[NJARC] Swap Meet Protocols

[Mbeeferman at cs.com]

Thanks for your input:

1.  Advertised time is 8:00, not 8:30.
2.  I've been collecting for many years and have heard your comments many 
times before.  I'm sorry you had a bad experience.  You perhaps may not agree 
with me, but here's the unemotional reasoning I offer to all who care to listen.  
Good relationships are built between people who do what they think is the 
right thing...the Quaker's "friendly persuasion."  But when laws are created that 
force people to do what a few think is "the right thing" (its called social 
law) as opposed what protects people's rights (its called civil law, and it's 
the basis of our Constitution), you might as well move to Syria.      


a)  Unless he is governed by the Fair Trade Act (which collectors are not), a 
seller can ask $1,000 for a Radiola III if he cares to...if he can get it, 
more power to him.
b)  I am not aware of any laws forcing a buyer to buy what the seller 
offers....nor does it limit him from spending $1,000 on a Radiola III.
c)  I not aware of any laws regarding the time delay between when a seller 
acquires an item and offers it to a buyer.  The sale of just- acquired items at 
a higher price than that purchased is seen at EVERY swapmeet...including the 
100's I've attended over the years.  If you know of a meet where this does not 
occur, or where there is a sign that says "NO RESALES," please enlighten us.  
I agree with you...it doesn't make for good business or repeat sales, but it's 
perfectly legal.  
d)  There are no guidelines on the "morality" of the swapmeet marketplace 
other than common sense and friendship...if you don't like the selling practices 
of a buyer, either talk to him (although I don't feel it will do much good) or 
don't buy from him in the future.  Many sellers have been hurt by bad press, 
and many don't care in the least as long as sales are brisk.  Not a new 
relevation...can you say "Walmart." 
f)  Using a "bad experience" with one or two sellers as a criteria for the 
rest of us is just unfair...I don't think you meant to imply this.
g)  If you think that Kutzman (an excellent swapmeet, by the way) is a hotbed 
for the moral majority, you are badly mistaken.  There are numerous 
pre-swapmeet deals that go one before the official start time, and no one seems to 
mind.  It is just part of the chase.
h)  Many people (including myself) found what they were looking for at a 
reasonable price.  I bought my item at 10:00 AM. and a table of nice, early 
battery stuff showed up around the same time.  But in most cases, one of the 
swapmeet commandments that applies in 98% of the cases is....get there early.
i)  We offer our Hazelet meet as part of our effort to provide a place for 
our older members to go to enjoy a pleasant day....many can't drive the Kutztown 
distance (and get up at 3:00 AM) to get at the so-called "bargains" that may 
or may not abound. ("Bargain" or "reasonable price" is all relative to what 
you can afford, what the market will bare and how much cash you have in your 
pocket at the point of sale.)   Many come away with nothing...but just have fun 
talking to other collectors for a few hours.  There's much more to a swapmeet 
then saving a few bucks...if you miss a few items because of some misguided 
seller, be patient...they will show up somewhere else at a price that will light 
up your heart; if it's Kutztown, so be it.  We try not to be judgmental of 
other clubs and events...there's a place and a time for everyone.