MORE BULLSHIT TAPE ON EBAY -Buyer Beware

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Beck

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This seller is trying to get in on the Quantegy rush with an old 1980's reel of logging tape made by Dictaphone when it was owned by Pitney Bowes (1979 - 1995). The tape was made by 3M/Scotch. Quantegy wasn't even around yet, and Dictaphone had gone digital long before they sold the division to Stonington Partners. Dictaphone logging tape was made as cheaply as possible and used many times over for voice-grade recording by public safety - police, emergency medical, etc... so "one pass" my foot. (Bet you thought I was going to say my ass, but I wouldn't use that kind of language). :p

Seller says this is "Top choice of pro recording studios." He-Haw! I would use a DAW before I put this on my reel-to-reel. :D

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5752072689
 
...

"This Dictaphone logging tape by Quantegy is the best tape I've ever recorded on!"... is a pretty telling statement!! :eek:
 
One would think a "Power Seller" wouldn't bullshit his potential customers, in such an obvious way .. That guy should be arrested.

~Daniel :mad:
 
A Reel Person said:
"This Dictaphone logging tape by Quantegy is the best tape I've ever recorded on!"... is a pretty telling statement!! :eek:
Click to expand...

Yeah, he really needs to get out more. :D
 
This guy only lives about 35 miles sounth of me. Maybe I need to go down and slap him around a little :D
 
Herm said:
This guy only lives about 35 miles sounth of me. Maybe I need to go down and slap him around a little :D
Click to expand...

There ya go .. that's the ticket! :D

~Daniel ;)
 
I just wrote the seller:

Just wanted to make you aware that your description for this item is very inaccurate and borders on outright lies. This tape is NOT Quantegy or Ampex and it is a very old DICTATION tape not fit for any PRO recording. Also, it's not nice to bash Maxell and TDK, especially when you have no idea what you are selling. Your description is outright fraudulent.​

Now waiting for a reply or action from this seller. Whatever happens, I'll report it here. ;)

~Daniel
 
Just received an email reply from this seller ( acc4289 ). Here's what he writes:

"You don't have a clue. Dictaphone bought their tape exclusively from Qauntagy. Qauntagy sell this very tape new for about $39 each. This tape is probably about 15 years old. My ad does not state that this is new tape. And, I never bashed Maxell or TDK, it is my opinion that this tape sounds better than any Maxell or TDK tape that I have ever used. Get a life, and don't bid on my tape!"​
 
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cjacek said:
Just received an email reply from this seller ( acc4289 ). Here's what he writes:

"You don't have a clue. Dictaphone bought their tape exclusively from Qauntagy. Qauntagy sell this very tape new for about $39 each. This tape is probably about 15 years old. My ad does not state that this is new tape. And, I never bashed Maxell or TDK, it is my opinion that this tape sounds better than any Maxell or TDK tape that I have ever used. Get a life, and don't bid on my tape!"​
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The "don't bid on my tape!" part is good advice. :D

Wow! 15-year old Quantegy tape... imagine that? But he spells it Quantagy, so it could be a company we've never heard of. :rolleyes:

Well, he certainly puts the Dick in Dictaphone. ;)
 
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Quantegy does (did) (will?) make many kinds of tape including logging tape, but what he has is not it. And even if it was, logging tape is about as useful as package ribbon for recording music. The frequency response is optimized for the 2 - 3kHz range for telephone and radio audio.

He has a fundamental chronology problem. The reel in his picture has a sticker on it that says in small print under Dictaphone "A Pitney Bowes Company."

Pitney Bowes sold Dictaphone in 1995. Quantegy didn't buy Ampex media until November 1995, and didn't start using the Quantegy name until 1998. Tapes before that were still marked Ampex. More importantly, I happen to know that is an old box and reel from about 1988 when the tape was made by 3M.

:cool:
 
What's wrong with this tape?

What's wrong with this tape? Test yourself and then scroll down for what I saw. You may see something I missed. :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5752928967










































1. It's not on a 10.5-inch reel as the seller describes -- it's 12.5 inch. Even if you don't have the model number you can tell by the distance between the cutouts and the edge of the reel. The old style 10.5-inch reels have a distance of 1 inch. The current style is .75 inch. Also 3750 feet of tape will not fit on a 10.5-inch reel (unless you feel lucky or are really good at Jenga). :D

2. The reel couldn't possibly be "brand new" as described because the reel is less than half full (you can see the tape edges), it is not sealed in plastic, and the end of the tape is held down on the outside of the reel.

3. It's from 1985 -- a very bad year for sticky-shed. This is the very old pre-1986 style of box. It's a good example of what not to buy if all a seller shows is the picture of a box.

I kinda doubt the seller is trying to deceive anyone -- too many nice pictures. It's just an example of what else to watch out for on ebay -- seller ignorance.

:)
 
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cjacek said:
Hi Tim,

Have you had any success emailing the seller (with the email I sent you) ?

~Daniel
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Hey Daniel,

A friend of mine beat me to it. I haven't heard anything back yet. I'm interested to see if he sticks to his story after more feedback. I wouldn't be surprised if he's heard from others as well. I'll let you know. :)
 
Yeah, that's too funny.

3750' reel, but it's only half full! :eek:
 
Beck said:
Hey Daniel,

A friend of mine beat me to it. I haven't heard anything back yet. I'm interested to see if he sticks to his story after more feedback. I wouldn't be surprised if he's heard from others as well. I'll let you know. :)
Click to expand...

aha! It looks like something finally got to him/her because the listing is completely revised. Still a little bull in it, but better.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5752072689

:)
 
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Beck, you broke them with the sheer force of your intellect!!

Dude, you rule!

Heh.

"Quantegy Dictaphone Tape" changed to "Quality Dictaphone Tape". Dang, they really saved face on that subtle but quick turnaround! "3M: Exclusive Supplier to Dictaphone" from the previous "Quantegy Exclusive Supplier".

Damn, dude, you rule! Take a bow! :eek: ;)
 
A Reel Person said:
Dude, you rule!

Heh.

"Quantegy Dictaphone Tape" changed to "Quality Dictaphone Tape". Dang, they really saved face on that subtle but quick turnaround! "3M: Exclusive Supplier to Dictaphone" from the previous "Quantegy Exclusive Supplier".

Damn, dude, you rule! Take a bow! :eek: ;)
Click to expand...

Aw, you're making me blush. :o

But cjacek and another friend of mine get the credit for actually sending him emails with information from this thread.

Nice going Daniel and Alan -- a mighty blow struck for the analog brotherhood!

:)
 
Goes to show that when we, in the Analog Clan, get together, ain't nothin' that we can't change! :) Wait .... I smell a letter writing campaign to TEAC JAPAN! :eek: :D

~Daniel ;)
 
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The following statement still pisses me off, but I'll just leave it alone .. ;)

"I have used TDK, Maxell, and other top brands that don't even come close to the sound quality of this tape."​

What a moron .. :eek:

~Daniel
 
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