[Hallicrafters] SX101A

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 4/29/05, Dan Arney <hankarn at pacbell.net> wrote:
<snip>

> The saying "not e*bay priced is a joke". The buyers set the price by
> bidding on the unit. I feel it is a fair pricing medium if you compare
> the items condition, pictures, description and above all the World wide
> exposure that that medium provides for both the seller and buyer.
> 
> The swap meets in So. CA have gone to hell in a basket for radios as
> they have become computer junk and ink sales. The radio bargains have
> been/are snapped up and show up on the auction sites do to the exposure.
> 
> That kind of sets the FAIR MARKET VALUE for a great percentage of items
> that show up there.

I agree with the intent of what you're both saying, but I disagree
that ebay is *the* fair market price. It certainly represents the high
water mark for nice units in many cases, as well as a higher price for
average units where buyers choose the convenience of online shopping
over being rescourceful and looking around.

The fact of the matter is that yes, some folks are ridiculous in that
they expect something for nothing. Others are equally ridiculous in
that they will spend what most would consider a ridiculously high
price simply for bragging rights or whatever. If you're primarily a
seller, you will be oriented more towards supporting a higher price.
If you're a cash-limited buyer, you'll lean more toward the 'cheap' or
more affordable (to you) price.

Many of us in the AM and old gear community seem able to find things
at less-than-nosebleed prices by looking around a bit and trading with
friends for items we want. Others want one *now* and don't mind paying
a higher price for the convenience along with the cost of shipping for
a large, heavy radio. But average prices for any given piece of gear
(other than something ultra rare that seldom is found) need to have
other venues factored in like hamfests, private sales, and so on.
While no one has done this recently, it doesn't make the average price
any less real.

As Grant implies, you should expect to pay a higher price for
something in nicer shape. If you don't mind a project, you'll spend
less. If you're resourceful and don't mind being patient and looking
around, you can usually find what you're looking for for considerably
less than the ebay high bid.

The real issue here though, should be what you're getting for your
money. When you look at the new whizbang riceboxes or convert the cost
of older gear with an inflation calculator, you begin to see just how
cheap old gear truly is today. As I've said before, many of us got
spoiled by giveaway prices of boatanchors that few people wanted over
the last 25 - 30 years or more. Once upon a time you could get a nice
SX-101A for free, simply for hauling it off, or for $25 etc. While I'm
sure those deals do still exist, they are no more an accurate
representation of 'average price' than a $1500 example on ebay. But
the market will continue to get tighter as supplies shrink and demand
grows.

The internet is a tool just like visiting hamfests or anything else.
But as Hank says, you get far better exposure there and a much better
audience as a result. I find plenty of good deals on the auction site
and I don't think most of the prices there are out of line in today's
world. But using it as the only representation of market price isn't
really telling the whole story, either.

Pay what you're comfortable paying, don't expect a hand out. If you
think someone's price is too high, look elsewhere. No one is twisting
your arm to buy it, and sellers do have a right to ask whatever they
like. What they ask and what they get may be two different things, but
that is for them to decide. It's called a free-market.

de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ