ICQ Podcast Episode 265 - Online Purchasing Killing Hamfests?

In this episode, Martin M1MRB is joined by Matthew Nassau M0NJX, Bill Barnes N3JIX and Chris Howard M0TCH to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin M6BOY rounds up the news in brief, and this episode’s feature is - Is the online purchasing killing Hamfests?

News stories include:-

• Canada Get New 100W 5MHz Allocation
• Beijing Authorises 60m
• 2018 State of Ham Radio Survey
• Radio Ham Operator Achieves Contacts Across All 29 Bands
• Sunday Times Publishes RSGB Response
• Contest Events at Dayton Hamvention 2018
• Kenwood Trophy Award 2018
• First Class CW Operators Club 80th Anniversary

The ICQPODCAST can be downloaded from http://www.icqpodcast.com

 

Without doubt on-line selling is/has killed hamfests. Are you new here?

 

Most likely, but internet or not, if you paid $1499 for your Super Rock Crusherxcvr 4 years ago and now expect $1200 for it she it is selling for $1100 new online it ain't gaunna happen. Blame the internet or blame the desire for updated gear or used equipment values, much equipment looses value while some great classics keep or eve increase value. I have a bunch of floppy and zip drives that cost and aren't even good paperweights now.

 

Too many people think what they are selling online is pure gold. People at hamfests are at least realistic. Sorry folks, as stated above... “ain’t gaunna happen.” The obitiuary for hamfests is premature.

 

I think it is very premature to make that conclusion. If I want a particular radio and I don't fine it at a hamfest, but online, I'll buy it online. The overhead a club has to contend with to host a hamfest or auction has become astronomical. It's a pretty unaffordable option.

 

hamfests have become nothing but a social gathering! the buyers are not there anymore.and certain new equipment vendors are marking up gear at hamfests higher than in their own stores.the slim percentage markups on new gear makes it impossible to drive 800 miles round trip to sell even 10000.00 worth of new gear and break even.the older generation of hams dont go to hamfests and buy anything.they just want to B.S. and get something for free!

 

I have been to approx 8 hamfest this year already and have my spaces and tickets for xenia and cant wait i always get my best deals at hamfest! online is way too high and you can never really see imperfections in pictures.

 

I go to the Dayton Hamvention each year because I enjoy the forums and talking to the equipment vendors. I tour the flea market just for nostalgia.

Hamfests need to "reinvent" themselves to stay relevant.

 

Been doing the hamvention since maybe 73, I know 74 for sure. Always bought stuff in flea market and always sold stuff when set up to do so. Maybe some hinky dink flea markets are dying in areas with few hams and I have seen some grow and some become insignificant or vanish, often as much due to loss of funding or venue as loss of interest. I suppose some people selling junk or way off the charts overpriced that scares people off, are complaining and moaning. At Dayton I see some people set up with absolute junk, to me, and don't know how they pay for their spots. I half want to say, well thanks, some of that stuff that looks like useless trash might be actually needed by someone, and also ask what the hell are you thinking?

 

That's funny coming from a guy who apparently parts-swaps / rips hams off by mail....
https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/buyer-wants-full-partial-refund-and.596793/page-5

 

I've bought some things online, but I have had the best success at hamfests.
At Houston Hamfest, I picked up a 15 amp Astron switching for $30. Great guy!

 

"Buyer beware"

 

Hamfests -- touch, open, turn on (if site has power), even smell for burnt components. You can look the seller in the eye and interrogate. eBay, semi-pro immoral scammers with their description and nothing else.

 

I buy my new stuff at Hamvention.

Period.

 

Work is killing Hamfests for me .
This year again I only get to watch online.
On the bright side...I have a job.