What's new in the world of radio collecting?

It appears that the damage from this long recession has been taking its toll on sales of collectible radios. Prices seem to have dropped with many models as the number of people who have excess cash to spend has been reduced by the long term unemployment presently hitting the US economy. On the other hand, I have been able to buy a few items at better prices that in past years.

EVERY MAN NEEDS A HOBBY- AND SOME WOMEN, TOO.

With a hobby a man is reasonably secure against the whips and arrows of the most outrageous fortune.
SIR WILLIAM OSLER

International sale gone bad

We shipped two antique tube radios in separate containers to Paris, France. The shipping method was Express mail, so full tracking was available.
The parcels arrived at the buyer's local post office in Paris in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the buyer was not home when the delivery was attempted. The local office left a notice. I, personally, contacted the buyer repeatedly via email - using three different email addresses - to inform the buyer that the shipments were at his local post office.
Not picked up after three weeks, the local office returned both parcels to me. When received and opened, it was discovered that one of the bakelite radios developed a large 5" crack.
Finally, the buyer contacted me and explained that he was a celebrity musician and was touring with the band and could not pick up the parcels. He wanted his radios reshipped. Yeah, right!
I sent him his money back.

SALES HAVE INCREASED

Sales have inceased over the past few months. I have sold 3 antique radios and one pair of art deco candlestick holders. However, because I am in the process of moving from one location to another, I have had no time to restore any of the hundreds of antique radios that are stacked on shelves or stored in closets. Perhaps this summer will give me some extra time for my hobby.

WOW. Sales are very slow.

It looks as if the antique collectible field is dead during this economic turn down. I have not sold an item in three months. The buying public must be short on nexcess cash. The economy, maybe? The cost of gasoline that zapps are wallets and pocketbooks of excess spendable income?

ANOTHER SHOW HAS A LOSS OF DEALERS

Is this a sign of the economic times? A quality New Jersey antique show always filled two floors of dealers at its regular location. This time the sponsors could only full one floor. There is little doubt that the present business climate has changed in the U.S. Perhaps it is also attributed to the high cost of gasoline which must be borne by both dealers and collectors, but the recent shows in which I have attended had less dealers and lighter foot traffic.

SHIPPING RATES -- A WIDE RANGE OF PRICES

Recently I sold an item to a buyer in Houston, Texas. The item packed and double boxed weighed in at 13 pounds.
My local United States Post Office (USPS) is a short walk across the street. Very convenient, yes? So, I check the postage rate for a 13 pound parcel with the dimensions of 18 x 18 x 14 from my New York City zip code to the Houston, Texas zip code. This was a residence or home delivery. To my astonishment, the cost with $100 insurance and delivery tracking/confirmation totaled $36.25. The parcel post rate was $21.04 (see below).
Can this be accurate?
So, I next check the United Parcel Service (UPS) rate for the same package using the exact criteria. The UPS rate came in at $18.50. There is a UPS store a few blocks from my location, too.
Next, I tried Federal Express home delivery. Their cost for the same parcel with the $100 insurance and tracking came in at the lowest cost of the three. Fed-Ex was $16.05.
I could understand the UPS and Fed-Ex difference of $2.45, but for the United States Postal System to show a difference of over $20.00 from Fed-Ex is incredible. What I don't understand is that both UPS and Fed-Ex are profit oriented organizations, whereas the USPS is supposed to operate at break even.
With Fed-Ex I need to drive a few miles to the Kinkos drop off store. What would you do?
I must confess that I shipped the cheapest way- Fed-Ex.
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In response to the comment left by a reader in regard to shipping via USPS parcel post, rather priority parcel post, I have checked the rates and the postage came in at $19.53. Add insurance and delivery confirmation and we are over $21.00 for parcel post (non-priority mail). The USPS states up to 6 days for delivery.