The *bay practice that has become popular lately is to charge outrageous shipping in order to recoup auction listing fees and paypal deposit fees. I understand that when I buy a product at a store part of the price includes overhead costs. But, the total price - including those costs - is clearly marked on the item. I know what I'm paying and what I'm paying for.

Auctions, on the other hand, are a totally different matter. People who want me to pay for their selling fees should establish a reserve price or a "Buy Now" price that covers their expenses. If the final auction sale price isn't to their liking they shouldn't be using an auction to sell their products. It's absolutely absurd for them to expect buyers to cover their expenses in the auction format. Recently, someone was selling glow engines and charging $25 for shipping UPS Ground. It's clear they were trying to recoup there fees with that charge. Like I said, if someone expects a certain minimum price for a product, set a fixed price, or don't use an auction in the first place.

So, pay attention to shipping charges. Auctions are a gamble and a risk for both the buyer and the seller. If a seller wants you to pay for their fees on top of the final bid price, don't buy from them.

I have bought a few of the older kits on Ebay and have had good results. One didn't take Paypal but after sending a cashiers check I got it promptly and it was in good shape. It was an old Pilot QB40s kit that I had years ago. I put in a $41 bid and didn't really expect it to hold up but it did. My only real bad experience was with a reseller, ISOLDIT. They didn't take Paypal and I had to call them twice to give the payment information. But the kit was packed well and shipped the next day.

I thought we were on the subject of TigerTails

I picked up a glass Tiger on Ebay about 5 months ago for a good price but when I got it the glass on the rear fuse was cracked. It looked like someone put the squeeze on it. Its fixable, but now it's on the back burner... or is it the back room??

Jon

Getting back, mostly. Was the Tiger Tail kitted by Southern RC. I have not seen one show up on Ebay.

There were two versions of Ron Cidgeys Tiger Tail: the balsa and foam'original 1971 Nats winner and the popular(back in 1980s' Tiger Tail IV ,)which was available as plans and a semi kit as they used to be called consisting of an Epoxy glass fuselage and foam wing . I also think the origional TigerTail was available with a glass fuselage but can not recall the manufacture.

I have started a replacement TT IV from a Cajan R/C kit to replace one that found a tree....danggg I started a thread a ways back in this forum and got side tracked but will return the project to the bench soon for the glassing of the wing, prime ,paint and equipment install.
What the hey I will take my two current Tiger Tails out side if it is not snowing yet and post a picture or two- It is good others than my self REMEMBER these pattern classics

I'm thinking it was Flight Glass or Skyglass that also made the glass fuse and foam wing.

Jon

Yes I think it was indeed one of those manufactures[sm=thumbup.gif]

Ok, don't know why I didn't think to look before.

From the January 1973 issue of RCM, a Southern R/C ad.

Tiger Tail Deluxe Kit - Features Gator-hide covered foam wing, fuselage constructed in a jig (70% pre-constructed. All balsa parts, hardware. $94.50

Standard kit includes foam cores, balsa sheet for covering, all shaped balsa parts, Southern Sorghum and Skyloft. $64.95

The Bobcat $48.50, I got my two for $30 back in 1973 and 1974. The Bobcat came out in January 1973.

By the way that $94.50 in 1973 is $430 in todays dollars.

$48.50 for the Bobcat is $221 today

Off the topic a bit as I know there is a Bob Cat forum not to be confused with the later use of the name by my hero B.V., that being said I had several and found the light weight 9.6 Oz HP 40Silver Star really was the engine for the "Tiger tail JR IE Bob Cat any one ever install the HP40 in the Southern R/C Prod. Bob Cat back in the seventies mine was a beaut with more performance than I knew what to do with back then So one day I was slow flying it (it was HEAVILY finished in the old K&B polyester resin and weighed a ton)and spun in to the pits lucky every one that day

I guess the Bobcat is a related topic since it is the little brother of the Tiger Tail. The two I had both used a K&B 40 with a Perry carb but no pump or muffler. Both planes were covered in Solarfilm and flew great. One was the victim of a bad radio and the other pushing the stick the wrong way when inverted. I just picked up a Bobcat off of Ebay and plan to clone a fuselage since I still have the wing from the second one. Then maybe later built the kit.

Pic is Bobcat #2 early 1974

Nice to see one again sure brings back the memories