for Parts and Restoration
I am always looking for audio gear that can be used for parts or can be restored. If you have a receiver, amplifier, integrated amplifier or preamp, that is beat up and/or borken, or even one that is in good working and cosmetic conditiosn that you would like to get out of your closet, basement, or garage, please send me e-mail.
Shipping is always a problem and adds cost to any transaction. Sometimes a unit can be stripped for just the needed parts. This cuts the cost of shipping substantially by eliminating the heaviest parts (Transfromers and frame components). On the other hand... there are a number of reasons for shipping a unit complete...
1) The unit has problems but is cosmtically good and is a candidate for restoration
2) The unit is in good cosmetic and operational condition
3) The owner does not have the tools, time, knowledge, or desier to strip a unit down.
4) The unit is very high-end, or vary rare
This can add anywhere from $50 - $100 to a transation. This has to be considered when evaluating the value of a unit.
Initial email will determine if the unit is going to be stripped and sent as parts, or will be sent complete. Often, all that is required to make the determination that a uint is a "parts donor" is the manufacturer, model, and operational condition. Sometimes, the cost of shipping out-weighs the value of the unit (in any condition), and for others, any cosmetic issues will relegate the uint to the "parts donor" class.
a word oabout parts...
Many of the parts used in vintage gear can not be obtained today. The only way to keep some units running is to obtain parts form a donor. Don't toss your broken gear out!!! I have paid a lot for parts and place a premium on them. Just becuse your unit may not be a candidate for restoration does not mean it does not have value. If the thought of having a charished part of you past stripped for parts puts you in a twist, think of it as a chance to bring new life to others. We really do not want gear from the great "golden age of audio" ending up in a land fill or recycle bin becuse a small little part could not be found.
It is clear that everyone's standard of "cosmetic condition" is subjective. I have been burned several time on peoples "word" on cosmetic condtion. So, before a values is set and before a uint is sent "complete" I will always ask for photos.
Money is sent via paypal or cashier's check.
for units that are sent complete, shipping is through Federal Express. I have had too many issue with UPS and USPS.
I make shipping as painless as possible (for the right gear)...
For many uints, I often ship the box, packing material, return label, shipping account number, and cashier's check (if applicable), to the owner. All the owner has to do is...
1) Open the box
2) Remove top foam pads, return label, and cashier's check (if applicable)
3) Drop the uint in the box
4) Replace the foam pads
5) tape the box up
6) afix the return label
7) Return to Federal Express.
No cost or fuss for the owner.
I do this for two reasons. First, I have been burned too many times due to poor packing. To many uints smashed in shipping becuase the unit was not packed well. Next, it makes for a smooth and painless transation for the seller. Many times obtaining materials for packing a single shipment of this nature can be costly and time consuming. It often makes the differece beteween selling and not selling, or selling to local area only.
Packing:
For units I don't send packing and shipping material for, I will want an understanding of how the unit will be packed. I wil require uints to be be packed in a large over-sized double walled box. I will want to know what type of padding will be used. Use my "how to pack" page as a guidline. It is not the only way to pack safely, but it works.