I bought a VCR from eBay UK.
Price was pretty good, it's a semi-rare model, unit that I've always wanted to test.
As usual, standard claims of "working" and "tested". All nonsense, of course. And if the deck actually worked, it's just luck. The usual instance of a broken clock being correct twice per day. Not every deck is crap, just most of them. And since I know JVC repair decently, have lots of parts, surely I can repair anything that may be amiss?
It's gambling. I know what I'm getting myself into.
.. or did I?
After 4 weeks, the VCR arrived.
It was mailed in a black plastic trashbag.
- Two whole layers of bags! Wow!
- Not loose bags, but as tight as a swimsuit on an SI model. The plastic VCRs buttons were like cold nipples in said swimsuit.
- No bubble wrap.
- A piece of cereal-box-thickness cardboard taped to the bottom. (Why? I don't know.)
Would anybody care to guess how many pieces it was in?
I can't fix that.
I can't fix stupid. eBay does not defend irresponsible packaging, so the seller is screwed.
And I'm out time. Hopes dashed. Oh well.
This is a sadly typical eBay experience when it comes to VCRs.
Years ago, I got a SR-V10U wrapped in cereal boxes. I didn't think it could get any worse, but I apparently should never underestimate eBay sellers.