ARRL books on the ARRL site

[N2NKW]

I made the mistake of purchasing books directly from the ARRL over the weekend. I bought the 2007 ARRL handbook softcover for $44.95, ARRL's Wire Antenna Classics $14.00 and More Wire Antenna Classics for $17.95 direct from the ARRL site.

I had a bit of free time this morning to play around with the computer and while looking at rigs on a few different stores websites, I found that I overpaid. Not surprising really. I figure I overspent about $8 on an $80 dollar order.

In most of the sites I researched, the prices I found were the same for the ARRL Wire Antenna Classics at $14.00. The ARRL handbook on most sites was $39.95 and the ARRL More Wireless Antenna Classics was priced at $14.00. I lost about $4 over 2 books each.

I wonder how the ARRL can sell books cheaply enough to vendors that the vendors can undersell the ARRL ? Doesn't it seem a bit strange that a middleman vendor can sell an ARRL book to a consumer cheaper then the ARRL can sell the same book direct to the consumer without having to deal with the middleman?

If the ARRL wants to make money, why sell to vendors at all? They could overcharge the consumer and the consumer would HAVE to pay the price the ARRL sets. I wonder why the ARRL justifies charging more to buy direct from them, rather then going thru a vendor. I would think it might be the other way around or something? Is it a money grabbing ploy?

While this may seem to be an anti ARRL comment, it's really not. I am not a member of the ARRL but I don't necessarily disagree with their efforts and methods of employing them. I just thought I would make people aware that the ARRL publications can be purchased cheaper by going to 3rd party vendors rather then direct purchase from the ARRL site.

With the upcoming influx of new hams expected, I thought I might help them save a few $$$ to spend on better equipment.

73 - Brian - N2NKW

[WS2L]

I don't know the selling practices of ARRL products as I have never ordered anything from them. I do have some ARRL publications like the repeater directory, logbooks, ect but those I usually buy at local hamfests. With that I have never researched on their site if I paid more or less than I should/could have.

[wb7dmx]

venders are like wal-mart. they can get better prices in volume buying and sell the products at the lower price to get customers to buy there and sell more items while there in the store.

[wa4brl]

The same practice is used by most publishers and manufacturers. #They will sell direct to customers, but only at full retail prices. #They encourage independent dealers to pick up their line of products so as to increase total sales. #But if the dealers have to compete dollar-for-dollar with the publisher/manufacturer, what's the point? #The dealers need to be free to discount prices, offer extra services, and otherwise market their wares in order to attract their own customers and compete with other dealers. #The publisher/manufacturer is not about to undercut the dealers' prices and drive them away from carrying their products. #

This is exactly as it should be. #Everybody wins. #You can order from the publisher/manufacturer, pay full retail, and rest assured that you are getting the very latest edition/version. #OR, you can order from an independent dealer, get a discount, and maybe receive an earlier edition/version that's been sitting on the shelf for a while. #Shop. #Ask questions. #Go for the deal, but know what you're purchasing.

That said, as an ARRL life member since 1975, I'll also say that all of their publications seem grievously overpriced. #It's a pity they have no real competition.

[N2RJ]

I buy books from amazon.com. We have a prime account which means free 2 day shipping.

ARRL overcharges for shipping and in fact the prices of their books on amazon is often a couple bucks cheaper.

[KI4NGN]

I just purchased the 2007 Handbook from Amazon and I paid list price (44.95). I didn't have to pay for shipping, so I figure I did OK.

[N5PVL]

Reading this topic, I was amazed when I realized that I haven't bought an ARRL publication in over a decade. I unconsciously drifted into this after a lifetime of buying and utilizing ARRL publications.

I have a small collection of handbooks, a few antenna books, hints 'n kinks and things like that, but they hardly ever come down from the shelf anymore.

What has happened is that I have gotten used to looking up whatever I want to know on the internet. It's too much trouble to get up, get a book, and look up the info there. - And besides that; Where am I going to put the book, on top of my keyboard?

OK, maybe I was pushing the point a bit too far with the deal about the keyboard. As we all know, ham radio stations are never cramped or messy and always look real professional. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Be that as it may, that is the story here... I am turning into an illiterate internet junkie.

Point 'n click.... Point 'n click! #Tap tap tap.

[KI4NGN]

Quote[/b] (N5PVL @ Jan. 31 2007,04:46)]Reading this topic, I was amazed when I realized that I haven't bought an ARRL publication in over a decade. I unconsciously drifted into this after a lifetime of buying and utilizing ARRL publications.

I have a small collection of handbooks, a few antenna books, hints 'n kinks and things like that, but they hardly ever come down from the shelf anymore.

What has happened is that I have gotten used to looking up whatever I want to know on the internet. It's too much trouble to get up, get a book, and look up the info there. - And besides that; Where am I going to put the book, on top of my keyboard?

OK, maybe I was pushing the point a bit too far with the deal about the keyboard. As we all know, ham radio stations are never cramped or messy and always look real professional. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Be that as it may, that is the story here... I am turning into an illiterate internet junkie.

Point 'n click.... Point 'n click! #Tap tap tap.
Charles, I don't know when they started it, but the 2006 and 2007 Handbooks come with CDs that contain fully searchable copies of the books, including all figures, tables, and pictures.

I seldom open the book. I've copied the CDs to my computer, and when I want to look something up, I use the computer!

Mike

[N5PVL]

I have hundreds of CD ROMS and hate digging those out too. My CD drive is pretty well dedicated to a few favorite video games. The only time the game CDs come out is if I have to burn something or install software.

I used to keep a CD rack on my desk and swap them out a lot. Since then, I have fallen out of the habit. I have several CD-based encyclopedias, for example. - I haven't used one in years, for the same reasons I don't bother to drag out those old ARRL books.

It is quicker and easier to just get the information I need on the internet.

[KI4NGN]

I agree about using the CDs. I never do that! I always copy the entire contents of a CD to the hard drive before I even do an installation, if required, which I then do from the hard drive. Either way the content is just some clicks away. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif