Pages: 1 2 3 [4]   Go Down

Author Topic: I have frigging had it with Hams!  (Read 2680 times)

AI5BC

  • Posts: 456
    • HomeURL
Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #45 on: January 01, 2023, 10:30:25 AM »

There are two primary reasons why there are so many scammers out there, and hams cannot fix either issue.

1. Hams are more than happy to overpay. You are willing to pay full new retail asking price on used antiquated equipment. In some cases, even more than what it cost brand new. It is like a drug; you cannot help yourself. Or go to Lost Wages where you are cheated at the tables, over charged for everything, and you cannot wait to go back and get robbed again.

2. Couple number one above with the fact that hams demographics are an overwhelming majority of aging senior white men with disposable income make for very easy soft targets.
Logged

N0UN

  • Posts: 924
    • eHam Forums are a waste of time
Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #46 on: January 13, 2023, 06:16:33 PM »

I bought a Heil Pro-Set 6 boom mic/headset a few months ago at a local Swapmeet.

Plugged it in, mic didn't work.

Problem?  Mic element was completely missing.

N0UN
Logged

KC3TEC

  • Posts: 150
    • HomeURL
Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #47 on: January 14, 2023, 06:13:39 AM »

Reminds me of a time where I had to direct traffic near a local flea market fest.
( minor accident)
After the scene was cleared I browsed the tech looking for computer parts but was still in the gear.
Some boothes kind of cleared out quickly!
I wonder why ???
Maybe it was the big letters on the back of my vest that spelled POLICE.  ;D
Logged

AI5BC

  • Posts: 456
    • HomeURL
Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #48 on: January 14, 2023, 08:42:16 AM »

Some boothes kind of cleared out quickly!
I wonder why ???
Maybe it was the big letters on the back of my vest that spelled POLICE.  ;D

Yep, Police officers are as welcome to a ham fest as they are a Grateful Dead concert. A bunch of old white men scattering for the hills.
Logged

WA5VGO

  • Member
  • Posts: 120
Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #49 on: February 20, 2023, 04:23:00 PM »

I love hamfests. I’ve bought lots of stuff. They’re a great place to get bargains. The secret is to inspect the item carefully for obvious problems but still assume there are hidden issues with it. Then pay accordingly. When I have had problems with what I’ve purchased, almost without exception the repairs were simple and inexpensive.
Logged

W8QW

  • Posts: 2
    • HomeURL
Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #50 on: February 22, 2023, 07:51:33 PM »

I hate old cliches but I believe this all began when the FCC, via the ARRL lowered the standards for becoming a ham in the first place.  Example: Testing from zero to Amateur Extra all in one setting?  I don't think so.  Is this the same quality Extra Class amateur as one who tested back in say,..., the early 70's.  Again, I don't think so. While the code may not be necessary any longer, it certainly acted as a funnel for those cb'ers which jealously wanted that ham ticket yet who and never saw the need to study and learn what they were doing.  Face it, the dollar has taken over in the world of amateur radio.  Sell at a hamfest and then disappear - what a mantra.  Sorry to be so cynical but I really understand being taken.
Logged

KC3TEC

  • Posts: 150
    • HomeURL
Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #51 on: February 23, 2023, 02:56:02 PM »

Sadly though, not every seller at a hamfest is an amateur radio operator.
Many are flea marketers.
I know one individual ( pawn shop owner) who purchases estates and sells junk for Gucci  prices plus his markups.
But it's not just our hobby that gets taken advantage of.
Anyone who sees they can make a quick profit from someone's desperation or interest  will do so.
And thats a trait I deplore.
Logged

W3WN

  • Member
  • Posts: 1127
Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #52 on: March 01, 2023, 11:37:24 AM »

Had a table at my club's hamfest last Sunday, shared with several other club members.  My part had several small boxes of misc. CD/DVDs (Windows XP/Vista/7/10 OEM installations), misc. computer (video, sound, power, USB, etc) cables, and some adapters (ie VGA to DVI, etc)

Prices were $1 per CD/DVD, $1 per cable, $.50 per adapter.

Ham comes up, asks the prices (yes, they were posted), looking for a power cable.  Walks away.  Comes back a few minutes later to buy one power cable... for $.50.  Told him that the cables were $1, he states "no, you said they were $.50!".  Ham at the table next to mine pipes up "No, you were told $1 per cable, and we all heard it!"

Ham finally peels off a $1 from a thick wad of cash, hands it to me, takes the cable, and walks away muttering about how much of a ripoff it was.

Incidentally, I wasn't the only one with power cables for sale.  Everyone else's price?  $1.

*sigh*
Logged
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati.
Ban The DH!
זאל ס גיין באַקס!

KC3TEC

  • Posts: 150
    • HomeURL
Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #53 on: March 01, 2023, 04:59:25 PM »

It's not just hams though!
When I had my locksmith service I unlocked a door for a knucklehead.
He needed his house door and unattached garage door opened.
I unlocked the garage door , and he asked what the total would be for both doors.
( my rates were 20.00 per door)
He then proceeded to bitch like hell and kicked the house door in.

So his idiocy cost him more than 500.00 for the damage he did to the door and casing
It's been 40 years since that job and I can still hear his xyl ripping him a new arse.
Logged
Pages: 1 2 3 [4]   Go Up