The Majestic Challenge

 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues...

So, several years ago, Estes introduced a new silver coated rocket to Hobby Lobby as part of their pro-line.  That is, I think that's where it was positioned.  I'm not sure, 'cause I never bought one.  


I took a look at the silver foil body tube, and the plastic fins, and thought, "nope, not for me."

I've since rethought that and come to regret my decision.  When I saw one fly in the bright sunshine and the highly reflective foil rocket,  I knew I wanted one.


I began calling around the Hobby Lobby stores in my state, asking if they had one in stock.  No, not a one was to be had anywhere.


I sighed and gave up, assuming that I would never have one.

Until today.


I was fiddling around and saw a couple of listings for old, used rockets, none of which were floating my boat.  But one had a silvery purple finish to it.  I sat up and took notice.

It turns out it was a completely assembled "Majestic" that someone had cleaned out of a rental house.  It was left in a closet, and the landlord was trying to sell it off.  As near as he could tell, it was all there, with an F15 motor still inserted, but not launched.

The price was right... only ten bucks, for everything, motor included.

There was no listing for shipping, but I guessed Hazmat would drive the price of the rocket out of my hands.

Then I messaged the seller and learned that the motor was stuck inside the base, with a screw on retainer still in place.  A little encouragement, and he got it out intact, and confirmed that it did not look burnt or expended at all.  He thought a little moisture might have made it swell and lodge inside.

Then he hit me with the shipping price, estimated to be $15.   I sighed, as it was more than the rocket was going for.

I told him that I'd think on it and get back to him.  He chided me that the rocket goes for like $50 new, and that $15 wasn't out of the realm of normal.   I told him to sell it if he could, but that I would mull over other ways to get the rocket.

I had his city, so I could find it on a map.  It was inside my state of residence, but on the other end of a very long highway.  Mapblast estimated the drive to be 3 hours one way.  With my car's 10 gallon tank and millage, that translates to a $30 round trip to refill the tank, not including meals going or coming home.

So, how badly did I want this rocket?

What shape is it really in?

Has the motor swollen so badly that it is untrustworthy?

Will it even fire?

And when will I get to launch it?

I'm weighing all these factors when it hits me.  The seller is willing to ship it to me for $15 and make a $10 profit.  That's a $25 expenditure for a rocket (and motor) that I had passed on.  It occurs to me that shipping it, at his risk, is the best option for me.

So now I have to wait for payday.

Is it worth it....


This has been the Thrifty Rocketeer weighing options in my mind.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The End of the Line

Image
 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... Well, for years, the state of the model rocket industry relied upon plans and patterns that were photocopied or printed out, and then applied to standard sheets of balsa to be cut out. Eventually, the various parts for various sized rockets were packaged in groups or blister packs, and sold at hobby shops across the nation.  The emphasis was on home brew or building a rocket to specifications and plans. Eventually, entire kits were pre-packaged, with all the parts that one would need.  And then, laser cut shapes, fins or parts were already pre-cut, doing away with the need for most of the patterns and tracing. So what happened to all those bags and bister packs of parts of rockets?  That is, a baggie of various nose cones... or connectors... or transitions or more ?   Many of  those packages remain at your local mom and pop hobby store, just waiting for someone to come in and buy some of their pegboard stock....
Read more

sleeping with the enemy

Image
 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... First thing I did when they put in a Hobby Lobby in my smaller metropolitan town, 40 miles away, was to grab an application to work there.  Now I know what you're thinking... "How could you?  Who would want to work for that conservative corporation?".. as my daughter would say.  And you'd be partially right. I saved the application and took note of the mailing address. Within the first month or so, most of the initial buying frenzy was over, having sold out of some things, but not everything.   But it seemed nothing new was getting restocked. So, I got on my word processor and wrote a letter to the store management, THANKING them for bringing the store to our isolated metro area. I pointed out that many of the items had sold through completely, and how much we had appreciated their stocking rockets. Then I also encouraged them to restock and consider expanding the display, pointing to the fact that as rocketeers grow...
Read more

Death of a Hobby

Image
 The Thrifty Rocketeer blog continues... No, this is not a column about how Model Rocketry is a dying hobby.  It's actually about another sister hobby that sometimes overlaps into Rocketry. I'm talking about Amateur Radio. Just this last weekend, our local Ham Radio club held a "swap meet" which is commonly called a Hamfest.  These gatherings to buy and sell used equipment, parts and visit old friends typically happen just once a year and in the absence of the late Radio Shack, is one of the only places to find parts and electronic elements. There is also testing held to advance to higher licenses. The admission varies depending on the club, their overhead, expense of renting the hall or venue, and the number of tables that they can sell to area vendors who will drive across state with their wares to set up for the half day show. It's not uncommon for amateur radio operators to drive across state to attend, pay admission and get a single entry into the door prize ...
Read more