[R-390] Danger E word again.

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

You are *so* right, Dan - same mentality as the ones who want you to make
knobs for $5 each, delivered.

In fact, I was at a hamfest this past weekend and gave a BA talk with Mr.
Mike, W1RC. This was one of the topics that came up, the availability of
gear at hamfests, pricing, online buying, etc. My response to one question
was "You can't expect people to keep hauling these beautiful but heavy
radios all over the place and then have buyers try to steal them by
offering $25 or $50 for a $200-$500 radio. All you need to do is look
online and you can see that they'll have no trouble selling them for that
price or more, and we'll be out the opportunity."

I like a deal as well as the next guy, but I don't *expect* it as some
still do. Obviously the gear is out there and the deals do still exist if
you have the time to search them out or go everywhere. But the mass exodus
of BA gear from the shack that we saw in the 70s-80s just isn't happening
anymore, and it's not as free or cheap as it was then. Big reason to be
glad that I was at least as crazy back then as I am now in the eyes of the
sandbox users - I hauled home a LOT of heavy stuff.

Those of us out here who appreciate a good deal also appreciate what goes
into finding, restoring, or remanufacturing parts that are no longer
available. It's true that the 'squeaky wheel gets the oil' or that the
obnoxius, rude, inconsiderate users will leave a deeper impression, but my
experience has been that the vast majority are really good folk. It's just
that the jerks are very good at what they do. Like you Hank, I've had
excellent results dealing with folks on here, save for one exception out
your way. I'd much rather deal with folks whom I have some knowledge of
instead of complete strangers, whenever possible.

Best thing we can do about these whiners and crybabies is just block their
damned email addresses so when you offer something, they can't respond with
a complaint because you won't give it to them for free. I had some nice mil
surplus gear a while back that I took to 'fest after 'fest trying to sell.
I was asking $50 for 5 or 6 pieces, all stock. Two guys who I actually
*know*, wanted them for less. I offered them the package for $40. They
wanted it all for $25. Stuck in online and got $100 without batting an eye,
and it was still a good deal. Some people just don't get it.

Like anything else, we'll get out of this hobby what we put into it. If you
beat the bushes for gear, you'll find a lot over time. If you wait for it
to come to you, it'll cost more for the convenience. If we try to nickel
and dime sellers constantly, then we can't complain when they take the gear
elsewhere and sell it. I'm not willing to pay $2K for an SX-88, but I don't
expect someone to sell me one for $200, either. There are others out there
willing to pay, so they end up with what they're willing to pay for. I'd
just like sellers to be courteous enough to offer gear that they believe is
R-390 related to the list first if they're going to offer it here at all,
instead of as the last resort, after no one on the highest-priced online
site is willing to pay what they want. Chances are good that if the bids
there didn't meet the reserve, the item is either not desirable or the
reserve is not reasonable/realistic.

Keep up the good work, Hank - and everyone else who contributes to this
interest we share. You need to make your efforts at least worthwhile
without worrying what the whiners are going to think. You'll never please
them until you pay them for the privilege of bringing them what they need
or want anyhow.

73 de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ

Dan Arney wrote:

> Todd,
> You also hit a spot. The el cheapo's that use all of the QTH list that
> never send anything to Al to help maintain it. The percentage of users
> that donate is very small, Makes the State of RI look bigger than AK.
> I will bet they Bitch the loudest.
> Hank
> KN6DI
> Yes I donate every year, even when I got thrown in the box for a couple
> of months.