[Milsurplus] Timonium on the 6th

[Bill Cromwell]

On Wed, 2013-04-03 at 17:36 -0400, Peter Gottlieb wrote:
> On 4/3/2013 4:52 PM, Todd, KA1KAQ wrote:
> > I put low prices on things and not only do they not sell, I can't even get 
> > anyone to make an offer. Either they've lost the ability to haggle or they're 
> > afraid I'll say 'sold!'. The boxes of $1-$5 junque and parts I bring keep me 
> > at my table all
> 
> I used to haggle a lot more but I've gotten a lot of really bad reactions and 
> ended up a bit gun shy.  You might think when a sign says "make offers!" and I 
> offer say $50 on something marked $100 that it would at the least serve as a 
> good starting point, but not to some sellers.  I guess those people like their 
> stuff so much they really want to take it home with them, although at one show a 
> seller refused to budge on anything, he left early, and left everything piled up 
> for trash!  (yeah, I have no shame, I grabbed stuff from around the trash barrel).
> 
> Most shows I leave with my cash nearly intact.  If I can easily get stuff 
> cheaper on ebay (with the possibility of return if it's a basket case) why part 
> with the money?
> 
> A good hamfest is one where sellers are realistic and buyers are ready to buy.
> 
> Peter


I have had some explosive reactions from people when a simple "no" will
do. Especially bad are the guys who won't even give you a clue how much
they think their personal treasure is worth and still get angry.
However, my skin is thicker than theirs. I also don't like the guys who
are out wandering around and we have to wait to hear their
tirade...meanwhile we are missing some other deal we could have made. If
somebody doesn't want to sell it enough to stay there and talk about it
then I'm gone.

There... the steam pressure has been reduced (evil grin).

73,

Bill  KU8H