Avoiding Scams

[Glen Zook]

Avoiding scams:

A couple of weeks ago, I was called as an "expert"
witness in a court case between a local amateur and a
Texas company (which shall, at this time, remain
anonymous) purporting to sell, repair, align, restore,
etc. older amateur radio equipment.

The equipment involved was two Collins "A" Line
receivers.

The first item was to have the "end" points on the PTO
aligned and the other was to have the "end" points
aligned and the chassis mounted filter capacitor
replaced, no other work was to be done.  Estimated
cost was $60 to $80 per receiver.  The local amateur
had furnished a new filter capacitor.  Also, the
estimated time to align / repair the equipment was two
weeks.

After thirteen weeks, the local amateur became worried
about his receivers and went to the business
establishment to see about them.  No work had been
done on them.  However, the owner of the company
claimed that he had put in thirteen hours on one
receiver and five hours on the other
"troubleshooting".  In addition, he had ordered
"mil-spec" parts to replace the "black beauty"
capacitors, etc.  Those parts were to cost over $250.
Orange Drop capacitors from Mouser cost less than
$1.00 each!  The total bill "due" on the receivers was
over $1100!

After an altercation, the local police department took
possession of the receivers pending a court case to
determine if there was anything due on the items.

The owner of the company stated in court that he had
"troubleshot" both receivers with a total of eighteen
hours labor at $45 per hour.  Also, he stated that he
was "attempting" to obtain "mil spec" parts at a cost
of over $200 to make the repairs.  However, both
receivers had already had the "black beauty"
capacitors replaced.  In addition, the receivers still
had dust (with no fingerprints) from the local
amateur's shack.

After about two hours of testimony, the judge decided
in favor of the local amateur and the receivers were
returned to him and no claimed repair charges were
allowed.

It seems that this particular company has a record of
"pulling" such stunts on unwary amateurs, and keeping
their equipment after claiming unreasonable repair
fees (the local police department had calls from
several other amateurs about this) and similar
situations.  Unfortunately, the local amateur, as well
as many others, had relied on a "handshake" type of
arrangement, and had not put anything in writing,
which, in turn, had led to the court procedure.

Although I am not an attorney, I have been involved in
the repair business, off and on, for many years.  I
would never spend a total of eighteen hours on two
receivers without first contacting their owner and
explaining the situation.  One hour each would be a
maximum, and probably less.  Also, I would never
perform unauthorized repairs to a unit.

The only way to insure that one is not "taken to the
cleaners" is to put in writing the specific work to be
done on the equipment.  Also, it must be put in
writing what the estimated charges are to be. The
make, model, serial number, and any particular
identifying marks must be recorded on the estimate.
In addition, it must be put in writing that these
estimated charges cannot be exceeded without the
express permission (in writing) of the owner.  As an
added protection, the person sending in the equipment
should also demand that the replaced parts be returned
with the unit.  Such demands may be considered
"extreme" by some people in the repair business.  But,
they can "protect your anatomy" and allow you to
retain ownership of your equipment.

There are a number of ethical repair businesses
specializing in the repair of older amateur radio
equipment.  But, it only takes one, or two, to spoil
things for everyone.  Frankly, the vast majority of
amateur radio operators are very trusting souls.  And,
they don't like to admit that they have been "taken
advantage of" by another amateur radio operator.  Many
of them just let their equipment go without much of a
murmur.  This is not right!

Glen, K9STH


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