[Milsurplus] Apex Electronics

[J. Forster]

> I firmly believe that if they charged lower prices on most (not all,
> certain
> things command good prices) items they had they would move MUCH higher
> volume,
> attract many more buyers, and earn a very good living.

Maybe, but remember surplus shoppers are by-and-large CHEAP. If a guy has
a nice toy marked for $100, at least 9 out of 10 shoppers will offer $15
or something.

It has taken me decades to become generally know for offering fair prices
and sellers do give me good prices as a result.

> Asking outrageous prices on everything in the hope of the occasional
> bonanza is
> NOT a good business plan, as so many business failures and low income can
> attest to.

The surplus business is generally based on scrap, not equipment. I can
think of a few exceptions, but generally it's scrap metal that pays the
bills.

> I have been sorely tempted on a number of occasions to get into that line
> of business.

I learnt years ago, buying surplus pretty cheap is easy. Any fool can do it.

Selling it is a lot harder.

FWIW,

-John

==================

>
>
> On 2/1/2011 11:02 PM, J. Forster wrote:
>> They barely break even much of the time, but the occasional lucky
>> bonanzas
>> is what they live for.  Also, scrap metals, especially precious ones,
>> are
>> often off the books.
>>
>> FWIW,
>>
>> -John
>>
>> ======================
>>
>>
>>> Based on seeking and buying surplus electronics for over 60 years, I
>>> have
>>> come to the opinion that surplus dealers live in an alternate universe.
>>> The specific source of their product is always obscure beyond "the
>>> Government", their financing is unbelievable, and they regularly offend
>>> their few customers.  How can a "business" survive under those
>>> conditions
>>> in the real universe WE live in?
>>>
>>> YMMV, 73,
>>> George
>>> W5VPQ
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------
>>> What I mean by hoarding is being a store and asking so much for items
>>> that
>>> your
>>> collection becomes impossible to even browse, overflowing the isles.
>>> Surplus
>>> sellers are not collectors, they are businesspeople.  If they were to
>>> put
>>> together a complete radio system it would only be to get more money,
>>> not
>>> to use
>>> it or display it.
>>>
>>> Collectors can be hoarders too, but that is a bit different.
>>>
>>> I don't have anywhere near as much as many people I know because I give
>>> stuff
>>> away, or trade it, or even scrap it out.