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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--
Scott Rosenfeld ARS N7JI
541-684-9970 Eugene, OR Land o' much rain
If you find me on the air, I'm probably in my car
ham@w3eax.umd.edu http://w3eax.umd.edu/~ham
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