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Author Topic: I have frigging had it with Hams!  (Read 2671 times)

N1GMV

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I have frigging had it with Hams!
« on: April 22, 2022, 08:24:39 AM »

So this is how it is? Lie to unsuspecting buyers at a Hamfest?

"Selling for a friend", "Worked last time I used it!"

Assume everything for sale is Broken unless proven otherwise.

I Purchased for a Good Used Working Price a 2 meter amp at Rarsfest that was DOA and then later purchased an Amp from Ebay, was told the pre-amp was out and clearly a main final was blown as well. A Motorola Final that is no longer made.

Tired of this crap and it needs to stop.

Who else here got ripped off? Sound off!
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KC6RCM

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2022, 08:34:53 AM »

If the seller can't prove that the item works, I pass.  Caveat emptor applies here.
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K6SDW

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2022, 08:45:21 AM »

Hams hardly the only group that "lie" ..... ever buy a used car off a car lot or Craigslist?

I recently bought a "near new" MFJ power supply listed here from a Florida ham and when I got it, the supply was anything but "near new." The meter LEDs were dead and the inside of the supply was caked with dirt and dust.

Like KC6RCM said: Caveat Emptor....

GL/73
« Last Edit: April 22, 2022, 08:57:06 AM by K6SDW »
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K1VSK

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2022, 08:48:37 AM »

As if you never talked to a used car salesman…
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K7STU

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2022, 09:40:59 AM »

Quote
So this is how it is? Lie to unsuspecting buyers at a Hamfest?

"Selling for a friend", "Worked last time I used it!"

Be aware not everyone is out to be your friend!
Don't give up on ham radio or yourself just because you made some bad purchase decisions. Learn from it and move on.
Always weigh the risk and rewards, if the risk outweighs the rewards....
If you purchase used try to buy local, so you can-do on-air test. meet up for a visual. Or buy from a reputable ham radio store. Do some research on who and what your buying, it helps.
I never make any big purchase with ebay or private market!
Good luck
   
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K1KIM

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2022, 09:42:02 AM »

From Friends or NEW..........

The only way I go now. I won't ever sell a piece of equipment over $50 on any website.

The knife cuts both ways. I actually know someone who got a "return" back on eBay for an item he sold.
The buyer said it didn't work, wasn't as described etc.

The return was a used toaster oven, not the $500+ ham transceiver he sent out.

eBay of course sided with the buyer.  So the story was told to me!
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So Many Toys.......So Little Time!

KV1P

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2022, 10:59:13 AM »

if someone tries to screw you ie returning the wrong item look his or her's callsign and make a crimminal complaint with their local law enforcment dept.  That should get their attention and your radio back to you!!!
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WA3SKN

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2022, 11:29:34 AM »

Buy new!

-Mike.
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WA9AFM

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #8 on: April 22, 2022, 12:32:20 PM »

If the hamfest has a 'test bench', use it.  If the seller won't let you take it to the 'test bench', walk away.
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K1KIM

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #9 on: April 22, 2022, 12:53:55 PM »

if someone tries to screw you ie returning the wrong item look his or her's callsign and make a crimminal complaint with their local law enforcment dept.  That should get their attention and your radio back to you!!!

Not Really. It can't be done. It's a "He Said/She Said" scenario.

It never works out well. Nothing can ever be proven.

"FRIENDS OR NEW" over $50 is my new mantra.

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So Many Toys.......So Little Time!

GRUMPY2021

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #10 on: April 22, 2022, 01:01:16 PM »

"Lie to unsuspecting buyers at a Hamfest?"   My first thought was don't give up on amateur radio...stop going to these stupid swampmeets (not a typo).  Then I thought...  Amateur radio is a microcosm of society in general.  If you expected amateur radio to be any different than the cesspool, mosh pit, get everyone before you get got world around you... then you really should step away and find a different hobby.   
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N7EKU

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #11 on: April 22, 2022, 01:18:03 PM »

Hi,

Was the amp listed on eBay as "used" or "for parts not working"?

If listed as used, it is requried to work as intended or you can return it for a full refund (including shipping).  It doesn't matter what they say in the ad (no returns due to parts swappers, etc) if they listed it as used, it must work.  Many of these guys refuse to list as "for parts not working" because they don't want to take a hit on the final price, but that is their risk.

If you bought it when listed in the latter category, it's your risk.  It's a good system I think as the buyer then knows what the risks are.

73.



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Mark -- N7EKU/VE3

KB8VUL

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #12 on: April 22, 2022, 01:35:02 PM »

I figure MANY of us have been taken advantage of with the "removed from service working" description.  I have on a couple radios.  Honestly I would rather by someone's broken equipment KNOWING it's broke. And pay a reasonable sum for it in it's current state. 

At a hamfest I carry a watt meter, volt volt meter and a known working power supply if I am looking for WORKING radios.  If they will not allow me to fire it up I offer a broken radio price for it.  And yes, I have gotten into FU matches with people selling gear that refused to allow me to power it up and got 'offended' when I offered equipment prices for it.  And I make SURE to say very loudly, WELL YOU ARE THE ONE REFUSING for me to verify the operation of teh equipment and are offended that I offered you a broken radio price.  Usually so I can be heard three isles away after the FU's start flying.  Because of course,,, hams being hams will all talk about it to the point the guy can't sell a bucket of water to a guy who's hair is on fire.

And yeah, I have had guys threaten violence, I just tell them I will give them a minute to think that over and consider the fact they have no idea who I might be, and how bad I may beat their ass.  I haven't been in a fight since high school and I lost that one... but they don't know that
Like 'removed from service working" it's all about perception.
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K7LZR

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #13 on: April 22, 2022, 01:51:47 PM »

OP: Sorry that this happened to you.

But don't lose faith. I have only been burned once in about 40 years. I think that it is a combination of luck and due diligence which has worked for me.

eBay is actually a good place to buy because if the item really is not as described, you generally have recourse and in most cases can return the item and get a refund. In fact, the flip side is that many dodgy buyers take advantage of same and screw legitimate sellers. They will buy, receive item, remove & swap needed parts in order to fix another unit, and then return the original item claiming that it was not as described. I no longer sell on eBay because it is too risky.

In your case, if the eBay seller listed the item as "Non-working, for parts only", then probably not much you can do even if they claimed otherwise in the description.

Another thing that has helped me is that I usually only buy from certain, known sellers. I also check feedback ratings and spend some time reading feedback even if its 100%. That helps me to form a gut feeling about the whole thing.

Again, I'm sorry. It really sux to take a hit like that. Here's to hoping that you get it resolved a come out with a working amplifier.



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KG4RUL

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #14 on: April 23, 2022, 03:33:01 AM »

If the hamfest has a 'test bench', use it.  If the seller won't let you take it to the 'test bench', walk away.

I agree!  If the hamfest does not have a a 'test bench', I simply don't buy anything other than cables, connectors and other passive devices.
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