How about the days when the local ham store was locally owned by active ham radio operators. In Memphis there was a store Memphis Amateur. Marshal Rabillio was the owner, and what a time we had there. Every Saturday 20 or more would be there for donuts, coffee and ham talk. The store had a repair center in the back where your rig could be fixed and plenty of used gear as they took trades. All the used equipage worked going through their repair facility before being placed on the floor. Many were there putting a new rig on the air for the first time. There were no dull Saturday mornings for Memphis amateur radio operators. I was in my teens now 61. Years later Marshal told me there was so little margin after the internet, there was no reason to keep going. He commented, when Memphis Amateur sold a radio, we actually made money.
I agree. For ebay and other online auction sites to charge sales tax on used items being sold by individuals is extortion IMHO.
Not sure it's really extortion. But, all states now charge sales tax on everything they can, to make up for lost revenue. Had a table at the flea market? Yeah, private transactions, taxed by the state.
I just received the newest HRO catalog yesterday in the mail. In looking throughout, there is a page with their locations and simple maps to their location. There is also a map of the US with their locations flagged. I could not help notice the Oakland store does not show up here. Is HRO closing the Oakland store once they open the new Sacramento store??? In reading their announcement posted elsewhere here, it says " serving Northern California" which kind of indicates without actually saying Oakland will not be there any longer.
I have never paid any sales tax from any seller for any product purchased outside of the state of Florida including recent purchases online.I'm not complaining at all. Clayton W4KVW
I have made several out of state purchases in the last couple of weeks & I was not charged any Sales Tax from either purchase? I guess not everyone is onboard & I'm not Mad. {:>) Clayton W4KVW
Let me ask you a question? Would you want to drive to Oakland or Sacramento? I do not know about you, but I know what my answer is.
I'd definitely rather drive to Oakland. But that's because it's a lot closer for me. It's true that Oakland has some neighborhoods where parking is difficult, and some with crime problems, but HRO's location didn't have those issues. And to answer KN6KDT's question, yes, the Oakland store is closing. See my post in this thread above.
I am not about to drive to into Oakland just to go a business with lousy customer service. No thanks, I will buy everything online now. Gigaparts has some of the best prices, but availability can be limited. DX Engineering prices are much higher, good customer service and they almost have what you want in stock, but you pay for that privilege with the premium prices. I do not drive to Oakland for anyone or anything.
No complaints from me, maybe XYL. Only about 5 miles from home! I've upgraded the shack over the last 2 years, getting gear from HRO, Gigaparts and DX Engineering. Now I'll be able to browse in store even though I don't need anything major.
Hopefully they will allow browsing. Since the pandemic, the Oakland store is pick up only, not allowed inside. In the before times they seemed to discourage browsing. I understand the other locations are not like that.
