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Is it worth buying a TT that requires shipping from a novice?

sgleich

sgleich

Well-Known Member
Looking at a couple turntables that would seem to be very nice, original owner etc. Auction site and CL and wonder if it should be chanced since they have obviously not packed a TT before. Has anyone had a pro packing company do it? They may be worth spending some extra money to be packed but then how do you know they know what they are doing?

I suppose I could make a box with all of the padding etc and ship it to him empty?

A Quandary bordering on an SNAFU with the potential for an absolute state of FUBAR.
 
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If it's close by, I would drive to pick it up. If this is not possible, they will need proper instructions on how to pack a turntable. I shipped my Dual 721 to Bill @ Fix My Dual and he is receiving the package today. This was my best packing job so far, so I know the table will arrive in one piece.

We need a Stickie here on the Turntable forum on the proper way to pack a turntable
 
Bubbalouie said:
If it's close by, I would drive to pick it up. If this is not possible, they will need proper instructions on how to pack a turntable. I shipped my Dual 721 to Bill @ Fix My Dual and he is receiving the package today. This was my best packing job so far, so I know the table will arrive in one piece.

We need a Stickie here on the Turntable forum on the proper way to pack a turntable
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Here is an excellent packing for shipping guide by pustelniakr for a Pioneer PL-630

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/packing-a-pioneer-pl-630-for-safe-shipment.689799/
 
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I drove a little over 6 hrs both ways for my last (and I mean it is my last) TT. My wife and I made a day-trip out of it and even though the whole process took up pretty much a whole day, it was very much worth the time and trouble.
I did not want it shipped.
 
Yeah.. don't go with shipping if you cannot trust the shipper. I agree with what is stated above in regard to your location. You should be able to find a nice TT around the Chicago area via CL or the bay... search the bay for a TT using the nearest location filter and ask for local pickup. Good luck.
 
One turntable is in Texas for instance, the other in upstate NY. I had forgotten about the pony express. That is worth a shot especially now since people are about to start driving in every direction for xmas.

We actually ship thing here and know what can happen if not careful. I have actually build plywood crates with styro and foam for audio pieces I have sold (not TT's though) I am certain I could do it right but even giving instructions won't help if they don't understand them or decide that shortcuts are in order.
 
In the past several years I purchased 7 vintage (but not high-end) turntables on the bay. In each case I gave the sellers specific instructions on how to pack the turntable.

In each case the seller reassured me that they had done this before and not to worry.

EACH AND EVERYONE OF THE TURNTABLES ARRIVED DAMAGED.

The degree of thoughtlessness and just plain stupidity is truly something that needs to be investigated on a psychiatric level. I imagine that the vast majority of sellers on the bay who rely on it for their livelihood, could not otherwise hold a job that would require common sense and sober judgement.
 
If you buy a turntable on Ebay you are protected by their buyer protection plan. If it arrives damaged you can file a claim and return the turntable to the seller. The seller will have to refund your payment, including shipping charges, and pay for the return shipping. This is true even if the listing indicates that they do not accept returns.

You can increase the chances of success buy learning how to properly pack (such as the excellent thread mentioned earlier) and passing info on to the seller. Of course that is not a guarantee that they will comply, but if they don't and it gets damaged you will get your money back. The worst that can happen is you will have to pack it back up and take it to the shipper.

That's the reality of buying on Ebay.

Why buy on Ebay? The answer is simple, a large selection of available turntables of all types.

I have bought nearly a hundred turntables on Ebay successfully.

Jon
 
Yeah shipping can be a toss up. Have had some that were totaled. A Pioneer A35. A complete loss. Had a 1229 Dual with a broken arm. Was able to put an end on it. My adventures currently involve Garrard SL95s. Bought 3 of them. One arrived ok, unit 2 had a broken arm. Paid $65 and the seller refunded half. Found a replacement arm on the Bay for $20. Unlike my Dual's it was easy to fix the Garrard. Number three was a local pickup!! Forty bucks. Got it for the walnut base and dust cover. It's my guinea pig. Getting the auto return was a challenge. Forty plus years of dried grease was work. Fixed it and broke a small part reassembling it. Oh boy!

From my experience, shipping is risky. Avoid it if you can. But, if packed correctly, turntables arrive undamaged. Sent many out and never had one damaged. So, if you have a good seller who knows how to pack you should be ok. Good luck.

Eric
 
Thanks Jon,

In all of the years I purchased on Ebay, i did not know that. I have sold audio there and bought much as well but not yet a TT. I think I found a gem though and that is why I ask.

We actually ship things we make and have mastered the packing art and appreciate when people take the time to do it right.

@malden... That is my worry! It would be a shame to see this TT I am interested in be ruined. That being said, there are good ones. I just bought a Citation 21, 22 & 23 from a gent on the bay. They were absolutely mint. I worried for days but as soon as I received them, I knew all would be well as soon as I started removing layer upon layer of different density packing. I left him a glowing review as he earned just for the packing alone.
 
Sgliech....I am also in the Chicago burbs....not sure exactly what you are looking for, but I got a TT you might have interest in. PM for me details if you want.
 
I should have mentioned that the Ebay Buyer Protection Program also applies if the item is not as described and pictured in the listing. If the seller says it works, then it must work when you get it. It's good to ask the seller questions if the description and pictures are not sufficient to determine the condition and operability.

Jon
 
One wouldn't know of the intricacies of "buyer protection" without direct experience. Any seller of items on the bay would want everyone to believe that there is absolutely no risk.

Buyer beware.

If you do buy a turntable on the bay and it arrives damaged, be prepared to spend quite a bit of time proving the damage was caused by carelessness on the sellers part. I have had several sellers blame the shipper, one denied any wrong-doing whatsoever.

If ebay finds that the seller is in the wrong, they will instruct you to send it back. Ebay does not automatically issue a shipping label so you have to demand it.

Then, you have to repack the damaged turntable and drag it to the post office and wait in line....having fun yet?

Once the tracking number shows that it has been received by the seller, you have to wait for a refund....but wait....what if the seller claims that the turntable you sent back was not the same one they sent you....yes, that has happened.

My advice.....be patient and buy local
 
malden said:
One wouldn't know of the intricacies of "buyer protection" without direct experience. Any seller of items on the bay would want everyone to believe that there is absolutely no risk.

Buyer beware.

If you do buy a turntable on the bay and it arrives damaged, be prepared to spend quite a bit of time proving the damage was caused by carelessness on the sellers part. I have had several sellers blame the shipper, one denied any wrong-doing whatsoever.

If ebay finds that the seller is in the wrong, they will instruct you to send it back. Ebay does not automatically issue a shipping label so you have to demand it.

Then, you have to repack the damaged turntable and drag it to the post office and wait in line....having fun yet?

Once the tracking number shows that it has been received by the seller, you have to wait for a refund....but wait....what if the seller claims that the turntable you sent back was not the same one they sent you....yes, that has happened.

My advice.....be patient and buy local
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Sorry Malden, but that is not true! It doesn't matter how the item was damaged, if it is not as pictured and described, it is covered by the protection plan. Ebay does in fact provide a return shipping label, if the item is not as described (including damaged in shipping). As a buyer you don't even need to file a claim with the shipper, you simply send it back to the seller and it's their problem to deal with the shipper.

Pictures of the damage are all that's required. I have had to do this a few times on various Ebay purchases. I have also had the seller make a false claim about what I sent back. In every case I have not lost a cent.

You don't have to believe me, go and read the conditions of the Ebay Buyer Protection Plan and ask questions of the Ebay community. It's all there in black and white.

Jon
 
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As a buyer on the bay for 14 years, I am well aware of what the process is, been there many, many times.
 
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I purchased a nice sony ps-8750 table off the bay several years ago. The sellers didn't know how to pack correctly and the table was damaged. Anyway fedex shipped the table back and I got a refund of 500.00. I contacted the sellers about what they planned to do with the table. They said they hadn't even unpacked it since its return and offered it to me for just the cost of shipping. Anyway, I got a running table that has some cosmetic issues at a great price (less than $50). Sometimes a bad experience turns into a good one!
I only purchase tables from experienced shippers now though. Dealing with damaged equipment,refunds, and returns isn't my idea of fun. It can be very stressful!
 
OP your asking for a sad Ebay experience with novice turntable packaging. As the others have recommended if you can't find a desirable table in the Chicago area you wont find one anywhere on earth. Don't be in a big rush, a beauty will fall in you lap. Watch Craigslist, AKs Barter Town, Audiogon, Audio Asylum Trader etc for tables in your area with local pick up only, generally they will take a hit on price for being so restrictive and you might end up with a bargain to boot. Make the system work for you, not against you. The only professional packer I would trust is an audio dealer that has the materials and knowledge re turntables. Forget about UPS/FedEx etc, as bad as any novice, clueless re turntables.
 
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