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  #41  
Old 01-02-2013, 08:55 AM
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toc (Tim)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gaf.flash View Post
Says it all really. Austalian Telescopes are no longer.
Its a shame, because they are showing the skywatcher EQ8 'in stock'!
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  #42  
Old 17-02-2013, 02:13 AM
monsooncat
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Exclamation australiatelescopes.com.au domain registrant is equally dodgy

I thought one action would be to complain to the domain registrant for australiatelescopes.com.au, which is www.crazydomains.com.au. Unfortunately they have just as many complaints about them.
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  #43  
Old 17-02-2013, 05:04 AM
Russ59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by barx1963 View Post
We have a small group of astronomy specialist shops here in Australia who offer great service in my experience.
I have had dealings with

Bintel
Andrews
Sirius Optics
My Astro Shop

In all cases service has been very good, easy communication and good follow up.
Some of these web only stores are potentially very damaging to our hobby as well as to the stores that look after us IMHO. Even places like Aust Geographic I am very wary of as they are overpriced and not knowledgeable.
I think it is important to support the specialists, as without them our hobby is in trouble!

Malcolm
100% agree with Malcolm. Unfortunately there are questionable retailers on the net in every field of interest.

I know for a fact that there are IIS members here. who are moderators of that "other forum" mentioned in earlier posts.

Last edited by Russ59; 17-02-2013 at 05:29 AM.
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  #44  
Old 17-02-2013, 11:54 AM
monsooncat
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ59 View Post
I know for a fact that there are IIS members here. who are moderators of that "other forum" mentioned in earlier posts.
Yes, I managed to win one of their 'life bans' for merely warning a user, on the 'forum' mentioned earlier, about the perils of ordering with Australia Telescopes. What a joke.

Last edited by monsooncat; 17-02-2013 at 11:12 PM.
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  #45  
Old 17-02-2013, 12:09 PM
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Octane (Humayun)
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What forum is it? I only use this one for my astro fix.

H
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  #46  
Old 17-02-2013, 10:07 PM
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This one:
Quote:
Originally Posted by LesserBear View Post
...looked in this odd thread http://www.astronomyforum.net/austra...customers.htmlwhere they [Australian Telescopes] look good..honestly dont understand admin there, where get quotes from?
fo·rum

/ˈfôrəm/
Noun
A meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.

Well, it is a site in the US, so I guess they are used to controlling individuals from expressing their own views, but 'Admin' claims to be in "Sydney, Australia", so he should know better... Australians cherish our freedom of speech! Besides, I wrote nothing more than facts and tried to warn a user, Chimp, so he didn't get burned like me and many others.

And in answer to LesserBear's Q: Astronomy Forum cut & paste the glowing supposed-customer testimonials straight from the Australian Telescopes web site.

Last edited by monsooncat; 17-02-2013 at 11:20 PM.
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  #47  
Old 25-02-2013, 10:31 PM
LesserBear
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thanks for answer,
monsooncat that was rough , try to do good an get ban for life...that is crazy!

well about month ago tried to post a message kindly directed @ that Admin about Bintel said and gave link to this saving thread but got blocked with notice something about my post to be reviewed. Then next day the thread i tried to post in disappeared which was dedicated to Australia Telescopes, maybe a coincidence. The link i provide here is another thread which remember while ago when log in it showed as "CLOSED".
Also my other 3 posts were blocked to be reviewed before being allowed, so couldn't check if made mistake or when or if. Don't think can post there again because need to check post after it "should" post straight away, is like you restricted... hands tied.

My first post here was allowed instantly, cant get any freer than that


EDIT: this post too allowed instantly, thankyou

Last edited by LesserBear; 25-02-2013 at 11:02 PM.
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  #48  
Old 13-03-2013, 02:04 PM
bcmalloy (Mike)
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http://binocularsandtelescopes.com.au

is a great store for guys in WA (division of gerry gibbs camera house)
just ordered a EQ6 off them cheapest price in AUS
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  #49  
Old 13-03-2013, 08:45 PM
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Ordered a scope they said was in stock, liars.
Ignored my emails.
Refund only after threatening legal action.
Authourities could not care less even after many complaints.
DO NOT DEAL WITH THEM.
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  #50  
Old 14-03-2013, 10:47 AM
Ted Manuel
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Bought an ED127 from VTI Optics

Try VTI next time.
They provide very good services and they keep you up to date on your purchase status.
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  #51  
Old 14-03-2013, 01:45 PM
raymo
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Mike, You'd have to go some to beat B.T.O.W. inMalaga
for price and service.
raymo
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  #52  
Old 17-03-2013, 03:42 AM
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From what I've heard http://binocularsandtelescopes.com.au IS Btow. Gibbs must've bought them out. Even their websites are similar.

Chris
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  #53  
Old 17-03-2013, 12:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris85 View Post
From what I've heard http://binocularsandtelescopes.com.au IS Btow. Gibbs must've bought them out. Even their websites are similar.

Chris
Old news Chris.

As I understand it, Jerry Gibbs Cameras (Murray Gibb) own BTOW, which is still managed by Keith, however, it is run independently from Jerry Gibbs Camerahouse. Gibbs also has the Gerry Gibbs Camera "Warehouse" as well, which is their online business which is also run independently from their retail store.

Furthermore, I have found that some of the online prices are considerably better than their retail store. Case in point: I wanted to buy an 8x32 Leica Ultravid binocular, for my upcoming trip to the US to go to Stellafane, and had a look at it in their Cannington store and the price was $2,300, which is about right at retail level. When I came home and did some research online, to be sure that was the model I needed, I went to their "Wharehouse" site to check something and noticed that they had it as a "web special" at $1,999, so I bought it online and picked it up at the retail store. The guy at the retail store wasn't too happy about losing the sale, although I was buying it from the same company. Affects his sales figures, I guess? Strange that a company would be competing with itself, but then, maybe he is trying to establish his online presence.

Either way, I find dealing with Jerry Gibbs to be quite good. Also Kieth at BTOW is good to deal with and his prices are quite good too.

Given the above, it looks to me that the telescope and binocular site is the online version of the retail site (his Camera House sell telescopes as well) and is in competition with BTOW, at a guess. In some ways this is a smart move, as BTOW and Keith have an established reputation.
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  #54  
Old 17-03-2013, 02:02 PM
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Chris85 (Chris)
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I know Peter, I was just passing on the info.
And I totally agree with your comments regarding Keith and Btow. I've purchased 90% of my gear through him and he's always given me spot on advice. Even when when a supplier stuffed up the order 3 times he cut me a deal and upgraded to the better product.
I have noticed that the gibbs website is online only?
Chris
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  #55  
Old 20-03-2013, 11:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtm92 View Post
Well, after being given 10 days to respond to the Paypal claim and ignoring it, I have been refunded my money by Paypal.

However, for anyone who is looking to buy something from Australia Telescopes in the future and comes across this forum, I have one piece of advice for you:

DON'T

It's really not worth the risk.
I just jumped online and thought i'd checkout the Equipment thread as im currently in the market for my first scope, gps/goto scope mind you.

was looking at ordering through australia telescopes tomorrow but now i've seen this ill be looking elsewhere

no need to get the word out guys, people WILL find this thread if they do their research.



thanks guys
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  #56  
Old 21-03-2013, 01:59 AM
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I have been following this thread for a while and find it strange that after all the complaints they are still being allowed to continue trading.
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  #57  
Old 21-03-2013, 08:10 AM
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Nikolas (Nik)
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You email australia telescopes and refer them to this thread
Name and shame is more effective than the ACCC
As is facebook shaming.
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  #58  
Old 21-03-2013, 09:33 AM
martyn01 (Lane)
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Cheaper in us

Just order the scope from USA even with shipping and gst still way cheaper than in aus
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  #59  
Old 14-05-2013, 04:50 PM
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gaa_ian (Ian)
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It is appalling that this website is up and running still selling quality telescopes (apparently), I only just came across it today ! It is a very slick looking site, touting it's all Australian ownership:"AustraliaTelescopes.com.au is a 100% owned and operated Australian company based in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth and operates under ABN 81 837 848 243. All our employees are Australian citizens, we only sell Australian distributed and warrantied products (not grey-market products unlike other stores) and we intend to honour our store name."
I can understand the concerns of people new to the hobby, as some of the scopes listed here, are scopes I would happily recommend to people coming into the hobby. It shows the value in supporting the Astronomy Retailers that you know will support you.
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  #60  
Old 22-05-2013, 08:39 AM
Astromelb
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Dear Ice In Spacer's,

Chris (Ausrock) has this basically correct.

I was contacted by the ACCC in my capacity as president of a major Australian astro society, they asked me if I knew these people.

The supplier's email address if you look at it ends with "ca", this is the absolute giveaway, he is in "Canada".

This supplier is not in Australia, they rarely if ever answer your phone calls.

Plus when I checked with some wholesalers regarding products on their webpage they advised they do not have a relationship purchasing telescopes with them, so where are they getting stock from ??

Not very honest

Personally I always recommend purchasing from Australian businesses, not overseas crowds, but that's your call - as for me I wouldn't touch this supplier - their over use of Australia, Australia, Australia all over their webpage is a giveaway, isn't very Australian. They should be open an honest and call themselves "Canadian Telescopes", that would be more honest.

I recommend honest suppliers that actually answer their phone, and are actually IN Australia.

Clear skies to you all.
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