Self-Proclaimed Tape Experts on eBay

[SteveM]

You'd think when it comes to gear acquisition syndrome nothing will stop people from buying. I've been watching a few items on ebay and they don't seem to be coming down to me.

I think deflation is good and needed.

I've been looking for a good digital reverb. I'm not sure if I'm ready to buy right now though. I was thinking a Lexicon PCM 60 or a Yamaha rev7. Any suggestions?

Falken, what are you using for a mixing board?

 

[Igor Alexander]

I have been trying to sell gear lately...I have some larger stuff on local craigslist, some inexpensive stuff in the ads here, some higher end stuff on gearslutz, I put some mail-able stuff on ebay, and tape op, and I have to tell you, it is dismal. Nobody is buying anything. prices are down hard. people on craigslist are trying to trade me for aquariums and paintball gear. I am an economist, FWIW, and I see danger in the secondary markets.

The economy's going in the shitter, there's no doubt about it. Don't listen to the paid liars on TV; just look around. I've been seeing signs of it everywhere I turn.

 

[Igor Alexander]

Well, there maybe a chance that this seller actually intentionally trying to mislead a buyer...

Gimme a break. He's selling '92 sticky tape in a 2005 box. Of course he's trying to screw people.

 

[Igor Alexander]

I have stuff that I simply refuse to sell because people don't want to pay anywhere near what it's worth. Yeah, I know that sentence sounded funny from an economist perspective because the market decides what things are worth, but you know what I mean.

The collapsing economy aside, the prices on ATRs have been steadily declining for at least the last 15 years. I think a lot of sellers are in denial that this formerly very expensive gear is now, with the exception of a few models, practically worthless.

It's not hard to understand why this has happened:

* tape is harder to get and more expensive than it's ever been
* it's getting harder to maintain and to repair these machines
* for $1000, you can get a fast PC with a 16-channel soundcard, software, and terabytes worth of storage

If you think what's happened with ATRs is bad, look at how much used darkroom equipment is going for these days. A lot of people are just giving it away because no one is buying it.

 

[SteveM]

If you think what's happened with ATRs is bad, look at how much used darkroom equipment is going for these days. A lot of people are just giving it away because no one is buying it.

That's discouraging because I actually have some for sale. I've never used it and it's sitting in storage. I was thinking about selling it.

 

[Igor Alexander]

Something that surprised me while I was hunting for tape decks recently is that while R2Rs don't seem to be moving at all, those higher-end Tascam Syncassette cassette multitrackers seem to be. I was surprised to see an 8-track version go a few weeks ago almost as fast as it was listed, and I assume the seller got the $400 he was asking for it since he didn't appear open to negotiation.

I thought when the ad first appeared that he would never sell it at that price.

 

[Dr ZEE]

Gimme a break.

I can sell you one. $79.99 each plus tax and s&h.

He's selling '92 sticky tape in a 2005 box. Of course he's trying to screw people.

He's selling what he's selling. Does he actually know what he's selling is a different story. He may have no idea what those digits "2005040" and "92324" mean. Maybe he read somewhere that Ampex and Quantegy are the "same" brand/tape... or who knows what he "knows".
If this seller is a "knowledgable" person in the area of tape/analog recording, then he must be crazy or a real weird dude to come up with such "idea of deception" and he must have some balls to say (IN PUBLIC! ): "This tapes are in their original boxes"
Also, the photo with the ruler against the lable on the reel PROVIDED ( LOL ) indicates to me that this seller has no clue about what he's selling and especially has ABSOLUTELY no clue about people who may potentially buy a reel of 1/2" tape.

And now, ... (paraphrasing Beck's question ), you can Test Your "Processor":

 

[Beck]

He's selling what he's selling. Does he actually know what he's selling is a different story. He may have no idea what those digits "2005040" and "92324" mean. Maybe he read somewhere that Ampex and Quantegy are the "same" brand/tape... or who knows what he "knows".

He knows now... I sent him a cordial informational message about what he had and what problems it will cause buyers. He didn't respond and didn't change anything.

Also, the photo with the ruler against the label on the reel PROVIDED ( LOL ) indicates to me that this seller has no clue about what he's selling and especially has ABSOLUTELY no clue about people who may potentially buy a reel of 1/2" tape.

Or worse,,, he knows exactly how many neophytes there are trying to figure out analog for the first time and is using typical used car salesmen dog & pony tricks to dazzle... Shock & Awe, don't ya know.

FORREST: "Gosh, I don't know Bubba, them tapes seem kinda funny.... sumppin ain't rat wif 'em."

BUBBA: "Oh. I dunno, Forrest, heck... he tape-measured 'em 'n erythin' rat thar in that thar piture so's we knows what size they is. He wents da exer mile fer us.

FORREST: Lets ask Mama. "Mama always said life is like a box of analog tape with the seal broken; ya never know what yer gonna git"

 

[Dr ZEE]

just for the record: I don't mean to "argue" per say here, just from my observation point...
***********

Tim, I'd guess your "note of enlightenment" to that "seller" will not even be read by anybody, well, you never know.... but this "seller" isn't something unique on eBay. There bunch of such enterprises on eBay. It may be a one guy or few people.
Those sellers sell all kind of crap (sometimes some very cool crap, sometimes just plain crap ) and often they do "mislead" the public about their items, but in reality they (or he or she) simply don't know much if anything at all about the item(s), they or he or she often gather info on the web and attach some bits of it to their items . They or he or she also often do their best to present their items in the best "attractive" way they can. Many of them NEVER, and I mean NEVER write a description of an item ala : "Here's a thing (see pictures), and I have no clue what it is and what it does. It looks cool. Selling AS IS!", they just don't do that.

So, well, check this seller other items, see what else that guy or girl / he or she or they is/are expert(s) in. ...heh heh heh

And some of this kind of "sellers" who list hundreds of various items non-stop never respond to "question about item" eBay-eMail(s), regardless of what kind of question that is. Some do respond, but some NEVER respond. Go figure, but my guess is, that in their "business model" responding to questions about items does not payoff, so they don't even bother.

Here's the warehouse of doom: http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=auctionbayonline, isn't she pretty
..hey, you can give "them" a ring, and find out if it's he or she ...

 

[Dr ZEE]

uh, looks like it's "he", ...http://auctionbayexpress.com/blog/?page_id=2 .. and all-around cool guy!

 

[HomeGos]

I think one way to stop this kind of sellers is to writte a complain to ebay. And explain the case, if it was a D&G or a nike chinese copy of a t shirt they would act fast, but i think quantegy and ampex are out of business so they dont care if someone sells junktape.

Ive worked for ebay for 3 years and a half, youd be surprised how things work....big fish eats small fish

 

[Beck]

just for the record: I don't mean to "argue" per say here, just from my observation point...
***********

Tim, I'd guess your "note of enlightenment" to that "seller" will not even be read by anybody, well, you never know.... but this "seller" isn't something unique on eBay. There bunch of such enterprises on eBay. It may be a one guy or few people.
Those sellers sell all kind of crap (sometimes some very cool crap, sometimes just plain crap ) and often they do "mislead" the public about their items, but in reality they (or he or she) simply don't know much if anything at all about the item....

Yep, that's why the best thing we can do is help keep people out of sticky situations by keeping the info out there… and just another good reason to join HR and drop by the analog forum now and then.

I noticed he hasn’t sold any yet. Damn! We're good!

 

[Beck]

And now, ... (paraphrasing Beck's question ), you can Test Your "Processor":

Doc,

I've been staring at that image for 27 hours straight now, while sipping apple cider and listening to Boston's début album over and over, and I still don't know what the ruler thing means.

I am enjoying the music though, but I really have to pee now... bye.

 

[Dr ZEE]

... I still don't know what the ruler thing means.

heh heh ,... are you looking for some "deep meaning" or something?... there's non
The reason I pointed it out was because to me this indicates that the provider of the "information" about the item has no clue about the item.
Imagine a "situation". You are shopping for a tire for your truck. Some "seller" tells you that he got the right tire for your truck and he follows up by providing you with important information and tells you that each letter of "WRANGLER RT/S" is exactly 3inchx3inch.
Now, would you think that that seller was trying to deceive you deliberately after finding out that the damn tire does not fit the rim?

If a seller places the ruler against the ampex sticker on the reel and makes a photo of the scene , then you know who you deal with, don't you ?

I can't take this whole thing seriously, really.

"test your "processor" thing - it's just a silly thing. I found it funny (and I see people do this pretty often for what ever weird reason), They place the ruler in such way that you get headache before you figure out what the size of the damn thing is...hah hah...
If you really think that the size of the damn sticker is so damn important (LOL) then place the damn ruler so I can see what the damn size it is....

 

[Dr ZEE]

.....
p.s.
of course it has nothing to do with the stiker....
it's 10.5 inch reel.
....
so the whole thing is a joke...
(tsssssssssssssssss)

 

[Blue Jinn]

There seems to be a metric s*** ton of sticky tape on Ebay right now for some reason. Some with bids too...