Buying Second hand ..... is it always so expensive

[miniman]

We wanted to get into Helis and thought that buying a secondhand model that was already sorted. But after a quick check/part strip over by an experianced flyer we discovered several bearings were shot, teeth missing from various tail drive gears, a bent torque tube and cheap plastic geared servos that would struggle if any spirited flying was tried.

I dont mind people selling models saying that it was set up as a beguiners model and may need a full check over due to what looks like a tail strike on its last flight, and I realise that buyers should always be beware.

I just get moody when people blatently tell untruths as to the fly ability when asked.

Perhaps I am too honest, thank god for friends who can help fix the wrongs and get us to the point we have a heli that is fit for the use we intend to use it for.


Peter

[dave j]

Its always a risk buying secondhand unless you know the seller fleabay is the worst place to buy anything from, and yes this hobby is very expensive but utterly enjoyable and addictive so go and enjoy

[aparkin]

i feel your pain and you have buyers rights and most people are insured for solicitors under house car are work insurance

if its not as described then may small claims court is for you m8

p.s this sort of thing is killing the second hand market and really grinds my gears

[Terry-T7]

I find this sort of thing really annoying as I have a Genuine "AS NEW" 600LE Shelf Queen that I would like to move on due to lack of use


Apart from being test flown its never seen the air since but who is really going to believe me !!


Thats one of the main reasons its still on my shelf. . . . . .

[Gixxer]

The first heli I bought was a T-Rex 700n and looking back, it was the worst mistake I've made since I started in the hobby. On paper, this thing looked spot-on, with all the right gear and loads of upgrades but after stripping, replacing all the knackered parts and rebuilding, it would have made more sense to go out and buy a new one, so if I'm ever buying a second-hand heli now, I factor in that it's going to need all the bearings replacing and probably a lot more, because a lot of people tend to bend the truth, and that 'engine rebuild' that it had 'half a tank ago' might have been done a year and 20 gallons ago.

I've bought a lot of second hand heli gear, and 90% of it has been spot-on and exactly as described (if not better sometimes), but on a few occasions, I've bought scrap and actually ended up throwing it in the bin, and each time you buy the scrap, it makes it so much harder to risk buying second hand again, even though the majority of it has been OK.

[iceuk]

I don't mind buying 2nd hand but the price has to be right, one thing that really pi$$es me off is ppl that go mental with the loctite. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

[sacko]

It's always a risk. After 4 years of buying secondhand models, the best bit advice I could ever give; is buy new.

It doesn't even work out that much more at all if you buy from the right places.

There always little issues with secondhand gear, and thats usually where you waste valuable flying time.

[BenScoobert]

I was shafted on my 1st heli, still got it and learnt a lot from stripping and rebuilding.
Damaged scale body, bent flybar, bent boom, self tapper screws forced through nuts, bearings locktited, in the end I stripped and rebuilt with all new parts. Only £80 of parts but the principle is there.
Those new raptor E550s kits look a great starter for £450, all they need is a receiver. Had they been that price last year when I bought mine I would have got that instead.

[jimmyhorns]

We wanted to get into Helis and thought that buying a secondhand model that was already sorted. But after a quick check/part strip over by an experianced flyer we discovered several bearings were shot, teeth missing from various tail drive gears, a bent torque tube and cheap plastic geared servos that would struggle if any spirited flying was tried.

I dont mind people selling models saying that it was set up as a beguiners model and may need a full check over due to what looks like a tail strike on its last flight, and I realise that buyers should always be beware.

I just get moody when people blatently tell untruths as to the fly ability when asked.

Perhaps I am too honest, thank god for friends who can help fix the wrongs and get us to the point we have a heli that is fit for the use we intend to use it for.


Peter

Im sorry if you feel you got burned with this. Most of the blame lands on your doorstep im afraid though.

If you are inexperienced then buying second hand isnt going to be a good idea, unless its from someone you know who is helping you out. I was 'handed down' my first two helis and they wernt perfect, but were a great start.

If a second hand model was going to be as good as buying all the bits new, fitting them and setting it up yourself, the a second hand buy should actually cost more than buying new, as all of the 'work' has been done for you. This isnt the case though, as second hand items have been used, have wear and tear, and may not be set up either how you like or even properly.

So you have a choice, buy new, put it together yourself and then if it doesnt work it either your fault or it wasnt manufactured properly, or buy second hand and take the risk. If you were not able to check over the heli when you collected it, or when it arrived to make sure that it was fit for purpose then perhaps you are not going to be best served by second hand items.

[waveydavey]

It's always a risk. After 4 years of buying secondhand models, the best bit advice I could ever give; is buy new.

It doesn't even work out that much more at all if you buy from the right places.

There always little issues with secondhand gear, and thats usually where you waste valuable flying time.

Oh how right you are Paul, in fairness the last one I got was flying and ran as sweet as a nut for 4 or 5 climb outs. Then the baffles went in the pipe and even though I got it on the floor pretty quickly the damage to the inside of the engine had been done. Now I'm reasonably experienced no beginner and as far as I was concerned it was a good model. But in hindsight again, I should have just bought new. I'll get it flying and being a pain for things being right it will be a great model but £600 has just become an extra £200 for a new engine and pipe.

The money is a factor but I'm itching to fly the poxy thing and have another lost weekend. My flying time

[r4nd0m]

I even bought my heli off ebay - collected it, spent nearly 9hrs with the chap, checking it over and setting it up perfectly on my transmitter ... I actually learned a lot during that day ... all inclusive ... when I took it for my firs flight - well didnt go too well, killed the umbrella gear within seconds ... since the heli has been flying and serving me just fine - never had an issue with it ...

I think it depends who you buy from and how the seller deals with it ... I sold a 450 I had ditched and rebuild but I missed some damage on the tail box, got contacted by the buyer found an agreement, basically refunded to part cost and sorted ... not everyone does it intentionally, though there might be some black sheep as always ... I think you can buy 2nd hand without issues, if done properly as with anything else ...

[rmparry]

My 2 pence worth is if starting out is to buy new but buy the Kit version, seek advice on eletronics as that is a minefield area if you dont know what you are looking for. There are various different kits out there so look around and then pitch in here for advice for which ones to stay clear of etc.Rick

[pug907]

I have only ever had 2nd hand helis and been reasonably lucky (touch wood). My first 2 were Align 450's one (450 FBL pro 3g)was made to look finished and needed stripping and loctiting, which I would do anyway!! The Align 450x was old and needed loads of sorting out, but I knew that would be the case.
My second 2 were bought off heliguy forum and I seriously hit the jackpot with these babies. I got 1x Gaui425 with FES kit BNIB, 1x Gaui550FB, built, but I don't think it had ever left the ground, 2 cases of spares for these two. 1x copterx, needed usual checking over, but flew perfectly from the off and finally, a Futaba T7CP TX, all for the princely sum of £250.00.
There are great deals around, you just need to either be lucky, or prepared!! Rebuilding is a better way to learn IMHO, as you can take note of what goes where, instead of suffering the chinglish manuals you sometimes come across!
Cheers,

[cupracing]

Agree with above, when starting out always buy new and in kit form. I learnt the hard way as I used to be into Rc cars and biying second hand wasnt a problem, if it went wrong whats the worst that can happen. With a flying lawn mower its a different story and my first heli exploded as I was naive and didnt check it. Buying second hand you just dont know what gremlins are lurking in the build. Its so much more satisfying building your heli and knowing its put together properly.

[debrooker]

these days I would only buy second hand if i know the model and know the person who owns it. I bought a few bits and bobs second hand and i've always ended up disappointed. Sometimes it just pays to buy new.

that said a fellow club member got an absolute steal on a Synergy E7