Here's a few observations I've been thinking about when buying test equipment off Ebay..
1) Not only am I bidding against people that actually want to use the test equipment but I'm also bidding against used equipment resellers buying test equipment to resell (on Ebay)!!?? Lets say somebody might not care about the money selling item X.. The seller creates a starting bid of $100.00..Then a used equipment buyer blows away everybody with a $1000.00 bid and then sells it back on ebay parked forever at $1500.00 until a sucker comes along!!2) Bidding soon may attract other buyers...Bidding late and there's a risk of losing the bid.
3) I suspect UPS still has the highest brokerage rates. Using the USPS is cheaper.4) I seem to dodge used equipment resellers. They know their sh*t and can appraise for optimum profit. They may even fish with ridiculous prices on depreciated and used items. It's a profit game. You get what you pay for.
5) I suspect the best prices are from those that don't care too much about money and would just like a new home for they're cherished oscilloscope. Unlike the sharks from the used equipment shops.6) Not to bash the used equipment shops too much, they are calibrating and testing. They also have the capability to scrap units for parts to restore other units. Ironically, their prices are useful to roughly guess at the savings you get by buying from somebody else.
7) I suspect better prices are from those that are selling due to upgrading, moving, company closure, gave up electronics, demo units and let's not forget the possibility of stolen goods.8) On occasion, some sellers (junk buyers) haven't a clue what they have and just sell at a stupid price.. That's the best. Especially when wise used test equipment buyers are too fat with mountains of equipment and can't force the bid high.
Comments? Additions? Arguments? Observations? Experiences?
D from BC