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Author Topic: OS 46 VF snatched away  (Read 8423 times)

Offline Peter Nevai

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OS 46 VF snatched away
« on: June 06, 2011, 04:29:17 PM »
Ok, who's the wiseguy, for the past 6 months I've been watching the bay for one of these, I s
purposely did not buy a kit, or get back into the hobby until I had an engine I could depend on and one that still had good support out there. I put a reasonable bid for a 20 year old engine, $89 only to be sniped at the last second, probably by someone who has a boat load of engines already.  :-[

Oh well the reentry into the hobby remains delayed.
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Offline Bob Reeves

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2011, 05:28:20 PM »
Want something dependable, with good support, parts available, inexpensive and competitive at any level.. Look for an RC Saito 56 which can be found for around $100.00 used and follow the how-to on the Gluedobbers web site.

http://www.tulsacl.com/SaitoCarb.html

Offline Peter Nevai

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2011, 06:16:22 PM »
Hi Bob, thank you for the heads up, I did research the 4 strokes, found people had varying results. Unfortunately I do not have the machine tools for modifying saito carbs as shown on the link. Plus as a 4 stroke has more parts to wear, it is a bigger risk getting one that will need parts. I knew that Randy still has a good inventory of parts for the VF, so that was a big factor. I always been basically a one plane, one engine guy, not in a long long time had I the luxury of a selection, so for me the engine I choose has to be on the money, the first time, of course within bugetary limits. Reading up on this site the general concensus, was that next to a PA or RO Jett, the OS 40 / 46 VF was the engine to use. My logistical situation dictates I get this right the first time, no hobby shops nearby, I have to do everything mail order, so just having to experiment with glow plugs or props, or fuel would mean a week or more between attempts
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Offline Bob Reeves

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2011, 06:45:44 PM »
Fully understand, one has to go with what one is comfortable with. Just wanted to point out that Saito 56/62 four strokes are a very good inexpensive choice for us that can't justify a $300.00 engine and $100.00 pipe. I sold two VF40's when I went 4 stroke and don't regret it. At the time one of the bearings was almost impossible to get, maybe that has changed.

Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2011, 06:52:04 PM »
The more I read stuff here, and the more I dink around with engines, the more I think that if I had enough $$ to buy new stuff I'd go all electric.  Unfortunately, electric is new enough that there's little or no perfectly good used stuff to be had.  Contrast this with engines, where diligent shopping will (at least sometimes) find you what you want.

Were I in your shoes I'd consider widening my search -- like, think about an OS LA 40 (or 45?), either new or used.  I hear nothing but good about those engines; if I had your constraints and wanted all my electrons staying in one place that's how I'd go.
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The problem with electric is that once you get the smoke generator and sound system installed, the plane is too heavy.

Offline Peter Nevai

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2011, 08:18:01 PM »
Hi Ty, already went the OS LA route, only to go through the leaking backplate blues, besides I think 660 sq inch + will be a tad much for the LA engines, I do have a barely run, old OS 60 H gold head. But that is a big heavy beast, and I have no Idea as to suitability. Was looking to build a trivial p, or SV 11 derivitive, something larger than a vector 40 size, yet not so big it won't fit in a average back seat or hatch back, or carry on. (Train)

Electric is out as I have no way of charging the bat, when on site.
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Offline Dallas Hanna

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2011, 04:08:09 AM »
Hi Ty, already went the OS LA route, only to go through the leaking backplate blues, besides I think 660 sq inch + will be a tad much for the LA engines, I do have a barely run, old OS 60 H gold head. But that is a big heavy beast, and I have no Idea as to suitability. Was looking to build a trivial p, or SV 11 derivitive, something larger than a vector 40 size, yet not so big it won't fit in a average back seat or hatch back, or carry on. (Train)

Electric is out as I have no way of charging the bat, when on site.

You seem desperate Peter!   Make me a reasonable offer.  VF 46 has about 1 1/2 hrs running on it.   Most likely I'll never use it again!!

HH

Offline ash

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #7 on: June 07, 2011, 05:10:55 AM »
I hate it when good, usable CL worthy engines disappear into glass cases...

Luckily, there are still a lot of options out there. My investigations along the same lines led me to this list of viable, affordable options:

Enya 61 RE (delayed availability right now, unfortunately)
Rustler-Merco Metamorph 61 (available stateside, I hear)
Saito 56/62/76 (Really easy to get at a good price and proven at a high level by many people, even if they're no longer in fashion)
ASP/Magnum 36 (read Phil Granderson's Diva article and throw a pipe on one of these low-cost gems)

I have every intention of trying all four of these options before trying electric. I have the ASP 36 in the cupboard awaiting a model, Saito 62 due any day now, Rustler is ordered but not sure when to expect it.

Add the Evo60 to the head of your list and get busy!
Adrian Hamilton - Auckland, NZ.

Offline Dallas Hanna

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2011, 05:57:25 AM »
This one's definitely not "a glass case queen" Ash.  Had it new in an Aurora 45 r/c pattern model back in early 90s.    Had a slight bump with it and never bothered fixing it.   The engine has been run in for around 45 minutes and had the same in the air before the slight mishap (mismatched brand xtal).  One small fin on case slight damage.   It's still in R/C form but will change to c/l venturi of suitable size if required.   Too many motors and no time to use them all!!   Story of our lives!

HH

Offline Bill Little

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2011, 09:55:31 AM »
Hi Peter,

An OS VF is a good choice for a "less expensive" engine.  They will power the planes you are looking at building very nicely as proven by Paul Walker, Ted, Brett, etc..  Unfortunately, I don't think anything less than $100 will get one unless you are VERY lucky.  I was quickly offered $150 for the only OS .46VF I had when I mentioned I would sell it.  Most of the time they seem to go for closer to $150....... while $89 seemed "reasonable" to you, it is kinda low.  Just saying.......... ;D  However, you might find one at, or near, that price if you look long enough.

Big Bear
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Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #10 on: June 07, 2011, 10:55:11 AM »
Peter:  A comment, and a question.

The comment: Don't give up!  Get flying again however you can, even if you have to be flexible about what engine you use!

The question: what keeps you from charging electrics at your field?  For RC flying I have three battery packs that I charge up the night before; after the first flight I keep one charging at my truck while I fly.  I know that folks with long walks to the field have little carts with RV batteries that are good for a dozen charges or so.  So it doesn't seem like charging is an insurmountable problem.

Of course, if you just prefer wet power that's a perfectly good reason in and of itself to stick with it.
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The problem with electric is that once you get the smoke generator and sound system installed, the plane is too heavy.

Offline Bob Reeves

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #11 on: June 07, 2011, 10:59:38 AM »
Hi Peter,

An OS VF is a good choice for a "less expensive" engine.  They will power the planes you are looking at building very nicely as proven by Paul Walker, Ted, Brett, etc..  Unfortunately, I don't think anything less than $100 will get one unless you are VERY lucky.  I was quickly offered $150 for the only OS .46VF I had when I mentioned I would sell it.  Most of the time they seem to go for closer to $150....... while $89 seemed "reasonable" to you, it is kinda low.  Just saying.......... ;D  However, you might find one at, or near, that price if you look long enough.

Big Bear

Then you still have to buy or make a CL intake, buy a pipe and maybe a header. Add this up and unless you get really good deals your fast approaching $300.00. Last year at Brodaks I bought a very good Saito 56 for a hundred dollar bill, even if I couldn't make my own carb mod, I could pay $40.00 to have it done and have an engine ready to go for under $150.00. Didn't mention that you also need a $40+.00 prop on that VF and the Saito will work great with a $5.00 Rev-Up 13-7.

4 strokes are no longer in fashion but that doesn't mean they don't work. Everyone I have heard that had trouble was simply because they tried to apply 2 stroke thinking to a 4 stroke and it doesn't work.

Offline Peter Nevai

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #12 on: June 07, 2011, 11:24:33 AM »
Hi Peter,

An OS VF is a good choice for a "less expensive" engine.  They will power the planes you are looking at building very nicely as proven by Paul Walker, Ted, Brett, etc..  Unfortunately, I don't think anything less than $100 will get one unless you are VERY lucky.  I was quickly offered $150 for the only OS .46VF I had when I mentioned I would sell it.  Most of the time they seem to go for closer to $150....... while $89 seemed "reasonable" to you, it is kinda low.  Just saying.......... ;D  However, you might find one at, or near, that price if you look long enough.

Big Bear

Hi Bill,

150? Well then in that case someone got very lucky because the engine had 12 bids on it for the 3 day auction and it stayed at $66.00 (12 bids) until my bid (13) which I put in 15 minutes before auction end. It stayed at my high bid of $68.88 until 1 or 2 seconds befor auction end and then in that last 2 seconds someone put in the 14th bid, and got the engine for $89.88 I have to use my mobile phone for this and no sooner than I refreshed the screen it was over. The engine was sold with a Boat (Marine) tuned pipe. The exhaust stinger doing a 180 and heading back towards and past the engine. Yet it was not a marine OS VF.
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Offline Peter Nevai

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #13 on: June 07, 2011, 11:28:44 AM »
Peter:  A comment, and a question.

The comment: Don't give up!  Get flying again however you can, even if you have to be flexible about what engine you use!

The question: what keeps you from charging electrics at your field?  For RC flying I have three battery packs that I charge up the night before; after the first flight I keep one charging at my truck while I fly.  I know that folks with long walks to the field have little carts with RV batteries that are good for a dozen charges or so.  So it doesn't seem like charging is an insurmountable problem.

Of course, if you just prefer wet power that's a perfectly good reason in and of itself to stick with it.

Hi TIM,

No vehicle, so no ability to charge on the go. But as there is a flying site almost literally across the street from work perhaps if nothing else pans out I could charge it at the office. Problem is that everytime that I've been in the office after hours my building code would not disable the alarm. Now thats OK if I am working on something but I think the Office manager would get annoyed if I kept setting off the alarm just to swap out batteries. Gotta have the building code straightened out.
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Offline Peter Nevai

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #14 on: June 07, 2011, 12:18:55 PM »
Then you still have to buy or make a CL intake, buy a pipe and maybe a header. Add this up and unless you get really good deals your fast approaching $300.00. Last year at Brodaks I bought a very good Saito 56 for a hundred dollar bill, even if I couldn't make my own carb mod, I could pay $40.00 to have it done and have an engine ready to go for under $150.00. Didn't mention that you also need a $40+.00 prop on that VF and the Saito will work great with a $5.00 Rev-Up 13-7.

4 strokes are no longer in fashion but that doesn't mean they don't work. Everyone I have heard that had trouble was simply because they tried to apply 2 stroke thinking to a 4 stroke and it doesn't work.

Hi Bob,

Currently there are only 3 Saito 56 engines on the bay, each is already over $100, there is one that is NIB and the only one that I can be certain has not been used and abused. It's currently at $102 but with over a day left for the auction, like the OS 40 VF I would almost bet that I'll have a replay of the OS auction. As I mentioned before 4 strokes have a bunch more parts that can be worn out or damaged, crank, piston, berings, cam followers, rocker pushrods, valves etc, so it is a real gamble even more so as most modelers like you mentioned are cluless when it comes to 4 strokes, and when you are clueless you are more likely to screw the engine up.

Sadly, I have 2 OS 40 FSR engines but after spending a bunch of time over on the engine setup forum, It seems only a tuned pipe setup really tames the motor (Probably why I always had issues with them for CL in the past), but the engines are side exhaust. There are no suitable wrap around headers that would put the pipe behind the motor anymore. I would have to hang and bolt the pipe to the outside of the airframe and no matter how you try to disguise it it would look simply awful.

Maybe I should toss the whole thing, and get a Brodak Pathfinder ARF, stick on of the 40 FSR's in it on Pipe and see if I can get the wings to fold up on some rally hard outsides, like the last profile I had the engine in. It Irks me to no end to have two FSR's that only would work piped which means profile. Either that or I'd have to figure out some weird engine mounting arrangement, which means building from scratch and that I have no facility for. I think I'll drop Kaz a line and see if he has any ideas.

With a 2 stroke all you have is piston, con rod, crank and bearings. Bearings can be gotten from.

http://www.bocabearings.com.

If there are good pictures on the bay, telltale signs of oil leaks past the front bearing are not hard to spot.
« Last Edit: June 07, 2011, 12:44:14 PM by Peter Nevai »
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Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #15 on: June 07, 2011, 01:11:05 PM »
AMA 64232

The problem with electric is that once you get the smoke generator and sound system installed, the plane is too heavy.

Offline Bob Reeves

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #16 on: June 07, 2011, 01:27:23 PM »
I hardly ever bid on anything on eBay without sniping it, if I had been after that VF you wouldn't have seen my bid till the last few seconds. Some say this isn't fair but enough are doing it that it's really the only way to go.. The highest bidder still wins and as has been said many times, bid what you are willing to pay and keep the shipping charges in mind. Sometimes you will get a really good deal and sometimes someone wants it more than you.

I use http://www.vrane.com/ they give you one snipe at a time for free..

Offline Scott Hartford

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #17 on: June 07, 2011, 01:30:27 PM »
I have used Saitos for quite a while, RC and CL, and have yet to see one "wore out". By the time some engines wear out, Saitos are just getting good! If you want one (Saito 56)that is definately not worn out, and actually has ceramic bearings and a cl venturi, I'll sell you one for $100 so you can get to flying.

Offline Mike Scholtes

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #18 on: June 07, 2011, 03:12:28 PM »
I know of several NIB VF40 and VF46 for sale here in Northern California. Not sure what the seller wants but can find out. Where are you located? I have a feeling it is not in the USA.

Offline Peter Nevai

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #19 on: June 07, 2011, 03:46:41 PM »
I know of several NIB VF40 and VF46 for sale here in Northern California. Not sure what the seller wants but can find out. Where are you located? I have a feeling it is not in the USA.

I am in the wilds of Bohemia......... Long Island NY, at the moment. May be going to Japan, South Korea, or I hope, I hope, Hawaii for work related projects in a couple months, with the DOD you can never tell. Have my KPot, Body Armor, and ACU's ready if it is somewhere less hospitable.
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Offline Steve Helmick

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #20 on: June 07, 2011, 04:03:37 PM »
FWIW, i've never seen a .40VF or .46VF flown without a tuned pipe. Not saying that it wouldn't work, but there might be a lack of setup information available. I bought a .46VF NIB for $100 and immediately sold it for $150.

For the size of model you want (to fit in the back of a rental car), you might look at the Oriental Plus. Wing area is about 610sqs. They fly quite nicely with a .46LA, and if you wanted, you could go to a side/rear header and tuned pipe (Randy Smith). Also an engine that is easy to start, works well on various APC props, so you don't really need to carry an electric starter. A nice Classic like the Skylark or T-Bird would also be very good with the .46, or the kit Pathfinder or Profile Cardinal. I'd suggest looking for a used plane built by an Expert class flier...especially a Classic.

Beyond the crappy control system hardware, profile ARF/ARC's are limited by the flexi-flyer fuselages and crappy covering. Best to build a new fuselage, at least. Chances are, there's somebody in your 'hood that will let you build in their shop.  I've known folks that built in apartments with a slab of plywood on the coffee table, stashing the project under the sofa or leaning it against the wall when visitors came. It can be done, if you want to badly enough. When I was in college, I built models in my closet, and it was still my closet!  D>K Steve
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Offline Will Hinton

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #21 on: June 07, 2011, 04:48:52 PM »
If you find a VF don't let the cost of the tuned pipe stop you - I'll send you one for the shipping and 20 bucks.  I have some good VF memories and this pipe left.  This offer is only to you, no others need apply!
John 5:24   www.fcmodelers.com

Offline Dallas Hanna

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #22 on: June 07, 2011, 05:18:57 PM »
If someone can post the venturi diameter for the VF 46 Peter can have one I have.  That way I can keep the R/C carb . 100 bucks US sounds ok to me rather than have an engine here which will never get used again!   The postage isn't a fortune but will check today.

HH
« Last Edit: June 07, 2011, 07:24:31 PM by Dallas Hanna »

Offline Peter Nevai

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #23 on: June 07, 2011, 08:08:47 PM »
If someone can post the venturi diameter for the VF 46 Peter can have one I have.  That way I can keep the R/C carb . 100 bucks US sounds ok to me rather than have an engine here which will never get used again!   The postage isn't a fortune but will check today.

HH

Thank you!

I'LL check with randi to see what the venturie size should be.
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Online Brett Buck

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #24 on: June 07, 2011, 08:56:04 PM »
Thank you!

I'LL check with randi to see what the venturie size should be.

   I would suggest starting with a .275 with an ST or Randy spraybar. You could go bigger but that will provide sufficient power.

    Brett

Offline Peter Nevai

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #25 on: June 07, 2011, 09:05:42 PM »
   I would suggest starting with a .275 with an ST or Randy spraybar. You could go bigger but that will provide sufficient power.

    Brett

Thanks Brett, you beat me to it. Looked back over a bunch of older posts and Randy also suggests .275 y1
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Offline Dallas Hanna

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #26 on: June 07, 2011, 09:51:33 PM »
Thanks Brett, you beat me to it. Looked back over a bunch of older posts and Randy also suggests .275 y1

OK.  Can't do it until Friday (OZ Friday!)  Have to actually work tonight   :(  and will be out a bit tomorrow.  Send me your postal address.   When the engine gets there you can pay then if it is what you want.   Better than me wasting time selling on fleabay to someone who won't use it in a stunter!

HH

Offline Andrew Tinsley

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #27 on: June 08, 2011, 02:34:53 AM »
Don't be too hard on snipers, because I am one! There are two reasons for this. First, if I am buying from the US, the auction always ends in the small hours of the morning and I like my sleep. The second is because I look at what I want and determine what I want to pay. This stops me from getting carried away in a bidding war! Unless I am very desperate for an item this strategy will get me things for a reasonable price. I maybe get one out of ten items, but I don't pay through the nose!

Regards,

Andrew.
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Offline Geoff Goodworth

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #28 on: June 08, 2011, 05:56:54 AM »
Hey Andrew, I don't call that sniping. You decide what you are willing to pay and the machine makes the bids. You have no control—especially if you are asleep.

Another version of the same story.

I was watching an eBay auction for an ABN FP 40 that looked to be in really good condition. I worked out what I was willing to pay and, as the auction was ending at a time that was inconvenient for me, I went to the site in the final 24 hours to post my max bid. The engine wasn't there. I emailed the vendor to ask what happened.

The engine had been described as a 'gas' engine so eBay pulled it—incorrect description.

Several months later, I'm cleaning out my email address book and this vendor's email address turned up. I contacted him and he replied that only that week, he was looking at the engine on his shelf and thinking that he should do something with it.

I made an offer—off eBay and lower than I was willing to bid earlier—that was accepted. I felt safe because I had the man's work email address, an Australian federal government department. It's probably the best FP 40 of the few that I have purchased used from eBay.

It's a tough game, Peter, but winners are grinners.

Good luck in the future. If Herb is selling you one of his, you are now a winner.

Offline Peter Nevai

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #29 on: June 09, 2011, 10:37:01 AM »
OK.  Can't do it until Friday (OZ Friday!)  Have to actually work tonight   :(  and will be out a bit tomorrow.  Send me your postal address.   When the engine gets there you can pay then if it is what you want.   Better than me wasting time selling on fleabay to someone who won't use it in a stunter!

HH

Hi H,

check your email

and thanks mucho.
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Offline Peter Nevai

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #30 on: June 09, 2011, 11:08:54 AM »
Hey Andrew, I don't call that sniping. You decide what you are willing to pay and the machine makes the bids. You have no control—especially if you are asleep.

Another version of the same story.

I was watching an eBay auction for an ABN FP 40 that looked to be in really good condition. I worked out what I was willing to pay and, as the auction was ending at a time that was inconvenient for me, I went to the site in the final 24 hours to post my max bid. The engine wasn't there. I emailed the vendor to ask what happened.

The engine had been described as a 'gas' engine so eBay pulled it—incorrect description.

Several months later, I'm cleaning out my email address book and this vendor's email address turned up. I contacted him and he replied that only that week, he was looking at the engine on his shelf and thinking that he should do something with it.

I made an offer—off eBay and lower than I was willing to bid earlier—that was accepted. I felt safe because I had the man's work email address, an Australian federal government department. It's probably the best FP 40 of the few that I have purchased used from eBay.

It's a tough game, Peter, but winners are grinners.

Good luck in the future. If Herb is selling you one of his, you are now a winner.

Oh I would have to disagree. It is sniping, plain and simple. Non sniping is putting in your max bid from the beginning. I did this in plenty of time before auction end. Others can do the same and outbid me I have no trouble with that, but at least give me the opportunity to consider upping the bid. This did not happen, literally in the last 2 seconds someone put in a higher bid, I have no way of telling if it was one dollar or 100. I also hate bidding wars, I equate it to gambling, as it becomes all about winning the auction at any cost, often driving up the cost so much you could have bought the item brand new in the store for less.

However that is a matter of self control and I can deal with that. I can write a book on how to snipe, I only resorted to that on items that were no longer commercially available, could not be found anywhere else, and I absolutely NEEDED the item, not just wanted it. Even then it is was a action of last resort. Then in situations like that I used to just put in a absurdly high bid, unitl I ended up the victim of Shilling (Shill- Bidding up the price under a different user name, and almost impossible to prove). More often these days I look under buy it now, only, on ebay, If I think the price is fair I buy straight out right away, no surprises.

Actuall I prefer this meathod and have gotten som pretty good deal on high end professional video products, many tiimes people get items in that arena, which they have no Idea what it's worth. So they put it up on BUY it Now for what may seem to them a ton of money. When I need an item now a days I just search several time a day for that item under buy it now. I try to be in the position to jump on the item as soon as it hits, before the community at large (resellers primarily) research it and vulturize it. Unfortunately these days, most of the time you can Buy It Now, for far less in a brick and mortar store or on Amazon.Com than on Ebay.

Of course the policy changes at Ebay  have Enabled such activity, now that the bidder names are hidden, you can not tell who the offenders are, and why detecting Shills are next to impossible. Sorry
Words Spoken by the first human to set foot on Mars... "Now What?"

Online Brett Buck

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #31 on: June 09, 2011, 11:18:53 AM »
Oh I would have to disagree. It is sniping, plain and simple. Non sniping is putting in your max bid from the beginning. I did this in plenty of time before auction end. Others can do the same and outbid me I have no trouble with that, but at least give me the opportunity to consider upping the bid. This did not happen, literally in the last 2 seconds someone put in a higher bid, I have no way of telling if it was one dollar or 100. I also hate bidding wars, I equate it to gambling, as it becomes all about winning the auction at any cost, often driving up the cost so much you could have bought the item brand new in the store for less.

   The simple fact of the matter is that sniping is the only reliable strategy for winning the auction. You get the item and at about the lowest cost possible. Unless and until they get rid of a fixed end time and introduce a period for counter-offers like a real auction, that's the way it is going to be. It would be better for everybody since the bids could ratchet up indefinitely, but don't expect that to happen.

    It's a competition, and sniping is the winning strategy.

     Brett

Offline Peter Nevai

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #32 on: June 09, 2011, 12:52:07 PM »
   The simple fact of the matter is that sniping is the only reliable strategy for winning the auction. You get the item and at about the lowest cost possible. Unless and until they get rid of a fixed end time and introduce a period for counter-offers like a real auction, that's the way it is going to be. It would be better for everybody since the bids could ratchet up indefinitely, but don't expect that to happen.

    It's a competition, and sniping is the winning strategy.

     Brett

Hi Brett,

The wife and I love genuine auctions, as a matter of fact much of what we own came from auction houses. ALthough I have to admit the gambling mentality still invades there. About a year ago we were at a auction and they were auctioning off pallet lots of returned LCD and Plasma TV's. They were in various states of disrepair. I spotted a 50 inch Pioneer panel that I was interested in. During the viewing I spoke with another buyer interested in the lot. (You were bidding on first pick amongst the LOTat the winning price) It became clear that only the two of us there were interested in the broken TV's no one else showed any interest. I ask the gentlemen which of the sets he was most interested in. And he indicated to me that he was interested in a 65 inch LG tv. I said great, I'll put in a opening bid that meets the minimum the auctioneer calls for, and asked him not to bid against me so that way we could both win at the lowest price. He agreed.

Well the auction started and I got the opening to $50.00 for first pick, Don't you know it, he bid me up. As suspected there was no one else bidding at all, I upped it and he upped it again. Finally at $125 he gave up and I won the auction. I took the Pioneer TV as my pick , and second pick went to him and he took the 65" LG for $125.00. Afterwards, I asked him what it was all about, we had agreed that we would not start bidding against each other and that should have been clear after no one else was interested. I told him we could have each gotten our TV's for my opening bid of $50.00.

He replied

"I realize that now, I don't know what came over me"

DUH!
Words Spoken by the first human to set foot on Mars... "Now What?"

Offline Dallas Hanna

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Re: OS 46 VF snatched away
« Reply #33 on: June 09, 2011, 04:36:46 PM »
  The simple fact of the matter is that sniping is the only reliable strategy for winning the auction. You get the item and at about the lowest cost possible. Unless and until they get rid of a fixed end time and introduce a period for counter-offers like a real auction, that's the way it is going to be. It would be better for everybody since the bids could ratchet up indefinitely, but don't expect that to happen.

    It's a competition, and sniping is the winning strategy.

     Brett

Right on Brett!   I never place a bid until the last 20 seconds and usually a higher stupid price I'm willing to pay if I really want an item.   Haven't lost too many with that strategy!   Sometimes approaching the high price and others well below.

HH


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