The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

marcapra wrote:Wow! That's a scary story! I guess that buyer found an easy way to steal. Does Ebay offer any insurance to cover a seller's losses in a case like this?

The buyers have all the protection. If a case gets filled on you, they will favor in the buyers favor every time. I too called the Sheriffs office, but this was Hawaii, and I was told they couldn't help me. Also, it wasn't the first time this had happened on eBay. I did a search on eBay swindles, and the first one that came up was a vintage guitar. Same way it happened to me.

Simple - don't buy or sell on EBay. My bad experiences were poorly packaged items plus I sold something and got screwed by the buyer and by EBay. Simple - don't use Ebay unless it is within driving distance and you can pick it up or drop it off (cash)

Some five years ago I bought a 5" cylinder from a seller in the US which was described as being in "Excellent playing condition"
When it arrived I took it out of it's packing to find it had been broken and stuck together. Certainly not playable
I contacted the seller who stated it was perfect when he sent it and he "had not noticed any repair" AS IF! He told me to look at the three photos in the listing as that proved there was no damage.
On first glance it did look OK till I realized that all three photos were of the same GOOD side as there was a distinctive mark which was visible in all images.
Ebay came down on my side, but the cost to return, insured and tracked, meant I was well out of pocket with nothing to to show for it so I kept it for the box and to remind myself not to be so naive in future.
Regards,
Alistair.

I'd rather buy locally AND from someone I know and trust!!My mother used to say,"They want too much on EBay!edisonplayer

We all have our horror stories, but that should not stop anybody from using eBay selectively and cautiously and to whatever advantage they can glean, even if just for informational purposes. I've been screwed right here on the Forum Yankee Trader, but that doesn't stop me from reading and participating. By and large the arcane nature of antique phonographs limit the professional scammers to other areas, but as in all areas of life there are deadbeats and cheats. Somebody got kicked out of Union last year for stealing, that doesn't stop me from going every year.

Raphael

I will continue to buy from all my trusted friends here on this fabulous forum - and EBay / Craigs list LOCALLY ONLY - but as I stated before,,, no more machines on EBay unless I can drive to pick them up and then pay cash for them. I will not get burnt again on EBay..... Not to mention that even the most honest sellers lack the packing skills to ship a talking machine correctly.

Raphael wrote:We all have our horror stories, but that should not stop anybody from using eBay selectively and cautiously and to whatever advantage they can glean, even if just for informational purposes. I've been screwed right here on the Forum Yankee Trader, but that doesn't stop me from reading and participating. By and large the arcane nature of antique phonographs limit the professional scammers to other areas, but as in all areas of life there are deadbeats and cheats. Somebody got kicked out of Union last year for stealing, that doesn't stop me from going every year.

Raphael

I agree with Raphael,
I have never had a problem with phonograph related items. I buy all kind of things off eBay. Just last week I needed batteries for my home phones. 3.99 shipped from China and they work fine. You can cut out the middle man in a lot of things and save some dough. But I never sold another guitar on eBay and never will, and I have a nice collection. I still like to play, and can sell on the LP forum if I want to sell at a cheap price.

I guess I'll share an Ebay story too. Two years ago, I had found a bunch of NOS phonograph cartridges and needles, 70's and 80's vintage. Most were hi end cartridges. I went through them, comparing resistance channel to channel and testing each one on my Dual. After selling a handful with no problems, one buyer wanted to return his purchase for a full refund. I agreed and upon getting the cartridge, I tested it and found no output on one channel. I then went through all of them AGAIN! This time, they were tested with a more discerning ear and I rejected one simply because there was a very slight difference in resistance between the two channels, even though in the play test it passed with equal volume. A half a dozen sales later, another request for return. I asked the problem and the buyer said it had low volume from one side. Again I agreed to a return and refund, (after all, the total sale was just under $100 and the shipping was nominal). Upon getting the cartridge back, I found indeed it had low volume one side. How had I missed that? Suddenly it hit me! Is this the same cartridge I had sent out? Upon close examination, I found it did not quite match the one in the auction photos. The returned one was in absolutely pristine cosmetic condition. My auction photos showed a chip out of the paint along one edge of the one that sold! I concluded I had been duped, by someone sending me back a defective cartridge that was not the one in the auction, but identical to it. Thereafter, I took to putting a spot of invisible paint somewhere on the cartridges, so that I could know if there was a fraudulent return. Fortunately, I did not have to employ my stealthy proof as the remaining cartridges sold without any issues.

briankeith wrote:..... Not to mention that even the most honest sellers lack the packing skills to ship a talking machine correctly.

I take exception with this, there are many who certainly do have the ability to pack properly. My own record of damage claims is almost zero, and my "Total Satisfaction Guarantee" includes guaranteed safe delivery. Many other eBay sellers that I have come across in 17 years of dealing on eBay are equally professional and qualified, and I have learned well by buying from them and seeing how they pack and ship.

Raphael

Hi

I have recently removed Paypal as a payment option from my website, Paypal is on the side of the buyer, a refund was given to a customer without examining the facts.

Now I only take bank deposits and phone credit card payments.

Cheers Marcel