[Icom] RE: expensive radios

[Wayne]

On Monday 12 May 2003 08:08 am, Hart Engel wrote:
> Yes Adam I have, but the duty and the exchange is a killer.
>
>

There are a few ways to work around this.

There is no "duty" on ham gear imported into Canada. Its all "sales tax",=
 and=20
there is a difference, if only by definition.

First, you need to think in terms of the real price. This is not the "dea=
ler"=20
price. This is the price of getting that radio on your table. Thats what=20
really matters. In VE3, the real price of that $1000 radio is $1150. Now,=
=20
armed with the adjusted, real $1150 price, let your fingers do some walki=
ng,=20
and fire up the calculator.

You can buy in Canada, but from out of province, thus saving 7% Provincia=
l=20
Tax. You won't get local dealer support of course, but 7% is quite a mess=
 of
money. If you buy an Icom, the factory is in Vancouver, and that is the O=
NLY=20
place to get your Icom serviced in Canada anyway. Most dealers ship for f=
ree=20
across Canada. Right there - free shipping and a 7% discount, and we've o=
nly=20
just begun.

Next, the price of ham gear *is* cheaper south of the border and cheaper =
still =20
at any major American Hamfest, such as Dayton. If you resign yourself to=20
buying new, then GST/PST "has" to be paid in any event, so that becomes a=
=20
wash. For example, an IC706 sells in America for $740 US, or about $1040 =
CDN.=20
Our local dealer wants $1350. That  is a difference of almost $400 includ=
ing=20
GST/PST. I say "almost" because supposedly this is his pre Dayton 'big' s=
ale=20
price. An IC910 works out to a price difference of $660. Apply the same m=
ath=20
to a 756 PRO II and you will be amazed, and GigaParts will throw in a PS1=
25. =20
Regarding the 706, that $400 difference will buy a LOT of repair, and its=
=20
unlikely your new radio will ever need it.

The exchange and tax actually work out in your favor if you buy south of =
the=20
border and import it. The difference is so vast in some cases that=20
"warranty", or lack of it makes the risk worthwhile.

As for accessories buy them off eBay and/or buy your filters from Inrad. =
The=20
Inrad filters are better than factory and about 2/3 the price. Better sti=
ll,=20
buy a radio that needs no additional filters. Yes, either of the PROs.

You should know that the dealer markup on used hamgear is 50%. That $1200=
=20
TS850 fetched $800 for the poor fool that traded, so you should have some=
=20
wiggle room with dealer used gear. Not much mind you, for they cherish th=
eir=20
50% dearly. Used gear is a dealer cash cow, and they usually do nothing t=
o=20
earn it.

Last, the actual price of new ham gear is largely insignifigant, *providi=
ng*=20
you intend to KEEP what you buy. At any point in time what you buy is goo=
d=20
for 5 to 10 years of use. Technological improvements are evolutionary and=
=20
rarely revolutionary. That IC765 you bought in the early 90's (for exampl=
e)=20
is just *now* starting to show its age. Amortize that 765 over 8 years of=
 use=20
or more, and its barely $1/day.

As for used gear I've been 'taken' once or twice, but usually most used g=
ear=20
is sorta represented sorta honestly - sorta. If you are not prepared for =
it=20
to have *something* wrong, then for a lot of folks, used gear is simply f=
alse=20
economy. I strongly recommend buying used gear only from a trusted source=
=20
unless you are well versed in what to look for. Used radios are like buse=
s -=20
another one will appear in 15 minutes.

Amateur Radio - the radio part of it - need not be expensive providing yo=
u are=20
willing to investigate your options and vote with your wallet. A lot of=20
accessories can be made or "cottage industry" sourced. This is, after all=
=20
AMATEUR radio.

Watch for a deal and buy new and KEEP the radio.  In the long run you are=
 far=20
better off. There are deals to be had; its just highly unlikely you'll fi=
nd=20
them in VE3-land. Its easy to deal out of province and the savings can be=
=20
substantial.



Wayne
VE3EFJ