I am looking for a Ham antenna to carry in the motorhome, so,naturally(?) I went to eBay. I found just what I was looking for, for "only" $38.88!
Plus $15.00 shipping.
HMMM... That seems a little much for shipping...
So, I looked in an amateur radio supply catalog...
EXACTLY the same antenna, $39.00
Plus $4.00 shipping, UPS ground!
I think I'll order it from the catalog!
Or, maybe I'll get some 3/8 6061-T6 aluminum rod, and a piece of angle, and a 1 1/2 inch muffler clamp, and build my own. IF I can get the parts cheaper than the antenna, that is.
I could get fancy, and build it from stainless steel.
Nah, too expensive, and I hate cutting threads on stainless rod!
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
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Links would be nice. I am not HAM yet, but looking into it.
11 Chevy Silverado Ext.Cab Z-71 4x4, 5.3 v8, 3:43 w/locker, Factory tow package, Equal-I-zer 1200#, Curt Class V Receiver
12 Cougar XLite 27RLS ( 960# Tongue, 6740# Gross as loaded)
Just the Wife and I.
If a web site doesn't show shipping costs up front I look someplace else. Always have to figure the shipping charges into final costs so you can compare prices.
Randy & Dianne
2011 Ford Superduty F250 6.7 Lariat Crewcab
2008 CrossRoads Cruiser CF30SK
Search eBay for "Arrow antenna", then look at the J-pole; $38.88 plus $15 shipping.
Then go to the AES (Amateur Electronic Supply) website, and look for the Arrow J-pole antenna. $39.00. Any order $0-$99 has $4 shipping.
Shipping charges are part of the ebay racket. Not that ebay is a racket, but sellers offer these low prices and then make up for it in shipping. The guy is probably paying $5 for the shipping and the $10 is profit. When I go to Walmart and buy an item then all the shipping and handling charges are built into the price. It's sort of a bait and switch type deal. Look I have the cheapest prices, but then in the fine print it cost a fortune for me to mail it to you. Many websites don't even show the shipping charge until the very last screen. You've already selected everything you want and you've entered your credit card info and you're ready to click the last button when you see that $25 shipping charge. Most people just go ahead and accept it versus canceling the transaction. At least ebay shows shipping charges up front.
2004 National Tropi-Cal T-350, Class A, Triple slide, 330 HP Cat DP. 2006 Dodge Dakota 4x4 or
2002 Harley FLSTF Fat Boy on a Trailer or
2004 Polaris Quad on the Trailer
Since shipping charges do not get charged Ebay Fees on them, most sellers will sell the item for low to cut down how much Ebay gets out of the sale and then recovers it in the shipping price (On percentage fee based items).
Follow me as I full-time the Redneck Way at The Journey of the Redneck Express CBChannel 17Redneck Express '1992Dodge W-250 "Dually" Power Wagon - Club Cab Long Bed 4x4 V8 5.9L gashog w/4.10 Geared axles '1974KIT Kamper 1106 - 11' Slide-in
coolbreeze01 wrote: I'd rather spend a little more here local than mess with ebay.
I would too.
How many amateur radio stores do you have in Redding?
I don't have ANY here in Billings for antennas or radios.
Radio Shack is, for all practical purposes, useless, even for common electronic/electrical parts!
It is either go to HRO, or AES, or MFJ, or eBay, or do without!
JoeChiOhki wrote: Since shipping charges do not get charged Ebay Fees on them, most sellers will sell the item for low to cut down how much Ebay gets out of the sale and then recovers it in the shipping price (On percentage fee based items).
Ebay started charging their fees on shipping too some time in 2010 or 2011. The trick of charging very little for the item and then jacking up the shipping charges no longer works.
Ebay has an option when listing items to list them in order of the price + the shipping. You can see who is offering the best price on the item plus shipping that way.
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