{Collins} Avoiding Scams

[Bob Peters]

Hi Glen et All....I must add this to glens report
and say that I as well have been taken  by this
so called Texas company...They have in there
possession over 20 items from me and there are other amateurs
in the same case as we are...For some reason the gear has
not been returned either repaired or not repaired...No phone calls
or E Mails get answered...At last count I have heard from
at least 10 other hams that have been taken and have seen some of this gear
show up on E Bay...Take Glens word for it...Keep Serial ## and photo.s and
get a signature of anyone that you give your gear to...We pay way to much
for this gear...Best 73's

Bob K1JNN

At 09:43 AM 3/17/2001, Glen Zook wrote:

>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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