Taking a chance on eBay

[Cpl-Chronic]

Heyya, =)

Looking for experienced insight on this:

I'm new to buying blasters & don't have anything at the moment. I'm thinking about poppin' the cherry on an aBay score from China. Buyer looks legit. Almost all good feedback on shipping & quality of packaging. I think 2 or 3 guys got busted raidos out of 800+ feedback. He was selling a GF-777Z in good condition & the photos provided are flawless, down to the serial number. That thing looks like it can pump out the JAMS! with ease. Am I wrong to assume so? Anyway, his claim is all funcitons work & speakers work & sound good. No word on quality of the volume or other pots(bass, treble,...), etc & the sale is 'AS IS', no returns. I'm sure if it's damaged, I'll burn on high shipping fees if I have to return it but most buyers get theirs in great shape & refunds were offered for the others.

Here's my questions:

1. If I pay 625 + duty for purchasing & shipping the GF-777z, is it worth it?
2. What is the 'street-value' or 'pawnshop price' for this model, roughly vs collector value?
3. If this guy is selling 50 of them or something, & a few other guys are selling them too, are they really that rare?
4. Are there 2 777z models made in both Japan & China? - I heard that somehwere on the net.
5. Am I risking the chance of getting a knock-off copy made in siberia, using slave monkey labour?

Thanx,
Cpl-Chronic

 

[The Box of Boom]

I can't answer many of your questions ... but if you are not in a mega rush, those china 777's sometimes go for around 250-350 (+shipping). You just gotta be patient.

 

[Gluecifer]

This topic comes up pretty frequently on here, searching the forums for 'china 777' will give you lots more information from people on here who have bought them.

It's a risk, like anything else. It's probably more of a calculated risk than buying one off someone else on ebay who has no experience shipping them properly however.

Values are entirely subjective, based on how much money you have and how much you want something.

Those are all genuine 777's though, they aren't knock offs.

Rarity is entirely subject to geographical location. They're rare in most parts of the world except China.
But this could be said of any boombox; they're all going to be rare somewhere on the planet.

If you want it go for it. If you're unsure, wait it out. Patience is the key if you want one cheaper.



Rock On.

 

[Scotty_M]

I will say one thing...the 777 body is not the strongest by any means and the longer distance it's getting shipped, the greater chance it will arrive broken. And the chinese really only use styrofoam and not bubble wrap so that doesn't help either.

Scotty

 

[Jboogie2384]

I've bought 2 radio's from Japan. They both came in one piece. If you can pay for it then do so with confidence. One happened to be a 777. What it's worth is up to the consumer. For some it's a must have and they will pay what ever it costs to get it. I had a beater to carry around that I turned into a graffiti work of art. Whatever you decide to do good luck.

 

[MONOLITHIC]

That thing looks like it can pump out the JAMS! with ease. Am I wrong to assume so?

If you're looking for a box to play Rock and certain Pop music on, the 777 might not be that bad... For Hip-Hop, R&B and anything else with a lot of bass, I absolutely would NOT recommend that box!!! The bass is muddy no matter how much you cut it back (in general, most/all Sharps have weak bass) and the highs aren't sharp (pun intended and true) on that model. The only thing those boxes have going for 'em is the fact that they are VERY loud and very impressive looking.

 

[Reli]

That price seems about average for a 777. In terms of rarity, actually I"m gonna guess it's one of the most common boxes out there, next to the M70. Consider the fact that not a week goes by on Ebay when there's not at least 3 or 4 of each of those models. You can't say that for any other vintage boombox.

"speakers work & sound good."

That dude puts the exact same line in all of his auctions.

Anyway, I'll say this ---- His stuff ships FAST........but I got one from him where there were electrical flaws and lots of corrosion, probably from saltwater in the air, lol. Gotta imagine his boxes have been sitting in an old warehouse somewhere. Probably a warranty repair center.

 

[baddboybill]

Quite honestly I wouldn't chance buying anything like the GF767/777 aka models from out of US only because of how breakable they are...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[THAFUZZ]

Rickster said it best.

 

[-GZ-]

I bought two from china...both damaged in shipping...one had all the screw posts stripped out....they only pack with styrofaom...no bubble wrap....I would advise against it but several members have gotten lucky....search the forum...make your own decision..
....but MONO's post is spot on...couldn't agree more...

 

[MONOLITHIC]

....but MONO's post is spot on...couldn't agree more...

I don't think anybody would say it's not a great "Rockbox"! The 777 and its variations are powerful!!

Like I said before tho... I'd buy a GF-1000 - or maybe another Toyota - in a heartbeat!!

 

[hemiguy2006]

Buying boxes from china is a crap shoot.
Some times you win some times you loose.
Just make sure you could afford to take the chance.

 

[Cpl-Chronic]

Well, I took the chance & scooped it up for 405 plus shipping, 625 US total. I sent him am eBay msg & told him I'm a member here & will recommend him if my experience is a positive 1. I'm hoping that he knows his rep here is on the line & sends me a good unit that works right without any glitches. Wish me luck & I'll post back when I know more. Apparently, it's the infamous 'Tian Jin Xing Da/Consumer Electronics' seller but his feedback looks really good overall. Almost all of his buyers are happy with the outcome of their purchases. *fingers crossed* This is my first 'GRAIL' box & only my third boombox ever bought.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Good luck!

 

[Cpl-Chronic]

Well, happy day!!! The GF-777Z arrived from China intact & damage free.

Now for the testing part. Mixed but good news overall. Both decks work. Deck 1 is clear & balanced & all controls work. Deck 2 is balanced but is a little bit muddy & may need adjustments or de-magnetizing. All LED's work, tuner works but FM is weak, hard to get stereo reception. Line in is not working at all. Balance is flaky, needs cleaning hopefullly. Bass, Treble works good. Left speaker is cutting out a little bit. All drivers are original & in good shape with no rips, tears or crushed center caps. All buttons & controls are present & functioning. Tape doors are present & tuner window is in good shape with no deeep scratches but a little fogged. All in all, not bad for a first boomer in the collection. Will post pics later tonite.

 

[Gluecifer]

Sounds like she's got the problems of most every radio you'll ever pick up.

Get yourself a can of De-Oxit or equivalent brand electrical cleaner spray and work it through all the switches and knobs,
especiallly the mode selector and balance. If there's a phono/line in switch on the back run it through that too.

Ideally you should open her up to do this, then you can clean the record switch too. 99% sure this will solve all your channel problems.

Congratulations!



Rock On.

 

[Maze83]

Cool that's good news as I've been looking to get some on line, I know it takes the fun out of hunting but sometimes my luck isn't always that good

 

[Cpl-Chronic]

Thanx for all of the input guys/gals. I'm super pumped to try & get the input working & sort out the speaker on the left. She does look gorgeous on my bookshelf but I want it to sound good too....I've got subs, midbass, tweeters & 12db soundstream crossovers on the way already. *SUPER-GEEKED* Any vendors on eBay for electronic cleaner or detox? Pics cpming soon in the collection section...

 

[superlew]

As much as I love DeOxit, I learned, many moons ago, the hard way to use ZERO Residue contact cleaner on the tuner, itself. If you have any trepedation with the tuner, see a pro. I have full confidence you'll get this thing boomin'! You're a brave man. I'm scared s*^&%@$$ of a Chinese box. Um....Nevermind.

 

[Cpl-Chronic]

Check out the photos & general sum-up of the condition of my new(to me) GF-777Z:

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=15420&p=188314#p188314

Any thoughts? The guy who sold it to me seems on the level. I let him know I was a member of this forum so I think he kept that in mind & treated me well.