[Milsurplus] Fwd: Seen at Fair Radio this AM

[Robert Downs]

No.  In 1946, the US Government were still trying to sell stuff retail to
end users.  I think that I read somewhere that the first wholesale deals
began from 1948.  Plus back in the late 1970's or early 1980's, I bought out
the remains of a small surplus dealer in Houston (after it had been picked
over by a few other people whose names some of you would recognize) and for
some reason I either remember hearing his daughter say or remember reading
some papers indicating that the business started up in 1948.

 

Robert Downs

 

From: milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bruce Gentry
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2018 9:58 AM
To: milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] Fwd: Seen at Fair Radio this AM

 

$40 was not a trifiling price then, and a new receiver equal to a BC-348 in
performance would have cost far more. I also believe it was not until 1948
and later that full production and ready availability of most makes and
models of communications receivers became a reality. Many commercial models
before then were warmed over pre-war versions.  How quickly did surplus
radio equipment become available after the war?   Was there much available
by spring or summer of 1946? 

Bruce Gentry, KA2IVY

 

On 5/18/18 10:29 AM, Al Klase wrote:

Mike just mentioned on the the subject of historic pricing.   We've had 10X
inflation since 1950, so maybe those $40 BC-348's weren't such a great deal.
See  https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

Al

On 5/18/2018 9:46 AM, Joe Connor via Milsurplus wrote:

Walk-in business is one thing, but it would cost an arm and a leg to have
any of those boatanchors shipped to you from Fair Radio. Were shipping costs
disproportionately less back in the day? I figure they had to be because
there were so many surplus dealers with busy mail-order businesses back
then.

 

By the way, it was interesting to read that "boatanchor" was originally an
insult. Geez, I consider it a badge of honor.

 

Joe Connor

 

On Friday, May 18, 2018, 9:39:55 AM EDT, MICHAEL ST ANGELO
<mailto:mstangelo at comcast.net> <mstangelo at comcast.net> wrote: 

 

 


Yes it was cheap but how much was our salary back then?

It also depend on your situation. Sellers feel the price is right; buyers
complain the price is too high and know where to get a better deal.

Mike N2MS 

 

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