[PVRCNC] Managing a Ham Radio Estate Sale

[W0UCE]

Managing a Ham Radio Estate Sale 

 

By Jack W0UCE

 

Should you be a person that only cares and looks out for yourself and you
could care less about others, stop reading now;  you will learn and heed
nothing from what is stated herein and little to nothing said will change
your view regarding ham radio estate sales.   On the other hand, if you are
a person that cares about family and friends, please read on.

 

Two years ago a ham radio operator friend became a Silent Key.  Such is the
case with many hams and it may well happen to anyone. Perhaps all who take
time to read this article and most especially those that have a considerable
number of years in our hobby may be asked for their help in a similar
situation. In this case, I knew and greatly enjoyed the friendship and
company of the deceased for over 17 years.   When he passed away two years
ago I attended his funeral in order to pay my respects.

 

I was appalled when both the XYL and surviving son came to me after
graveside services and said. "We don't know what to do. We are receiving all
kind of calls and offers from people we don't even know offering to buy ham
gear and some are making offers to sell things for us...  "We simply don't
know what to do; you were his friend - can you please help us?"

 

My reply was "Yes, I can and will help you.  However. put priorities in
order - You do not need to do ANYTHING about his ham gear immediately, take
your time, resolve primary estate issues in order of priority and when it
comes time and when you feel comfortable, call me and I will do my best to
help you achieve True Market Value for his ham gear, other equipment and
parts."

 

Definition - "True Market Value" - What one or more individuals are willing
to offer and be in position to pay for a given item at a specific point in
time.

 

OK. Perhaps that statement sounds corny or "Almost Official" - Yes, perhaps
so. However  it is simple fact based on my and many other professional
auctioneer and ham radio operator's experience in addition to public auction
history on e-bay and other public results regarding the value of most any
personal property item.  

 

If you could have seen the obvious facial signs of relief of the XYL and
son, you would or should, have been filled with compassion and understanding
of their situation and personal feelings as I was.

 

A few weeks ago the family contacted me asking if I was still willing to
help them dispose of the deceased's ham gear, test equipment and stash of
parts.  Without thinking about how much of a "pack rat" my friend was, I
replied, "Yes, of course I will be happy to help you."  Little did I know
just how much my friend had in his sash of goodies,  Little did I know how
long it would take to inventory, catalog, determine "Fair Market Value" for
and advertise in hopes of selling the thousands of items he left behind.
Your situation may be different; perhaps a radio or two and a few
accessories but the facts hold true regardless of quantity or quality of
items you may have to deal with to properly dispose of.

 

The estate I am currently involved with is most certainly not simple.   It
is not just a typical ham shack but workbenches topped with test equipment,
an operating position full of radios and accessories and cabinet after
cabinet full of parts drawers, items of gear and parts for circuits and
systems MF (160) through Moon Bounce - Satellite and more.  Yes, I truly
mean rooms full plus a garage full, plus a storage building full of things,
some I have not seen in my 57 years of hamming or 38 years of commercial
TELECOM Industry experience. 

 

What a truly great hobby this is.  Regardless of our class of license, Honor
Roll status or Contest Score History - We all have much to learn - much to
learn about buying and selling and most of all. How we should all be
compassionate about a surviving family and true market value of a deceased
family member's belongs, regardless of type.   I have and may make more
mistakes in this effort - So please learn from errors. Take your time and do
your very best to value items with true market value before advertising
items for sale.  Be HONEST - Tell the truth and you will never have to
remember what you said.  If you make an honest mistake, admit it and. Above
and beyond everything else, be you buyer or seller's representative let your
conscience be your guide.  If you can look yourself in the mirror when you
make an offer to buy or offer to sell something and if when you brush your
teeth or shave the next morning, be thankful you have been honest tried to
do your very best.

 

This article is fact; I am for real and truly believe in I have stated
herein.  This is NOT an ad to promote sales of estate items; it is my honest
opinion of how anyone who agrees to assist an SK Ham's family should feel.  

 

Now. should you care to view what I am currently involved with in this
estate, sale please visit  <http://www.w0uce.net/> www.w0uce.net and scroll
to the bottom of the page then click on "Estate Items for Sale."  - Thank
you for reading this post.