[Collins] 516f2

[Jamesnf@aol.com]

I couldn't agree with you more Phil.  Buying from fellow hams in a face-to-face situation is tops followed by through-the-mail transactions that are preceded by phone conversations where the seller is parting with personal gear of which he is very knowledgable.  Avoid the Ebay sellers unloading estate items or gear they picked up marked "needs work" at the last hamfest and are now selling as "untested."  If you must resort to Ebay to find what you want, never buy from someone who won't give you his phone number and discuss the gear with you.  You can find out a lot about the gear and tell a lot about the person in a ten minute phone call.......things you'll never find out from emails.

Jim W9TM