Happily Audio Technica has a program to check and clean for $40. or sell me a new replacement cartridge for less than half price
I sent my AT33PTG/II in, expect to hear from them soon.
got this response when I asked them
"Hello Elliot,
You can return it for inspection, cleaning, and testing. The cost is $40.00 plus shipping. If it is worn and needs replaced, we do offer a trade in program for moving coil cartridges. You can trade in your cartridge for a new cartridge at a discounted replacement cost. Your cartridge will be destroyed. Here is the replacement cost for a new AT33PTG/2. The cost doesn’t include the return Fed Ex shipping.
AT33PTG/2 $262.43
You will find our ATUS Service Policy, complete repair return instructions and a downloadable form to be enclosed with the repair return at: https://www.audio-technica.
Sincerely,
Jim
Jim Schotts
Service Manager