Online auctions and e-Bay

Unless the seller advertises the fact that the tool you're bidding on is brand new, or has been repaired or refurbished or calibrated, you may end up with a dud. It happens over and over: in a rush to buy a gage at a great deal, buyers end up with indicators that stick, height gages with missing parts, calipers that aren't accurate, micrometers with spindles that won't turn. Unless you're willing to also pay for the repair of these gages, think twice about bidding. The cost of repairs may make your purchases uneconomical.

If you'd like our opinion on an auction item, just e-mail us the link. Keep in mind that it may take a day or more to get a response, so plan ahead.