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

Tue Apr 4 14:47:45 EDT 2006

Folks,

This is an excellent discussion. I'm glad Tom Lee
brought this up. The incident that Tom is referring to
was an unusual one, and fortunately is the exception.
It was partly my fault, because I should have told
those folks after 10-15 minutes that we needed to move
on. Those blue-bloods were trying to pick everybody's
brain about their radio, as if they were going to be
able to retire on the proceeds.

I agree with Steve, and I appreciate his idealistic
views. But it is distasteful to me to be providing a
FREE volunteer service, as a member of a NON-profit
organiztion, and to be working with some jerk who's
only interest is getting a free repair job so that he
can get a better price for his set. However, I do
agree that this had been the exception rather than the
rule, fortunately.

Anyway, enough of that. Here's what I propose:

-- Evaluations and appraisals of customer sets should
always be FREE. If the repair is really simple, that
can be free too, at the discretion of the "tech."

-- HOWEVER, if we have to do any REAL repair work, we
should ask for a donation of $10, to be split between
NJARC and Sarnoff (or InfoAge, if the clinic is
there). Why? Two reasons: 1) we deserve it, and 2)
this will hopefully discourage at least a few selfish
opportunists.

I have seen the looks of genuine appreciation on the
faces of people who had family heirlooms repaired.
Many have made donations, some were very generous.
*Any* donation was appreciated. Steve's right -- we do
generate a lot of good will with the clinics. But
maybe we need to be just a little smarter about how we
do them.

Regards,

Mr. Capacitor

--- sfg at comcast.net wrote:

> Visit our web site - See http://www.njarc.org
> _______________________________________________
> 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. 
> > 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________ 
> > NJARC mailing list 
> > NJARC at mailman.qth.net 
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/njarc 
> _______________________________________________
> NJARC mailing list
> NJARC at mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/njarc
> 

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