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In Reply to: Used Tubes-Risky posted by The Decameron on July 26, 2006 at 10:34:30:
Don't rule out buying used tubes! A new tube could fail the same way, it happens all the time. Just be sure you follow the advice in the other post - buy properly tested tubes from a trustworthy source.
Follow Ups:
What would you as a seller of tubes consider to be a fair guarantee/ return policy on "used" tubes?Not DOA? Return within one week if not happy? Other?
How about with new tubes?
I am curious because I really hate selling tubes. I want the buyer to be happy, but I do not want to get hosed. If I sold many tubes it would probably not be as much of a big deal (maybe?), but given the few tubes that I do sell (almost exclusively higher value tubes), I am not sure what kind of policy makes sense to me. Lately I guarantee that they will test good, show no shorts, will pass "life" test, and will not be DOA...
Thanks,
Rodney
I've sold many a tube with a no firlls return policy...if it does not sound good in the buyers gear due to their preferences, or it does not test as well as they'd like it to, or it takes a crap soon after they start using it.....it comes back to me. So far, I've had one tube returned, and it was an obvious failure of the tube....the vacuum let out somwhere.
Byrd
The problem is that these guys (like one big ebay trader who advertises "tests 68/68 on my tester, new valve tests 70" etc.)bring the whole industry into disrepute.They do this by saying "read the print no returns" after dangling the "my valve tester says..." lure.The bomb-proof positive feedback turns out to be hollow when you get a response to your complaint giving you friendly advice not to even think about leaving negative feedback because it will be "mirrored."
A big bubble then bursts about this method of buying.
Caveat Emptor.
If a seller says "this tube tests like new but is sold as is". Didn't he just say that as is, is a like new tube? I will fight a guy on this issue if it ever comes down to that. And it hasn't yet. It also depends on the money. I'm not going to spend alot on an as is tube. Or get my panties in bunch over a few bucks. But I think my point about "as is" is true. You can't say "I've tested this item and it is perfect" and then send someone a piece of crap.
Thats the point, out of the box that "tested" tube went bang along with my amp. When I informed the UKebay "valves" seller he offered to sell me a replacement which I declined naturally. His next response was couched in more hostile language including a well rehearsed "..and by the way, dont even think about leaving any negative feedback, I will respond in kind."
Along with "I'm a big palyer on ebay they wont do anything if you complain."
Strangely he claims never to have had a failure reported in over 2000 sales-only me!
Rodney,"What would you as a seller of tubes consider to be a fair guarantee/ return policy on "used" tubes? Not DOA? Return within one week if not happy? Other?"
Certainly not DOA - and I really look at most used tubes I sell the same way as new. If there is a problem with it I take care of it. Period. For how long? As long as the buyer thinks I should. The only thing I don't do is take back tubes simply because the user doesn't like the tone (as long as the tube is healthy).
"How about with new tubes?"
Same as above except for a few minor exceptions. Really I let the buyer decide what's fair. I treat people the way I'd like to be treated, that's all.
"I am curious because I really hate selling tubes. I want the buyer to be happy, but I do not want to get hosed. If I sold many tubes it would probably not be as much of a big deal (maybe?), but given the few tubes that I do sell (almost exclusively higher value tubes), I am not sure what kind of policy makes sense to me. Lately I guarantee that they will test good, show no shorts, will pass "life" test, and will not be DOA..."
Well, I invest a LOT of time and effort in testing, and I feel confident in what I sell. I pack well. I don't handle tubes that cause trouble. That said, I'd rather be hosed by a person or two who decide to take advantage of me than adopt a policy that could inadvertantly abuse some of my customers. The VAST majority of my tube customers have been wonderful people - so I want to do the right thing by them. They deserve it.
We agree in spirit. But I think your scale allows a different practice. That said, I test and retest tubes (different testers) that I sell and try them out in circuits when I can. I feel pretty confident that the tubes are good to go, yet, I do not have a tester that can match tubes at operating conditions (though I can do this in an amplifier). I certainly want the buyer to be happy because these things are not cheap, and I have a very good reputation with buyers (I pack VERY well and comunicate VERY well), and want to retain that. I basically tell them to try them out within a few days of getting them, make sure all is ok, and then contact me if there is a problem. So I am really using a moving scale. I guess I was looking for something more concrete and fixed. But I guess most reasonable approaches must be adaptable.Thanks,
You guys got nothing to worry about. Actually my first transaction with Jim got off to a bad start (due to a niave comment I made). But the truth is, he did allow me to return perfectly fine tubes because I didn't like the tone. I can't say that if he hadn't it would have cost him my future business but I can say that because he did (and other statements/reasons) I would always buy from Jim and advise others too as well. For example I can't tell you the number of times I have seen Jim talk people out of buying matched preamp tube because most gear doesn't require them. You have to appreciate a businesss man who is honest to the point of cutting into profits!Now with regards to you I only bought the one time and I knew what I was getting. The tubes had the tube tester results on them. The ones I have used so far all performed fine. In short, you delivered what was promised. Nobody can ask for more.
I would be inclined to say you won't get many looking for a return. If somebody does and you get hosed he will have a good tube and when he needs another he might just seek you out again and this time act correctly because he now knows for a fact that you are honest and sell good tubes.
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