3rd Time Lucky

[wyerd]

As we all know, buying anything from eBay is somewhat a Lucky Dip. When a listing says used and works, we expect it to when it arrives. We also hope that it's packaged correctly so that it arrives in one piece, not pieces! I've been on the lookout for a decent dot matrix printer since the new year and I spotted this printer http://www.ebay.com/itm/Panasonic-KX-P1180-Standard-Dot-Matrix-Printer-/271750979208?ssPageName=ADME%3AX%3AAAQ%3AUS%3A1123&nma=true&si=eKF91Plyb9pQ3Dvp4fJuMYnhuio%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 I was the only one who bidded and got it for $1 + $26.07 shipping. Bargain I thought, but I expect the seller was a bit pissed that it only made $1 as look how it arrived:-

 

 

That's the paper guide protruding through the box!

 

 

Broken paper guide

 

 

Just a couple of sheets of bubble wrap protect it!

 

 

Broken cover and the adjustment lever has completely snapped off and disappeared into the printer!

 

 

The inside of the box was littered with broken pieces.

 

I opened a case and eBay refunded me the same day after seeing the pictures. The seller didn't want it returned so it was scrapped.

 

 

Next time I saw this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/151589325971 . It arrived really well packed. Wrapped in cling wrap, then a layer of polystyrene, cardboard, more polystyrene and then the outer box. Fantastic I thought. Powered it up, no movement from the print head as it should move to the home position. Power light was on and the paper out light flashed even though it was loaded. It was a dud. Boxed it back up and sent it back using the eBay Guarantee. The seller refunded me the same day he received it back.

 

 

I tried again on this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Panasonic-KX-P1124-Impact-Dot-Matrix-Printer-with-Custom-Cover-and-User-Manual-/331487886361?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123 . Arrived today very well packaged, no breakages and it works!!

 

 

That's using the parallel output of the serial card that blew the PSU of the PEB. Luckily, the CorComp RS232 card appears to be functioning ok.

[Shift838]

good deal. Sometimes it takes multiple times to get a working used item off ebay!

 

I was lucky and got a printer just like the Panasonic you have that was brand new and never opened in a lot of TI stuff that i picked up a couple of years ago.

[wyerd]

good deal. Sometimes it takes multiple times to get a working used item off ebay!

 

I was lucky and got a printer just like the Panasonic you have that was brand new and never opened in a lot of TI stuff that i picked up a couple of years ago.

 

It's amazing that there's so much NOS stuff out there after all these years. People seem to buy these items and hoard them. Luckily for us they do!

[Shift838]

yup. I have to admit. I probably have a couple of 99/4a items like that. I know I have at least on pair of Joysticks never opened, among a couple of others I am sure.

 

I have always liked to have 2 of everything for the TI.. Just in case, I have a backup!

[wyerd]

Just in case, I have a backup!

 

You can't have enough of them. That statement is true with anything in computing, especially with data. My PC is backed up to a RAID 5 WHS 2011 server (RAID is NOT a backup), which is backed up daily.