Pleasantly surprised

[martin666]

Bought these MAC 1/2" Drive SAE sockets a few days ago on ebay. The description described them as rough and the pictures backed that up. They appeared to be pretty rusty and maybe some chrome peeling. I didn't care, figured a vinager bath and they'd be plenty good enough for the road box, where I'd rather have a good set of ugly sockets than a set of pretty looking junk. They came I'm today and after a quick inspection I realized they weren't rusty or beat up at all just DIRTY, that nasty **** that oil and dirt mixed turns into. Little soak in the parts washer and I think they cleaned up fine, fine enough to earn a spot in the main box. ...so for $36 I was definitely pleasantly surprised

 

[martin666]

Hahaha, forgot picture, here it is

 

[Jarhead0408]

Nice! Congratulations friend!

 

[sseddon641]

Things like this just make me shake me head. If the seller would of cleaned them himself that set would probably easily sold for 2-3 times that. Worked out good for you though. Nice score!

 

[four.cycle]

^ my limited experience with Ebay tool sellers is that they do not clean anything as a rule, and almost every "used" ad has some sort of disclaimer about "dirt, grease, scratches".
I am, as was Martin, sometimes surprised when I open packages and find almost brand new tools inside.
now and then I get a dud, but the number of duds compared to the rest is insignificant.

 

[d.mcfarland]

That was an awesome deal on those. Good eyes!

 

[mattblast]

Do you have a before photo?

 

[jerseykat1]

nice score.

 

[Farmall450]

^ my limited experience with Ebay tool sellers is that they do not clean anything as a rule, and almost every "used" ad has some sort of disclaimer about "dirt, grease, scratches".
I am, as was Martin, sometimes surprised when I open packages and find almost brand new tools inside.
now and then I get a dud, but the number of duds compared to the rest is insignificant.

I agree. It's a good trade off IMO

 

[martin666]

Do you have a before photo?

Didnt take a picture because I didn't know beforehand they would clean up this nice. Went through my bought itens on ebay and took a screen shot but this site will only allow me to post pictures I've taken not screen shots. Ill dig a little deeper later and see if I can figure it out.

 

[martin666]

Thanks guys, I've also found most sellers don't clean tools but these were the dirtiest I've seen

 

[martin666]

In keeping with GJ's mantra of. ..no pictures, it didn't happen. ...I pulled one the sockets out and scraped the inside, this is the crud all of the sockets were covered with.

 

[ssdave]

^ my limited experience with Ebay tool sellers is that they do not clean anything as a rule, and almost every "used" ad has some sort of disclaimer about "dirt, grease, scratches".
I am, as was Martin, sometimes surprised when I open packages and find almost brand new tools inside.
now and then I get a dud, but the number of duds compared to the rest is insignificant.

I've sold on ebay a lot in cutting down my stuff. The disclaimer you see above comes from experience. It's amazing the proportion of sales that the buyer wants you to pay for them returning the used item. A typical message goes like this: "You described the socket as a "good usable tool". I cleaned it in my parts washer when I got it, and tumbled it with corn cob media in my brass tumbler. Upon close inspection, I note that there's a scratch or gouge on the top corner edge, at least 1/8" long. In addition, there's a place where the chrome is nicked and rust is starting on the lip of the socket, where it goes over the nut. These items will make the socket rust, and as such I don't think it is properly described as a "good usable tool". I would like to have you send me a return label so that I can mail it back to you for a full refund".

So, even with a new item, you have to put in some disclaimer, or the tool polishers will focus on every little scratch or mar in the chrome. I've quit cleaning up stuff and trying to make it better. Buyers are a lot happier if they can clean things up and make them better than if they find they've bought a well used item that was heavily prepped to look better than it really was.

 

[cowboy73]

Those cleaned up great! I guess I need to start watching for crusty looking tools more on ebay.

 

[Digital Ranger]

Nice find! And a lesson learned for me. Don't judge a tool by it's appearance.

 

[zcbauer89]

Good deal. Those are excellent sockets.

 

[PFSard]

There's a bargain. Great score.