[NCARC] Swapmeet thoughts

[Bill & Suzie Whatley]

Some thoughts regarding Ham Radio Swapmeets and Auctions:



There has been a noticeable decline in the attendance of vendors (both commercial and individual) as well as buyers at ham radio swapmeets over the last five to ten years. Some people attribute this to the existence of the Internet with the on-line swaplistings and auctions that are available through that medium. Others believe that the economy over the recent years has caused the decline. The above reasons as well as numerous other factors can be included in the list of causes for this trend.

Also noticeable at swapmeets is the unusually high prices being placed on items by some vendors. This can happen if the seller or buyer is relatively new to the hobby and not technically knowledgeable or does not have an Elmer to offer advice. Unfortunately, it can also happen when the seller comes to the swapmeet for the wrong reasons.

It often happens with older equipment when the vendor wants to sell the equipment as an antique or collectable item at a swapmeet. The problem with this is that most buyers are ham radio operators, not true antique collectors. As such, they are not aware of the basics of antique collection and preservation. (Preservation is not to be confused with restoration, which often lowers the value of real antiques when not done correctly.)

There is a group of radio collectors who acquire the antique AM, FM and SW radios. These are usually the ones in the fancy wooden cabinets that were built in the early half of the 20th century. The members of that group seem to have a much better grasp of the concepts involved with the collection and preservation of antiques. 

A part of this ham radio problem lies with the sellers who do not seem to recognize the difference between a swapmeet and an auction. The two events have distinctly different purposes.

An auction is a public sale in which prospective purchasers bid on goods or property until the highest price is reached. The auction is intended to maximize the "achieved sales price" for the seller.

A swapmeet is a more social gathering for the sale or barter of (usually secondhand) goods or property. At a swapmeet, the seller usually labels the items with a price that they would like to achieve. Quite often they are willing to accept less or swap the item for something else that another individual has brought to the event.

The other part of this problem lies with the buyers who do not know that the value of this older equipment should be considerably lower when buying it for station use rather than as an antique or collectable item. After a buyer has paid the higher price for the item, they will have a difficult time recovering their investment at some later date unless they resort to an auction rather than a swapmeet. (Or they could take it to another swapmeet and hope to encounter someone that is ignorant of the value, as they were when they bought it.)

The reason for selling any item should weigh significantly in the decision to sell it at an auction or a swapmeet. If the intent is to achieve the best sales price, then the item should go to an auction, not a swapmeet.

Many times, a seller who brings items to a swapmeet and labels them at prices that have been obtained for similar items at an auction is often going to have an unhappy experience and end up taking the items back home.

On the other hand, a seller who comes to a swapmeet and labels items at prices that informed buyers would expect to find at swapmeets will have a more enjoyable experience, especially if they are willing to barter to reach an agreement with a buyer.

Both sellers and buyers who come to swapmeets should make sure they have done their research.  They should both know what they have or are looking for technically and be aware of the "swapmeet" value of the items.

In the next posting, I will attempt to identify some basic things to consider if you want to have an enjoyable experience as a buyer or seller at a swapmeet.

73 to all,

WA5VRL

Willis