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Interesting read Geoff on the TRS

I saw a computer dated from that time in a car boot sale. Needless to say i bought it for keeps..

Always find it interesting to read up on old computers

I see that you've joined Mike's Merry Band, then, young 'un.

Not much time for hobbies now, then, Mate!

Good luck with the new job. Those of us who know "the history" as it were, wish you (and Mike) well. As you know, there is an "obvious need" (for a good tech) there.

I don't get to the auctions much myself these days. But I may just pop in if I happen to be around "on the day" ... just so you can buy me a cup of tea at the burger stand!

Indeed I have and thank you Geoff

Yeh time for hobbies has taken a back seat that's for sure. But im enjoying the new challenge I have in front of me

If you do plan on coming to an auction day,ill be more then happy to buy you cup of tea and burger!
I was at the Auction last week, which was my first..was an interesting experience

Yes, an "interesting experience" indeed. How Mike keeps that up all day is an entertainment in itself! He has more stamina than me, that's for sure.

I often used to come along more for the "socialising" than anything else, but (as I say) don't get down there very often now that I'm based up't North!

As I've said on here before, I reckon that all NHS Equipment Managers should be "required" to attend at least one auction, just so they can see for themselves what actually goes on, who the "dealers" are, and what sort of pitiful amounts that lovely second-hand kit goes for!

I agree, They should have a look..

I was drooling over all the equipment that was on auction. It was like a gold mine for a NHS Hosptial after equipment

Yes, that's what I'm like ... a kid in a sweet shop!

However, the downside is when you come across kit with your own name on the sticker, that was fixed for £££'s a year or two earlier, now going in a job lot as Mike's hammer falls at 40 pence apiece!

You'll have to make sure you always keep your digital camera handy ... you know, so you can share some of the more "classic" bits of kit you encounter with us all here. Just make sure that the pictures don't show anybody's stickers (to save any possible "embarrassment")!

Ill keep you guy's informed of my new challenges if there is people interested.
It is a shame you don't get many NHS turning up on the day. Some fantastic kit goes up on auction like already mentioned

Datex anaesthetic machines, grasbey 500's.. mmm my mouth is watering just thinking about it
Anyway..enough of me drooling..Hope you stop by on a Medical Auction day soon Geoff

*Also to save any one getting hot and flusterd,stickers will be off* :P

Come on Mate ... hasn't Mike briefed you yet? You're in the business of buying used kit from the NHS, not selling it to them!

As I've already hinted at (?), any NHS Equipment Managers attending the auctions are likely to leave feeling depressed rather than elated.

After all, it's only blokes like Yours Truly who ferret about down there looking for "parts"!

I know what you meant Geoff.
Just from a NHS perspective with a typical hospital not having enough medical equipment, it would have been a cheaper way to get some kit back in:

Rather then the typical buy a car,take it out the showroom and lose half its value scenario

Hereford need more 500's for example and by the looks of it there are five odd 500's going into the next Auction.
That would be a huge saving buying these then going straight to grasbey. But I know the typical reply would be, " We need a service record "

I understand that, but just thinking from another view..its just a shame how things run within the NHS, they seem to make it so much harder for them self's but hey..im back in the private sector so all is good

I don't know how you've got hold of that idea. That's not been my experience, at all!

I've been through all this before ... what is needed is a central NHS "returned equipment" warehouse. Or re-distribution point.

I happen to know (and so do the blokes concerned, who are "regulars" on the forum) where there are a pile of "de-commissioned" Graseby 500's (35 of them, I think it was), that, because of (shall we say) bureaucracy look like they're being consigned to the skip!

The other thing is ... why should an NHS manager buy kit from the auction? The tax-payer has already paid for it once! Frankly, the only person who would gain there is the auctioneer (nothing new there).