Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Down

Author Topic: Parts Swappers  (Read 1722 times)

KI7OF

  • Member
  • Posts: 16
Parts Swappers
« on: June 20, 2022, 04:27:46 PM »

When it comes to selling equipment is this really a concern or just a myth?
Logged

KG6BRG

  • Posts: 150
    • HomeURL
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2022, 05:21:04 PM »

I think it's a crock of sh*t that some sellers are using to imply that the equipment works great, and if it doesn't, too bad. I'm wary of those guys and pass on their gear.  Along with paying THEIR commission to PayPal.  That's the seller's cost, like when you sell a house.  Just my .02 cents.
Logged

K3XR

  • Posts: 245
    • HomeURL
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2022, 05:40:55 PM »

I think it's a crock of sh*t that some sellers are using to imply that the equipment works great, and if it doesn't, too bad. I'm wary of those guys and pass on their gear.  Along with paying THEIR commission to PayPal.  That's the seller's cost, like when you sell a house.  Just my .02 cents.
\

Tend to agree.  I don't doubt that it happens from time to time but question if it is also being used as a reason not to stand behind the sale. I avoid the "parts swappers" ads as well as the PayPal "Friends and Family" which should also send up a red flag as that method cuts down on your options for a transaction gone wrong.  Like to "smoke the seller" by offering to pay the fee and the last time I did that, never heard again from the seller.  It confirmed my feeling that I was dealing with a rip-off artist.
Logged

W9FIB

  • Member
  • Posts: 3501
    • HomeURL
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2022, 03:42:21 AM »

When it comes to selling equipment is this really a concern or just a myth?

It happens, but not as often as advertised. Pretty much a gimmick to sell stuff that's junk for big money.
Logged
73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

G4AON

  • Member
  • Posts: 2178
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2022, 03:44:29 AM »

When it comes to selling equipment is this really a concern or just a myth?
I have no doubt that selling equipment via sites like eBay, which favour the buyer in disputes, does carry the risk that a buyer could remove an option then want to return the item for a refund. Even if you use security “anti-tamper” stickers, it doesn’t guarantee you won’t get your fingers burnt.

Buyers also run the risk of buying something that isn’t what was described, or that it gets damaged in transit. I bought an Acom 1000 from a GM ham who packed it in a flimsy computer monitor box with the mains lead wrapped around the amp with the plug touching the front panel… the replacement front panel cost 200 GBP which the seller refused to pay with the excuse that his wife packed the amp!

Buyer and seller beware!

73 Dave
Logged

AF5CC

  • Posts: 1664
    • HomeURL
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2022, 10:23:58 AM »

I think it is largely an urban myth, and I won't buy from anyone who puts such a line in their ad.  If you don't trust me, why should I trust you?

I also won't buy from any sellers who sound angry in their ads.  Have others noticed that recently?  That tells me a lot about the individual, and that if there is some sort of problem with the item I purchase, trying to deal with the seller probably won't go well.

73 John AF5CC
Logged

W1MOW

  • Member
  • Posts: 269
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2022, 12:18:21 PM »

When it comes to selling equipment is this really a concern or just a myth?

I guess I must be one of the few who got burned.

Back in the 90's I sold a Motorola CDM-1550. Buyer claimed it did not work on arrival. I had tested it, and programmed for the customer, so I knew it worked. After I gave him a refund, and I got it back, it was not the same s/n, or model number, and the main PCB was burnt around the finals.

Since I programmed it for him, I knew the agency he was going to use on. I contacted the Chief, he told me the guy was nothing but trouble, and would help me out. About a month later I got a postal money order from the guy.

So does it happen, it does, as often as were led to believe, maybe not. So now a days if I sell something online, if anything happens that is the least bit sketchy, I refuse the sale. I have had a few people get upset.

Gary W1MOW
Logged
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt - Bertram Russell (1935)

So not much has changed in almost 90 years!

AF5CC

  • Posts: 1664
    • HomeURL
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2022, 12:58:50 PM »

That wasn't a parts swapper, that was a whole unit swapper.
Logged

N8YX

  • Member
  • Posts: 2449
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2022, 01:23:19 PM »

I buy junk for junk prices and fix it. Very rare is the unit whose problem is so unusual or esoteric that I can't have it up and running with some bench time.

Anyone advertising something that's been used for many years at close to MSRP for a new/better model can keep it, however.
Logged

W4AMP

  • Member
  • Posts: 164
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #9 on: June 22, 2022, 11:30:19 AM »

"Worked last time it was used" "Just checked out by manufacturer" "No way to check it out" "Sold as is"
Logged

K1KIM

  • Member
  • Posts: 1556
    • HomeURL
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #10 on: June 22, 2022, 01:15:47 PM »

Buying/Selling local is usually good for both parties. Especially if you can see it working. COVID has put a damper, to some degree, on the "in person" sales.

Someone coming to your home to buy, knows where you live......AND the seller knows that.

It can have the effect of keeping both parties honest.

Then, there are just plain ol' good people that believe in "do unto others". No problems there.
Logged
So Many Toys.......So Little Time!

G8FXC

  • Member
  • Posts: 533
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2022, 04:05:50 AM »

I've never experienced it myself or spoken to anyone else that has. That said, I would never buy or sell anything of significant value privately - it's just too risky. When I upgraded my main radio recently, I packed it all up well and took it to my local main dealer. I had a couple of new radios in mind, so he sat me down with them to evaluate and fed me cups of coffee while the technician in the workshop checked out my radio. An hour or so later, he announced that it was in good condition and confirmed their part-exchange valuation, I handed over my credit card and came away with a shiny new radio in the full manufacturer packaging. If I had sold it privately, I might have got £100 more than the trade-in value, but it could have taken a long time and I would have been vulnerable to "part swapping" and other eBay based shenanigans. As it was, I got the whole transaction complete in a couple of hours and was fully protected in both the sale and the purchase.

Martin (G8FXC)
Logged

K7JQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 2602
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #12 on: June 23, 2022, 05:49:02 AM »

I’ve sold and shipped (and solidly packed) many radios, amps, and accessories *knowing* that they were in perfect condition operationally and cosmetically. Never put a “no returns due to parts swappers” in my ads. Never had any complaints nor requests for returns. I sleep well at night ;).

But personally, I restrict my purchases of used items to $150 or less if not purchased from a friend or locally so I can see and use it before I buy. Just a way of limiting my financial exposure if something goes sideways in the transaction. Anything of extreme value, like radios and amps, I always buy brand new with a warranty and backed by a reputable vendor.
Logged

KC6RWI

  • Member
  • Posts: 901
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #13 on: June 23, 2022, 12:52:15 PM »

Oh yeah, I am going to buy it as friends and family and do you a big favor and throw my rights away. Why would I do that?
I look thru the classified and many times I see a radio, its not new and the price is way to high, I often wonder if the seller
got his price, I understand it was an expensive radio, but now its not.
Its surprising to me to see people sell house hold items on online listing sites, men and women will have a stranger over to
buy some mundane appliance, seems like a bad idea.
Logged

W3WN

  • Member
  • Posts: 1127
Re: Parts Swappers
« Reply #14 on: July 02, 2022, 07:26:37 PM »

When it comes to selling equipment is this really a concern or just a myth?
I've never had it happen to me, but there's enough stories and anecdotal evidence out there to convince me that it has happened.  Just not all that often... not that that's much comfort to those who have been burned.

There was a reseller., based in the southern US.. if memory serves, he had a UK license which may or may not have expired, but not an active US license... who had a reputation for part swapping and other less than savory tactics.  Said seller also had a reputation for multiple eBay user names. 

I don't believe that he or his business is currently active... if it is, he's keeping a low profile.
Logged
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati.
Ban The DH!
זאל ס גיין באַקס!
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Up