Andrew, they are really reliable machines and this one has been super reliable for me, considering how many hours it has been used. The weak links are the belts. I suspect the traction surface on the disk drive is the problem with mine but I can't work on it when it's full of disks. At least this lesson in dishonesty hasn't been a financial hit -- yet.
Mark, I have no proof they are scammers and this seller has a 99.9% positive rating. I became suspicious when they refunded my money so quickly.
Scott, they were happy to let someone in China post $15.99 portable arc welders. By refunding my money eBay fixed a problem that should never have existed. It's a corporation with $10.8B in revenues so I doubt caring is part of their culture.
Rick, I got back on eBay and found another changer. This one was about $150 and the seller listed it as "one owner" and excellent condition. The destroyed one was manufactured in May 2004 and this one in April 2002 (happy 20th birthday). This time the machine arrived undamaged and as I suspected, it needed carousel and changer belts. The original belts have turned to black tar, which refused to come off with paint thinner so I attacked them with lacquer thinner.
Scott, I am shocked and disappointed every time someone pulls a stunt like that. I can't live in fear of the bad guys so I get taken advantage of every once in a while. My only revenge is to waste as much of their time as possible. I love the calls from the "I'm from Microsoft and we see your computer is infected with a virus. We can remove it but you have to give us permission to access the machine...." scam. The tenth time I say "I don't understand your instructions, could you repeat that?" they seem to disappear.
I tell them that if they can see the virus they're already in my computer and wouldn't need my permission to to access it- just go ahead and do whatever makes them happy.Rick, I got back on eBay and found another changer. This one was about $150 and the seller listed it as "one owner" and excellent condition. The destroyed one was manufactured in May 2004 and this one in April 2002 (happy 20th birthday). This time the machine arrived undamaged and as I suspected, it needed carousel and changer belts. The original belts have turned to black tar, which refused to come off with paint thinner so I attacked them with lacquer thinner.
I was able to get the disk changer belt pulleys (on the right) cleaned in place and the new belt installed. The carousel Belt drive pulleys were much worse so I removed the driven pulley and cleaned it on the bench. Really glad I bought the Costco pack of 3,000 Q-Tips.
Before I put the covers back on I tested the machine and it is running through all its cycles just like the one I bought 20 years ago.
Scott, I am shocked and disappointed every time someone pulls a stunt like that. I can't live in fear of the bad guys so I get taken advantage of every once in a while. My only revenge is to waste as much of their time as possible. I love the calls from the "I'm from Microsoft and we see your computer is infected with a virus. We can remove it but you have to give us permission to access the machine...." scam. The tenth time I say "I don't understand your instructions, could you repeat that?" they seem to disappear.
Bob I have my original JVC 5 disc cd changer from 1995. I bet all that is wrong with it is the drive belts. I will have to get it out of the closet and see if that is indeed what is wrong. (Good thing I saved it along with my dual cassette tape deck) I love Spotify and streaming but then sometimes it is nice to just have something mechanical to use in case the internet is out.
Scott, that's exactly what I did the first few times. I felt like an idiot arguing with an idiot. Getting them to stay on the line and waste their time was much more satisfying and retirement gives me a fair amount of time to make their life miserable.
Kirk, I may have done something similar with the Jehovah's witness folks. If you dedicate enough time on the first couple of visits explaining your views on the bible, they stop showing up. I felt the urge to learn some Aramaic and whip out a copy of a Dead Sea Scroll.
Thanks for stopping by Drives. Hurricane season starts in five and a half weeks so now is a good time to start pruning back the stuff that can do real damage. The mahogany out front and the oaks out back are pretty strong but the general rule is to keep them trimmed enough to throw a cat through.
Bret, before they came out with these big Sony changers I had a JVC 5-disk and bought a bunch of cartridges. I am having problems with the Pioneer 12-CD changer in the '87 Corvette and plan to attack that next (or right after the 82 honey-dos). I keep the few hundred CDs around in case the hard drives on every computer in the house crashes or hackers lock me out of them. All the cars have orphan iPods with all the CDs loaded on each one -- it's great to be able to play all 1400+ songs in random order (not just the songs on one CD). I have to resort to CDs because "Classic Rock" is now 80s and 90s music. Sometimes I like a little Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis or Elvis. My current music source is a few dozen thrift stores.
Holly cow, a 26" chain saw! That is one heck of a step up in your tree trimming game.
Rian, it's running out of gas with 99% of the job complete and then discovering the second gas can is empty. In my youth, sucking a gallon of leaded out of the car was no big deal but now it's a full stop and try again tomorrow.
Scott, I really liked that saw and was going to buy another Remington. Then I thought 25 years? I'll be 102 and too lazy to order another one. The Wen I ordered should last ten years and I can tell my then 69-year old son to get me another one.
Steve, considering I have 7 Saturdays every week, not a lot is getting done but I'm enjoying myself and that's what matters. You have a great day as well!Bob,
I shouldn’t still be amazed with the amount of work you get through, but I am, great job with the CD player and the garden.
I spent yesterday cutting hedges more to do today, I need to retire, I’m cream crackered.
Have a great day
Steve
Might check the warranty card
Patrik, Marc and Uncle Willie, now I regret not buying a better (AKA more expensive) saw back then. It might have lasted 26 years.
JB, thanks so much for pointing that out. I may still have time to cancel the order. I can barely handle the 16" one.
Shorty, I already have too many battery systems in my collection. The Hart plus battery is $199 and that is getting close to the Milwaukee M18 price. I am willing to invest $56 in a new chainsaw that doesn't need the carburetor cleaned every time I take it out. Four or five times as much to avoid a cord. I also notice the cordless chainsaws are about 4 pounds heavier -- I'm already pushing my luck with a 10-pound corded.Surprised they don’t have a cordless model. Should have ordered a Hart 16” cordless
I'm retired, and I'm cream crackered from a couple of days gardening, I need to get a job!
