Stylus just falls off?

I have no personal experience on this, but the several posts I have read over the years about diamonds falling off all cited VDH cartridges.

Rudolffzigray: I have a Basis turntable. The tonearm mounts to a very heavy and solid insert that sits in the chassis of the table. I have transported it many times this way without incident. In any event, the stylus was found to be missing at the tech's shop, after we had disassembled the table (removed the belt, the platter, and the tonearm + base) and moved the pieces to the front of his shop for loading into my car. I noticed the tip was missing, he confirmed this, and we were both struck by how bizarre this was, since I had watched the entire process, and nothing had touched the tonearm (he handled it by the base).

I share your sense of disbelief, since that was my initial reaction as well. But it happened.

The VdH cartridges are relatively easy and inexpensive to re-tip, and I believe this is because the stylus is part of a "sleeve" that slides over and attaches to the cantilever. It makes sense that if the adhesive was not properly applied, or otherwise failed, the sleeve could fall off. And this did occur after only the relatively brief number of plays needed to mount and test the cartridge. If in fact there was an adhesive failure, it would be more surprising if this had occurred after several hundred hours.

The reason I replied is because you paid for a service and they are responsible. Im sorry, but again the table was being taken apart and moved. Again, I can see removing the platter for transport, but why remove the arm with the cart still attached. This is poor judgement on the tech's part, he should be held liable for the cartridge. It sounds like a bunch of busy work, taking a table completely apart for transport. Again, just my two sense, I wasnt there, you were. Based on your posts it looks like you and the tech have a good relationship and that makes it tough on everyone. Still, I would be pissed.

I just had my first incident with a Koetsu Onyx....I made a mistake and the stylus came off the cantilever. I am still furious....

You sound like your own story is clouding your judgment here.

The tonearm was removed from the turntable base just to make it easier to carry the turntable to my car. The tonearm assembly would have been placed in the turntable base for the ride home.

However, somewhere between the back room and front room of his shop, the stylus fell off.

Things happen. I've lost styluses to housekeepers, movers and my dogs. Get over it.

Wow! "Get over it" is pretty harsh dont you think? I have owned a 100 cartridges, never has a stylus just fallen off. I think you should email AJ or Harry of VDH and tell them your sending your cartridge back because they didnt use enough glue when attaching the stylus to the cantilever, I would love to hear what they say.

Regards,
Rudolff