I've been a ham over 40 years. I sold new and used gear at hamfests for
about 10 years. Stopped about 4 years ago. Too much competition from the
Internet. In all these years I've never been "stuck" with a piece of
"rotten" gear via any mode of sale. As an active vendor, I'd ALWAYS tell
any prospective buyer of the shortcomings or defects in a piece of gear.
The price, of course reflected any problems that were inherant in the
gear. I've not bought or sold anything in the past couple of years, but
from what I've been able to decipher, there appears to be a greater
number of "clowns" out there who will take your money and attempt to
run, than there used to be. Guess it's a sign of the times, ie, greed
and a desire for instant gratification at all costs. I've told many
people who've been unable to resolve disputes to literally "redeliver"
that piece of garbage, if at all physically possible, and failing to
get a refund, ask the offending person where on his person, he'd like
to wear it. Some of these guys just need a good butt kicking to set them
straight. Plain and simple or at least the fear that it could happen.
It's not worth going to jail over, but honest people need satisfaction
sometimes too.
73,
Art., N2KA..
Scott Rosenfeld [N7JI] wrote:
I might add that I have bought stuff at hamfests and online.
In person, it's easy to weed out the nasty stuff.
Online, it's far easier for people to misrepresent equipment, at least
physically speaking. Electrical soundness can be hard to tell while out
at a hamfest unless you're prepared to have a complete RF test kit with
you. Online, it's nearly impossible.
My very first radio, a TS-520S (1986) was immaculate, and "had the CW
filter installed." When I got it home, I noticed that when I pressed the
NAR button, nothing happened.
I, at age 16, called venerable ham guy and he sounded surprised but said
he'd send me the filter.
Over the next two years, I called and left messages. He wasn't exactly
local to me and I just chalked it up to his being an SOB.
Yes, there are SOBs in the ham ranks, just like there are in real life.
Gladly, the proportion seems smaller in the ham world.
If you're the miserable SOB who cheated a new 16 year old ham out of a CW
filter on a TS-520S setup sold at the Manassas, VA hamfest in 1986,
never answered calls and never came through on your promise, here's
your chance to fess up to it.
Anyway, in the remaining transactions I've made over the past 15 years,
maybe 0.5% have been less than satisfactory. That's pretty good, if you
ask me.
On Fri, 29 Aug 2003, Don Rasmussen wrote:
Chip,
I cannot comment on your specific instance, but I can
tell you that I was sold an IC735 earlier this year
that was intentionally misrepresented by the seller
(who happens to be a car insurance salesman in Santa
Barbara and an advanced class ham). I lost $200 on the
deal. After so many "shame on you's", he finally
offered to send a partial payment towards repairs and
of course never did.
Then, about a month ago, I read a post for an
"excellent" OMNI C with remote VFO offered by a list
member. He accepted a personal check and sent me the
most beautiful gear that I have ever owned, in carton
with manual.
Things have changed and I think that the online
auctions are largely responsible. Anymore, if you can
walk away from the "stinkers" without losing actual
money - consider yourself *ahead*.
There are still plenty of the great old guys in the
hobby too. Caveat emptor, ymmv, etc. hi.
73,
de Don WB8YQJ/6
Carlsbad, Ca.
Chip wrote:
I have been a licensed ham since 1959 and after twenty
years of inactivity I have gotten the bug again.
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