[NJARC] A few thoughts on the repair clinics and the News letter.

[sfg at comcast.net]

Thomas,
I agree that the public service is underpriced since we charge member prices for tubes and components, possibly we should use Antique Radio Supply list prices? Also a donation would be appropriate but I would suggest that it be made to the Sarnoff Library and not NJARC since the public clinics are in support of Alex and all he has given us.

I wouldn't worry about the fact that some people with a single radio (or no interest) don't sign up as members, since anyone with a real interest will be hooked, NJARC is a super value. 

Again, I expect to do radios which will be resold, sometimes immediately. We may need to look for those showing up repeatedly but so far no one has mentioned any. I am not sure that the difference in prices between working/non-working is worth the trip and time to the steely eyed vendor. 

The public clinics are a good will gesture and we have helped many people most of whom were quite grateful. I feel that there is a real need for a full time, non-public repair shop for our use at Infoage and I am working with Fred Carl to make it happen. 

Anyone interested in building the Infoage/NJARC electronics shop please get in touch with me. If there is interest we can schedule a walk thorough and planning session at Infoage. 

The ground rule for the project is that it is open to not just NJARC but those within the Infoage support groups specifically OMARC and MARCH (the ham and antique computer groups). I doubt if this will present any real difficulties since we will retain access and control. If this is a major problem please understand that this is to meet the Infoage vision.

Steve Goulart


-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Thomas Lee" <thomas_v_lee at hotmail.com> 

> Visit our web site - See http://www.njarc.org 
> _______________________________________________ 
> None of us want to be used but I have worked several of the clinics and 
> personally don't remember seeing lines of steely eyed ebay vendors lined up 
> at the door. 
> 
> hmmm sorry to disagree with you, but EVERY repair clince I have been to this 
> has happened in fact during the last one, an elderly group came in with a 
> telfunken that was scheduled to be fixed by John. John stood there for a 
> good hour while the group picked various memebers thoughts on it's value. 
> Finally after being told that there would be no difference in it being sold 
> as is or fixed in value they hauled the radio away. so john wasted his time 
> while others could of used him. if they would have chosen to fix the radio 
> it would have gone straight to a selling block. 
> 
> During the 2nd repair clinc I attended a year and half ago I overheard the 
> next guy next to me that brought the insides of a console to be repaired ask 
> another newbie why he would join to get a radio fixed when he could get it 
> for fixed for free. Needless to say he got his radio fixed that day, while 
> another member was never seen. And I no for a fact he made NO donation 
> since after the radio got working he just got up and left with it. 
> 
> All I am saying is that if the club works on someones (thee public) radio, 
> there should be a fee, donation to discourage this type of thing. 
> 
> 
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