[Hallicrafters] It worked the last time I tried it!

[Rich Oliver]

Duane et al,

There was a time when I thought people fudged on that to get more $ for 
their gear but I don't believe that any more.  I have been buying stuff 
at yard sales, garage sales, estate sales, hamfests, etc. for many years 
now and always ask "does it work?" unless the answer is obvious. 
 Generally speaking they get it right about as often as you could do by 
flipping a coin.  Hams do better but are hardly infallible.

I believe that people generally tell the truth as they know it.  I think 
what happens is that when somebody turns on a radio expecting it to make 
noise but then they get distracted by the need to disconnect the battery 
in the smoke alarm, they tend to forget the part about turning on the 
radio.  Its just human nature.

It cuts both ways.  My most recent yard sale electronics purchase was a 
carrousel CD player.  The lady had bought it new but couldn't make it 
play, then she set it aside for later until she discovered the warranty 
had run out.  I bought it at her yard sale complete with original box, 
packing, and manual for $2.00.  It did not take long to discover why she 
couldn't get it to play - the transport locks were still dogged down. 
 Maybe I should feel bad about this but I don't - she would have tossed 
it if I hadn't bought it.  I figure that such experiences are offset by 
the devices that were working when I bought them but promptly failed 
when I got them home.  The era of disposable electronics is a real 
windfall for those of us with a little technical competence.

Cheers, Rich

Duane Fischer, W8DBF wrote:

>Tony, 	
>	
>"Guy i got it from said yep it worked last time i tried it."  	
>	
>One wonders when 'the last time' was. this Century or last? Did "it worked" mean
>the power knob turned and something made a clicksound? Or perhaps the last time
>he tried it to anchor his row boat while fishing, it worked well?		
>	
>This classic lie might replace the infamous "the check's in the mail"!	
>	
>Aren't you the guy who had TOO many radios and wanted somebody to come with
>atruck and load up a hundred or so of them? And now you buy another one? Hmmm.
>This boat anchor stuff can be habit forming!	
>	
>DBF	
>