[TenTec] Good faith & John Swisher KE4CCI (long)

[James Duffer]

You've learned a valuable lesson, you are lucky that it was only a filter 
(less than $100.00).  I learned this lesson with a TS-530 that I never got 
paid for.  Unfortunately, there has to be a trusting individual before any 
distant transaction can occur.  One has to make the first move, like sending 
the money, or the equipment.

It is transactions like you experienced that really puts a blight on the 
amateur community and amateur radio dealings.

Hope Mr. Swisher does the right thing.

Jim, wd4air


>When I first started in ham radio almost 20 years ago I purchased a
>Heath-kit antenna switch during an on-air swap & shop.  I was amazed that
>the owner of the switch accepted a personal check AND sent me the switch
>before receiving my check.  The trust shown really impressed me and, over
>the years, I've attempted to emulate this operators decision to conduct a
>sales transaction in "good faith".
>
>In November of 2003 I responded to a request on this reflector from someone
>identifying himself as John Swisher (KE4CCI) for Omni VI filters.
>
>   http://lists.contesting.com/_tentec/2004-11/msg00368.html
>
>I had a Ten-Tec model 285 filter that was surplus to my needs.  On November
>23 Mr. Swisher responded that he would pay my price and asked for my 
>address
>so he could send the appropriate postal money order.  I provided the needed
>information the same day.
>
>On November 27th, Mr. Swisher re-sent his mailing address and I inquired if
>the MO was on its way and told him I'd advise him when it arrives.  His
>reply "Thanks".   On November 27th I sent the filter to KE4CCI - via the
>Post Office insured.  On December 14th Mr. Swisher advised that the filter
>had indeed arrived.
>
>On December 22nd I reported that the MO had not arrived and asked for
>information on date sent etc?  December 23rd Mr. Swisher promised to go to
>the post office and check it out.
>
>January 19th still no MO and I re-send my mailing address to KE4CCI.  
>Sunday
>January 23rd KE4CCI indicates he's put a tracer on the MO and will let me
>know by Friday and promises to send payment Monday (I assume January 24th)
>via priority mail.  He adds "Like I said before no worry, youll (sic) get
>your money if I have to bring it myself."  February 7th I inform Mr. 
>Swisher
>that the 2nd MO has still not appeared?
>
>There has been no further correspondence from Mr. John Swisher, KE4CCI of
>Unicoi, Tennessee since January 23, 2005.
>
>KE4CCI is proud of being an amateur radio operator and displays his Ten-Tec
>equipment at:
>
>    http://profiles.yahoo.com/ke4cci
>
>... and he has a rather telling 2001 rebuttal on the No-Code issue at
>http://www.eham.net/articles/2646 (search the eham page for his callsign).
>
>On Friday, February 11th, I sent a note to mr. Swisher advising him that if
>I didn't hear from him by Monday, February 14th, I'd be posting this
>message.
>
>Now many of you are asking - "So why are you such an idiot to send product
>before receiving payment?"  I'm afraid it goes back to that first antenna
>switch I bought 20 years or so ago - TRUST.  This bone-head has shaken the
>trust and respect I have for others in the amateur community.  One single
>bad apple has likely destroyed my "good faith" approach to swaping
>equipment.  I find that extremely annoying!
>
>This is the 1st time in more than 20 years I've been ripped off by another
>amateur.  I have given Mr. Swisher ample opportunity to explain and rather
>than just write it off I'd like to somehow warn others!
>
>I'm not sure what else I can do! Any thoughts?
>
>73,
>
>Rick
>VE7TK
>
>Website:  http://www3.telus.net/ve7tk
>
>PS:  The opinions expressed above are my own and in no way are they 
>intended
>to reflect the opinions of the list owners.