On Mon, 11 Aug 2008, Mike-K5VSE wrote:
On Aug 6, 8:55*pm, sparky wrote:
On Aug 5, 11:30*pm, Fred Cameron wrote:
*Due to recovery from surgery, *I missed responding to an interesting
topic or thread a few weeks back lamenting the high prices for used
equipment; my experience on here and other sites is that the person
who asks for less than 50% of the new value for a piece of used
equipment is a rare person. Even still I have purchased items with
scratches and flaws that never were mentioned.
It comes down to ones value system, but please, list every noticeable
fault and then set the price to where the item is a bargin for
someone- just like it is.
Anyone with money who is older than 60 will forever raise my suspicion
when selling or repairing something for me.
Thanks for letting us know not to get involved with your shady deals.
You know, I have remained silent on this subject for many years. But
finally have come to the conclusion that a majority of the ham
population is beginning to lose it.
Well, you did not say what you meant by "lose it."
I have been licensed for over 50
years, and am over 60 years old.
I have been licensed close to that and also am over 60.
I still buy, sell, trade older
equipment.
As I have seen in the last year, and in the decade or two up to now, the
quality and quantity of ham gear decline at hamfests--and as my
junkbox and test equipment (including three tektronix oscilloscopes)
has become adequate--my buying of gear has fallen off considerably.
There are so many times I have seen this subject discussed
that it really irritates me. If you want a piece of gear, and can
afford it, but it! I can truly say that I have paid more than a piece
of gear was worth, but on the other hand have bought things that I
thought were under priced. So in the long run, it all evens out. I can
still remember back in the 70's that I bought a Hallicrafters SX-115
for less than $200.00. A year or so ago, I watched one go for well
over $6000.00.
$6000 for an SX-115? Pretty good catch for the seller. I'd like to hear
the buyer's rationalization for paying that kind of money. Certainly if
one's kid were taken by kidnappers, then I could easily understand high
figures for ransom. Maybe collectors who did some heavy dreaming all their
life, or who are filthy rich and can drop that kind of money with no
effect on their resources for an SX-115. Maybe auctions, which "play"
human psychology on one bidder against another bidder who bids back, in an
upward spiral to way "over the top" prices exploit the same mentality that
plays lottos operated by governments (to moneyharvest suckers to help
their spending programs). Me, I can't justify anything near that kind of
price. Yeah, I've bought stuff at hamfests for more than the stuff was
worth, but nowhere near $6000 for SX-115 levels. That is definitely crazy.
So, as one of the posts, the less there is of a given
piece of gear, the higher the cost. One of my pet peeves is the guy
wanting a service manual copy for the cost of postage (maybe) when
there are many sources for manuals for sale. I recently took on an old
FT-101EE and found a complete service manual for $22.00. Without it I
probably would not have been able to repair the rig, and have a very
unhappy ham on my hands. Yes, I'm on a fixed income, but if you need
something buy it and stop crying. Just my thought of the day!
Some of my wisdom for the day: For a decade now, I have been going to used
book sales where the price is usually a dollar for a hardback. My other
hobby in my old age is reading history books, mainly ancient and medieval.
Considering how many hours of "entertainment" (not to mention education
from a non-fiction books) and enlightenment I get from each of nearly
200 books I've read in the last ten years for a total investment of $200,
my opinion is that I'm getting much better bang for the buck on the books.
I've spent a fair bit more on ham gear over the same period and have spent
quite a lot less hours "playing with the knobs and switches." Another
inexpensive but entertaining hobby is watching the birds and squirrels in
my birdfeeders and hummingbird feeder. Probably about 30 cents per day and
wife and I get live, commercial-free, no viruses/spyware, no-pet-problems,
low maintenance entertainment.
Sure, anyone can take thousands to tens of thousands of dollars (or use
debt) for foolish expenses. And, there are guys out there that look for
suckers every day.
$6000 for an SX-115?
When rich people bid up at Christies or Sotheby's, its for the purpose of
driving up prices so they can donate at the end of a "run up" period and
get a big tax write off, not because they _want_ that Picaso for bragging
rights. Or, they also play "high-roller" social networking for entre'.
Y'all think what you want.
73,
Mike-K5VSE
--
Formerly WB6VSE, Senior Tech. Amateur Division
SBE/Linear Systems, Watsonville, CA
On 3922 nearly every night.
WEB Site: http://members.tripod.com/~sjsharks/index.html
Restoring and using Drake Radios, TR-4, TR-4C, RV-4C,
Drake Twins: "C" line, W-4 Wattmeter, L4-B amplifier
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"In God We Trust"