KC4LT LELAND E. WILSON WHERE TEN = ONE
Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:09 am
I recently made a listing on QTH.com looking for a late production Ameritron AL-572 amplifier. I made it clear in the listing that I wanted one that was
near-new in excellent condition.
KC4LT, Leland E. Wilson, responded saying he had an AL-572 for sale.. We exchanged a number of emails. He said he bought his AL-572 from the estate of a ham that had died a day after he bought the amplifier new. Mr. Wilson said he (Wilson) had used the amplfier for only about six hours total in the year he owned it.
I mailed Mr. Wilson a USPS Money Order for the amplifier.
When I removed it from the boxing, and removed the top cover, it was obvious that I had not been told the truth. Ameritron always writes the month and year of manufacture on the tag that is glued to the top of the transformer. This one had '8-98' on it--that is, it was manufactured in 1998. I called Ameritron and they confirmed, per the Serial #, that the amp had, in fact been manufactured in August of 1998, and had been sold later that same year. This was evidenced by the Warranty Card that had been filed by the original buyer.
Through an odd set of events, I found out who Mr. Wilson bought the amplifier from (a W8). It turns out that the W8 had bought the amplifier from a friend of his, who had bought it new many years before.
When I confronted Mr. Wilson with the facts, he admitted that he had not told me the truth, but I had nothing to complain about because the amp was in nice condition. He insisted that he had done nothing wrong. I offered to return the amp to him for a full refund, or accept a partial refund and keep the amp (I really didn't want to keep the amp--it wasn't what I wanted--but, I figured it might be the best way to cut my losses.) I explained that it was like where someone buys a year-old car with 600 miles on it, and when it is delivered it is a ten-year old car with 100,000 miles on it, but still in good condition. And, the seller says, 'What's your problem--it's in good condition? You've got nothing to complain about.'
I filed a complaint with the USPS Postal Inspector, and attached copies of the emails between me and Mr. Wilson..
Let this be a bit of advice to those who insist on 'talking' with the seller of something they want to buy instead of using emails--with emails, you have proof of everything said and agreed to--with a telephone call, it is only your word against the seller's.
Mr. Wilson told me he was going to hire an attorney to look into me abusing him. I said fine, have the attorney contact me--which, of course, has not happened.
I am still looking for a late production AL-572, and intend to list the one I bought from Mr. Wilson at a sum less than I paid.
near-new in excellent condition.
KC4LT, Leland E. Wilson, responded saying he had an AL-572 for sale.. We exchanged a number of emails. He said he bought his AL-572 from the estate of a ham that had died a day after he bought the amplifier new. Mr. Wilson said he (Wilson) had used the amplfier for only about six hours total in the year he owned it.
I mailed Mr. Wilson a USPS Money Order for the amplifier.
When I removed it from the boxing, and removed the top cover, it was obvious that I had not been told the truth. Ameritron always writes the month and year of manufacture on the tag that is glued to the top of the transformer. This one had '8-98' on it--that is, it was manufactured in 1998. I called Ameritron and they confirmed, per the Serial #, that the amp had, in fact been manufactured in August of 1998, and had been sold later that same year. This was evidenced by the Warranty Card that had been filed by the original buyer.
Through an odd set of events, I found out who Mr. Wilson bought the amplifier from (a W8). It turns out that the W8 had bought the amplifier from a friend of his, who had bought it new many years before.
When I confronted Mr. Wilson with the facts, he admitted that he had not told me the truth, but I had nothing to complain about because the amp was in nice condition. He insisted that he had done nothing wrong. I offered to return the amp to him for a full refund, or accept a partial refund and keep the amp (I really didn't want to keep the amp--it wasn't what I wanted--but, I figured it might be the best way to cut my losses.) I explained that it was like where someone buys a year-old car with 600 miles on it, and when it is delivered it is a ten-year old car with 100,000 miles on it, but still in good condition. And, the seller says, 'What's your problem--it's in good condition? You've got nothing to complain about.'
I filed a complaint with the USPS Postal Inspector, and attached copies of the emails between me and Mr. Wilson..
Let this be a bit of advice to those who insist on 'talking' with the seller of something they want to buy instead of using emails--with emails, you have proof of everything said and agreed to--with a telephone call, it is only your word against the seller's.
Mr. Wilson told me he was going to hire an attorney to look into me abusing him. I said fine, have the attorney contact me--which, of course, has not happened.
I am still looking for a late production AL-572, and intend to list the one I bought from Mr. Wilson at a sum less than I paid.