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In Reply to: eBay transaction... posted by AAG on March 26, 2006 at 14:31:57:
If he didn't say anything about microphonics or noise and you didn't bother to ask before you bid, shame on you. If it's an issue after you got the tubes, it should have been an issue before you bid. Also there are only a few tube testers that have a microphonic and noise test capability. As always with ebay NEVER assume anything.
Follow Ups:
Excellet...now I can sell all of my bad tubes on eBay. And to think, I was just going to toss them. Anyone in the market for some SQ's?? Cheap Cheap! Thanks!
Excellet...now I can sell all of my bad tubes on eBay. And to think, I was just going to toss them. Anyone in the market for some SQ's?? Cheap Cheap! Thanks! >1) Microphonic tubes are not necessarily bad. I have four microphonic DHTs in my line stage and they are the best tubes I've ever used.
2) "preamp tubes" could be taken as a synonym for 'small tubes' - doesn't in itself imply anything about microphonics (position in preamp is critical as has been said)
3) You are suggesting that it's 'fine to sell bad tubes' - it isn't. It's fine to sell tested tubes with the honest test results, which is what most decent ebay sellers do. You get the test reading, plus information about no shorts or gas. I wouldn't ask for or expect anything more and I've bought hundreds of tubes on ebay on that basis.
4) If you have a critical application like phono stage, ask seller in advance. This has been pointed out in numerous posts.
I don't know the exact details of this transaction but if the tubes were tested with honest test results given, and you didn't ask for specific details like noise which would have required listening to them (an unusual service which you'd have to request) then I don't know why you think you are hard done by.
Sellers who test for emissions and shorts are already a considerable step up the ladder from those who don't. Sometimes noise and microphonics can be detected by testers, sometimes not. I think it's asking more than most sellers have time, equipment and inclination to do for them to actually listen to tubes in stuff like phono preamps where noise matters critically. I've found the huge majority of dealers to be genuine and willing to help and provide refunds. In return I don't ask them to do testing outside of their usual habits. Buying and selling is a two way deal - I like to stay good friends with my regular suppliers, they like to stay good friends with me.
Go with your belief. Ebay is based on an open free market. Unfortunatley there are some shiney turds out there. Be sure of what you purchase before you bid.Just because a tube is microphonic on your unit does not mean it will be microphonic on all units. I once had a unit that some tubes became microphonic in but were not in other units. Come to find out the in wires and out wires to and from the jacks were run through the same wire mesh sleeve together. Seperated the in wires from the out and no more microphonics.
Of course I was being facetious to make a point...I'm not really going to start selling tubes I know to be bad. What I was trying to communicate was where that attitude leads...hey, I don't have the testing equipment either so therefore I am exempt from all liability! Woo Hoo!And I do realize that the vast majority of sellers do not have the equipment to test for noise and microphonics. That said, I would expect that if the tubes - in this case four out of four, are bad, then the seller would either refund or replace - even if I have to eat the shipping. OK. So be it. What I do not expect is that the seller will ignore my concerns for weeks and then respond only after I leave a negative feedback and only then to say 'Too bad I never stated in my auction that I test for noise and microphonics'. And what I was wondering...is if this a rationale expectation.
The seller is a 'cry baby' and less than above board here. They are sweating over lowly 12AU7s? If the product does not function well, they should refund. Again, the only exception is a tube that does not meet the buyers sonic expectations. A certain tube sounds different in different circuits. That is not under the sellers control.Yes, I have been threatened a negative on eBay over this. There are jerks that buy items as well, but sellers are way more abusive than buyers.
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