I have a vendor reputation question and gearbox question

[atcttge]

Since none of the subforums for vendors is applicable as this discussion isn't a blacklist or a recommendation, but rather an inquiry, I am posting my question here.

At eBay, there is a seller named "I-love-porcelain-flower." I am looking to order the following:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221846275167?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

However, while the 99.3% positive feedback rating looks confidence-inspiring, I am aware of a blacklisted vendor called i-love-tea-time, and the two names have similar syntax that I am now on guard.

So...

1) What do you make of eBay vendor i-love-porcelain-flower?

2) Is the gearbox being sold by i-love-porcelain-flower worth it? I intend to use it for the M1 and Leo 2.

Thank you.

[PainlessWolf]

Atcttge,
Be very careful with this one. Very similar names as you noted. Was this vendor from AliExpress?
regards,
Painless

[jarndice]

Painless the dealer gives Singapore as an address not Hong Kong and the only people I use from Singapore is Impact/Mitosol.
shaun

[atcttge]

Thanks guys. I once ordered from an eBay vendor named color-never-fade. Supposedly based in Singapore but was surprised when I learned item is in China. At least I got that order (M1 metal idlers) but the names and locations are of similar syntax.

Will avoid now.

[ALPHA]

Thanks guys. I once ordered from an eBay vendor named color-never-fade. Supposedly based in Singapore but was surprised when I learned item is in China. At least I got that order (M1 metal idlers) but the names and locations are of similar syntax.

Will avoid now.

I like those guys...they answer questions ..take care of problems fast...based in Their home base might be China...branched out to Singapore ...and California...You may have had problems with them because of your location...as when I spoke to their rep in Cali...he said he doesn't do world wide distribution

Which is something that should be inquired about...because their listings don't really say that...but that could be said about a lot of other sellers too

Now those flower guys...I don't know...read their feedbacks...never really look at the positives...always look at the negatives and neutrals...you can tell if it was the seller or the buyer's fault that way ...but these flowers fellows don't sound like color...they don't seem to respond quickly...color does...with that said...the Flower guys are the same seller that charges 1100 for that fancy M1 chassis...I wouldn't order from there if they were the last seller on EBAY

ALPHA

[edpanzer]

Or get them from forgebear....cant beat his service

[Max-U52]

I don't know what it would cost to ship these to the UK from Florida, but these are $70, roughly 45 pounds, and they're very good gearboxes. I have a pair of these on the way for my M-41 Walker Bulldog, and I have several pairs in different configurations. You'll want increased speed for a modern tank and these three shaft (incorrectly referred to as 3:1) GBs will give you that. I tried a set of black steel 3 shaft GBs in my ZTZ-99A, comparable to the M1 in size and speed requirements, and I got about 43 scale mph over a scale 1/4 mile with a running start (however, I was using 360 motors that I got from the mini waterpumps on ebay and they were $7 a pair). The Abrams is governed for 45 mph so that's pretty darn close. I have video of the time trials if you'd like to see it. I still can't believe how much I've had to learn about GBs and motors over the last couple years. Definitely not what I expected when I bought my first tank, but this hobby has taken me in all kinds of new directions and it's been quite an education every step of the way.

If you do get a pair of the GBs you posted the link to I'll be really interested to see what you think about them, and especially how the all brass axle shafts hold up. Myself, I like the brass dual ratio gearboxes that asiatam used to make but those are out of production and very hard to find. I lucked out and scored two pairs a few weeks ago and one pair is already in my T1 and I think the others will go in the Tauchpanzer. That has the new dual ratio GBs with steel gears, but steel gears are just so darn loud, ya know?

Edit: Oops!! scalawag already posted the Taigen GBs. I missed those before. Stupid hippie brain! Doh! But I agree, that's a great price for those and they really are top notch. I wish I could get them that cheap over here!

Edit again!! And I forgot to put in the dang link! Just not my day!

http://www.imex-model.com/product/TAG14 ... tml?cid=90

Useless now since scalawag found a better deal, but what the heck.

[atcttge]

Max-U52: the mini pumps I ordered from eBay never arrived. Fortunately, it didn't cost a fortune. But still....

[Max-U52]

Max-U52: the mini pumps I ordered from eBay never arrived. Fortunately, it didn't cost a fortune. But still....

Very sorry to hear that. I've ordered at least three times and never had a problem. Did you contact the seller to see what's up? I know they don't cost much, but that's no reason to just give up on them. Where are you? If you're in the US I have an extra pair I can send you to play with, and I'll even pick up the postage. I think you'll like the results in a modern tank. In fact, if you want to see it I have a video of two identical Tigers, one with the 360s and one with the stock 380s, and you can see the 360s really pull away from the stock motors in a "Tank Drag Race".

Let me know if you want to see the videos or if you want the motors.