Over priced stuff on QRZ

[KB3LAZ]

LGM:

There are plenty of older rigs that are sought after by collectors that sell for more in base dollars today than they sold for years ago. Of course, the dollars that they sell for today do not have the same purchasing power as they did in the "goode olde dayes".

There are rigs, like the Conar 400, which is undoubtedly the worst performing CW transmitter ever commercially marketed, that sell for several times the price that they originally sold. Many of the older rigs really require replacement of capacitors, some resistors, etc., before AC power is applied for absolute safety to not only the person working on the unit but also to prevent damage to extremely hard to find components.

What an individual is willing to pay for any item, working or not, reflects the "worth" of the item to that individual and is really of no concern to anyone but the buyer and seller. If no one wants to pay the "price", then the item will not sell.

Glen, K9STH

There are also cases where people will pay over an average price for something that is not quite worth it to most people. Particularly when said item has sentimental value to the person and or is in such perfect shape they fear that they will never find said piece again in that condition. I have on occasion done this myself.

Now, to the op, yes there are cases of over priced gear however there are a lot of deals to be had. I have an HQ-129X that I paid 100$ for. This in itself may not be considered a bargain but the shape it is in is beyond description, it is just that clean. I have every tidbit of paperwork for it since the day it was bought new. Every part that has ever been replaced, I have the original.

The above is but only one example. My HQ-100 cost me 20$. I got it from Breeze shooters hamfest in 2010. A pair of Eico 720s for 40$. Etc. Then again, I have good luck with this stuff. I had an HQ-110 given to me at Breeze shooters. All it cost me was a nice long conversation with the ham that had owned it.

I have also picked up both an Icom 746 and Yaesu 920 at extremely low prices. 500$ and 450$. This was about 6 years ago. Again, for every seller that wants too much there are 5 that have a great deal, and at least 10 that offer an average deal.

[KY5U]

If I buy something from someone and it don't work, I will return it, even if I have to make a trip to the person's home QTH to do so.

If I advertized "no returns" and you showed up with it, I hope you'd be prepared for a large suppository.

[WA9SVD]

If I advertized "no returns" and you showed up with it, I hope you'd be prepared for a large suppository.

I don't think that's the point. (I assume) An item advertised "AS IS" or "no returns" is guaranteed NOT to work. If by chance it may actually function properly, it's often a miracle. But if it's advertised as "no returns," then the buyer has little recourse.
If there's clear fraud or deception (i.e., claimed immaculate condition) but arrives missing tubes and all rusted then I'd say the buyer has the right to "return" an item, regardless of a "no return" claim.

[K9STH]

Sentimental reasons often play an important part in prices paid. I have had someone send in an item for a complete restoration (electronically and physically) that could be bought, in excellent condition, for $30 or less. However, the particular item in question was owned by a relative, or even by the person himself/herself for many years and they want that exact item restored no matter what the cost! As such, they are willing to pay several times the actual value of the item just because . . .

It is the same thing with a particular model of equipment. The person may have owned an example several decades past and they want to relive those days.

Glen, K9STH

[K5FH]

Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay you for it in a given set of circumstances. Don't like the price? Keep looking for one you do like.

[WA6MHZ]

I usually DON'T ask if it works, because the seller wouldn't be getting rid of it if it did! Why give him the opportunity to lie or evade the question? I just presume it DOESN'T work and pay accordingly. Like the Heathkit VL-2280 I got at Dayton for $30. OF COURSE IT DIDN'T WORK!!!! But, that doesn't mean I can't fix it! That is what I do! I am a Radio SURGEON, and WHAT FUN would it be if it worked? I would just stash it in the pile with the rest of the junk. But if it DOESN'T WORK, then there is the Challenge, research, learning and the ACCOMPLISHMENT of repair! You really feel good when you are able to take a Smoldering HULK of junk and turn it into a SHINING EXAMPLE of how the rig was way back when! SO, I gotta fix this 2M PA. And, maybe the Heathkit SB-230 I scored too. Priced WAY BELOW working condition! I like paying LOW prices.

Meanwhile, clowns put stuff up for sale thinking they are made of GOLD! And, an equal number of CLOWNS (Usually Trust Fund Kids with unlimited money to squander) don't mind spending 4 or 5 times what a thing is worth. Once they do, they set the standard for what the radio will go for. That is why Hallicrafters SX-88s go for $5-10 THOUSAND!!! They SHOULD go for $200 at most, but once upon a time, some CLOWN decided to show the world how RICH he was, so he paid $10K for one. The rest is History. Now, sellers fully expect to get atleast $5K for them and won't sell them for a nickel less. And more Trust Fund Kids have the money to SQUANDER so that is what they are happy to pay.

[WA6MHZ]

Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay you for it in a given set of circumstances. Don't like the price? Keep looking for one you do like.

That is EXACTLY what I did at Dayton with the Heathkit HG-10 VFO. First one I came by the seller wanted $50 for. It was nice, but I figured I could do better. Next one, the CLOWN wanted $125 for!!!!
OMG!!!! HE IS SMOKING DOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That made the $50 sound fairly reasonable. But I still walked on, looking for a DEAL!

Then I spied one in fairly good condx (but with the wrong knobs). That seller let it go for $25!
NOT TOO BAD!!! I was happy to pay his price.

But then, walking back to the car, the VFO fell off the cart and tumbled to the ground, cracking the dial drum. RATS!!! There is $25 down the drain. Alteast it wasn't $50 or $125!!!! But I can score another drum and it will be good as new. But double the price I paid now......

[K1OIK]

I don't think that's the point. (I assume) An item advertised "AS IS" or "no returns" is guaranteed NOT to work. If by chance it may actually function properly, it's often a miracle. But if it's advertised as "no returns," then the buyer has little recourse.
If there's clear fraud or deception (i.e., claimed immaculate condition) but arrives missing tubes and all rusted then I'd say the buyer has the right to "return" an item, regardless of a "no return" claim.

When you sell to someone you do not know it is possible they can find many ways to screw it up, that is why people say
No Returns

[K1OIK]

I usually DON'T ask if it works, because the seller wouldn't be getting rid of it if it did! Why give him the opportunity to lie or evade the question? I just presume it DOESN'T work and pay accordingly. .

.

When I post something for sale I do a video of it WORKING. So far I have had no complaints and I sell it at a WORKING price

[NL7W]

What's the SS-9000 worth these days?

That is EXACTLY what I did at Dayton with the Heathkit HG-10 VFO. First one I came by the seller wanted $50 for. It was nice, but I figured I could do better. Next one, the CLOWN wanted $125 for!!!!
OMG!!!! HE IS SMOKING DOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That made the $50 sound fairly reasonable. But I still walked on, looking for a DEAL!

Then I spied one in fairly good condx (but with the wrong knobs). That seller let it go for $25!
NOT TOO BAD!!! I was happy to pay his price.

But then, walking back to the car, the VFO fell off the cart and tumbled to the ground, cracking the dial drum. RATS!!! There is $25 down the drain. Alteast it wasn't $50 or $125!!!! But I can score another drum and it will be good as new. But double the price I paid now......