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Ebay
Posted by not-my-real-name on April 5, 2019 at 2:08 pmOnce in a while I look at Ebay and browse the surveying equipment. I often see prisms, tribrachs and full target sets at ridiculously low prices. While it is obvious to me that they are not real it is still amusing to see the “clever” ways the phony equipment is disguised to look like the real thing. For example, The prism is red or yellow and described a Sokkia style or Topcon style. How do these people sleep at night?
a-harris replied 5 years, 3 months ago 8 Members · 8 Replies -
8 Replies
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Ex-boss bought a tribrach from ebay at a very low price. It looks like a tribrach and acts like one until you try to level it up over a point. Can’t be done. Just too much slop in the thing. It’s a paperweight.
How do they sleep? In some cultures, and some people, if they can cheat you – that’s on you, not them. Why would you be so gullible? How can you sleep at night when you are that easily duped?
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You can get some good bargains on eBay if you think carefully about the descriptions, pictures, and seller info. There is a lot of legitimate used equipment. You can also be unlucky or stupid.
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Yes, I agree. A few weeks ago I purchased a new sealed in box DJI Phantom 4RTK for $2800. They retail for $6500. It was from an Apple Phone dealer in California who purchased 4 of them. Apparently they opened one, and could not figure out how to use RTK via NTRIP and they have know idea what PPK is. Another surveyor on this board the last one a few days ago. A great deal. This P4RTK is great, especially at that price.
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I have bought 2 ‘practice flight’ drones off ebay with great results. I mostly use it to buy high end purses for the Missus. I just bought a perfect condition limited edition coach purse for 90% off. That little gem allowed me to purchase 2 surplus T1s with no consequences.
I love ebay..
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No doubt there may be a pearl or two hiding in the garbage. I’m just saying there is a lot of garbage.
Historic Boundaries and Conservation Efforts -
Glass and tribrachs have to be the most knocked off survey related items on Ebay. I’ve purchased GPS antenna’s and controllers with no issue but I vetted them out pretty well first. Tracking down the contact info for the seller and calling them direct to ask questions and run serial numbers was a must. It can be a crap shoot though.
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Hi Tom I am glad you found a good way to ameliorate that great purchase of the T 1’s. Have a great weekend, Jerry.
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I have purchased many items from EBay and went into every deal knowing what I was getting.
Patiently, I’ve waited for certain items to become available and was able to collect some nice equipment directly from other surveyors.
Most of what I obtained is name brand and some of it is knockoff.
I have several 1ft sections of pole and metal prism targets that are knockoff and still good products and better than any name branded plastic item.
Always ask questions of the seller and if possible for expensive items communicate over the phone or email and meet to see how the item performs as many items are set for local pickup.
If it needs a battery, bring your own and kick the tires for a test drive when possible.
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