[Boatanchors] Hamfest Stories

[Kenneth Grimm]

Since it is the season to be giving, I'll tell my best hamfest story.  A
couple of years ago at the Berryville, VA hamfest, a young boy of 13, 14 or
so came up to my table and looked at a new 2 mx mobile antenna that I had
listed for $10.  He came back a couple of times and looked at the antenna.
On the third trip he was accompanied by his Mom.  I asked him if he was a
ham.  He said, "No, not yet.  I've been studying for the Technician
license."  I said, "Well, they are giving the exam here today.  Are you
taking it?"  "Yes," he replied, "I've got a transceiver from my parents, but
I still need an antenna."  I then said, "If you pass it, the antenna is
yours."  I put the antenna away and a few hours he came back with a big grin
and said he had passed the exam but was upset to see that the antenna was
gone.  The grin returned when I pulled it out of the back of the van and
gave it to him.  I felt good all the way home.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all on boatanchors.

73,

Ken - K4XL

On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 4:23 PM, John Lawson <jpl15 at panix.com> wrote:

>
>
>   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
>
>
>
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