Are you kidding? Check out the 55+ posts regarding "AT4033 or 4040?"!!! Are these new from a dealer? What do you have that these will be complementing or replacing? If they are used ( or new for that matter), do they include the case and shock mount?
There are numerous opinions in that above-mentioned posted thread. The AT4033 is a decent mic for many applications, and if that $199.00 is the real deal, I'd drop that on one to try, for sure.

Are you wondering if $199 is a good deal? Or are you asking if this is too good to be true. If you are questioning the reputation of the seller, you might want to post a link to the auction you are referring to. (I know, you probably don't want someone else to jump on the deal while you contemplate.)

Here's a stange bit of info. I live and work in Northern Ohio and I know of a guy who regularly "dumpster-dove" at Audio-Technica's
plant in the area.

He would sell these "reject" mics on Ebay all day long.

So, just another reason to be careful out there.

Hope this helps.

Chris

You can (or at least could) buy these for the equivalent of $200 in the UK, so the price isn't that bizarre. AT's pricing around the world is bizarre to say the least.

Well, actually i did a big mistake they're not 4033, they're 4040.
they're 199$, shock mount and full warranty + UPS standard free to canada.
Here's the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41466&item=7334973763&rd=1

That's pretty crazy

OMG, I found the same 'store' and wrote to them only a few hours ago :)

I said "whats the catch" ? I'm waiting for a reply.

I mean, they say brand new and they are a hundred bucks less than anywhere else on the ''bay or in stores.

I'm a little sus, but not too sus, as I have picked up some mad deals on ebay 'new'. Like Audix OM2's from Pro Audio Surplus, and a Beta 52a and a few other bits and pieces, well well below the other lowest price, which was already quite a bit lower than street.

Thing is, these 4040's are less than most people selling them second hand!

I have dibs on at least one...so hands off that one (if it's legit!)

Little Dog: dumpster diving? As in searching thru the dumpsters and grabbing the shells? and doing what, putting dodgy electronics in them or something?

Cos I doubt severely that AT or any other company would throw out their shells just because the internals failed...

Surely they would rip out the internals and recycle the expensive shell to save on manufacture? This is speculation from me, but based on knowing how a company operates when it comes to the bottom line...

Update: I've ordered one either way. I didn't recieve a reply unfortuantely, but this has happened many time b4 and it's all turned out ok.

I noticed the number available going down, and didn't want to miss out. Thye are indeed are steal, IF indeed they are legit! As they say "it's only a bargain if it works".

The draw card for me was the buyer protection policy available with this seller. My bro got duped on a graphiks card once, and he was saved by this return policy so all turned out great.

Hope this helps!

Happy bidding.