Buying a used MPC

I figured I would post this as a tip to those who are new to the game of buying gear. Hopefully it will spare you some of the heartache some of us old heads have gone through over the years.

Be careful when buying online. Some online auction sites can be used to find good deals but may also be used to scam. Be weary of buying something that appears to be to good to be true from a person who has only sold a few items. If its there first one, be careful. Ads with lots of pictures are very helpful but you have to know what you are looking for. I've seen several ads for ASR-10 with missing or stripped screws. That normally is a sign something is wrong inside. Ive bought some great items from e-bay, but I do my homework.

Craigslist is a great place to by. It gives you the ability to take a look at the gear before you buy. Make sure you bring some headphones when checking out new gear. Turn it on and leave it on for 30 minutes. check out the pads or keys for creaking. The lower keys are used for drum sounds and they could very well be beat to death. Make sure they still have some spring to them. If you dont know how to test equipment, take someone with you who does. You may find a great deal, but make sure you are safe in everything you do. Dont just go anywhere to meet anyone.

My favorite place to get gear from now is Guitar Center online. I just go to the used section and do a search for what I am looking for. Sometimes the prices are high but you can sometimes talk them down. I have many times. Great thing about GC is that I an purchase a 1 year warranty as well as they have a 60 day return policy. Generally they wont except gear that is in bad shape and they test it out (although some arent as thorough as others). Again, you may spend more, but at least there is a comfort and knowing they will make it right.

And since this is an MPC forum, I will say you cant go wrong with any of them. If you buy one and dont like it, you will be able to get rid of it pretty easily. Enjoy!

I agree. Guitarcenter used section is the best place to buy anything really. Actually I wish youd have kept this a secret!

This is what half of the MPC auctions on eBay look like:
-top dollar starting price.
-a few obscure photos.
-no details at all.
-strictly AS IS/No returns.

These auctions always sell, but for some reason get relisted almost instantly.

guitar center does have a good used gear section, but on ebay, if you get something that isnt as advetised the ebay buyer protection almost alway goes in the buyers favor.

i bought an mpc 4k on there and it arrived with a bunch of lines through the screen, so i contatcted ebay after he said he couldnt do a refund, and finally i got my money back.

whatever you do, if the seller tries to make you go thorugh teh post office insurance dont do it, just go through ebay buyer protection insetead.

the guy called the post office and made me go through the process anyway, (he started the claim in my name so i had to do it) so that prolonged the ebay case, but after the post office denied my case, (because the post office doesnt cover damage due to shock, and will always deny your claim unless your box is beat to shit and everything inside it is visibly smashed or missing) ebay ended up giving me my money back and i sent him back the item.

ebay buyer protection is really legit, so if you get something that doesnt work, you can always do that, and from my understanding even if they put "no returns" you still have every right to return it if it doesnt work as advertised, so dont be scared off by that either.

but yes, always check your items and ask questions about them, and dont bid on it if you suspect it to be a scam or not working correctly.