The Radio Attic - Frequently Asked Questions

the Radio Attic

FAQ

Here are answers to some of the questions folks ask me about the Radio Attic, and some answers to questions you should have asked! -- F.W.

Who?

Who advertises at the Radio Attic? -- Anyone who wants their own space on the Internet to sell old radios. Your Radio Attic page will always have the same URL for you to use in printed ads, business cards, or whatever.
Who doesn't advertise at the Radio Attic? -- People who have their own web sites, sell their radios on online auctions, prefer to use the printed media, or don't like the Internet (or me--but there are only a couple of them out there).
Who is F.W.? -- F.W. is short for Friendly Webmaster. That's me. Click here to find out how friendly I am.
Who do you think you are? -- No secret here. My name is Steve Adams. I've been collecting old radios since 1993 and helping others sell their radios on the Internet since 1996.
Who can I get to fix my old radio? -- Not me! Check out the Radio Attic's Links page for restoration resources.
Who is your web host? -- InMotion Hosting Reliable service, first-rate support.

What?

What's the goal of the Radio Attic? -- Simple. To become the best place on the Internet to buy and sell old radios!
What happened to your old RadioGallery.com site? -- I sold it because I had "designed" an advertising and billing system that took more time to maintain than I had available. It has since closed down for good. You can purchase the domain name from GoDaddy for $4,288.00 if you really want it. Why did I start this site after that? Click here for the answer.
What happened to the Old Radio Classified (ORC) web site? -- People did not want to pay the (very reasonable) fees for the ads. After a while I got tired to telling people to read the site's Terms and dropped the site.
What happened to the Vintage Electronics Classified web site? -- I thought it was a really good idea to resurrect the ORC concept of offering a place for people to sell their old electronics that were prohibited at the Radio Attic because of this site's Terms. I added many neat features to VEC that weren't available on ORC and learned how to do some awesome coding tricks. But I forgot to adequately promote the site, and eventually I dropped it. There will be no future experiments with this concept.
What does it cost to advertise at the Radio Attic? -- Five percent of the radio's initial published selling price, minimum $5.00. High-dollar (over $1,000) radio ads get a discount.
What are the advantages of buying a radio at the Radio Attic? -- You know who the seller is. You can see photos of the radio. Every radio has a set selling price. This is not an auction site; you do not have to place a bid or worry about an auction closing. You can contact the seller and get all the details about any radio which you are considering to purchase. No pressure.
What does "restored and working" mean? -- This varies from seller to seller; I do not attempt to get this definition standardized. You should ask specific questions about the cosmetic and operating condition of any radio you like BEFORE you buy it.
What's your return policy? -- Every seller has his/her own return policy. All I ask is that their return policy follow basic Radio Attic rules.
What are the advantages of selling a radio at the Radio Attic? -- Your radio is advertised world-wide on the Internet until it sells for one reasonable price (as low as $5.00). You set the selling price. No auctions; no reserves; no pressure. You have a permanent URL for all your radios to use on business cards or print ads.
What does the symbol mean? -- It means that the radio it marks was published for sale within the last thirty days. All new radios are displayed on the "What's New?" page. If you see this symbol by the name of an advertiser on the main "for sale" page, it means that advertiser has added radios for sale within the last thirty days.
What web publishing software do you use? -- Microsoft's FrontPage 2003. Yeah, I'm a dinosaur.
What's your track record? -- Pretty good, I think. Ask my advertisers how they feel about their sales success. Most, if not all, will give a glowing recommendation. Simply put: if you are advertising a nice radio with clear photos, an accurate description, and a reasonable selling price, you'll sell your radio at the Radio Attic.
What's the best way to photograph my radio? -- My photographer friend tells me to photograph in bright shade, against a neutral colored background close to the shade (darkness) of the radio. Avoid brightly contrasting backgrounds. I like to photograph slightly to the side and above the radio, but this really depends on the shape of the radio.
What's my radio's model number? -- Please don't ask me that. Look in the Archives for your radio. If it isn't there, then neither of us knows.
What do you think of eBay? -- Don't like it, won't ever buy radios there again. Click here for my humble opinion.

Why?

Why is this a better place to buy old radios? -- With the proliferation of internet auction sites and the other anonymous selling that goes on in forums, newsgroups and other free venues, I wanted to provide a friendlier place where collectors could buy and sell their radios. Every ad on the Radio Attic has the name of the seller and a means for direct contact.
Why aren't all the radios on Radio Attic restored and/or working? -- As a community, antique radio collectors are basically cheapskates (don't get triggered), and many want to do their own restorations. So it may be to a seller's advantage to sell a non-working radio. Generally, this offers a radio at a lower selling price.
Why can't I get free shipping to East Slobovia if the seller advertises free shipping? -- When a seller advertises free shipping, this means free shipping to buyers in the continental United States (or the "Lower Forty" for those of you in Rio Linda). If a seller offers free international shipping (which isn't likely), the ad will say so.
Why do you only publish new ads once a day? -- While some updates (like radios being sold) are sometimes published at various times during the day, new ads get published once a day so buyers can be sure they've seen everything new without having to check the site many times a day.
Why did you start this web site? -- (a) I had several requests from former advertisers to provide a web site for them. (b) I missed the fame and fortune (ha) that came my way as RadioGallery.com's webmaster. (c) I don't take free wanted ads any more, so the site takes a lot less time to maintain. (d) Since you only make one payment per ad until the radio sells, I don't have any renewal billing to do (that was the biggest time drain of all).
Why did you add the Archives? -- A visitor to the Radio Attic (Dave Best, a fellow Alabamian) suggested I add an "index" page in September 2000. I passed on the idea at first, but after a while it sounded like fun. Radio Attic's Archives contain over 12,000 images of radios with known model numbers.
Why did you stop adding new photos to the Archives? -- Because I'm getting old, and tired, and vetting photos takes up time that I could use playing with my grandkids or traveling. For every e-mail I get (or positive comment on the Internet) praising the site, I get two from collectors who either don't like the photos of a particular radio or who argue with me over a radio's identification. Who has time for that?
Why do you charge a fee for advertising? -- (a) My web host charges me; (b) I have advertising, supplies, and postage costs; (c) It takes a considerable amount of time to publish a web site, so you're paying in part for my time, too; (d) If I have anything left over, I buy old radios!
Why do you forward my request for information about a radio to someone else? -- Because you asked me about a radio someone else is selling. You must contact the individual seller (whose name is at the top of each Attic page) to buy or inquire about a radio. Click here for the disclaimer.
Why do you hate eBay? -- Used to be, you only had to go to an antique store to see a radio worth $30 selling for $250 and with a cut cord, no less. Now you can go to eBay and see it hundreds of times a day. Sure, there are some bargains there, but mostly it's radios with unreasonable reserves chased by idiots (my opinion) who will pay well over the radio's value. This prompts others to set higher prices when they sell their radios, and leads to radio price inflation, which is NOT good for the collector.
Why are some of your sellers called "Featured Sellers?" -- The Featured Sellers program is a way of showcasing those sellers who have made the biggest impact on the Radio Attic through recent ads and sales. Fear not, all the site's sellers may be found on the Site Map. This distinction is calculated daily, so these names may change daily. Plus I change the rules from time to time.
Why are some of your sellers called "Premier Sellers?" -- The Premier Sellers are the Radio Attic's "All-Stars" in different categories calculated over the past six months. These categories include number of sales, total amount sold, number of new ads placed, and others. This distinction is calculated daily, so these names may change daily. Plus I change the rules from time to time.
Why won't the seller return my e-mails? -- Believe it or not, my sellers don't sit in front of their computers all day (like me). Sometimes they go to work, or take a vacation, or just don't check their mail but every couple of days or so. If you have difficulty contacting a seller, send me an e-mail and I'll try to help.
Why won't my shortwave radio pick up stations? -- For several reasons, actually, none of which have anything to do with the radio. There are far fewer SW broadcasts and many transmitters are now operating on very reduced hours, very reduced signal strength. An exceptional increase in RF interference from computers, monitors, microwave ovens, lighting fixtures, etc. can make shortwave listening impossible today. Shortwave reception is completely dependent on so many factors beyond the receiver (time of day, sunspot activity, weather conditions, antenna quality & size, etc). If you live in a concrete and steel apartment building using a 4-foot antenna wire during the day, you're going to be completely disappointed.
Why won't you tell me the value of my radio? -- Because I. Don't. Know. Please click here for more info.

Where?

Where can I find contact information for a seller? -- There is usually an e-mail link at the top of each seller's Attic page, or an image or card that you can click on to send an e-mail. If your computer isn't set up to send e-mail by clicking on links, you can usually send an e-mail to [seller's last name]@radioattic.com, unless it's one of the Andersons or Martins. E-mail me if you have any difficulty contacting a seller.
Where are you located? -- In the Heart of Dixie: Shelby County, Alabama, stars falling all around us...
Where are the radios located? -- Radios are located with the sellers. Click here for the disclaimer.
Where can I find parts for old radios? -- Check out the Radio Attic's Links page.
Where do your advertisers sell radios? -- All over the world!
Where is your Facebook page? -- https://www.facebook.com/TheRadioAttic
Where is your Twitter page? -- Don't have one. No one cares about anything I have to say.
Where are the Archives located? -- https://radioatticarchives.com/

When?

When do new ads get published? -- New ads go "live" at the Radio Attic at one minute after midnight (Central Time).
When will you publish my ad? -- Within 72 hours after receiving your submitted ad.
When will my ad expire? -- It won't; not until your radio sells, anyway.
When can I change my ad? -- Any time. You can reduce your radio's selling price at any time. You can raise your radio's selling price provided you pay the difference between the fee for the new price and the original fee.
When will you stop doing this? -- When I'm dead, I guess. I have a replacement webmaster selected already, so don't worry...
Why is this question in the "When?" section? -- Just to see if you're paying attention. Hey, I can be friendly and funny.

How?

How do I contact you? -- Just send an e-mail to . I will not respond to e-mail verification services and will not be responsible for unanswered e-mails from services that require e-mail verification. If you want me to reply to your e-mails, whitelist my address BEFORE sending me an e-mail.
How do I buy a radio at the Radio Attic? -- Click here for the answer.
How can I find out about new radios added to the Radio Attic? -- The Radio Attic's server sends an e-mail shortly after new radios are published for sale, with a photo and description. If you would like to receive this automatic notification, just e-mail me and I'll add you to the list. I will not e-mail you for ANY other reason than for this notification. Honest.
How can I get a catalog? -- There is no catalog; all the radios are displayed on the web site.
How friendly are you, really? -- I am REALLY friendly, really.
How do I advertise in the Radio Attic? -- Just read my Terms and Conditions and send me an e-mail. Selling at the Radio Attic is done by INVITATION ONLY.
How long will my radio's ad stay on line? -- Until it sells. Actually, 30 days after it sells; I like to mark sold radios SOLD and brag about them for a while.
How can I sell at the Radio Attic if I don't have Internet access? -- I can display your phone number or snail-mail address.
How many radios can I put on my page? -- As many as you want.
How can I help to make the Radio Attic a success? -- (1) Tell your friends; (2) Visit often; (3) Tell your friends; (4) Link to the Radio Attic from your web site; (5) Tell your friends.
How do I repair a radio? -- Your Friendly Webmaster is not a technician. I buy radios because they're pretty. I can replace components and test tubes, but that's about all. If you ask me questions like this, I'll just feel bad because I can't help.
How do I submit photos for the Archives? -- Please don't; I am no longer adding radios to the archives.
How do I make Baklava? -- Click here for Steve's Easy Baklava recipe.
How do I make blueberry scones? -- Come on, you have my baklava recipe; what do you need scones for?
How did the big database upgrade go on May 5, 2020? - I was awesome!
How do you manage to do such a great job with this web site? -- Awww, shucks.