[Boatanchors] Hamfest Stories

[John Lawson]

   I have been attending Hamfests since the 60s - been selling at them for 
over 30 years now.  I've probably 'been there; done that' about as much as 
anyone.



   "Dollar Box" division:


   I nearly always have a "FREE!!" tarp and one or more "Dollar Boxes", 
filled with the usual crapola that accumulates.

   Some years back, I had such a box, upon which was written 'Everything In 
This Box $1.00'.  And at various times several folks dug thru it, pulled 
out various treasures, and paid therefor.  Late in the meet, while I was 
busy with a few other customers, an older "gentleman" handed me a dollar 
and said "For the box..."  I thanked him - and then he picked up said box 
and started walking away with it.

   I called him back and before I could get into it, he loudly and nastily 
proclaimed that "It says EVERYTHING IN THIS DAMN BOX IS FOR A DOLLAR 
AND I PAID YOU YOUR GODAMMNED MONEY!!!!"

   Long story short - I had to get the swapmeet staff involved and the 
individual was 86ed and asked not to return. (Had he offered me 5 for the 
whole box he could have taken it and we'd both been happy.)




   Next I'll tell the story of the used/surplus hard-drive a guy tried to 
return 'under warranty' to me 2 years after he bought it...  :)




   Cheers and Best of the Season!

John KB6SCO