New TT for ~$1500

from Croatia, OMG

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Small-Audio-Manufacture-Aldebaran-Turntable-with-2-Brass-Tonearms-belt-drive/273650164431?hash=item3fb6d222cf:g:PG0AAOSwyApcN8XH

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Small-Audio-Manufacture-Brass-Renegade-Turntable-2-Brass-SAM-tonearms-BELT-DRIVE/274330375395?hash=item3fdf5d54e3:g:cSEAAOSwY2pejNpU

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HIGH-END-AUDIOPHILE-MUST-REFERENCE-Turntable-BY-SAM-with-2-SAM-Tonearm/274060517680?hash=item3fcf47a130:g:FHsAAOSws41drG~U

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Small-Audio-Manufacture-REFERENC-Turntable-with-2-SAM-Tonearm-belt-drive-33-3-45/273974488941?hash=item3fca26ef6d:g:e7oAAOSw3o1dXVhm

I guess just click 'see other items'

Chakster, what have you to say about this auction site?

@elliottbnewcombjr only if you pay with paypal with official invoice from the seller to get your paypal buyer's protection (and full refund if anything wrong or not arrived). Shipping delay is what you have to expect in the near future. Some sellers have no idea how to pack items for international transit and this is why they list on local sites for local sales only. 

chackster,

very good advice regarding potential shipping damage, especially these large heavy plinths, dust covers, tonearms, plastic feet ....

Making a claim, return, problem can be quite difficult, and check with PayPal BEFORE PAYING, you might not be protected (as I wasn't). Check with your Credit Card company, use the card with best protection, extended warranty? damage protection?

As you know I bought large plinth Dual Arm JVC from an experienced seller/shipper with high rating, right after Christmas: Canada to USA. Lots of high quality stuff, long time seller, high rating, lots of shipping experience ...

It arrived 'busted', box severely damaged, plastic feet shattered off, wood plinth damaged 3 locations, plastic dust cover cracked, what a shameful mess.  

I paid extra for insurance.

1. UPS

seller bought insurance, so seller must make claim. It went to UPS USA for damage inspection; they damaged it further; they sent it to UPS Canada (different shipper name); they denied the claim:  improperly packaged, single box, used box, not double thickness, 'antique'. They said they do not insure 'antiques' in any case. So, I paid extra for insurance that was not valid in any case.

2. Paypal

did not cover me, because: I sent money to seller, no eBay invoice, it could have been sending money to my friend, not protected.

3. Credit Card saved the day

a. I didn't have to pay credit card company for that item 'for the claim duration'. IOW, put on hold.
b. they started a 14 day countdown, computer would automatically put a claim to Paypal for me in 14 days. They said, then Paypal will put a claim to the seller, and if seller did not satisfy me, they would close his paypal account. (big deal, could just open a new one).
c. I told seller, 14 day countdown, he now on deadline to resolve/refund me or lose his paypal account. that got his full attention.

4. got full refund, whew!

I told seller, my refund was not connected to his insurance claim, refund me now. seller waited 
After UPS Canada denial, and after he received the package, he gave me a full refund.

5. Found another one, all good

I found Vlad, also canuck audio mart, https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/

nearly identical dual arm deck, excellent condition, discussed shipping, he assured me: 3 boxes, dust cover with misc in one box; tt in second box; both of those inside a larger box. It arrived in perfect condition, impressive, I highly recommend Vlad as I mentioned in prior post.

vlads current listings:  https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/userads.php?user_id=10089

Oh yeah, I am damn glad I persevered, love this vintage dual arm turntable,

JVC TT81 Spinner in 70mm thick 7 layer plinth, two removable armboards, also special layering

1 vintage 9" arm, Acos Lustre GST 801 for mono
unique magnetism system, easiest VTA on the Fly I can imagine.
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/acos/lustre-gst-801.shtml

1 new 12.5" arm for stereo (from Russia, took another chance)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/tonearm-tonarm-12-long-NewArtVinyl-BLACK-BIRD12-5-CARBON/233512433389?hash=item365e6cf6ed:g:CUMAAOSw86ZeXTqK
I am glad I bought it, but it has been tricky. I had to strip and solder the most delicate wires I ever experienced, and I had to make a spacer to raise it up because these old Direct Drives are very high above the plinth surface. 3 different size set screws, inconvenient set screw location to adjust azimuth ...

Play Oscar Peterson Stereo, phono 1; Play Oscar Peterson Mono, phono 2, switch at will during listening session, fantastic.

All due to me joining the forum and very good advice/help here!

thanks again, Elliott

anyone recognize this tonearm????

https://www.ebay.com/itm/202864324336?ul_noapp=true

thanks, Elliott