The upcoming strike by eBay'ers who are protesting the feedback policy changes and other revisions to eBay policies is being analyzed as either a huge movement that will cut sales and business transactions, or a simple barely-visible blip on the eBay radar screen.
The changes will prohibit sellers from leaving negative feedback for buyers. The only feedback will be positive or perhaps neutral. Buyers will still be able to give sellers negative feedback. Other changes include reducing the listing fees but increasing the fee on items that do sell. The goal was to cut the costs for listings but make it up on the products that are sold.
The changes have eBay'ers incensed. But with millions of transactions a week, will a boycott make a differencee? Not likely, most sellers and observers say. It's still the biggest marketplace, and the company is fighting to improve the eBay experience for buyers. New buyers have complained for a long time that eBay sellers tend to be too tough on newbies, and that newbies who quit eBay do so because of a bad experience from a seller, which usually includes negative feedback, which for a new account is a huge black eye.
AMATEUR RADIO GEAR. The prices for ham radio “stuff” seems to be on an “up” cycle right now. Some semi-automatic bugs have sold for premium prices. For example, the 1947 Vibroplex Original Deluxe shown at right sold for $212. The key is in average shape, and not necessarily that collectible. The base has some pitting and rust visible; the key is missing the red decorative “jewel” on the pivot frame and one of the screws for the weights has been replaced by a regular screw.
I'm not certain where this value comes from, or why someone would pay that price for a key that's not necessarily that collectible. In fact, the winning bid was within $20 of the price of a brand new DeLuxe key without rust, pits or missing screws. Perhaps the winning bidder wanted a key from that certain period, which might explain why at least two bidders were very interested in buying it.
Another key that brought a good price that I thought a little bit high was a 1945 Vibroplex Lightning Bug DeLuxe. The key came with a homebrewed carrying case. Overall the key was in fair shape and I'm sure it worked well. It had the battleship gray painted base (no chrome due to war effort). It appeared to be in fair shape, and it was probably worth the $106 it brought. That's more than I would pay unless it was in better shape.
A 1912 Vibroplex Model X really attracted attention and bidders, ending with a bid of $331.25. The key was in exceptionally clean condition, and came with a homebrewed carrying case. A good case is an invaluable find for these keys, it makes the difference in condition 50 and 60 years down the road.
A 1925 Electro Bug had a final bid of $151 but it didn't meet the reserve. This Electro Bug is the key with the relay on the base, and the one in the auction was a heck of a clean key. Chrome base and all, it was an exceptionally good condition key. The seller knows its worth apparently.
One of the interesting observations about selling semi-automatic bugs is that those with a railroad heritage bring a premium price. I haven't figured the average, but I have seen several keys that were marked as railroad keys, and bidders went nuts over them. Even though its the same key selling for half price (or less) elsewhere, its that bit of Americana I guess that people want. Sure the key is the same as mine, but mine wasn't a railroad telegraph key.
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE SHACK. I've not seen any keys that were selling real cheap or any that were interesting (and cheap enough) for me to pursue. I have picked up a couple of other items.
The first — and yeah, I probably should be shot for buying it — is Harvey Wells TBS50D transmitter. I bought one of these long ago but never conjured up a supply. This one has a supply. I also have the very rare and hard to find VFO, and I plan to put the thing on the air.
The Harvey Wells is an AM/CW transmitter, though I don' plan on operating AM. I'm interested in playing with the thing on CW. I also picked up a Heathkit HR 1680 receiver to replace the one I bought that only works on one band. I'll have to listen to it again, and list it accordingly. I don't sell stuff with hidden problems unless I can't check it out. This new one works on all the bands it should … we'll see!
I'm going to part company with some of my other rigs, like my TS-430S and one of my FT-757GX's. I'll put those proceeds toward my radio fund. I have a stack of stuff that I'm going to sell soon anyway.
It would be sweet to go to Dayton and have enough cash to buy an FT-2000 and the DMU, which is exactly what I want. If I get on the stick and sell, sell, sell, I can do it.
73 es cul … de KY4Z … dit dit ….