[Boatanchors] Re: [R-390] Ebay Prices

[Ed Berbari]

Todd,

I agree that the ebay prices reflect a world wide market and that there are
always some deep pockets out in cyber space.  Once you take your gear to a
hamfest your market instantly decreases to those in attendance.  Some people
get this and others don't; hence the holdouts at the hamfests who think they
are in the worldwide market.

With this said, the main reason for the big jump in boatanchor prices is
primarily due to the demographics of the aging ham population.  Most hams
interested in boatanchors are in their 50-60s.  Their kids are grown and
they have more disposable income.  I think that as our generation declines
in numbers the overall market will shrink and the prices will come down.
There will be plenty of old stuff at reasonable prices available for this
shrinking market of enthusiasts.

Ed, W9EJB
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Todd, KA1KAQ" <ka1kaq at gmail.com>
To: "Tim Shoppa" <tshoppa at wmata.com>
Cc: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>; <jcoward5452 at aol.com>;
<future212 at comcast.net>
Sent: Friday, March 23, 2007 10:00 AM
Subject: [Boatanchors] Re: [R-390] Ebay Prices


> On 3/23/07, Tim  Shoppa <tshoppa at wmata.com> wrote:
> > As a second example, in the late 50's the
> > list price of a 75A-4 was $695.
> >
> > Today the average E-bay price seems to be $939.
> >
> > Gas prices went up by a factor of 11 over the last 50 years.
> >
> > If radios went up as fast, the 75A-4 would be $7700 today.
>
> During what some of us refer to as the 'feeding frenzy' that started
> in the late 90s into the first few years of this century, the average
> price of a decent 'A-4 was $1500+. S-Line gear was higher, late model
> KWM-2As were bringing over $2K in many instances. IMHO, this was due
> to a huge spike in demand as many folks new to the game were trying to
> catch up. It wasn't unusual to hear of someone bidding high just based
> on the manufacturer and previous high sale prices. Whether to 'get one
> before it's too late' or for investment speculation, there was
> certainly a rush going on.
>
> As buyer's education set in and people saw just how plentiful much of
> this gear was, prices settled and have even dropped on many items.
> Even items like really clean ARC-5 equipment has come down a lot,
> although it's still much higher than it was before the frenzy began.
> The stuff with a high 'desirability vs low numbers produced' ratio
> will always be pricey.
>
> Ebay is a great tool. I enjoy it at least as much for the
> entertainment value as for finding items I'd never see otherwise.
> Anyone can play, and you don't have to bid if the price doesn't suit
> you. But it's not *the* market price, more a high water mark as others
> have indicated. I think that as more time passes, it will be more of a
> place for getting max dollar for high-end items, with better deals to
> be found on more plentiful items.
>
> At a small hamfest last weekend I observed the so-called 'ebay effect'
> in action. One seller had some really high priced items on his table.
> When folks questioned him, he commented that he'd checked ebay and
> that was what the stuff was selling for. He took virtually all of it
> home with him, while others sold their stuff.
>
> Hamfests, yard sales, private sales, classifieds - they all need to be
> factored in. In the end, the average person will still only pay what
> they feel it's worth. The ones wearing blinders and viewing only one
> source as 'the going price', be it ebay or yard sale prices, will end
> up paying too much or missing out.
>
> Looking forward to seeing folks at Dayton. It'll be my first time there.
>
> 73, Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ
> _______________________________________________