Hams are indeed cheap. However, commercial success depends both on the buyer
and the merchant. I'd argue that ham merchants simply don't know how to run a
profitable businesses.
Let me offer some examples:
1) With the rapidly aging population, hams included, you'd expect more services
that help hams deal with age: "You just bought a brand new rig; can we help you
set it up for you for $75? How about that antenna; can we install it for you?
We noticed from the FCC database that you are moving to an apartment building;
can we design and install a stealth antenna for you?". Services are a lot more
profitable than hardware and yet nobody is selling them.
2) How often do you get email from DX Engineering, HRO, Array Solutions, etc.
telling you about the latest products, promotions, etc.? Almost never and when
you do it is random. How often do you get email from them saying "Hey, you left
$2500 worth of stuff in your shopping cart; come back and we'll give you 10%
off"? In comparison, I get daily emails from Amazon, TigerDirect, and all sorts
of other sophisticated merchants. Technology has leveled the field to everyone
and yet ham merchants are not taking advantage of the technology. For that
matter, that vast majority of ham sellers have websites from Moses' times.
3) Customer communications and service leave a lot to be desired. You read all
the time "Sorry, we are getting ready, currently are, or just came back from
XYZ hamfest and can't get back to you". Really, in the year 2017 these guys
can't communicate with customers when traveling (they post on Facebook though)?
So my perspective is that it is both buyers and sellers that are to blame for
the demise of ham radio merchants.
Rudy N2WQ
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