FS: 2 BK 1522 scopes $50 each buy it now [US] - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2013, 08:25:44 am
content: http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-K-PRECISION-1522-DUAL-TRACE-20MHz-OSCILLOSCOPE-1522-Powers-On-183017-/181189089140?pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item2a2fb61774Not mine, I'm just having a good time finding cheap scopes tonight.

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2013, 10:53:38 am
content: Hi, Thanks for the tip. I've tried some of these ebay auctions and at the last minute get outbid by an automatic bidding system. There are people out there willing to drop $50 on even broken equipment so they add an autobid, and unless I continue bidding over $50 they will get it because time runs out... For example the bid is at $10 and then I am going up to $12, 14, etc... Time runs out and they get it for $15 because every time I bid they automatically bid more.I'm also wondering if it says "For parts not working" if I will end up with a machine that is too difficult or expensive to repair for a beginner. I don't mind paying $5-10 for a local pickup on a broken machine since I can play with it and at worst lost $10 gamble. But on ebay if I spend $10-20 for a broken machine then shipping costs another $30-50 (to USA) or up to $100 (to Canada with brokerage fees) for a paper-weight, what is the point?That's why I'd rather spend the money for something that at least the previous owner used and knows it works.I haven't given up on ebay, I will try using autobidding as well to increase my chances but I don't want to overpay for broken unworking stuff as a beginner, so if it is really cheap with shipping and there is a chance it is a simple fix that's a different story.

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2013, 10:59:19 am
content: I just read the listing again, it says "for parts not working"But in description it says powers on but no further testing was done. So does that mean it works or should this be a sign that it is ok but just not tested? Any luck with this seller before?I could ship this to my parents in New Jersey, which is $18 in the listing. So it would be $68 total.What have you found with your experience buying scopes on ebay like this? Likely to work?

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2013, 11:07:21 am
content: Whenever I buy used electronics listed as parts I look at what else the seller is selling. If they have a scope for sell and their other items are clothes, non related stuff, etc , then I usually take the 'powers on, no further testing' as someone that got something they don't want to be bothered with or don't know anything about. If they have lots of scopes, then I steer away because they clearly know how to quickly test the scope.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2013, 02:25:36 pm
content: This is a recycling company, they likely get stuff by the palletload.If it powers up with a trace it usually will be somewhat functional. It is "make offer" so offer him something a bit lower and say you're concerned it may have problems.How about this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/111134496460?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649No bids. I've got this scope but branded Tenma, I've found the manual and full schematics. The insides are all pretty much parts you could get from Radio Shack if you had to.If your parents don't mind taking the train to NYC, this one is being auctioned but is marked local pickup only so there's not going to be a lot of bids on it.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tektronix-422-Analog-Oscilloscope-/281147815098?pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item4175b734ba

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2013, 03:35:10 pm
content: Hi, thanks for the help. I just received the following response from a surplus store on Ebay as follows:QuoteKnowing this, I would be more inclined to bid on something. When I see "for parts or not working" I get worried, or if it powers on but not tested, I was concerned. But knowing they are simply trying to move product as fast as they can to turn a bit of profit, that's a different story!I will need to ship to my parents in New Jersey because Canada is going to cost way too much.Thanks for posting those sales. Here's another one I found, just about to end:http://www.ebay.com/itm/111134551435

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2013, 04:13:51 pm
content: Ok, I put a bid out, $20 for a working scope, plus shipping $30+ to my parents in New Jersey. Let's see what happens.Apparently "automatic bidding" is when you bid well over the displayed price. For example, if something is $9.99 and the next bid would be $10.99, and instead you bid $20 then it will still show only $10.99.... so nobody knows the highest bidder value. Then if it keeps getting bid up in the final moments to $14.99 and time runs out.... You still win, but you don't pay $20... you pay $15.99 (which is just enough to go over the last bidder).However, if the auction goes over $20 then you need to go higher. So from now on I am going to do this auto-bid since the last few auctions were always like that.... I was running out of time because auto-bid system kept trumping my bids, well before it even hit my maximum.... and the winner got it for next to nothing.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2013, 04:41:27 pm
content: Quote from: edy on August 07, 2013, 04:13:51 pmDon't do any more bids until the last 30 seconds of the auction, then put in your absolute maximum. If you get overbid well then you didn't waste your money.

author: PaulAm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2013, 05:02:36 pm
content: A lot of vendors mark equipment for parts only to avoid having somebody come back with a problem, like a noisy switch, and demand a refund. If they mark it "used", it means 100% functional but maybe not 100% cosmetic.The best way to handle an ebay auction is with either a sniping service or a snipe program that runs on your computer. That will put your maximum bid in a few seconds before the end. That way you don't have to be around when the auction ends, there's nothing to indicate interest to anyone else and you don't get into bidding wars. I'm a long time user of esnipe, but there are others just as good.Shipping is the real killer these days on test equipment. If you win it, make sure you ask them to pack it well. I've had more than one scope show up with busted knobs because the shipping service dropped it onto concrete on a corner. There are many stories of broken CRTs as well. Try to get it wrapped in bubble wrap. Short of professional packing, that seems to be about the safest way to ship test equipment.

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2013, 09:49:53 pm
content: I understand the process better now.What I am doing now is simply bidding a maximum (e.g. $50) that I am willing to pay for a scope with shipping, even if the current bid is way less. That way, ebay automatically bids for me until the end.If I win, I know what I am paying for it, no more. If I lose, then I'll try again and perhaps use a different strategy (like bid closer to the end).And I have a better idea now that the surplus houses probably have "ok" scopes as long as they power on, without major defects, and simply don't have the time nor bother to go through every part of the scope to check it... and therefore can't say its in perfect functioning order because it would take a long time to test every knob and switch and setting for all different functions.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2013, 02:18:27 am
content: Good luck!