[NCARC] Some thoughts on swapfests...

[Rick Huebner]

This is from Randy, W0AVV, but didn't go through, so here it is:


Willis,

In Re swapfests, there are a multitude of problems. One I see is being 
fested to death. There are on average at least 1 swapfests per month, 
during much of the year in the Front Range. Couple that with the advent 
of electronic listing boards and auctions such as EBAY, coupled with 
poor understandings by both sellers and buyers of festeeze.

Many people come to the fest thinking people will pay higher than retail 
for things they have used for years. Conversely, some come to the fest 
thinking people have brought their stuff to give away. I agree with you 
that meeting at some place in the middle is ideal, but some basic 
misconceptions exist. If people want to get the highest dollar, perhaps 
they should consider EBAY or some listing service, such as QRZ. If 
people expect to get stuff for .10 a pound, then perhaps they should 
check out the local scrap yard the weeks after a fest.  I have done that 
at Colorado Metals on HWY 14 in Ft Collins and been successful (just by 
chance).

Realistically if you are going to a fest the art of give and take is 
imperative if the event known as Swapfests are to continue. Offers and 
counter offers are a time tested tradition. It does however require two 
participants who understand the tradition also known as haggling. Too 
much you say?  What have you got of comparable value you might be 
willing to trade? Did you ask about that? Very few do! Think of it as 
having the Monte Hall mentality and make the deal. You might be 
surprised how fun it can be for both buyer and seller.

If you don’t know what something is worth, or what would be fair, there 
are plenty of folks who have been around for years. If they have been 
successful at festing over the years, they are probably a good resource 
to help you price or to start a negotiation

You will find that commercial vendors are less willing to barter or 
negotiate. Remember one thing, even in a retail establishment, 
everything is negotiable. Find the manager or owner and better deals are 
possible, but you must ask. Sometimes you have to be able to make your 
case as to why it should be less money. Such as, it’s a last item on a 
close out, a return item without all of the accessories, scratches or 
dents, damage that is visible, a trade in that has not been checked out 
or cleaned up,. The list goes on. It works at fests too.

Having realistic expectations at swapfests are very high on the priority 
list, both seller and buyer. We all need to wise up or soon these social 
events will become a thing of the past and many will be left asking what 
happened?

Just my ideas on festing. Thanks for the bandwidth Willis,

73,

Randy