Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011 – You see it everytime you hit eBay looking for that next “I can’t live without it” item … some seller somewhere has something listed for an outrageously high price. I know some people sell on eBay as a business, but you have to wonder if they research the items they list.
EXAMPLE 1. A chap has a Yaesu FT-1802 listed for a Buy It Now price of $200. While the 2-meter FM rig is sealed in the box, you can buy the FT-1900 (the updated version) new for under $140! Judging from the seller’s feedback numbers (under 20), this is either a new-to-eBay seller, someone who is not familiar with ham gear, or both.
EXAMPLE 2. Another seller has a Kenwood TS-520 and an MC-50 mic listed with a Buy It Now of $380. This is the early TS-520 with the white background on the dial area. You’re talking an aging hybrid-technology five-band rig, with shipping you’re looking at about $440 total. Ouch! The later version, the TS-520S, added the 160 meter band and a WWV band position for time and calibration. For another $100 you could easily buy a nearly new Icom IC-718, a rig that is far superior (and lighter!) than the 520 series.
EXAMPLE 3. A Yaesu FT-2500M 2-meter transceiver with a Buy It Now of $165. I have owned a couple FT-2500Ms and they were solid performers and built like a brick. But they were new in 1995 and lack a lot of the features available in newer 2-meter mobile rigs. You can buy comparable — and newer — rigs for $100-125 at hamfests everywhere. I finally sold mine and replaced them with newer rigs. I sure as heck wouldn’t give $165 for a VHF mobile that’s more than 15 years old!
I won’t continue, as there’s no shortage of examples … at least it makes browsing eBay interesting!
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