Collins 75S-3c for $1,200

[Bob Miller]

Ed Tanton wrote:

>  Well, here we go... I can't let that sit still... I would like to
> suggest that I would be happy to buy all the MINT 75S-3(c)s at $1200
> that anyone would care to offer. Just past Christmastime, I can't do
> that. I couldn't buy even one. But, gentlemen, there aren't that many
> MINT 75S-3(c)'s around period-much less for $1200. Anyone keeping
> track of prices here, on the BA USENET lists, and in the Yellow
> Sheets, would know better than to make statements about $400/$600 too
> much etc etc- or possibly you must have missed the '(C) as well as the
> word MINT. With Collins rcvr prices, the 75S-3(c) is the final word
> (in the 75S line), and MINT is itself a strange word-it has different
> meanings to different people. I consider MINT to be a unit that cannot
> be distinguished from new without magnifying glass examination. It's
> pricing is a discernable cut-above that of even CCA-EXC... because
> more is implied. CCA EXC 75S-3(c)s have been going for $1500-$1800 for
> somewhere around the last 4 to 6 months-and I'm NOT talking about
> ebay. Consistently. Regularly. In any economic scenario there are
> always going to be good deals, just as there will be bad ones. I am
> certain there have been CCA EXC 75S-3(c)s that sold for less... but
> VERY few... until lately. The Asian Economic Crisis has been felt here
> too; and as a result, supply and demand have done their thing, and
> prices are dropping somewhat. I don't think there are any MINT
> condition 75S-3(c)s that are going to go for the prices suggested-and
> probably not for the $1200 you fellows are making such a big deal
> over. CCA EXC, yes indeed. And the upper end of CCA EXC is the lower
> end of MINT. 75A-4 prices have done the same thing.
> Well, Ed me boy, I do take a tiny offense at your comments as this
> whole damed radio hobby has gotten so far out of hand that I consider
> all this stuff to be a variation on the Junk theme--devine junk if you
> prefer, but junk none the less it is.  These radios are satisfactory
> examples of ham equipment from a few decades ago and fun to putter
> around with--ownership of this junk illustrates in many ways the
> emotional and romatic nature of our hobby.  This thread is but one
> example of how we hams and radio hobbyists get so wrapped around the
> mystic nature of the hobby that any vestige of rational thought
> vanishes.  As to definitions, if it is not new, it is old.  If a radio
> is 30 years old then it is not new and therefore, cannot in any way be
> construed to be new--therefore, mint is word that should be left to
> the coin collector world where the item of interest has no moving
> parts or biodegradable components other than the slow but sure
> oxidation of the precious metal it is composed of while laying in its
> velvet case.  So read it anyway you want and if "Collins Junk" upsets
> folks, well I guess they will just have to get over it.  All of my
> stuff I consider to be junk of some type regardless of brand and I
> love it dearly.  But I shall not cough up 1800 or for that matter 800
> dollars for a 75S3B receiver with a few extra crystal positions.  But
> as I said, if someone wants to spend the big money, may he or she be
> my guest.  Eveyone drives a used car, Ed.  Lighten up!  and have a
> Happy New Year.
> Bob, KE6F
>
>  And Bob, KE6F, I'd lay off words like "Collins junk" and "...some
> fool" till I knew a little more about what I was talking about. Some
> folks might take serious offense-and I don't think you meant it that
> way. It's just a suggestion, mind you. One last word or two... I don't
> own a 75S-3(c) in MINT condition, or otherwise. I watched those prices
> climb the scale, and any idea I might have entertained of getting one,
> certainly went through the roof with them. They are very fine
> receivers. For many reasons, it is the only 75S-X(x) rcvr I would be
> interested in-but I DO have a 75A-4, a 51J-4, an R-390, an R-390-A,
> and a 51S-1... and all of them are as far from the word "junk" as you
> get. I personally think the seller on ebay made an error in selling a
> MINT unit there. With specialty units such as a MINT condition rcvr, I
> don't think he has thought very much about his "chosen customer". The
> ONLY people willing to fork out the kind of $$$ he's obviously looking
> for, are those people here, and on the Collins reflectors-where that
> word-one last time-MINT is understood, and appreciated. Ed Tanton
> N4XY


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