FLUKE 87V SCAMS ON EBAY? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PowerNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 03:44:42 am
content: Hi guys,So im deciding whether I should get this from ebay or not, im abit worry if its a copy or cheap chinese knock-off.I came across this sellerhttp://www.ebay.com.au/itm/201902460659?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITUS $388.99Approximately AU $525.20He said to me this one is Manufactured February 2017 but Im just not 100% sure if this is the real deal.Here in Australia, these go for over $1000.I found an older thread about Fake Fluke 87V for sale on ebay.Could someone give me some ideas on this ?thanks

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 03:49:24 am
content: Looks legit to me. Seller has good track record and warranty. The new price from a Fluke dealer is not much more than that in the US where the seller is based. I haven't heard of fake 87Vs being sold.How much is he charging for shipping to AU? Import duties?

author: PowerNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 03:51:06 am
content: shipping is around $77. not tax.Do you know any other websites where i can buy this apart from ebay ??many thanks

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 03:51:55 am
content: There are no knockoff Fluke 87V that I have ever heard. Can you reference the fake Fluke 87V thread you found here?There is a legit 87V-C version for the China market.Just be aware that in order to qualify for Fluke's warranty, you must buy it from an authorized dealer.

author: PowerNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 03:53:23 am
content: Oh ok.FYIhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/fluke-87v-going-~-100-free-post-scam/25/thanks

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 04:00:08 am
content: Quote from: PowerNet on May 07, 2017, 03:53:23 amThat thread is more about a seller making listings claiming to sell genuine xyz for a cheap price. This could be a Fluke 87V, rolex watch, Apple Ipad, etc.That is, I create an ebay userid, make a listing claiming to have stock of new Apple Ipads and list them for $50 USD Buy it Now.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 04:00:37 am
content: Here's a better eBay dealBut no hard case.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 04:05:40 am
content: Again, wrt to warranty ...http://media.fluke.com/documents/80v_____umeng0200.pdfLifetime Limited WarrantyEach Fluke 20, 70, 80, 170 and 180 Series DMM will be free from defects in material and workmanship for its lifetime. As used herein, “lifetime” is defined as seven years after Fluke discontinues manufacturing the product, but the warranty period shall be at least ten years from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover fuses, disposable batteries, damage from neglect, misuse, contamination, alteration, accident or abnormal conditions of operation or handling, including failures caused by use outside of the product’s specifications, or normal wear and tear of mechanical components. This warranty covers the original purchaser only and is not transferable.For ten years from the date of purchase, this warranty also covers the LCD. Thereafter, for the lifetime of the DMM, Fluke will replace the LCD for a fee based on then current component acquisition costs.To establish original ownership and prove date of purchase, please complete and return the registration card accompanying the product, or register your product onhttp://www.fluke.com.Fluke will, at its option, repair at no charge, replace or refund the purchase price of a defective product purchased through a Fluke authorized sales outlet and at the applicable international price. Fluke reserves the right to charge for importation costs of repair/replacement parts if the product purchased in one country is sent for repair elsewhere.

author: PowerNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 04:06:01 am
content: thanks for this.Does anyone know a website where i can also buy this ?thanks

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 04:07:37 am
content: Right on Fluke's official website ...http://www.fluke.com/fluke/auen/wheretobuy/default.htm

author: PowerNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 04:16:58 am
content: ok thanks

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 04:20:23 am
content: It's an interesting question what the lifetime warranty on a Fluke multimeter is worth to someone. How often is a Fluke 87V returned due to defects?I bought my Fluke 87V NOS on eBay several years ago for $200. For me personally I didn't feel the warranty was worth another $200. But everyone's risk appetite is different.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 04:51:55 am
content: Quote from: mtdoc on May 07, 2017, 04:20:23 amIt does happen.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-fluke-87-v-is-broken/If this Fluke 87V is for work and my life depended on it working properly in dangerous high voltage situations, I would buy new knowing it has never been abused by the previous owner.If this Fluke 87V is for bench electronics work with a 5V breakout board, then buying used or from a non authorized dealer (ebay, pawn shop, gumtree, etc) might be better?

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 05:37:38 am
content: Quote from: PowerNet on May 07, 2017, 03:51:06 amNo tax? Only if you buy it before June 30 this year. After that, all eBay orders from overseas will attract 10% GST tax. Or you won't be able to buy from overseas at all on eBay if they decide to ban Australian foreign purchases on eBay because of Scott Morrison's plan to get them to act as a tax collector.The 87V is fine, but the I reckon this is better value...http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FLUKE-179-True-RMS-Multimeter-Electrical-Meter-/272656314806?hash=item3f7b9531b6:g:irEAAOSwuMZZChEb. It looks like it might be in calibration too. The 179 is a terrific meter - by specs, performance and robustness. Compare the specs with the 87V.Using a Fluke 179 over a $10 meter is like driving a Ferrari compared to a bongo van.

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 06:28:52 am
content: QuoteFWIW, I once I rescued a broken FLUKE 75 from the dumpster. Sent it in, it was determined that the damage could not have been caused by the user but that it wasn't worth repairing. I got a brand new 175 as replacement.They didn't ask for receipts, who the original owner was, where I'd bought it or anything like that. Perhaps I just got lucky or they could somehow see from the serial number where it came from though I'm pretty sure it had never be "registered" (who does that anyway?).

author: PowerNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 06:33:27 am
content: wow so lucky

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 05:23:29 pm
content: Quote from: H.O on May 07, 2017, 06:28:52 amYes, there are stories like yours here on eevblog where Fluke fixed or replaced the meter for free despite not meeting the exact terms and conditions documented in the manual, but obviously it is not guaranteed to happen.Conversely, there are posts here where people complain that Fluke meters failed for no reason even though they have never been exposed to high voltage or abused and were denied warranty by Fluke.PS. It seems that when John Fluke was still running the company, repairs and replacements were possibly more generous because it had his name on the products vs today's corporate ownership.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2017, 11:24:37 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on May 07, 2017, 05:23:29 pmI've had 2 "..today's corporate ownership." experiences and there won't be a thirdBuying used working Flukes at a fair price, tear down, fuse check and spec test, is where it's at for my next ones,and nuked ones can go Ebay for parts cheap, so other owners can save theirs.Respect and RIP Mr. John Fluke

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2017, 06:44:38 pm
content: Quote from: H.O on May 07, 2017, 06:28:52 amI was doing that with hard drives for a while. Back when a 2GB SCSI drive was actually worth something I picked up 5 or 6 broken ones from guys I worked with, sent them off to Seagate and received reconditioned drives from them no charge. Cost me only the postage to send them in and I used the replacements for years after that.

author: PowerNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 12:40:46 am
content: Hey guys, sorry to be a pain but can sometimes these sellers replace the outside case with new ones and leave the internals making the device second hand ?Is this common practice for dodgy sellers?Could I confirm with the serial number of the 87v and it will tell me if it was really manufactured in feb 2017 etc ??

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 05:46:03 am
content: I suppose they could, but that seems like more trouble than it's worth. I've never heard of it happening.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 07:04:46 am
content: I bought mine 87V on ebay in US surprising new and PERFECT ONLY 200 BUCKS, If you don't have the balls go to Fluke dealer and pay the new dealer price 3 times or more.No risk = High priceLitle risk = low priceCan't have bothYou always can ask for a refund on Ebay / Paypal / or your card

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 05:42:12 pm
content: That's the classic risk vs reward tradeoff. Personally I've done really well buying used gear but yes there's always a chance of getting burned. It has happened to me a few times to one degree or another but in the long run I've come out FAR ahead.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 06:10:44 pm
content: And in this particular case, the risk - at least of getting burned by a "fake" 87V is basically zero since you're backed by the seller's warranty, eBay's policy/warranty and PayPal's. Missing out on Fluke's "lifetime" warranty is the only downside of buying from eBay. Any manufacturing defect is likely to be apparent right away and so covered by the above - so loss of the Fluke warranty is not a major downside IMHO - and it is certainly not worth paying $200+ more for.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 08:33:30 pm
content: When buying used, you have to worry about the previous owner potentially abusing the meter and the fixing the meter with non qualified parts. For example, when abused, the fusible resistor in the Flue 87V will become open. The previous owner might replace it with a normal 1k ohm resistor. How is the buyer to know because the 87V will work fine with a normal 1k ohm resistor, but lose the protection mechanism of the fusible resistor.Many people come here asking for help fixing their overvolted meters and I help, but finding the exact components is sometimes difficult if not impossible to match the exact OEM protection standards. There are many threads on fixing Fluke meters here.

author: Panourias
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 15, 2017, 02:46:05 pm
content: Greetings!I recently purchased a FLUKE 87V on ebay,and even though i don't think it is a fake 87V (how can it be?),i noticed a strange detail.On the V/? input jack has a gray ring.I searched the google and i didn't find another photo with a 87V like this.http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-87V-EUR-DIGITAL-MULTIMETER-WITH-EXTRA-ACCESSORIES-JUNE-2017-Model/253101774417?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649Anyone ever saw something similar?Newer versions have this molded gray ring on the input jack?

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2017, 04:28:46 am
content: Quote from: Panourias on September 15, 2017, 02:46:05 pmAlready discussed over athttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/fluke-87v-(2017)-lacking-quality-control/

author: Panourias
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 18, 2017, 01:08:19 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on September 16, 2017, 04:28:46 amOops even though i searched the forum for that issue i didn't find any references.Thanks for the heads up and sorry for asking again!