Juha - yep, I follow what you're saying about visually off center vs actually off center. Sometimes I watch a record spin perfectly but the sourness tells me something is wrong - other times just the opposite happens.
One thing that really bothers me with the Techniques 1200 turntables, when I get an off center lp I can't remove the center spindle and 'center' the lp (almost sure the spindle can't be removed).
BMC - you wanna see the worst of the worst that you are talking about???
Look at this one - talk about unplayable! I'm tellin' ya - I find the junky gems.
Ras Berry - you are so kind to reassure my posting soul...