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Buyer with that age old remorse.

Megaladoink

Megaladoink

Active Member
So here we go,
Guy purchases my cherished MC275 amp with OG Mcintosh KT88's and 12ax7/12aT7's and all have been babied and were never left on for long periods(meaning days). the getters are nice and silver/mirrored and the amp sounded amazing.

Two weeks after selling, i get a text, "the amp doesnt work, i want a refund the tubes are shot". Im like.... wtf.... this thing was pristine.

What really happened was he turned it on, and thought the 12a*7's weren't glowing bright enough, not even testing the audio.......so instead of calling me, he takes it to a repair shop. and apparently they dont have much of a wait because that day they tell him the tubes are shot, the entire inside needs a overhaul. etc..

I then call them, the guy says,
"I tested the KT88's and the show 45%(no read out). He said there was a cap that needs replaced but while they were there, might as well fix em all. It powers up, but the sound wont be right."(Again i dont think anyone has tested the audio, they keep saying, it wont sound right)

So then they send me a video, he's looking at the KT88, and pointing at the getter mirror, saying,
"look at this, the tubes all burned up. it must have been left on for years. and look at the "halo effect", (pointing at the flash mirror), just look at this its shot"

they are basically saying the silver flash is tube burn... so now hes saying its not as described and wants either a partial refund or full refund and return. This was a cash deal with a handshake and helping him throw it in his trunk and he lives in another state.

Im kind of feeling like Im being bs'd. The unit played magically for years. and i have video as someone wanted to hear it playing... just frustrating.

Here’s a photo of it running a month ago or so

IMG_3137.jpeg
 
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I kind of want to post the video i was sent to show his lack of knowledge is this guy sounds like he is completely wrong.
 
How was payment made? If it was through certain online transaction services, you are probably screwed. Get out while the getting is good. Have him send it back, refund the money on receipt. Take yer lumps, cuz it ain’t going in the sellers favor. (Unless you sold it as-is/parts)

If he paid you directly, tell he blew up his warranty when he or his shop opened it up without contacting you, just like any manufacturer.
 
Semanon said:
How was payment made? If it was through certain online transaction services, you are probably screwed. Get out while the getting is good. Have him send it back, refund the money on receipt. Take yer lumps, cuz it ain’t going in the sellers favor. (Unless you sold it as-is/parts)

If he paid you directly, tell he blew up his warranty when he or his shop opened it up without contacting you, just like any manufacturer.
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Cash deal. So glad this isn’t a PayPal deal and all that money has been stuck in limbo and these jokers have the 275…
 
So just to make sure my understanding is correct, the silver/mirror is a result of manufacturing when the tube is flashed to ensure strong vacuum. As a novice I always thought a tube was toast if it had those on there but because I really enjoy learning the craft that is constantly upgrading my audio equipment and am...well a nerd, i gathered knowledge from sites like this one and mostly AK. The guy talking it just seems has no idea what hes talking about.
 
Megaladoink said:
Cash deal. So glad this isn’t a PayPal deal and all that money has been stuck in limbo and these jokers have the 275…
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You are in the drivers seat, then. I mean, there are ways to go about returning things, and having some unknown tech poking around ain’t it.

He is never going to be happy now unless you refund his money, but who knows what the tech did.
 
Thing is the shop may very well be correct.

If these are original or near original tubes that could very well be correct tests. Would be nice to know the numbers and what tester was used. Even so, a lower output reading means the tubes were used and have only a percentage of lifespan left. That does not mean they are on deaths doorstep. Also premier old school manufactures are known for their tubes having higher sound quality over many new production tubes.

Secondly, has the amp ever been refreshed/rebuilt? If not it's certainly possible it's due. It was originally released in 1961 till 1972. A commemorative version was released in 2007. If it's an original one a rebuild may very well be needed.

Now these are questions a buyer should ask. Once you are satisfied and take it there are no do overs. That is the rules of the market place with used gear. Want return privileges, then buy from a retail dealer.

Finally, this is why I quiz my buyers to know what their experience level is. If they don't have much or any experience sometimes I will discourage them from buying something that they are in over their head with. I also reach out and follow up with them so I can nip anything in the bud. So far I have been fortunate.
 
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There is also a ‘disappointed in the myth’ factor. Some folks think that an amp (or some other component) will be the magic bullet that will bring their system together. When it does not happen, they grow dissatisfied and look for a way out. Something like this has happened to me on several occasions. My remedy is to sell it - maybe I take a loss, maybe I make a few bucks. It’s a hobby and that entails cost.
 
I've never heard of a vintage audio repair shop that was slow enough to have same day tube testing. Even the little shop in my area that only does cleaning, testing, and cart/stylus installs isn't same day. Is the shop legit versed in tubes? Perhaps the guy was actually buying it just to resell realized he can't and wants some money off.

I wouldn't give a discount because odds are he's pulling one over or trying to. If you want the karma points tell him you'll take it back for a full refund so long as the shop didn't screw it up (i.e stripped screws, scratches, etc). Since you have a video of it playing hook it back up before you give him the money and see what it sounds like. Then ask the guy what's wrong with it. Be polite. He's probably just wanting a discount so he'll probably balk at bringing it back and ask for less of a partial refund. If he does ask for less off you know he's scamming.

Why are you selling your cherished amp?
 
Megaladoink said:
So here we go,
Guy purchases my cherished MC275 amp with OG Mcintosh KT88's and 12ax7/12aT7's and all have been babied and were never left on for long periods(meaning days). the getters are nice and silver/mirrored and the amp sounded amazing.

Two weeks after selling, i get a text, "the amp doesnt work, i want a refund the tubes are shot". Im like.... wtf.... this thing was pristine.

What really happened was he turned it on, and thought the 12a*7's weren't glowing bright enough, not even testing the audio.......so instead of calling me, he takes it to a repair shop. and apparently they dont have much of a wait because that day they tell him the tubes are shot, the entire inside needs a overhaul. etc..

I then call them, the guy says,
"I tested the KT88's and the show 45%(no read out). He said there was a cap that needs replaced but while they were there, might as well fix em all. It powers up, but the sound wont be right."(Again i dont think anyone has tested the audio, they keep saying, it wont sound right)

So then they send me a video, he's looking at the KT88, and pointing at the getter mirror, saying,
"look at this, the tubes all burned up. it must have been left on for years. and look at the "halo effect", (pointing at the flash mirror), just look at this its shot"

they are basically saying the silver flash is tube burn... so now hes saying its not as described and wants either a partial refund or full refund and return. This was a cash deal with a handshake and helping him throw it in his trunk and he lives in another state.

Im kind of feeling like Im being bs'd. The unit played magically for years. and i have video as someone wanted to hear it playing... just frustrating. Im kinda ready to
Click to expand...
ALL sales are final... the items worked when they left. I would tell the guy to "go stick it". I have have had stuff like this happen before when I sold a mint Teac 3-head / 3-motor tape deck on Ebay. They guy complained that the tape door was jammed. I told him to see it back... he sent back a different tape deck, same model though. I got screwed out of $400 and Ebay refuses to help. I finally had to get the husband of a girlfriend of mine who is an attorney to send the guy a letter and one to Ebay. Strange, how I then was refunded my money from Ebay that they pulled from my credit card. Your items are worth so much more....

One of two things happened: (1) the guy is a fraud, or (2) tube amps need to be set to the impedance of the speakers. If he didn't do that, the tubes fail.... I would tell him ALL SALES are final. :no:
 
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