[Boatanchors] General Comments On Hamfests (Re: Timinium Hamfest)

[Chuck Gallup]

Hamfests can be great fun. The pleasure has dwindled down to a low point for me, but I still go occasionally to ragchew and think about the good old days. Not to sell, however.
 
The first nail in the coffin that started me to re-think selling ham gear at hamfests was the intrusion of the greedy slimeball state and local tax authorities that edged into the seller/buyer actions with regard to sales tax collections. Most new sales involve sales tax collection. Subsequent sales of used equipment should be free from sales tax unless you are a dealer. Even then I'm against charging serial sales taxes. Finally I'm starting to notice a rebellion of the masses bubbling up and we should encourage that. 
 
Second nail in the coffin was the change in attitude of some of the attendees. I refer to the minor theft of parts, bits and pieces. Its hard to tuck an 85 pound Boatanchor under your hoddy or in your pocket. Its real easy to grab a handful of SO239's and slip them out of sight. Had a husband and wife team that cleaned me out of coax fittings at one hamfest. One person diverted my attention and the other one grabbed. I never noticed anything missing until much later. Fortunately, the vast majority of hams are neat people and the good far outweighs the bad element.
 
Next coffin nail was refusal to allow sales in the parking area or from a tailgate.  I've been told that the rules of the space provider, such as a school, church, fairground, etc forbid such sales. A discrete check into the policy at one school revealed that they didn't care as long as you didn't leave a mess in the parkng lot. Ditto for a flea market. Maybe the admission needs to be collected at the entrance to the parking area instead of the building entry. Gosh! That sounds like a greed issue again.
 
Do I even have to mention the sales of virtually anything except ham gear. Computers, software, printers, ad nauseum are vended in such quantity as to take over portions of the sales arena. I do like sales of cookies, candies, hotdogs, soda pop and other delectable cuisine, however.
 
Just a few idle thoughts,
 
Chuck, K7NKS