[Hallicrafters] Investing bust

[Carl Nord]

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: john <johnmb at nc.rr.com>


>That's a fact...at hamfests,  on ebay, prices are dropping. There's never a 
>chance that this run up in prices was sustainable. There's what, a few 
>hundred guys who are really into this...maybe 1000.  What's the number in 
>that population who will pay long cash for old radios? Gotta be a couple 
>dozen .

I have owned a nice SX-28 for about 10 years. I have watched the eBay prices for these rise steadily over the period from about $300 to up to $4K this summer. So I think it is very item specific.
However having been on ebay since 97 I have seen a "rare" set appear and fetch huge prices based in a bidding war and then see the market flood with 3 or 4 of them the next week. So there has been some artificial inflation based on perceived supply gaps


> 
> There's just no market.... right now that guys who were teens when this 
> stuff was at it's peak , are in their peak earning years (or beyond) and 
> can afford to pay for this... but it's a temporary thing. 

Not sure your logic holds here John. The Atwater Kent 10 series, a common sight on eBay, generally sell for >$1.3K.  Since is it a 1923 radio there are not many people from their teens around to buy em. Watch an older Grebe in  an auction or just abnout anything pre 1915. So it is more then nostalgia driving the prices.

Frankly approaching this hobby from an investment standpoint does not make a lot of sense. Track the initial price of most of these items against inflation and you are at a loss. So pay what you want to for them and enjoy them. In fact history would probably bear out that the best time to purchase a radio, car etc is 20 or so years after it came out, hold it for another 20 and then sell.

I am not a fan of Collins radios and would never pay some of the prices asked. Yet I have payed dearly for a unique piece of HB gear because that is my love. Yes I have stumbled into some real bargains and over paid for other items, but I have gotten enjoyment out of most everyone of them- That is why it is my hobby and not my vocation.

One year at Hosstraders I deeply lusted over a high priced pristine receiver. A friend of mine asked me a question. "If you bought it, and sold it a year later would you be able to get close to your money back?" I felt I could so I bought it. Had it for about 9 months and then sold it for exactly what I paid for it. So that is the measure i use now.

Just my 2 cents.  I only hope that since it is a hobby people enjoy it  if the price goes up or down