Depends what you actually want to purchase from Elecraft.
If it's a K4, then you've probably just seen the latest estimated lead lead times and they're for those that already have firm orders placed.
They do seem to have stock of 'other' radios, which they're currently shipping. One thing I do know about Elecraft is if you put money on the table and something goes wrong (such as a pandemic <grin> they will do the honorable thing, so you'll either get a refund or the goods. Other companies are not so customer orientated and a few will actually steal from you.
If Elecraft can't supply (say) a K3S, you could consider the used market, then when the K4 finally ships, you could either sell the K3S for more-or-less what you paid for it or if you're 'well heeled' you could just keep it as a standby rig.
I'm in the UK, so it doesn't particularly matter to me which country my rigs come from and shipping is about the same, but a) I can't buy direct from any other company. b) When I'm in trouble, I don't have direct access to the owners of the other companies, in fact direct access to any of the staff of other companies is next to zero. c) Elecraft support is second to none. Direct support from other companies is often mediocre to zero. d) I don't know about other company's staff as I never get to speak to them, but Elecraft are such a nice bunch of people! (Eric can I have a K4 please hehehehehehe).
73, Alan. G4GNX ------ Original Message ------ From: "Tommy Judson via Elecraft" <[email protected]> To: "Edward via Elecraft" <[email protected]> Sent: 16/05/2020 11:56:50 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Availability
Good Morning I’ve been studying how to establish a ham station and asking around what is available to do that with these days. A month or so of research brought me to Elecraft - best bang for the buck receivers. This narrowed my search down to just a couple radios. Now thank you to this forum's members I’ve decided what Elecraft has listed for sale I would like to use in a newly established ham station. I sent a wish list to Elecraft to see what is actually in stock knowing the present pandemic could cause shortages of supplies and labor because of the social distancing requirements. Now I read on this forum many questions about when customers will actually receive the radios they plunked down $4K to buy when first announced some time ago. One customer mentioned that he was in an older age bracket and wondered if he’d get his in time to use it - I’m five years older than what he said was his age. I’m wondering if I should consider another company’s products - find a company if any that might have equipment in stock. To end on a good note I need to say there has been plenty of time to leisurely accumulate parts and design and erect a by the book optimum height inverted V antenna out in my several acre front yard. All needed now is to hook a radio onto the lead running down the pole and to under a small tree that will shade me and a radio relaxed in a lawn chair. Guess where I will not develop as much anxiety as others over delayed shipment of equipment is because I did not send money with my wish list - or maybe I should to actually get my name on the list to get my choice of equipment? Any thoughts ? Thank you Tommy Judson ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
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