This is just a quick little note to those who are thinking of buying or selling that used HAM or CB Radio equipment.

1) Know what you are selling/Buying
- Google the item, there's always plenty of resources for old and new equipment alike.

2) Maintain and enhance you own self esteem.
- Don't get into a transaction that you feel you're going to regret later.

3) Sellers, Don't use the following excuses not to stand behond what you are selling;
- "This is an estate sale, we have no idea what this is or if it works..."
- "I have no way of testing this..."
- "I heard it was working 20 years ago..."
- "We represent the seller, and they say it worked before..."

4) Buyers, Beware of the above statements in seller's auctions, they are all code-words for "You are buying something that I either no nothing about, or I do know all about it and I don't want to give you full disclosure".

5) Sellers, you should always take good pictures of the equipment, all around it and inside of it.

6) Buyers, don't buy radios or amplifiers unless the seller will;
- Offer a full refund if DOA (within a reasonable amount of time).
- Are willing to hook-up that expensive item to watt meters and take pictures or videos of the working unit.
- Are willing to share full history and disclosures (good or bad) as they know it.

7) Sellers, Don't offer to take Money orders or Personal Checks outside of eBay, if the buyer has access to eBay, they have access to some sort of electronic funds transfer. Get the money fast and ship the item the day you receive payment (or the next day).

8) Sellers, be very careful of buyers outside of the USA, you don't have any legal recourse if you get swindled, AND it happens allot! Buyers outside the USA have every right to ask, you have every right to refuse.

9) Buyers, be patient with the seller, understand that if the auction ends on Saturday, you may have to wait another week and a half before receiving it. Always ask the seller before checkout if you can pay extra for faster shipping if you desire.

10) Finally, both buyers and sellers should communicate with each other. Sellers, you are offering an item for auction on the internet where everything is lightning fast (unless you have dial-up!), you need to respond to questions the same day. Buyers, Don't send a question at 10pm and expect an immediate response. Be thoughtful and respectful to each other, remember written communication is formal than verbal, words can be understood in different tones. The trick is always to read alound what you wrote before sending it... 

So there you have it, my 10 tips for buying and selling HAM and CB Radio equipment. Good luck in your eBay endeavors.

Remember for all your Voice and Data cabling, access control and Business Telephone Systems needs, contact us at Lantex Voice & Data Systems in San Diego, 877-4-LANTEX