k7zy
06-07-2004, 04:05 PM
I placed a "want" for a B&K 747B tube tester on QTH.COM. WB9DNB Larry foster of Williams, Indiana responded. He stated he had a "real nice working unit " for sale. We agreed on a price of $225.00 dollars shipped and insured. I sent him a money order that day.
The tube tester arrived via UPS. The shipping box was in perfect condition and the tester was well cushioned in wadded newspaper. Upon removal I opened the tester and thought the meter was installed upside down. Upon closer inspection I found it was the clear plastic meter face cover that was upside down. (make and model number was now at the top of the meter face and inverted). I then noticed the needle was bent like a pretzel and broken from the meter movement.
I immediately telephoned Mr. Foster and asked if he had inspected the unit prior to shipment. His response was, "NO". I explained what I had just found and he immediately changed his story. He now claims he used the tube tester the day before he shipped it and it was in perfect condition. During the conversation Mr. Foster agreed to my sending it back for a refund. A short while later I received an e-mail from him effectively calling me a liar. He had decided that I had tried to do something with the meter and broken it, and was now just trying to get my money back.
I called DOUTT ELECTRONICS who service and repair the B&K products. The price for a new meter is $155.00 dollars. I called Mr. Foster again and informed him of this. He stated he would only send me $50.00 dollars and I could find my own meter and repair the tester myself. (just what I needed, a tube tester in kit form). Mr. Foster did send me a personal check for $50.00. Now I am only out $175.00 dollars for a worthless tube tester, that's assuming the check is good.
I tried to give Mr. Foster the benefit of the doubt and imagine what UPS could have done to cause that type of damage. Considering the great condition of the shipping carton and it's cushioning it's very unlikely UPS is responsible. The fact the meter cover was upside down and securely attached indicates to me that Mr. Foster had an issue with it and saw an opportunity to unload it on a sucker. "ME". No mention was made of contacting UPS so I doubt it was insured.
Mr. Foster must have an extremely pathetic life to sacrifice his reputation and pull this sort of scam for $225.00 dollars. Integrity, honesty, and being a man of your word apparently have no special meaning for Mr. Foster. I highly recommend you avoid doing business with WB9DNB.
The tube tester arrived via UPS. The shipping box was in perfect condition and the tester was well cushioned in wadded newspaper. Upon removal I opened the tester and thought the meter was installed upside down. Upon closer inspection I found it was the clear plastic meter face cover that was upside down. (make and model number was now at the top of the meter face and inverted). I then noticed the needle was bent like a pretzel and broken from the meter movement.
I immediately telephoned Mr. Foster and asked if he had inspected the unit prior to shipment. His response was, "NO". I explained what I had just found and he immediately changed his story. He now claims he used the tube tester the day before he shipped it and it was in perfect condition. During the conversation Mr. Foster agreed to my sending it back for a refund. A short while later I received an e-mail from him effectively calling me a liar. He had decided that I had tried to do something with the meter and broken it, and was now just trying to get my money back.
I called DOUTT ELECTRONICS who service and repair the B&K products. The price for a new meter is $155.00 dollars. I called Mr. Foster again and informed him of this. He stated he would only send me $50.00 dollars and I could find my own meter and repair the tester myself. (just what I needed, a tube tester in kit form). Mr. Foster did send me a personal check for $50.00. Now I am only out $175.00 dollars for a worthless tube tester, that's assuming the check is good.
I tried to give Mr. Foster the benefit of the doubt and imagine what UPS could have done to cause that type of damage. Considering the great condition of the shipping carton and it's cushioning it's very unlikely UPS is responsible. The fact the meter cover was upside down and securely attached indicates to me that Mr. Foster had an issue with it and saw an opportunity to unload it on a sucker. "ME". No mention was made of contacting UPS so I doubt it was insured.
Mr. Foster must have an extremely pathetic life to sacrifice his reputation and pull this sort of scam for $225.00 dollars. Integrity, honesty, and being a man of your word apparently have no special meaning for Mr. Foster. I highly recommend you avoid doing business with WB9DNB.