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"Cut Cord" meaning?

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dancraig

New Member
Hello:
On the big auction site, many times a receiver will be said to have a "cut cord". I have noticed this a lot from a "recycling" business.
Why were this cords cut? Was it because someone didn't want them to be sold or used again?

Thank-you for reply.
 
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I know OSHA requires this on the worksite when they inspect electrical items that are not safe... Not sure if it is related or not.. I see that alot as well
 
I saw this described in another post. Apparently it is a method to limit liability, from the perspective of the seller (especially if they know nothing about the particular equipment). You can buy the unit but the seller makes no representation that it is safe. Should you rewire, plug in and bad things happen ... then your actions contributed to the consequences (absolving the seller of liability). Or, something like that. Not a lawyer and don't want to be. I guess there is a down side to flipping electronic equipment.
 
rmeade said:
I saw this described in another post. Apparently it is a method to limit liability, from the perspective of the seller (especially if they know nothing about the particular equipment). You can buy the unit but the seller makes no representation that it is safe. Should you rewire, plug in and bad things happen ... then your actions contributed to the consequences (absolving the seller of liability). Or, something like that. Not a lawyer and don't want to be. I guess there is a down side to flipping electronic equipment.
Click to expand...

I see. Thanks rmeade.
 
where I live we have to take our own trash to the dump. If I take anything with a cord, they cut it off - reason - the copper. May not seem like much, but it does add up apparently. If I go to the main dump, I could probably look thru most of the stuff and grab it if I wanted to.
So, maybe they are selling stuff that came from some place like that or they just keep the cords for the copper.
 
Two very valid reasons mentioned already regarding the safety and the copper. When we have curbside collections here once every two years, people just drive around cutting off cords for the copper.
 
All bulk recyclers cut the cords off of gear immediately when it's brought in. I've bought most of my gear from these kinds of sources for years, and having to replace most cords annoyed me at first, until I realized that there are excellent reasons for it, from their standpoint.

One reason that isn't obvious to outsiders is the sheer inconvenience and danger --yes, danger!-- of having cords attached to gear that is stacked up and moved around, unloaded and loaded in a warehouse space, sometimes under time pressure. Cords get in the way, get tangled, get tripped over, and can easily pull down a whole stack of gear when someone is trying to lift a few pieces off the top of a stack to get to something. Having a stack come crashing down atop a worker isn't something the workers or bosses want to risk. The inconvenience of bulk/wholesale handling gear with cords is real, in the context of their business.

Add to this the fact that a fair portion of this gear is heading for recycling centers, where it will be dismantled and separated, anyway. Why not start that process a bit earlier, by cutting off the cords and tossing them all into a big box near the entrance, making it easier for someone to come along and strip out the copper all at once. Copper is expensive these days!

If a particular unit ends up being sold as-is and not dismantled, the new buyer can always stick a cord back on. The small difference (IF ANY) in price between a unit with a cord and one without a cord, isn't worth the hassles and risks of leaving cords on.

It's an unfortunate nuisance for those of us who buy these units for collection, but a small price to pay for the cheaper prices the gear itself commands at these places. And with luck, we can still find original Marantz, etc... cords when we need them, by rummaging through those boxes near the entrance... :D
 
Arkay said:
All bulk recyclers cut the cords off of gear immediately when it's brought in. I've bought most of my gear from these kinds of sources for years, and having to replace most cords annoyed me at first, until I realized that there are excellent reasons for it, from their standpoint.

One reason that isn't obvious to outsiders is the sheer inconvenience and danger --yes, danger!-- of having cords attached to gear that is stacked up and moved around, unloaded and loaded in a warehouse space, sometimes under time pressure. Cords get in the way, get tangled, get tripped over, and can easily pull down a whole stack of gear when someone is trying to lift a few pieces off the top of a stack to get to something. Having a stack come crashing down atop a worker isn't something the workers or bosses want to risk. The inconvenience of bulk/wholesale handling gear with cords is real, in the context of their business.

Add to this the fact that a fair portion of this gear is heading for recycling centers, where it will be dismantled and separated, anyway. Why not start that process a bit earlier, by cutting off the cords and tossing them all into a big box near the entrance, making it easier for someone to come along and strip out the copper all at once. Copper is expensive these days!

If a particular unit ends up being sold as-is and not dismantled, the new buyer can always stick a cord back on. The small difference (IF ANY) in price between a unit with a cord and one without a cord, isn't worth the hassles and risks of leaving cords on.

It's an unfortunate nuisance for those of us who buy these units for collection, but a small price to pay for the cheaper prices the gear itself commands at these places. And with luck, we can still find original Marantz, etc... cords when we need them, by rummaging through those boxes near the entrance... :D
Click to expand...

Thanks Arkay, and everyone else.
 
If you're talking about all the recent listings on "that auction site" with cut cords (and dollar bills "not included") they state they are a recycler in their listings.
I too was baffled when I first came across their listings about a week or so ago...what's with all the good looking units with cords cut.
 
In addition to the above, if I'm parting out or scrapping a piece of gear, a lot of times I'll remove the cord for re-use if it's in good shape.
 
Yeah, I deal with several recyclers. They cut the cords of so fast it makes your head spin. They have BARRELS of wire for Copper.
Sometimes I manage to dive my body between a good piece and the guy with the wire cutters. (I really have to get the scars looked at... )

Just remember, cut cord pieces were scrap to begin with. Usually they get it for nothing. Pay accordingly.

Disclaimer: I got many a good Reel to Reel decks from there. :D

Marc
 
One other possibility not yet mentioned is a damaged cord cut off for safety reasons. I've lopped off frayed cords myself to keep someone from plugging in before they notice the problem.
 
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