[Boatanchors] [BoatAnchors] An object lesson

[rbethman]

John,

You have it right on the nail head!

That is why I have already sold off the *good* stuff!

There isn't anything left worth squat!

The main rig is now a Kenwood TS-2000, bought last year, Completely 
Factory Re-manufactured.

Nothing left of any real value!  Don't care if the TS-2000 is buried 
with me!

Regards, Bob - N0DGN


On 4/15/2015 11:22 PM, John via Boatanchors wrote:
> I think you guys are missing the boat.
>   
> Making an inventory with makes, models, serial numbers, values,
> acquisition dates and other information is a great idea, especially if something
> happened prior to your demise and you need proof of ownership and value.
>   
> We have in this area, and I am sure in dozens of others, creatures who I
> call "Vultures."  They will knock on the SK's door, sometimes before the
> remains are buried, offering to buy the equipment.  In many cases, they pay
> pennies on the dollar and make big bucks reselling. They will skim off the
> cream of the gear leaving the survivors with the not so good equipment, parts,
>   etc.,  and a mess to clean up.  These "Vultures" will never get my
> equipment unless they pay full price for it. I have given my survivors two
> options:  Get $XXX up front in cash or certified bank check before anything  is
> removed from the premises. This insures that they will take everything to
> insure they cover their expenses.  The second is to hire a certified
> Auctioneer like Richard Estes who specializes in selling radio estates. For  an
> agreed upon price, he will pick up everything including tools, tubes, parts  and
> equipment and sell it at auction for a fixed commission. Short of that, and
> this really hurts, they hire a roll off and a couple of guys armed with
> sledge  hammers who will make sure no local "Vulture" gets hold of anything but
> smashed  junk.
>   
> I hate to do it that way, but I have handled a couple of estates where a
> "Vulture" took the best for pennies and left the survivors with what they
> thought was junk.  In both cases, I made a huge amount of money for the
> estates simply because I was willing to do a little leg work. I had to go into
> the packing and shipping business in some cases but the satisfaction was
> worth  the effort and I met some really nice collectors in the bargain. So that
> there  was no hanky panky. I had buyers send payment for the item , packing
> and  shipping directly to the estate and supplied them with receipts for
> packing  material and shipping. They paid me back for those items.
>   
> Don't burden your friends or family with this chore. Do some planning now,
> while you can.  You can keep all your gear until the end if you care to,
> without having to worry about the inevitable.
>   
> 73,
>   
>   John,  W4AWM