N5OZQ
07-09-2003, 03:17 AM
Early 2002 I answered an ad posted on qrz.com for a Ten-Tec 544, described as “A COSMETIC 9 AND ELECTRICAL 10” and that “THIS RIG WAS ON AIR EVERYDAY UNTIL I GOT MY NEW TOY ON CHRISTMAS DAY”. I called Steve and we discussed the rig. Price was fair market value for the piece in the condition as stated.
What arrived some days later, and very poorly packed, I might add, was a cosmetic 8 with a missing knob. That was the good news. The PTO on the rig was shot, something that does not occur very rapidly and an indication that the rig may have been unusable for some time. Anyone familiar with the TT PTO’s is aware of this. Numerous e-mails were exchanged and Steve agreed to split the cost of repairs at Ten-Tec, going on to say that they should share the cost of repair, stating that “THEIR REPUTATION DEPENDS ON THINGS LIKE THIS. LESSONS LEARNED BY GM (CORVAIR) AND FORD (PINTO) ARE APPLICABLE TO ALL”. Remember, this was a 20+ year old radio we were discussing.
A couple weeks and $160 (plus shipping) later, and I had a solid radio, with all its knobs. All further attempts to contact Steve regarding the costs have resulted in no response. I still have the receipt. This could have been handled in a more formal manner, money up front or whatever, but I felt (and still feel) that we should be able to trust one another a bit better than this.
GL & 73’
Tom #N5OZQ
What arrived some days later, and very poorly packed, I might add, was a cosmetic 8 with a missing knob. That was the good news. The PTO on the rig was shot, something that does not occur very rapidly and an indication that the rig may have been unusable for some time. Anyone familiar with the TT PTO’s is aware of this. Numerous e-mails were exchanged and Steve agreed to split the cost of repairs at Ten-Tec, going on to say that they should share the cost of repair, stating that “THEIR REPUTATION DEPENDS ON THINGS LIKE THIS. LESSONS LEARNED BY GM (CORVAIR) AND FORD (PINTO) ARE APPLICABLE TO ALL”. Remember, this was a 20+ year old radio we were discussing.
A couple weeks and $160 (plus shipping) later, and I had a solid radio, with all its knobs. All further attempts to contact Steve regarding the costs have resulted in no response. I still have the receipt. This could have been handled in a more formal manner, money up front or whatever, but I felt (and still feel) that we should be able to trust one another a bit better than this.
GL & 73’
Tom #N5OZQ