Ut oh... just bought a 8500 x50 on eBay.. bad idea?

[nox1s]

Hey everyone..

I have throughouly researched the radar detectors, and came to the conclusion the area i'm in with the bands the local police use, that the 8500 x50 would be the best detector for me. (The 9500ix was out of my current price range, and plus i've never had a radar detector before)..

I'm planning on hardwiring it into my 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Coupe, we'll see how it goes, i'm hoping the rear window being so small doesnt' have any impact on the sensitivity (anyone have any input on this?)

But on to my main question...

I just purchased a 8500 x50 blue on eBay.. it came with the case / EVERYTHING it would come from factory, i haven't received it yet but it is stated to be in flawless condition. The total price came out to be around 120$ for me.. the winning bid was around 185 but then I had an eBay coupon and a paypal credit, not a bad deal I dont' think...

I've seen people say that they'd be skeptical of buying it on eBay.. how can I make sure that nothing is wrong with it when I receive it? It should be coming soon.. the seller is actually a pawn shop, which has me even worried, since it didn't really sink in till after I read these forums..

[T-Rex]

Thats a pretty good price for the blue led.Hope everything works out and you don't have to send it back to escort for repair.I believe from what i've read the repair or refresh cost's about 80 bucks.

[T-Rex]

Let us know how it goes.

[FoolishOne]

What you bought doesn't happen to be in cellophane, does it?

[boredman]

Well that brings up the question on where to sell a used detector.I sold my fast car and now drive an rv.My escort x-50 has not been used now for 4 months.I figure someone could use it.Where is the best place to sell it?It's in perfect condition,2 years old.I thought about ebay but I think many people are skeptical about it.

[FoolishOne]

Isn't Amazon a much more controlled 'pay it now' eBay?

These people sell them:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...condition=used

EDIT: nox, the small rear window should not pose a problem. The rather enormous amount of RADAR waves traveling around the car will bounce off objects in front, and enter the detector from there. Unless its a V1, RD's don't have eyes in the back of their heads.

[T-Rex]

Well that brings up the question on where to sell a used detector.I sold my fast car and now drive an rv.My escort x-50 has not been used now for 4 months.I figure someone could use it.Where is the best place to sell it?It's in perfect condition,2 years old.I thought about ebay but I think many people are skeptical about it.

If it's a blue display you won't have any trouble selling it on ebay.Been watching some of the acutions there.And about all the x50's there are selling was watching some of the red and they seem to be selling well.Seems everyone is just looking to get a good deal and save a few bucks.

[Obsidian]

I bought my first 8500 (non X50) off eBay and it failed. Then again, I went through a number of store bought X50's that failed as well until my last one which has been rock solid.

Did you buy the detector new or used? The people selling new ones on eBay are unauthorized sellers and Escort probably won't honor any warranty.

Small window won't matter much.

[ibell63]

I bought my vector 995 (S7) on ebay, and it works just fine. I have nothing against the people who say buying on ebay is a bad idea, but I think part of it is due to the fact that people probably never hear about radar detectors purchased on ebay that ARN'T faulty.

[nox1s]

I bought my vector 995 (S7) on ebay, and it works just fine. I have nothing against the people who say buying on ebay is a bad idea, but I think part of it is due to the fact that people probably never hear about radar detectors purchased on ebay that ARN'T faulty.

This is probably true as well. Not many people post on the forums saying how wonderful their eBay purchase was - only 99% of those who post on the forums are the ones with an issue that need help.

Either way, I'll let you know how it goes. I'm hoping I don't have to send it in to escort, and hoping it works well.

I've read on here that sometimes the radar detector will appear to be fine, but then it'll completely ignore certain bands such as Ka or K.. is there any way to "test" the radar detector? Obviously i'm going to go driving around with it, but being my first radar detector I don't really know what to expect / normal is..

Thanks for the responses, I definitely appreciate them. I'll be sure to include pictures / review..

And to the poster up there: no it does not have cellophane / not shrinked wrapped. I guess there's not much else I can do, if it's broken / etc then that should have been noted in the auction, and I will do everything in my power to get my money back. I also paid with a credit card via paypal so if I have to, american express gives me I think 3? or 5 chargebacks without questions a year.