QTH.COM Swap Chat

I am very disappointed with my recent radio purchase from Mr Robert Needleman, k3ac. Despite my pleas, to please, please package the radio carefully, this 35lb fragile tube radio was placed in a single layered single box with the front feet and the front of the radio unprotected and in direct contact with the box. Foam injection pads were then precariously placed around the the top, sides and back of the radio, and surprise, surprise, the radio was damaged!!
After I contacted Mr Needleman and informed him of the damage he then sent his required checklist to evaluate the extent of the damages. After completing his checklist, I informed him that the damages extended beyond just cosmetic, he then began making excuses, then accusations and finally insulting insinuations. It became quite apparent that if I send the radio back at my expense, following the shipping requirements he has imposed yet didn't follow himself that he has no intention of refunding, and plans to claim some bogus reason not to refund my money and I will be out the funds and the radio.
I really wish I had followed my gut on this one! I cannot recommend any dealings with Mr Needleman k3ac, so if you are considering a deal with him, save yourself some time, money and grief. Keep looking!!
Dave KD5OT

Regarding this transaction, I carefully packed the radio in a new, heavy duty corrugated box that I purchased, and used a foam injection method ("InstaPak") to fully fill the interior of the box, with foam completely enclosing the cabinet on all sides. Unfortunately, I did not have an outer box large enough to use, but feeling that the foam would protect the radio, I shipped it to the buyer. to avoid any delays in him receiving it Evidently, the box was dropped hard by the shipper, and caused damage to the bottom cabinet since I did not remove the cabinet feet (my mistake). When buyer informed of the damage, and sent me the photos showing the damage, I asked him to check the interior of the radio, which he said looked OK, and I then told him to power it up and test it. He said the receiver was working fine, but the transmitter was not. I said I would be happy to accept the radio in return and give him a FULL refund, but that in order to file an insurance damage claim with shipper I needed him to return the radio to me, and to send it in exactly the same packing as I sent it to him to establish my claim. He balked at this, and wanted me to immediately issue him a refund and if I did, he would ship me back the radio. I declined, since I am wary of 'part swappers' and told him that, while I was not accusing him of doing this, the radio had several valuable options installed and I would need the radio returned to me and if he did that ASAP, I would give him an immediate refund of his purchase price using an online immediate cash transfer once I got it back. He never returned the radio and I never heard from him again. Just found this negative post about me , which is obviously grossly inaccurate as to what really transpired, and failed to mention my offer of a full refund, pending return of this radio. Do amateur radio dealers, Amazon or any online seller give immediately refunds without first getting the item back? The answer is a definite NO. Neither do I.