[Boatanchors] Hamfest Pricing

[hwhall at compuserve.com]

I think that part of the difficulty, and the contentiousness, with this type discussion is that it's comparing apples and oranges a bit. Almost none of our (mostly used or surplus or homebrew) stuff has intrinsic value like gold bullion used to. And it doesn't have a wholesaler/retailer formulaic price set by manufacturing costs, freightage, tolerable profit margin, etc. Nor is there a government office setting official prices. Therefore, our stuff is mostly worth whatever we can find someone willing to pay when we decide to sell it.

Prices at auction houses like ebay or your local auctioneer's aren't fixed or even logical prices. They're driven almost entirely by the whims of folks at each particular auction (with all their wants, needs, etc.) and vary from auction to auction and time to time. Looking at ebay completed auctions, prices are typically all over the place even for identical items. Insanely expensive one day, insanely cheap next month. Identical items may sell for much less later on because there were just a few who wanted one REALLY BAD and have now gotten one. The hungry part of the market gets filled up.

>please don't try to tell me my gear is worth less at a hamfest
 
Actually, I think that is exactly the point. One's equipment may indeed be worth less **at that hamfest**  to everyone there, except you. They're not hungry for it. You might change your mind to match theirs and sell cheaper. Or take it home and look for someplace where maybe someone is hungry enough for it to agree with your valuation and buy it. However, buggy whip companies went out of business when the desire for them faded away. If our selling prices don't keep pace with what buyers will pay, we risk holding on as offers fall ever lower and one day finding no one wants it at any price.

(Pardon the excessive verbosity. Opinions here are not necessarily those of the advertisers, owners or management. Your mileage may vary. Only time will tell. Must be used as part of a comprehensive program of regular professional care. Caveat emptor. Illigitimi non carborundum. Sic transit gloria mundi. Please curb your coati mundi. Selah.)

Wayne
WB4OGM
 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: W8KZW <w8kzw at arrl.net>
To: boatanchors <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wed, Sep 3, 2014 3:20 pm
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Hamfest Pricing


Worrisome?  Harmful?  To whom?

Yes, eBay's reach = more buyers = more competition = higher sale.  I sell on
eBay.

But please don't try to tell me my gear is worth less at a hamfest (although
I DO account for a fee-free sale in my selling price).  It's certainly not
worth less to that buyer who would have bought it from me on eBay, or a
buyer who chooses not to shop on eBay ... particularly if he gets to see the
gear - and test it, sometimes - and take it home enjoying that no-fees
discount and no shipping cost.  I sell at hamfests too.

I know the hamfest market is smaller and I'm less apt to get my price.  I go
to hamfests to see old friends, support the clubs, and maybe sell something.
It doesn't bother me one bit to take something home and sell it on eBay if I
don't get my (reduced) price at a swap. It's fun regardless.

If you think us "Ebay pricers" should drop our shorts just because we are at
a swap and YOU don't want to pay what someone else would for a piece of
gear, that my friend is not worrisome ... just entertaining.  Swaps are
getting smaller and smaller or disappearing altogether.  Sellers know they
are more likely to get their price on Ebay because some hams have a
drummed-up, preconceived notion that gear at hamfests should be dirt cheap.
I contend that "hamfest folks" like you are a non-trivial cause for the
demise of this venue.

73, and see you at the swaps.

 > -----Original Message----- That hamfest folks increasingly attempt to
> use Ebay as a
> pricing standard for hamfests is worrisome and harmful.
> The laws of marketing are immutable.
> Size of market dictates demand. Demand dictates price.
> Hundreds of thousands of buyers on Ebay equals
> big demand and that equals big prices.
> A few dozen buyers at a hamfest equals
> smaller demand and that equals smaller prices.
> Don't try to explain this to an "Ebay" pricer.
> They'll just get mad at you and blame you for
> their having to pack the radios back into the car.

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