Sensible price for a Walkman DD33?

So mostly looking for some advice, maybe a little validation on what would be a good price to pay for an advertised "good working order" dd33?

Only obvious negatives are a couple of blemishes on the front, looks to me like someone either placed it face down on an abrasive surface or it got dropped but not a big drops as there are no dents just a scuff.

In the UK I've seen DD33 models listed from £200 up to £3-400, whether they sell for that is another mater and I'm not able to verify.

Assuming condition is good and its go no internal faults (clicks) is around £150 a good price considering the cosmetics and the fact it would be getting daily use since my budet daily WM-2 is off the road at the moment and my late Panasonic RQ SX still has Wow/flutter issues to iron out (new metal gears to fit).

If it has any internal issues, basically if it clicks I'd go through the returns process unless of course £150 is a deal and repairing worthwhile.
***********
Seems to be a site issue and I can't upload the small pictures. I'll update the topic as soon as I can.

 

28-10 -2012 I bought this Sony w. Mdd33 has click sound works perfectly. Sounds superb and I simply never opened it.

 

That means do it will need to be repaired, since the center gear is cracked.

 

Recent DD-33 owner, here.
I would consider such price fair.

 

It's not worth the money, but if you are going to buy one, I personally would not pay more than £150 - £200.

 

Yes, but you can play it without repairing the center gear. It just makes an annoying click. For those that are annoyed by clicking zones, but if you crank up the music loud enough, you shouldn't be able to hear it. The clicking that is unless you really don't listen to music very loud.

 

If I could post a picture here which I can't right at the moment I would let you see what I wrote on there 12 years ago when I bought this item and still have never opened it that I paid. I believe it was grand total of about $47 and change including shipping from Israel. Yeah it came from way over there to me in Houston Texas where I used to live. I don't live there now.

 

If you do that, you will just damage everything else around the broken gear and create more damage.

 

I guess that makes sense. I don't know. My question would be is that since the gear cracked how long can you play it knowing that it's cracked before it starts damaging other gears in its path. How do people play these with the cracked gear? Knowingly?

 

This is the unit in question I've been looking at.

It's got a couple of light marks on the front, presumably where it's scuffed against a surface, or maybe a stud on some jeans...just a guess but no dents from what I've seen so it's not likely to have been a drop.

Advertised as good working order. So I'd expect no untoward clicks. If it has then it clearly has the cracked gear and it would be a return or refund of part of the cost to cover the repair part at the very least. That's why eBay buyer protection is for. Advertised as good which means fully working and usable in eBay's books. A broken gear means it's not fully working and it's damaged/repairable at best.

 

I would not bet that the unit is restored, and then having to go through the lengthy eBay return process.

As @Cassette2go states, and I confirm based on my own experience, it can output proper sound even with a broken center gear. So technical the seller might even be right: he is providing a working order unit.

Simply ask the seller upfront if the unit has been serviced and what has been repaired, save yourself some time and trouble.

 

I've found eBay is pretty decent when it comes to buyer safety. They've got it written down pretty clear what conditions mean to them. A cracked gear would fall "parts or not working".



Auction was ending so I put in my cheeky offer. I don't mind going through eBay's due process. For return/refund their process is pretty clear and it's absolutely down to seller to be honest with their listing. I've had this issue myself as a seller, always be open and honest and you'll never have an issue.

So as I understand it the main issue with DD models is the center gear can crack, and if it's not been refurbished then I should automatically presume this will be the case. Should I definitely be able to here this, say testing only with batteries in place?

I'll do a video unboxing (for evidence) when it arrives as it's recommended to capture the delivery/opening just in case you don't receive what you ordered.

Is there any another issues or things I need to check on the DD33?

 

Can you share why it's not worth the money? Has it got poor quality audio?

 

I am not sure if it can be considered for parts or not working, unless refurbished is stated in the text. In that eBay list are some examples, good is not always refurbished. You seem to have experience with the return process though, only my 2 cents.
When one would listen to the audio, the output would be good, despite the center gear. With headphones in, you would actually not notice the clicking sound. Ask me how I know
I would not even bother trying to purchase it if I was looking for a completely and proven fully serviced one, as based on your brief descriptions it is not offered as such.

 

It does not have bad sound quality, in fact it has very good sound quality. But once you are used to better units like D6C, DC2 or DD9, why would you pay over the top money for a DD33 when just adding a little more money you can get one of the units I mentioned above or the many more other better models you can buy for a little more outlay.

I remember when the DD33 came out, it was only £80 and by the time they stop making them it was only £120. It was never an expensive unit, as good as it was I would not pay more than £200 now. I had so many of those units, I gave many away and use the rest as parts. I needed the main gear to fix my DC2's, I still have many in bits for parts.

 

Indeed this one isn't listed as having been serviced. They have just stated good working condition, and only blemishes are on the front as show. I'd still expect no clicking, if it is making this noise I'll lodge mediation with ebay.

So I'll ask you how you know, but I'm guessing you've been there with a clicking gear? I'll be recording the delivery opening and first test, with batteries only, no cassette or earphones. Its cost me just over double what my WM-II cost, but that was a basket case, revived for a short time and a basket case again. Needs a new flywheel, ordered, and then it lost audio on 1 channel so I'm guessing its needing a re-cap too. So it'll be a project while I hopefully get some time out of this one.

I've just revived a budget £12 working (not working, and seller refunded the cost of belts) and now working really well or its price Panasonic RQ-C10V. its 95% cosmeticall but solid enough in use.

 

This unit in question is £148. Which is a magnitude cheaper than the DD9 I bid on that eventually went over £900 in untested condition. Relisted as it didn't meet reserve, they seem to be all listed in UK at £2k+ refurbished.

What I've paid is pretty much top dollar I'd put down honestly. I pick up late model cassette players needing work for £5-10 and breath new life into them for maybe the same outlay.

 

I guess to each his her own. £2K for a DD9, that is Nakamichi tape deck territory.

 

I don't know, how long is a piece of string?

 

Sensible price for a Sony wm-dd33.
And on the back of the package is the return address

How many more years do I have to wait for this to go up in price? Lol.
Edit PS does anybody know this person?