Ebay Questions

Jack Vegas

Spotted a rather amazing deal on an amp on e-bay today, and had a few queries, if anybody on here has ever bought something like that off there, Id very much appreciate the feedback

1) I showed the deal to a fella I know. Said I was mental to even consider it, mentioning something about there being no guarantees or something along those lines. Any comments on this?

2) Im 9 months shy of 18,so should I register my new account in the name of a parent or elder sibling to be on the safe side?

3) When trying to complete the membership form yoke it kept asking me for a postcode, as far as I know, my area (Lucan) doesnt have one, what am I supposed to do here?

Jack Vegas

http://cgi.ebay.ie/NEW-RANDALL-RH150-VALVE-DYNAMIC-TUBE-MOSFET-AMP-HEAD_W0QQitemZ170062398689QQihZ007QQcategoryZ121161QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There be the amp, as im sure you'd hav to have a butchers at that to answer question 1. Im hopin none of you ****ers snatch this on me;)

Ruu_Old

Do you see just below the sellers feedback comments? Link here for more information. Remember you are going to be hit with import tax as the item would be shipped from outside the EU.

Jack Vegas

Was looking at that, but wasnt sure. About how much import tax do ya reckon?

Ruu_Old

No idea, probably a lot on that item. Check the Revenue website for more information on how import duty is calculated.

Beecher

Import tax is 21% plus another 3.4% duty charge or something like that. This is charged on the shipping cost aswell.

1) I showed the deal to a fella I know. Said I was mental to even consider it, mentioning something about there being no guarantees or something along those lines. Any comments on this?

Not all all, I bought my last 2 amps off ebay. Besides the fact they were steals at the price they were both retubed with decent tubes (JJ's). Paypal will also insure you to a certain amount but I dont see any reason atm if things went awry why you couldnt do a credit card charge back.

2) Im 9 months shy of 18,so should I register my new account in the name of a parent or elder sibling to be on the safe side?

Yes.

3) When trying to complete the membership form yoke it kept asking me for a postcode, as far as I know, my area (Lucan) doesnt have one, what am I supposed to do here?

I also dont have a postcode (well I do, its Co.Dublin but most postcode boxes wont accept that). I generally use either 000 or 00000.

Now some bad news. American voltage is different so aswell as custom duties you will also have to fork out for a step down transformer over here. I know Maplins sell them but I have no idea of the cost

Johnny Storm

Email the seller in advance to ask how much shipping will be too. FYI mention to the seller that USPS seems to provide reasonably priced delivery from US to Ireland. If there's an option to purchase shipping insurance you should probably take it as amps seem to get damaged in transit fairly often (AFAIK).

Also ask him in advance any questions/concerns you may have about the condition of the amp, any damage, scratches etc. IMHO you can get get a good feel for the honesty and helpfulness of the seller by how they answer those Qs.

Even paying for shipping , tax, transformer etc you can still get a bargain.

Jack Vegas

Cheers for all that.

Keeping in mind that Instrumental sell that head for 550 euros, It seems likely Ill be making a saving at any rate.

Thanks alot.

Voodu Child

If its not costing you much, and your mind is made up, go ahead, i dont see any problems with getting it.

If youre still open about what youre getting and want opinions on that head, say so.

The_g-man

http://www.thomann.de/ie/randall_rh150g3.htm
This wouldn't need a step down transformer, worst case just an adapter for the plug. Don't know how much shipping and customs will be for the one from the states, just putting an extra option out there.

Quattroste

My Amp cost nearly $300 to get shipped from the US. I'd expect that to be below $200 as mine was a combo and heavy one at that!

The transformer will cost in the region of €50 in Maplins.

feylya

Definately doesn't seem to be that much of a saving, considering all the hassle with shipping and transformers and customs.

Voodu Child

The_g-man wrote:

http://www.thomann.de/ie/randall_rh150g3.htm
This wouldn't need a step down transformer, worst case just an adapter for the plug. Don't know how much shipping and customs will be for the one from the states, just putting an extra option out there.

Aye shipping a head from the states will cost at least $100, and often more. I dont think you will make a saving buying it from the states

Jack Vegas

Im still very open about what Im getting, and I dont really have my heart set on anything, so reccomend away there if it's not too much trouble.

When considering the comparison of the price on Thomann compared to the cost of shipping,transformer and duty it does seem quite foolish to get it off geebay alrite.

However, if I was to get the head off Thomann I'd most probably save the extra few sponds for the 300 watt version of the head.

feylya

300 Watt? Why?

Jack Vegas

To be honest, that thought did occur to me, just seemed like better value to my logic. Im not set on this amp though cos I havnt heard anything taht great about it's clean channell.

Pity all the 750 euro ENGL Fireballs seem to have been snapped up off metalireland and adverts.ie.

Voodu Child

If youre minds not made up then i wouldnt go for that randall. Whats your price limit, and what are you looking for? (style of music, what size gigs etc)

Jack Vegas

Made a thread about this a wee while ago. I play metalcore/melodeath-ish stuff, Tool style prog, and shred bluessy lead stuff. Price range is around 650, but could stretch for something special. As far as gig size goes, Im not currently gigging, but want to get something decent as I've had problems before with bands getting frustrated at my lack of proper equiptment. Im also planning on using a Line 6 Pod XT for effects if that makes a difference.

Voodu Child

Didnt see your thread, or dont remember it.. but i hope the outcome of it wasnt that someone recomended that randall. Im sure its not rubbish, but those hybrid amps dont really do much.
If youre on a serious budget, you should probably stick to modellers (not that im a big fan), and if you can stretch, theres a few valve heads at E700 and under.

The peavey valveking looks a bit flimsy, but it did get a great writeup in guitarist magazine, and they usually are pretty fair in their reviews. Musicmaker are a peavey dealer now, so id imagine you can/will be able to try one there either now, or soon

They have something called a epiphone socal on thomann, never heard of it tbh. Might be worth seeing how it turns out.

steveland?

The_g-man wrote:

http://www.thomann.de/ie/randall_rh150g3.htm
This wouldn't need a step down transformer, worst case just an adapter for the plug. Don't know how much shipping and customs will be for the one from the states, just putting an extra option out there.

AND if you order that there's no P&P costs (€15 P&P for all orders under €99 or €199, can't remember which, and free above that price).

You're also not paying import tax/duty and you don't need a transformer.

If you get that one for €468 then you'll be paying just that and getting it in around 10 working days with DHL.

You also have a 30-Day money back guarantee and 3-year warranty with Thomann.

Sounds like a better deal than getting it for €200 odd and then throwing postage/import/power conversion on top of it without a guarantee...

Thomann will also tend to arrange a courier to come out and pick up your stuff for you if your goods are faulty or need replacing.

Only thing you'd need to buy seperate to that amp is a 2-pin to 3-pin plug converter which'll set you back about a fiver from Maplin (oh, and some speakers )

Voodu Child

steveland? wrote:

Only thing you'd need to buy seperate to that amp is a 2-pin to 3-pin plug converter which'll set you back about a fiver from Maplin (oh, and some speakers )

Ill sell you a lovely biro for under a fiver:D works perfect once you remember which hole to shove it in:D

feylya

Jack, if you're after a really really nice amp, there's a Vetta II Combo for sale on Adverts at the moment for €300 or so.

Johnny Storm

voodoo_child wrote:

....once you remember which hole to shove it in:D

Shouldn't that be on teh Medical Forum?

Voodu Child

The flextone 3 you mean?

I have to agree, if that fella lets it go for around 300 without the board, i dont think you'll buy a better amp for that money.

I'll read the old thread before i recommend any other amps, im sure its all been said already.

feylya

Sorry, flextone yeah.

Voodu Child

I think we should do a sticky with some different amps. Guys seem to ask the same questions a lot. So long as it was just informative rather than opinions..