[Boatanchors] Declining demand and values (was "Reality comes calling")

Bill Cotter n4lg at qx.net
Mon Feb 14 17:31:34 EST 2022


Fellow Collectors,

I just had to weigh in on this juicy topic ;^)

 From my vantage point here in Central Kentucky, the demand (and, 
value) of nearly all the boatanchors has fallen precipitously over 
the course of the past 10yrs and dramatically so in the last 2yrs. 
The lack of hamfests during the pandemic and the number of 
birthdays we have enjoyed seems to have a lot to do with what's 
happening. As well as the Internet, smartphones, and cheap 
disposable technology.

I have seen people bring carloads of old gear to the remaining open 
hamfests (ie: Louisville KY, Shelby NC, Charleston WV, etc) and 
plop down various boatanchors with unrealistic asking prices. Most 
people go home with what they brought, with the exception of those 
who drop prices continuously during the hamfest and have big FREE 
signs for the stuff under the table. I estimate the typical age of 
hamfest goers is probably 60-65yrs old. I am fairly certain that 
our age group has about all the collectibles we need by now, 
barring the hoarders, hi!

For my own collection of treasures, I have decided to unburden my 
family of all the tons of bygone radios and electronics BEFORE I 
check out. My culling process goes something like this: If I have 
used an item recently, I keep it. If it's very collectible (not 
much is), I might keep it. If I haven't used it in the last five 
years, it goes to the disposal queue. If I plan to restore it, I 
give it a drop dead date. If I have more that one of the same 
model, it automatically goes to the disposal queue. Parts get 
scrutinized based on likelihood of need in a five year lookahead. 
Think: Projects vs Time to do them.

Also, with the advent of PayPal, e-Bay, Venmo and others sending us 
and the IRS 1099's for selling what we bought with taxed dollars, I 
refuse to sell using those platforms anymore. The CPA's I have 
spoken with suggest that you must have original receipts to 
establish basis, and demonstrate a loss in selling to avoid income 
tax. How many receipts have we kept from buying and selling - few 
if any.

So, the strategy for my accelerated disposal is to sell any item 
well below the e-Bay Completed Items price, and drop that price 
until its gone. I can  take a lot less if I get CASH, don't pay 
fees, insurance, shipping, etc. Likewise, for anything that could 
be useful to clubs and groups, I simply donate what they will 
accept with the proviso that it goes to members first and free. 
And, finally, I give away a lot of stuff that I don't want to keep, 
which may be difficult to sell, or know someone else may enjoy - a 
newby or younger person.  Easy to give away are test gear, old 
radios, parts rigs, iron, tubes, etc.

Bottom line realization: Collecting wasn't a substitute for 
investing in IRA's for me. I have no illusion about making money or 
even breaking even. The way I look at it, I just paid rent for the 
privilege of owning and usage!

73 es best wishes - Bill N4LG




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