"good working order"

[bluegreengold]

I've been working on a 482z that I picked up of ebay a few months back. Of course it was advertised as "Good working order." So far it's needed new capstan, counter and control motor belts, head height and azimuth alignment for both playback and record heads, and now I've determined that it suffers from orange cap disease in the bias circuit, which means it will also need an electronic tune up after replacing the bad caps (and transitors).

Not really complaining as it's a very pretty deck and it's given me good practice for working on about everything that often goes wrong on a standard transport nak before I take on bigger projects (there's a sick 682zx on my bench as well).

However *liar*"good working order" is a bit of a joke on Ebay isn't it?

[Scorpion8]

It's like free gambling. You roll the dice each time you play.

[speakerman1]

I have had better luck with the ones said to be not working. I have bought about 4 of these so far and all it has taken is some Deoxit and they are good as new. The one I bought in great shape I had to get Nakdoc to fix it. I have been lucky so far.
Larry

[A.N.T.]

It's like free gambling. You roll the dice each time you play.

I agree, except the "free" part!

Alex

[tcp100]

I think "most people" didn't think cassette decks ever needed maintenance. Most people put them away in what they though was "good shape", never knowing that in 5 years the belts would be goo, the rollers would be cracked, and everything would be out of alignment.

I have bought 5 or so decks from ebay in the past year - EVERY ONE needed significant work. I'm to the point now that no matter what I get from e-bay, unless it's from a well-known audiophile, gets a complete rundown the minute I receive it.

The K-1020 I got recently looked immaculate from the outside, but when I put a tape in, the speed was about 1/2 and the heads were coated with dust.

New belts, cleaning, and a full readjustment, and the thing is stellar.

I got to know that deck, so I just bought another K1020 for $40 that says it doesn't go into forward. I figure I'm just as likely to get this one into good shape as the one going for $169 that's in "good working order".

There are a few terms that need to be banned from e-bay due to rampant abuse. "Works great!" is one, "RARE!!" is yet another. "NEW" is also open to all kinds of interpretation.

Just go do a search for "RARE" this or that any day on ebay. The results are quite humorous.

[Nakdoc]

I assume all eBay decks are broken, unless they come from a few reputable rebuilders. Maybe we could keep a list of good rebuilders? In the NakTalk group, Vlad in texas and Kannan in California all do good work. These are the eBay flippers mind you, not the repair technicians.

[Web Police]

I think to most ebay sellers if it powers up and the tape moves it is in good working condition. I highly doubt most could diagnose stretched belts, worn idler wheels, and or bad caps or any other malady. As has been said unless you know the seller is capable of checking things out properly, you are probably buying a fixer upper.