Quote:
Originally Posted by radiotvnut
As far as people using ebay as a price guide, I now walk away the minute someone tells me what their item is "worth" on ebay. Depending on my mood and their attitude, I usually tell them, "I'f it's worth so much on ebay; then, that's where you need to put it". I know this is off topic; but, ebay and the internet in general has done much to drive the prices up of things that we used to find at giveaway prices. 20 years ago, there was always stacks of tube audio equipment, test equipment, radios, etc. at the hamfest and antique radio meets for very reasonable prices. By the end of the day, some sellers would almost be willing to pay someone to take the stuff home. Fast forward a few years and along comes ebay and all the buyers with deep pockets who have the "I've gotta have it, no matter the cost" attitude and look where we are today. Now, it's "ebay this" and "ebay that" and it's getting to the point where one has to be rich to enjoy this vintage electronics hobby. The last couple of hamfest I attended had very little vintage electronics and what they did have came with a price.
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Wholeheartedly agree. I love it when people tell me they saw it on eBay for some amount - like Rick on Pawn Stars, I always ask "Is that what they are asking, or is that what they are getting? I got a TC131 Sencore checker after a seller had it up for weeks at $250 starting price. I asked two questions, laid low, and watched the price go to 15.99 opening bid the next week.
Sellers learn after potential buyers ask questions they can't or won't answer that their item isn't what they think it is. I got it at the opening bid, and it survived shipping. Two sockets are shot - the 7 pin and 9-pin miniature sockets, likely the ones that got used the most.
About the only thing I look for is emission and shorts. I've never had to conductance match clear-top 12AU7A's for audio either, so decide what you'll use it for and got from there. One day I may get my Dad's old B&K 747, but for now, my TC131 and my garage sale TV-7D/U will have to do.
Cheers,