[R-390] my first Hamfest - found a 390A, not sure what to do about it

[Cecil Acuff]

I'll be honest...if I buy one for $350 and spend countless hours doing a proper restoration including refinishing the knobs and front panel there is no way it will be offered up for sale for under $500.  There is way too much work involved and lots of folks that just aren't capable of doing it or just don't have time to do it.  At even a return of $6 per hour with the hours it takes to do one and the cost of parts and materials you will be lucky to break even at $750. (if you call $6 per hour breaking even on your time....I don't)

Now buying one for $350 and spending countless hours for personal use is a great way to spend your time and easy to justify in just the relaxation factor alone.  But usually once you have done one or maybe two beyond that you are selling them.  

Just my 2 cents worth...

Cecil...
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: 2002tii 
  To: R-390 at mailman.qth.net 
  Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 6:23 PM
  Subject: Re: [R-390] my first Hamfest - found a 390A, not sure what to do about it


  Roger wrote:


    [agreeing]  We have seen prices to high. 

    But I did qualify it with walk by. As really there with money in one hand and receiver in the other hand. You and seller locked gripping money and receiver eye to eye wondering am I doing the right thing. Do I let go of the money or the receiver? 

    Now you are close enough and personal enough. If you can turn loose of $300.00 plus dollars without it impacting your domestic life, The price could be right.

  No argument that $300-400 is a fair price for a decent 390/390A these days.  I'd just like to see people refuse to pay collector prices (anything over $500, in my view), so the collector market would collapse and values could return to "fair."  These are not scarce, and there are plenty of radios available for $300-400 -- just learn where to find 'em and wait a bit until one turns up.  Then, resist the temptation to pimp it out for $650.

  As I remarked in some related private correspondence, if the economy keeps sinking (and it looks like it will), 390s and 390As may be back to $75 in a couple of years when unemployment hits 15%.

  Best regards,

  Don



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