[TenTec] Is this how it is done today?

[Arthur Bernstein]

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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>>
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