Well I price things 25 to 50% high and since all buyers dearly love and must
have "a bargain" -- they offer me a riduclous low ball offer.
We barter, shout, accuse each other of taking food from our childrens mouth
etc
Finally we agree on the price I would have sold it for to start with.
They snicker as they take away the treasure and just know they beat me down.
I snicker as it worked again -- seldom fails.

All this is not limited to Hams -- it is an international practice. In some
countries they have no respect for you if you don't go thru the drill of
bartering. I have experienced this same drill in the good old USA for used
goods, flea markets, newspaper ads, et al.

We all have heard:
I just went to the sale -- saved $40
He/she started at $100 I stole it for $75
The guy/gal was desperate sold it for $50 less
I can turn around and sell this for a profit
on and on goes the bartering process

Ya know they gonna low ball you so start high and spend the time to
bargain -- old american custom, everyone walks away happy.


--
Lamont Cranston


I had a similar experience several years ago. I went to the local
once-a-month ham radio sidewalk sale and had a really clean, nice
working Hallicrafters S-40 for sale. This guy walks up and offers me $25
less than what I was asking. I refused. He said I would never get the
asking price and would be lucky to get what he was offering. I said if
it did not sell, HamCom was comming up in a couple of weeks and the
price there would be even higher. He stomped off but came back a few
minutes later and lays down the amount he offered and picked up the
radio. I ask just what the H did he think he was doing. "I am buying the
radio". I informed him that my asking price still stood and please put
the radio back and take his money and go somewhere else. Now he is
really POed.
Well as luck would have it he saw the radio at my table at HamCom marked
up at almost twice what I was asking at the sidewalk sale. He looked it
over and walked away only to come back about an hour later, with money
in had, to find the set was gone and asked if I had sold it. "Yep" I
smiled, "and at the asking price too". Doncha just luv these clowns?

JJ wrote:
garigue wrote:



Good one ..... I've been involved in this hobby, service, endeavor,
passion
or whatever for 40 years plus. It is always an amazement to me the
cheap-Os
that are out there that want something for nothing or near it. OTOH I have
met a lot of nice people who would bend over backwards to give me
parts for
nothing for my projects. That is the ham spirit at work and those are the
ones that I remember after all these years.

God Bless 73 KI3R Tom Popovic Belle Vernon Pa.


I had a similar experience several years ago. I went to the local
once-a-month ham radio sidewalk sale and had a really clean, nice
working Hallicrafters S-40 for sale. This guy walks up and offers me $25
less than what I was asking. I refused. He said I would never get the
asking price and would be lucky to get what he was offering. I said if
it did not sell, HamCom was comming up in a couple of weeks and the
price there would be even higher. He stomped off but came back a few
minutes later and lays down the amount he offered and picked up the
radio. I ask just what the H did he think he was doing. "I am buying the
radio". I informed him that my asking price still stood and please put
the radio back and take his money and go somewhere else. Now he is
really POed.
Well as luck would have it he saw the radio at my table at HamCom marked
up at almost twice what I was asking at the sidewalk sale. He looked it
over and walked away only to come back about an hour later, with money
in had, to find the set was gone and asked if I had sold it. "Yep" I
smiled, "and at the asking price too". Doncha just luv these clowns?


Since we got this Carny/Rube thing goin' on.....

It isn't all the buyers with the problems, though. I've managed to
insult a lot of sellers with my first offer. So while they are bitching
and moaning at me about how much the thing is worth, and probably think
of me as the type described in the original story, all they had to do
was deal for a little while, and then we likely arrive at a price that
satisfies both of us.


This is America, and you are allowed to ask any price you want for what
you sell. The buyer can also offer any price they want.

I would suggest that if a person is firm on all their prices, and
doesn't want to deal, they might want to sell retail.

- Mike KB3EIA -

"garigue" wrote in message
news:HpiHc.46193$IQ4.22014@attbi_s02...

The schmuck comes back 1/2 hour later digs it out
and asks for it for 35 Cents again. I say OK, offer to
wrap it, he hands it to me and while he's reachin for his
35 cents, I dropped the tube on the ground and smashed
it with my trusty Nike, then told him I changed my mind
and wanted $1.00 for it.

Good one ..... I've been involved in this hobby, service, endeavor,
passion
or whatever for 40 years plus. It is always an amazement to me the
cheap-Os
that are out there that want something for nothing or near it. OTOH I
have
met a lot of nice people who would bend over backwards to give me parts
for
nothing for my projects. That is the ham spirit at work and those are
the
ones that I remember after all these years.

God Bless 73 KI3R Tom Popovic Belle Vernon Pa.

Thanks Tom. Were U at the hamfest by chance?
For those wondering, the tube that was "sacrificed"
was a common garden variety JAN 6005 (6AQ5A)
( I sure would not have broken anything like a 7060
or similar! That tube would be in my collection)

"Burp not Burr" wrote in message
groups.com...

"garigue" wrote in message
news:HpiHc.46193$IQ4.22014@attbi_s02...

The schmuck comes back 1/2 hour later digs it out
and asks for it for 35 Cents again. I say OK, offer to
wrap it, he hands it to me and while he's reachin for his
35 cents, I dropped the tube on the ground and smashed
it with my trusty Nike, then told him I changed my mind
and wanted $1.00 for it.

Good one ..... I've been involved in this hobby, service, endeavor,
passion
or whatever for 40 years plus. It is always an amazement to me the
cheap-Os
that are out there that want something for nothing or near it. OTOH I
have
met a lot of nice people who would bend over backwards to give me parts
for
nothing for my projects. That is the ham spirit at work and those are
the
ones that I remember after all these years.

God Bless 73 KI3R Tom Popovic Belle Vernon Pa.

Thanks Tom. Were U at the hamfest by chance?
For those wondering, the tube that was "sacrificed"
was a common garden variety JAN 6005 (6AQ5A)
( I sure would not have broken anything like a 7060
or similar! That tube would be in my collection)


KI3R, which hamfest might this have been at? Butler? There are a lot of
shysters out there wanting something for nothing. Amazes me how they afford
the hobby!

Lou

"Lou" wrote in message
...
"Burp not Burr" wrote in message
groups.com...

"garigue" wrote in message
news:HpiHc.46193$IQ4.22014@attbi_s02...

The schmuck comes back 1/2 hour later digs it out
and asks for it for 35 Cents again. I say OK, offer to
wrap it, he hands it to me and while he's reachin for his
35 cents, I dropped the tube on the ground and smashed
it with my trusty Nike, then told him I changed my mind
and wanted $1.00 for it.

Good one ..... I've been involved in this hobby, service, endeavor,
passion
or whatever for 40 years plus. It is always an amazement to me the
cheap-Os
that are out there that want something for nothing or near it. OTOH I
have
met a lot of nice people who would bend over backwards to give me
parts
for
nothing for my projects. That is the ham spirit at work and those are
the
ones that I remember after all these years.

God Bless 73 KI3R Tom Popovic Belle Vernon Pa.

Thanks Tom. Were U at the hamfest by chance?
For those wondering, the tube that was "sacrificed"
was a common garden variety JAN 6005 (6AQ5A)
( I sure would not have broken anything like a 7060
or similar! That tube would be in my collection)


KI3R, which hamfest might this have been at? Butler? There are a lot of
shysters out there wanting something for nothing. Amazes me how they
afford
the hobby!

Lou



A 6AQ5 and he couldn't find one other than there? Hmmmm. I see them damned
near every hamfest. He must not be looking too hard. OR maybe THEY wouldn't
give him one at "HIS" price - either.
Lou

Probably Breezeshooters. Butler isn't til fall.

73,

Me

"Lou" wrote in message
...
"Burp not Burr" wrote in message
groups.com...

"garigue" wrote in message
news:HpiHc.46193$IQ4.22014@attbi_s02...

The schmuck comes back 1/2 hour later digs it out
and asks for it for 35 Cents again. I say OK, offer to
wrap it, he hands it to me and while he's reachin for his
35 cents, I dropped the tube on the ground and smashed
it with my trusty Nike, then told him I changed my mind
and wanted $1.00 for it.

Good one ..... I've been involved in this hobby, service, endeavor,
passion
or whatever for 40 years plus. It is always an amazement to me the
cheap-Os
that are out there that want something for nothing or near it. OTOH I
have
met a lot of nice people who would bend over backwards to give me
parts
for
nothing for my projects. That is the ham spirit at work and those are
the
ones that I remember after all these years.

God Bless 73 KI3R Tom Popovic Belle Vernon Pa.

Thanks Tom. Were U at the hamfest by chance?
For those wondering, the tube that was "sacrificed"
was a common garden variety JAN 6005 (6AQ5A)
( I sure would not have broken anything like a 7060
or similar! That tube would be in my collection)


KI3R, which hamfest might this have been at? Butler? There are a lot of
shysters out there wanting something for nothing. Amazes me how they
afford
the hobby!

Lou

Well, whatever... they're both in the same place (in Butler) so I just say
Butler... Not to single anyone out. I enjoy both hamfests when I can make
them.
Lou

"me" wrote in message
news:lSEHc.58997$Oq2.35225@attbi_s52...
Probably Breezeshooters. Butler isn't til fall.

73,

Me

"Lou" wrote in message
...
"Burp not Burr" wrote in message
groups.com...

"garigue" wrote in message
news:HpiHc.46193$IQ4.22014@attbi_s02...

The schmuck comes back 1/2 hour later digs it out
and asks for it for 35 Cents again. I say OK, offer to
wrap it, he hands it to me and while he's reachin for his
35 cents, I dropped the tube on the ground and smashed
it with my trusty Nike, then told him I changed my mind
and wanted $1.00 for it.

Good one ..... I've been involved in this hobby, service, endeavor,
passion
or whatever for 40 years plus. It is always an amazement to me the
cheap-Os
that are out there that want something for nothing or near it. OTOH
I
have
met a lot of nice people who would bend over backwards to give me
parts
for
nothing for my projects. That is the ham spirit at work and those
are
the
ones that I remember after all these years.

God Bless 73 KI3R Tom Popovic Belle Vernon Pa.

Thanks Tom. Were U at the hamfest by chance?
For those wondering, the tube that was "sacrificed"
was a common garden variety JAN 6005 (6AQ5A)
( I sure would not have broken anything like a 7060
or similar! That tube would be in my collection)


KI3R, which hamfest might this have been at? Butler? There are a lot of
shysters out there wanting something for nothing. Amazes me how they
afford
the hobby!

Lou

Thanks Tom. Were U at the hamfest by chance?
For those wondering, the tube that was "sacrificed"
was a common garden variety JAN 6005 (6AQ5A)
( I sure would not have broken anything like a 7060
or similar! That tube would be in my collection)


KI3R, which hamfest might this have been at? Butler? There are a lot of
shysters out there wanting something for nothing. Amazes me how they
afford
the hobby!

Lou


No Lou I wasn't around when the tube tale went down ....but I was up at
Butler. Always enjoy looking at the junque that I have seen guys carying
around for at least 2 decades and trying to dump the same. I gave up that
scene about 20 years ago after filling the back of my Surburban with ballast
and then realizing that my vehicle and back were taking a beating. The
garbage men really went wild the next day when 90% of my junkbox went out to
the alley.

My comments are also directed at the sellers who use something for 10 years
and want 95% of the retail price.

Take care 73 KI3R Tom Popovic Belle Vernon Pa.

All this is not limited to Hams -- it is an international practice. In some
countries they have no respect for you if you don't go thru the drill of
bartering. I have experienced this same drill in the good old USA for used
goods, flea markets, newspaper ads, et al.



Also at car dealerships. I'm particularly poor at getting decent
deals at a car dealership... :-(

Personally, I believe Amateur Radio Licenses should cost $75 per year for
regulatory fees and the Commission should elimanate testing. I also believe
that is how it will eventually be in the near future.

73,

Me

"Burp not Burr" wrote in message
groups.com...

"Minnie Bannister" wrote in message
...
The fee for a Vanity Call will rise on August 6 from $16.30 to $20.80.
This is for a 10-year license.

Doing the math, that comes out to about $2.08
per year, or 0.0057 CENTS per-day over the
course of a 10-Year period...........

How much do you wanna bet however that the
average traditionally el-cheapo ham radio operator
will ****-and-moan like a stuck pig over a 0.0057
Cent-per-day fee...??? (my guess is alot will !)

For example, I was selling at a hamfest in Pa last
month. Had a shoebox full of miniature tubes for
$1.00 each. A real bargain considering tubes are
going for much more on e-Bay. This putz comes
walking up, digs thru the box for 2 minutes and pulls
out *one* tube and wants it for 35 cents. I was willing
to let it go for 75 cents but he wants it for 35 cents.
No deal. He puts it back (tosses it) and gets all
smart-ass saying "you'll sell it to me later for 35 Cents."
The schmuck comes back 1/2 hour later digs it out
and asks for it for 35 Cents again. I say OK, offer to
wrap it, he hands it to me and while he's reachin for his
35 cents, I dropped the tube on the ground and smashed
it with my trusty Nike, then told him I changed my mind
and wanted $1.00 for it. This putz goes completely nuts saying
he's looked all over 4 hamfests for this tube and he
couldn't believe I smashed it. Jumpin up and down like a looney
and me quietly hoping he would have a stroke right there
as he must have weighed 300 pounds. A real "Eddie Slobbo"
fer sure - baaaaaa hahahahah!! I just laughed and offered
him a pleasant balance of the afternoon.

After he left the dealers either side of me were almost teary-eyed
laughing at the spectacle of this event, and we each shared a Pepsi
from my trusty Coleman cooler and had a nice late-lunch at the
pizza hut afterwards.

El-Cheapo hams....always too much FUN to pass up
the opportunity to poke'em-with-a-stick thru the
monkey bars !! : ) : ) : )