[Hallicrafters] SX-62

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Because so much of the 'condition' is in the mind of the beholder, that is,
expectations, let us not lay the bulk of the blame on the seller. It is up to
the buyer to be well enough informed on what he/she is purchasing to know how to
ask the seller intelligent questions to help ascertain the actual condition. I
believe this should be done by telephone and not by e-mail. A conversation will
reveal far more than an e-mail, including the psychological tone of the context
of the discussion and do it much more quickly. Hard and fast rules set forth by
some group, not actually laws, mean nothing, because they can not be enforced,
especially when the transaction crosses over state lines. Even if they can be
enforced, the cost of doing so is generally prohibitive considering the dollar
amount of most transactions.	
	
Guidelines are nice, but worthless if nobody follows them. 	
	
It is the same old story that has been true for centuries: let the buyer beware!
Call the seller. Ask intelligent questions that you know the answers to. Then
you will know if the seller is telling you the truth. It is the buyers
responsibility to protect himself/herself. Even honest people vary in their
personal interpretation of any given term, such as "mint" or "like new" or "an
8+" Know about what you are buying and be realistic. Old gear is after all, old
gear! It did not just come out of a box from the dealer's shelf in the
storeroom. It does not come with a factory warranty, you buy it 'as is'. With
old gear, no matter how well it is refurbished and/or refinished, it is still
subject to failure. Knobs crack, the plastic is still old. Components fail, even
new ones. So ask questions by phone and get as much information as you can
before you make a commitment to purchase. You can not blame a seller, honest -
poorly informed - or deceptive for misleading you, you can only blame yourself
for failing to ask good questions before you decide to purchase the item.	
	
A brief phone conversation can help you avoid disappointments, hurt feelings,
bad deals and poorly worded e-mails which are frequently misinterpretted by the
reader. So spend a few dollars on a phone call and save yourself grief that is
easily avoided with a little forethought. 	
	
Duane W8DBF 
----------
From: MIKE SOUHRADA <wb9iog at revealed.net>
To: Barrie Smith <barrie at centric.net>
Cc: hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] SX-62
Date: Friday, February 22, 2002 12:06 AM

Barrie Smith wrote:
> Several months ago I bought a "very good condition" SX-62.  The fellow must
> have sent me a different SX-62, because the one I received was in much less
> than very good condition.

Comment in response and not to be at all critical.
I've noticed numerous posts along the line of "the seller said it
was..."
and it didn't ...etc. You know the story.

Wish I could sent this to all the lists as Barrie is not alone. 
It seems that many sellers don't have an idea how to judge the condition
of
used ham gear .
Suggest you demand/provide a CCA Grading when you purchase and or sell
any gear.
http://www.collinsradio.org  has a grading standard on their web site
that
if followed will avoid misinterpretation and bad feeling.
Sounds like the SX 62 was more toward the "fair" category. I use this 
guideline when selling (not often) as a measure of what I have and never
had an unhappy buyer.

Also Barrie-for cleaning a number of home cleaning materials work well.
Isopropyl alcohol (99% variety) will not get you in trouble, almost no
water, and dries fast. I buy it by the gallon. Avoid the 70% cheap
stuff.
Compressed air gets the surface stuff off ,and helps dry out the unit. 
409 really works but has lot of water content, also Scrub Free less
likely
to remove painted on material. Scrub Free is quite good on contacts BTW
but
watch the water content on phoenolics! Be sure its' dry before you hit
it
with power.  Be careful of the 409 on some paints but it works!
Go-Jo and similar hand cleaners are real good also. I use others for
special conditions ie rust, labels ,marker etc.

Mike
Iowa
_______________________________________________
List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF **for assistance**
dfischer at usol.com
----
Hallicrafters Collectors International: http://www.w9wze.org
----
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hallicrafters