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How to find the Hard to find?

mymonkey

mymonkey

Active Member
I have little to no knowledge of on line auctions and specialty audio websites, other than this one of course:). I like to tinker sometimes and would be interested in monitoring such sites to see if i could find some hard to find items for some gear repair projects. Looking for some guidance on my search for audio bliss. Any help is appreciated.
 
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mymonkey said:
I have little to no knowledge of on line auctions and specialty audio websites, other than this one of course:). I like to tinker sometimes and would be interested in monitoring such sites to see if i could find some hard to find items for some gear repair projects. Looking for some guidance on my search for audio bliss. Any help is appreciated.
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If you become a Subscriber here, you can access Barter Town. Which only Subscriber Members can access. Then you can keep an eye on gear and other items for sale by other AK members, that you may like and want to buy.
 
Te-Te said:
If you become a Subscriber here, you can access Barter Town. Which only Subscriber Members can access. Then you can keep an eye on gear and other items for sale by other AK members, that you may like and want to buy.
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Can you ask direct questions like "does anyone have XXX for sale", or get the word out for hard to find items?
 
Yes, you can post an ad in Barter Town for WTB "Want To Buy" and put whatever you may be looking for. You can also do the same for specific parts you may need.

Hey congratulations on becoming a Subscriber, it also helps to keep this great place running. :beerchug:
Good Luck and if you have any specific questions, someone will usually chime in, or point you in the right direction.
 
There have been some Rule Changes on barter town.
if you see an item for sale you have to PM the seller. (Private Message) which means you need to Start A Conversation with the seller.
 
Understood. Thanks. AK has been good to me so a it's about to time i subscribe. I hardly ever buy something out here in the world without consulting the AK opinions.
Thanks again.
 
I thought you were a new member, then I saw you've been here since 2017.
Hopefully you can find something you want.
 
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Te-Te said:
I thought you were a new member, then I saw you've been here since 2017.
Hopefully you can find something you want.
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yes, i have been a Member since 17 but i never subscribed. Iike i said, i always consult the AK opinions when i come across gear that i know little about. Hasn't let me astray yet. Thansk again.
 
mymonkey said:
I have little to no knowledge of on line auctions and specialty audio websites, other than this one of course:). I like to tinker sometimes and would be interested in monitoring such sites to see if i could find some hard to find items for some gear repair projects. Looking for some guidance on my search for audio bliss. Any help is appreciated.
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I've been on my journey for over 10 years. At first, I looked on CAM and Kijiji for local items. Then I searched across Canada on all the used online sale sites. Then I needed parts. My units needing parts started to grow in number. Finally, I went to that auction site and searched for my items there and used buy it now mostly. Either the price was close to what I was willing to pay or I made an offer. It has worked very well for me. I only had one issue as a buyer and that was addressed to my satisfaction, and I can normally find what I need. Of course I would use Barter Town first, but that is more of a lucky throw of the dice unless someone answers your ad. Good luck!
 
mymonkey said:
Can you ask direct questions like "does anyone have XXX for sale", or get the word out for hard to find items?
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In BarterTown,yes.
It is the only area here that allows buying and selling.

Nice to see you subscribed. One purchase or sale will pay for your subscription
And as mentioned you are helping to keep the AK door open and the lights on.
Like you and te-te mentioned, some who don't buy or sale still subscribe or donate to keep AK running and/or thanks for the help and knowledge they've received here.
I've done that myself a few times.
 
And if you have time and are flexible, many of the hard to find and cheap finds come from going to tons and tons of yard sales, etc. Of course many folks do that, them sell those to fund specific gear they want.
 
It is actually very easy. All you have to do is spending enough money. For example, if you know something worth about $1000, then you declare you will pay $10000 for it. It will come to your hands soon. If you dont know the value, also easy, declare what you want and say you will pay 1 million for it. Then it will come to you easily. Of course, you have to truly pay for it or you get nothing.

The issue is NOT something hard to find. The issue is you are POOR !:p

mymonkey said:
I have little to no knowledge of on line auctions and specialty audio websites, other than this one of course:). I like to tinker sometimes and would be interested in monitoring such sites to see if i could find some hard to find items for some gear repair projects. Looking for some guidance on my search for audio bliss. Any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
If there's a shopper-type free paper in your area, just place an ad saying "hobbyist seeks old stereo gear to tinker with" or something similar. There's likely to be a lot of BPC chaff, but the nuggets you seek will show up.
 
electronjohn said:
If there's a shopper-type free paper in your area, just place an ad saying "hobbyist seeks old stereo gear to tinker with" or something similar. There's likely to be a lot of BPC chaff, but the nuggets you seek will show up.
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I think that's one way.
JMO, *some* of the people finding those hard/rare items are truly working at it. Checking the thrifts daily/making "friends" at the thrifts who may alert them to some items, monitoring garage and estate sale listings, GOING to garage and estate sales, placing WTB ads, etc. That said I don't much care for folks that cherry pick sales before the start of the sale. If an ad says an "XXXX" will be part of the sale then that "XXX" should be there at the start of the sale.
For those who don't have the time or desire to put in the time, sometimes they can just plain get lucky. Or outspend another prospective buyer (auctions, in person or online).
 
I've thought on occasion that a reverse Ebay would be a good website biz to make.

Want to Buy......

Might work.

More on topic to the OP.....I like to match up mono pieces.....and have spent many an hour doing so. Some odd things have happened.

I was trying to match up a 1950s Altec Verde Speaker....in teak wood. Got on all the Fan Sites.....and asked around. No luck. But one day, just happened to be on FaceBook....and saw someone's picture on their page...and in the background....was an Altec Verde in Teak. Contacted her....and she was surprised. Turned out she didn't want to sell hers.....and didn't want to buy mine. Its been about 3 years now... I contact her about once a year just to stay in touch. I figure someday....we will make a deal. ( Really no money in the big old speakers though....a very tough sale. )

I matched up a 1953 Klipschorn single I had bought. Same cloth too. But that cost me way too much. Took me about 2 years.

Apparently you can set up some sort of ALERT on Ebay.....if you are looking for something specific. Perhaps some sort of Key Word list. But I've never looked into that. I would recommend setting up something like that.

You can search Craigs List by State or Nationwide too..... And that Estate Sales dot com.....I believe you can search key words nationwide....
 
Yes, there is an alert system on ebay.
I have several audio pieces that I get alerts for when any are listed.
Alerts show up in my email box in the morning. It's possible it may already be sold before I even check my emails if someone spots it overnight.
It used to be quite easy to set up an alert for something. Like there was a button/link at the top of the page to set up an alert. I don't think it is "watch". I think that is specific to one particular listing.
Now I have to fumble around to find a way to do it. So either it's a bit harder to do OR I'm getting dumber.
I can't rule that 2nd option out as it's a real possibility.
 
Why “tinker” with rare stuff? You will just ruin it, sounds fishy. Realistically, if you wanted to tinker, you would start with common things until you learn.
 
all good stuff. Thanks everyone. Advice from "don't be poor" and "don't tinker with good stuff, you'll just screw it up" to Ebay alerts and Estate Sales. I am on my way.
 
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