InterceptRadio.com Forums

Just checked out the ALF Enterprises web site
and it looks like they no longer carry any amateur
radio products any more. They were about the only
place in Washington that sold ham stuff.

Looks like HRO in Portland is now the closest.

Jim Marquand N7UAP
Bellingham, WA

You could try ABC Communications in Shoreline.

Richard

And try out their famous "Customer Service"

_________________
I generate Board Warnings

:roll: Talk about customer service with ABC you have to deal with the OLD man their who bites your head off when you walk in the door :twisted:
Any way good luck all


STEVE

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GOD BLESS 73s

Ol, Kurt?? oh the memories .. used to work there many years ago...

I knew that suggestion would spark up somebody to describe the "attitude" you will get from Kurt :D. If you can bear the "level of customer service" it is a good place to shop if you are not interested in online sites.

Richard

I bought a scanner from ABC years ago when they were across the street.
I bought an antenna also, the guy working there asked me if the antenna was "for looks", or was I really going to use it. :?:

:D I would say that the salesperson asked because you were driving that "Starski and Hutch" car around. -- LOL One LA area PD uses the old GE plastic mobile base and attach a "rubber duckie" UHF portable antenna -- for use as an "Under-cover" antenna. Its the only thing out there that LOOKS like a Under-cover antenna. Its like a billboard sign on the car - that says "Narcs inside". One radio store sells them -- just for Looks. And half the fun of going to ABC is to talk to Jim Cotton. Its just his way. He doesn't bite -- just sounds like he does or might. He's a good friend. MTM

I've been in twice lately to try and find an antenna and Jim has mellowed. It's a shame that he can't get current stock in. Anyone know if they still have a wholesale business. I know 20 or so years that they were making way more money from the wholesale/mailorder side of the business, also the time they moved across the street. I wonder how much he would sell the business and a long lease of the building for.

Mark, Are you just trying to get me to do my book again?? LOL LOL It would be a hell of a great idea -- for the right group. Scanners are just one little part of it. More and more people are using both FRS and GMRS. The HAM gear is still big -- but you need to be a part of the "Community". Good idea. Sell or rent business radios. I think ABC still has a repeater on 462.575. I know that several radio techs were using the same channel. Grab a few UHF channels and sell two-ways. I'm sure you could find lots of sales help. Mike

NO more wholesale. It ended why Jim's son Curtis left and went to work for CB Distributers in Marysville, in the early 90s. The only Wholesale he runs, is for a case lot purchase and you're not going to save much. Most of the Wholesale operation is just TV\Radios stations, Railroad PSE and a few others. You cn save a 10-15% off his 100+++ markup. He only has kept the store open for a hobby and too keep his mind off of his wife's status. Rena had a stroke in 1999, he pays over $2000.00 a month for home care (cert nurse 24hr live in)... Jim has been talking about closing the shop since the late 90s, hasn't done it yet. ALL Radio manufacture's (Icom, Kenwood ect)have a quota, if you can meet it, if you can't then there's always someone else to give it a try(small guys like Alf's and ABC, whom loose out in the long run to the big guys like AES or HRO). The part houses also have a minimum purchase. Something that costs him $5.00, sells for $20.00 at ABC. A CB that costs $30.00, sells for $50.00 @ ABC. The telephone bill runs over $250.00 per month, than there's electric and property taxes.

Jim needs a hearing aid, so if you say something, make sure he is looking at you. He doesn't like browsers or info go getters or online stores. He does still carry Uniden scanners, ARRL books, freq books ect. He can do special orders for antennas through Radiall-Larsen or through his son Curtis whom is working for Talley Communications (since 2000).

Had Jim and Curts names mixed up... happens easily at this old age now..
I always thaought his son started a wholesale busness in Marysville.. I could me mixed up there now too. Sorry to hear about Reana. She was always a nice gal that kept us employees sain. Funny to hear that someone actually asked if an antenna was just for looks, I can imagine who it was that said it though. I was saddened to see how ABC shrank and sold off the old safeway across the street, there was alot of nice stuff in that old store, unfortunately some manufacturers wouldnt deal with you unless you sold a certain amount a month, really to bad for the small guy.
Anyone know if Bob the manager is still around??


Collin K7AAB
Installation and Repair 1989-1990

Curtis went to work for CB Distributers in 1994 located in Marysville, WA. He took alot of the Wholesale customers with him. Bob left ABC in 1997, to work for a telephone distributer, working in a RMA\repair dept. Jim can't afford to pay any tech or sales more than $9.00 per hour. It takes business\sales to beable to pay your employees.