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Bait and switch? WD4AAS and "Marc's Amateur Radio Cente

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 6:00 pm
by n1aok
I answered ad #840180 offering for sale a "like new" MFJ-259B antenna analyzer. The response I received (appended below) indicates that the ad was placed by a commercial vendor, not by an individual. It also advised that all their "used" units were sold but that they could sell me a new one at the "very lowest pricing of any US dealer." This seems to be a classic "bait-and-switch" tactic at worst and, at the very least, intentionally misleading.

This is the reply I received when I responded to the ad:

"Charlie: New in a sealed box $225. We sold all the used units we had. We are dealers for MFJ with the very lowest pricing of any US Dealer.
73, Marc
- Show quoted text -
Marc Freedman
WD4AAS@aol.com
Marc's Amateur Radio Center
3500 N.W. Boca Raton Blvd.
Boca Raton FL 33431
Store # 617
954 609-0099 Cel
561 395-4445 Store
www.amateurradiocenter.com"

Bait and Switch

Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 10:55 am
by K5BBA
Same thing happened to me.

Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 12:21 pm
by kw4h
The board rules specifically state that the classifieds section is for non-commercial use only. Hopefully, the fellow that runs this board has taken note and will contact the "Amateur Radio Center" and remind them of the rules.

Steve, KW4H

I don't think so -

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 1:10 am
by KC9QKX
I just don;t think Marc would do a bait & switch - I have inquired about items before, and he always had what was listed. Also, I DO like to see his ads, as well as dust cover specials form small mom & pops type sellers - they offer us a Good deal - and I hope they small shops continue to post good deals on used equipment / custom covers, etc.

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:38 pm
by W3WN
I'm not certain that this is strictly "bait and switch," but it is certainly misleading for the seller to not indicate that this was a commercial transaction, and it is certainly misleading to not indicate that quantities are limited.

Now, if there were truly no "used" items available, then it would (IMHO, IANAL) very likely be "bait and switch."

The mere fact that a commercial vendor posed as an individual to skirt the rules is in and of itself enough to make me question the honesty and integrity of the vendor. One would how that if he made an honest mistake, he owns up to it and apologizes. Otherwise, well, there are still plenty of other vendors and dealers out there...

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:05 pm
by w1wn
I have spoken with Marc in the past and while I have never purchased any gear from him, it is pretty clear that he operates a retail store that he sells equipment through. I have never seen him try to hide that and in fact he advertises on this site with full disclosure.

Dave, w1wn

Bait and switch? Hard to say

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:53 pm
by ve4xt
I don't think it's incumbent upon anyone to carry enough items to respond to every buyer. When you sell out, you sell out. To be able to say that it was bait and switch without being subject to libel, you would have to prove that it was Marc's intent to never have the advertised item and only to lure you in with the used item.

I certainly have NO problem with a legitimate "we're sold out, but we have the same item new if you're interested." Indeed, I'd appreciate that if it was something I was really looking for.

As to the rules, here's the rule:
The QTH.COM Classifieds system is available for non-commercial use only, unless prior permission is granted. Commercial is defined as anyone that manufactures or purchases a new product and offers that product for sale at a profit, or offers a pay-for service. If you meet this criteria, you should contact KA9FOX to receive permission to advertise, before placing an ad.

How does anyone know he hasn't contacted Scott?

ditto

Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:24 am
by WV4I
Same experience when inquiring about a used AT2K tuner he had advertised. Did not actually have one, was expecting one soon, but had a new one. Right. I did not realize he was a dealer until that time.

Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:30 am
by Hammyguy
deleted