arrived with the front panel pushed in which was binding a knob and some buttons from working. The seller told me to keep it and gave me a refund. I got the front panel straightened out and everything is working fine. Upon review of the auction pictures and looking at the unit that I received, it was obvious that the seller was being honest and that the damage did happen during shipping. I contacted him to send back some of the refund, but he told me not to worry about it. So ultimately, a small hassle for me, a shipping lesson for the seller, but an overall score of a free signal generator.After deciding against buying a cheaper brand analog oscilloscope, given my previous experience, I decided to get a classic Tektronix. Also the power supply that I was looking for came up for auction, in great working condition, supposedly. And the Tektronix scope model that I was looking for shortly came up for auction, also supposedly in excellent working condition. I got them both.The dual power supply arrived with only one side working. And it is apparent that someone had been in there working at the problem. But it was in, great working condition! I wish it was. I'm working out what to do on this with the seller.The scope arrived on the same day. My expectations were pretty low at this point.I plugged it in, and it at least it had a trace, although a pretty funky one. I turned it off to read about possible reasons for the funky trace, switched it back on, and the display wasn't showing anything. Reviewing the operation manual, it was obvious that something had failed after power cycling it. And it seemed that something was already on the way out anyway, given the funky trace. I'm also working out what to do with this seller.This is my first go round with buying old gear from ebay. What has your experience been like? It's been pretty rough going on my end so far, but if I keep it up, I may end becoming a broken test equipment collector or a test equipment repairman wannabe

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2019, 12:39:01 am
content: Rule number one: do your homework. Investigate what the common problems are and how to fix them. Buy equipment which has:1) A known problem which can be fixed2) OR shows some signal output (simple problem)3) OR doesn't power up (power supply problem)Anything else is just a crap shoot. Also study the images carefully and look for broken warranty seals and missing screws. Both are indicators someone else has been working on the piece of equipment. When buying from a large equipment liquidator which has several similar units this isn't much of a problem but when buying from an individual it is a big red flag.

author: Tomorokoshi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2019, 04:24:12 am
content: Yes, that's good advice from nctnico.General ebay warnings apply. Blurry pictures and stock images are red flags. Low ratings, strange wording, price or shipping too high compared to others, etc.Ask for additional pictures or tests. Most reasonable sellers will do this without complaining. Check their other listings.Download copies of the manuals if possible. See if there are any tests that can be run. Determine if the display is showing reasonable data.My coarse guess of equipment I got on ebay:40% worked, consistent with the listing, and didn't need significant repair.30% didn't work, consistent with the listing, and needed repair.25% didn't work, even though it was advertised to, and needed repair.5% didn't work, even though it was advertised to, and I returned it.In other words, I'm getting what I expect maybe 70% of the time, with repairs needed 55% of the time. I'm okay with that, given the attitude and needs I approach it with. However, that failure rate is certainly not acceptable for someone looking for equipment for immediate use.

author: 0culus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2019, 04:51:15 am
content: Good advice above.I'll add one more thing; in order to get started with some known good equipment, I'd recommend posting WTB on the HPAK and TekScopes mailing lists on groups.io. Lots of very good helpful folks on there, and you'll be more likely to get something that isn't a pile of shit. Great resource for repair help too. Once you have some stuff that's dependable, it'll make repairing other equipment a lot easier. And on the bright side, there is much to learn from understanding and repairing old TE. Especially in the case of HP and Tek, their stuff was designed by people who were definitely some of the best and brightest engineers of the day.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2019, 05:02:38 am
content: I have had decent results from ebay gear. One counter didn't work properly and I got a full refund and was told to keep it. I eventually, with the help of the forum, got it working and I use it frequently. The digital oscilloscope worked perfectly when I got it and still does.So my luck has been better. I don't mind a hassle; I learn a lot and I don't buy this stuff for specific needs but to enjoy it and complete my laboratory.I have gotten free units from individuals near me and those have failed in some cases. I bought a couple of units knowing they didn't work, for almost nothing, and got them working properly after some effort.The bottom line is that I am happy. You probably should be, also, since your investment and your equipment make them good deals.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2019, 05:30:48 am
content: I have never bought off eBay.Most of my test & Ham gear was bought at Hamfests, & the only "non-workers" were a couple of radios which I was a bit dubious about up front, so paid very little for.The test gear which was described as "working" always did, & I even had "wins" with supposed "not working" ones.One classic was a little "Levell" brand audio signal generator.It was housed in a nice leather box, so I paid $A4 just for the box, & effectively got the generator free.All it needed was to ditch the corroded 9volt batteries & replace them with AA battery holders & "away it went"!Much of the test gear on eBay (aust) is "pickup only" from thousands of km away, or if delivery is offered, it is too costly.The prices are often inflated, too!Nah! I'm sticking to the Hamfests!I see the thing, carry it home, catch up with all my old cronies, eat a delicious beef roll ------ what's not to like?

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2019, 05:31:53 am
content: I mostly buy known defective gear on ebay, that way when it shows up not working properly I got exactly what I was expecting. More often than not I'm able to fix it.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2019, 03:28:56 pm
content: Yes hamfests and swap meets are the best. I recently got a nice power supply for $2 that only needed a diode replaced. I got a capacitance bridge that I easily repaired in exchange for an amplifier I got free and never used. I won a drawing for an oscilloscope that I use a lot.The list goes on. It's a shock when you learn the original list prices of these things. It always makes me happy to get a bargain.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2019, 03:37:07 pm
content: Unfortunately hamfests and swap meets are hard to find these days in many areas. I've also seen a growing number of guys using eBay asking prices to price their gear. My thought is if you want eBay prices then sell it on eBay.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2019, 04:00:51 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on September 02, 2019, 03:37:07 pmI have sold at "under" fleabay prices, to avoid the P&P and hassle etc.Unfortunately too many hams are impecunious skinflints that only go to hamfests to pick up stufftheycan flog on fleabay

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2019, 05:17:04 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on September 02, 2019, 04:00:51 pmMy ears are burningEdit: to be fair I get bored quickly. I'll buy something, fix and restore it, get bored of it, then sell it. Not for a lot of financial profit but enough to break even on my electronics budget and what I do gain is experience and intellectual enjoyment which is priceless. Just remember that when you fix it, you learned something so don't shrug off those failed bits of kit too soon.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2019, 05:41:12 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on September 02, 2019, 05:17:04 pmYou aren't the only "culprit", he noted proudly.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2019, 06:41:58 pm
content: If you have time, know a bit about what you are looking at and aren't shy about negotiating with sellers, you can do pretty well on eBay. It's always a gamble, but the odds aren't bad.I also have a number of items that I've gotten 'free' after they arrived not working or damaged and the sellers just folded to avoid trouble. (Folded = refund and keep the item) Some have been repaired and resold. Other times I've gotten partial refunds, which I only accept when I know the fix is easy. I've never been dishonest about it, but if a seller lists it as TESTED, WORKING or even USED without any qualification, I expect it to arrive properly packed, undamaged compared to the auction photos and with every function operable.I also have gotten some really inexpensive deals on test equipment where the seller lists it as PARTS/REPAIR or UNTESTED and the actual condition ranges from perfectly good to brand new.The main issue I run into is that a lot of eBay sellers have no idea what it takes to pack something like an oscilloscope so that it has a chance of surviving.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2019, 08:08:53 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on September 02, 2019, 06:41:58 pmThat's a plague and it's made worse by the way Ebay encourages people to offer free shipping and then rapes you for a fee on the amount you pay for shipping on top of the sellers fee on the item. I shudder to think how much good stuff gets destroyed by poor packing. A friend of mine bought a nice vintage turntable a couple years ago that arrived completely smashed. The seller had just stuck it in a box with foam peanuts.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2019, 08:38:01 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on September 02, 2019, 08:08:53 pmOTOH: test equipment dealers (even the ones from Asia) do know how to pack equipment the right way. But yes, from others the packaging can be rather poor.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2019, 02:52:38 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on September 02, 2019, 04:00:51 pmI'm an impecunious skinflint, but I take the rubbish home & hoard it!Not on purpose---- I'm always planning to have a big orgy of repairing, which never happens!Currently on the short list are:-A Leader LSG-11 RF signal generator (still works but needs updating in the power supply department).Levell audio generator (left the AA cells in, ruining the batt holders).HP 410C (ac "zero set" control binding.).On the long list :-BWD 511 Oscilloscope.Icom IC 490 70cm transceiver.Standard all mode 2m transciever (can't off hand remember the model number).Icom IC251 2m all mode transceiver.Yaesu FT411 handheld 2m FM transceiver.Bao Feng handheld 2m FM transceiver.Airzone/Hotpoint AM radio (late 1940s vintage).1950s Admiral AM radio.On the "probably never happen" list:-Icom IC 245 2m all mode transceiver.Yaesu FT290R 2m all mode transceiver.There are other things which worked, but have "disappeared"---I still hope to find them.!

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2019, 04:28:26 am
content: You have had a rather rotten run of luck. Perhaps you should read the TEA thread or the TE Scores thread to see the other side of the picture.Also look at the fact that you have gotten free parts horses. Just selling the knobs off of them may pay for your next foray on Ebay.

author: scatterandfocus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2019, 11:13:32 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on September 03, 2019, 04:28:26 amIt all actually hasn't been so rotten. Alot of twisting of the knobs on the first oscilloscope seems to have got it behaving. I suspect the second might do the same. Cleaning the pots sure wouldn't hurt.The damaged signal generator was a matter of taking it apart and straightening out the front panel using a c-clamp and some tape to protect the face and edges.On the dual power supply, I think I have it traced to a handful of possible failed components. I'm waiting for some things to arrive before I can get back to testing it, and I need to get a bench knocked up so that the kitchen table doesn't look like an electronics .On the Tek scope, it was working when it arrived, although not giving a full trace. After power cycling it, it didn't give even a beam. I'm guessing that it will be repairable.Any way, after working with the sellers on all this stuff, most of them told me to just keep the gear and issued refunds. One offered to refund half back, which I accepted. So I have about $60 in all this old gear, and so I shouldn't complain. And getting this stuff in order should make for getting better familiar with the workings of my equipment. I did choose all of this stuff because it was all built to be repairable and has service manuals available, which I have gathered up. So I guess we'll see how that all works out. At the moment I know for sure that I have a working scope, signal generator, and 1 channel of a power supply, which is fine for a beginner. And I'm looking at getting to use the rest of it as a right to entry as I get it repaired.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2019, 11:58:09 pm
content: I bought a Lecroy scope on eBay a few years back, all the way from the US, and it arrived well and in one piece. It was working as expected. Two panel knobs were broken, but that was mentioned by the seller and he even sent me the broken knobs. It was an easy fix.Maybe I was lucky.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2019, 06:51:07 am
content: It depends on each item.I had a tek 475 sent to me in a thin cardboard box with tape around it and no padding. Literally knobs touching the box ends. Survived fine.Conversely a tek 2225 got smashed to bits in a huge box with tonnes of padding in it. Because it was rattling around in it.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2019, 01:07:11 am
content: It's just basic physics that the device needs to be packed so that it's firmly (but not rigidly) held in place. There should be a bit of give to absorb shocks but not so much that it can bash around inside the box. Styrofoam is good for this, but peanuts are useless for dense items unless they are used as filler around more sturdy packaging.It also depends heavily on the specific low wage people handling the packages. I never mark a box "Fragile" or anything like that because those consistently have arrived the most beat up. My view is that if you would feel uncomfortable about rolling the box down a medium flight of stairs then it is not adequately packed.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2019, 03:01:41 am
content: If you want a cookbook on how to package items for shipment you can do worse than the US Mil-Hdbk-304B. They really want their stuff to arrive alive, and have lots of experience both with commercial shipping and with internal handling by people who may have many things other than careful treatment of packages on their minds.

author: scatterandfocus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2019, 03:42:45 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on September 10, 2019, 06:51:07 amI had a 465B arrive to me packed in a very loose collective of old plastic shopping bags, a handful of foam peanuts, and a couple of pieces of loose bubble wrap. When I picked up the box, the thing was jostling around in the box like the marble in a spray paint can. And the box was damaged. Luckily it has a front cover and the controls and crt didn't get damaged. It briefly powered up showing a bad beam and trace. Next power up gave no beam and trace. The seller ended up refunding me the total cost and telling me to keep the scope (can't complain about that). I am hoping to repair it after a few things arrive and I get my little workspace organized to put in a knocked up workbench.