[Hallicrafters] History

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 7/20/06, Roger K8RI <hallicraftersgroup at rogerhalstead.com> wrote:

> > Actually, eBay has done a service by providing an arena where you find out
> > a
> > true value for an item.  You may not like the price you find, but the
> > price
> > is what the market values it.
>
> That really needs a qualifier.  The price for which the item sells is the
> market price for that item however the market has a high/low set of values
> that generally cover a wide range for a given item in a given condition.

Absolutely, Roger. 'For that item on that day, in that venue'
basically. To get a true market value would require factoring in the
many other sales from hamfests, classifieds, yard sales and so on to
obtain a better sample. For most any 'crazy high price' on ebay
there's at least as many crazy low prices you never hear about. Ebay
is more about the convenience factor of seeing and buying online, and
since it boast a much larger audience of potential buyers, it
represents more of the top dollar end of the market. Hard to compare a
unique piece of real estate property to even high priced radio gear
made in many multiples. Maybe a sub-division? (o:

> The Buy-it-now, and reserves are not the actual prices and I'm seeing more
> and more cases where there are zero bids or "reserve not met".

Yep, the speculation has not only slowed, some are now getting stung
by trying to flip a piece of gear for a higher price than the prices a
few years ago. Doesn't seem to be working as well these days. Some
items will always bring a high price due to supply/demand, but there
are an awfully lot of others out there that have gotten back to
reality, so to speak. 'Reality' meaning something like the Collins
KWM-2A made in the tens of thousands bringing $3K or more for a clean
unit. The same unit seems to bring about half that lately.

But I do agree that ebay has helped old radios and other stuff far
more than it has hurt it. I found a desperately-needed piece for a
1940s broadcast transmitter on there that I never thought I'd see, and
no one else bid on it. $9.95, I'm still amazed...

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ