Bad News for Melbourne Astronomy

[torana68 (Roger)]

It would be a sad day if someone's opinion were not allowed on a forum, how do people make informed decisions if opinions are censored? if you love a business or otherwise should be able to be stated freely.....

[Nikolas (Nik)]

Originally Posted by Astromelb

Dear IIS team,

Sad news indeed.

This leaves my business - Astronomy Alive - as the only specialist retail supplier of telescopes in Melbourne.

In my decades in astronomy I have seen Roger at BATSC, Astro Optical, York and now Bintel close.

You now only have Astronomy Alive in the Melbourne suburb of Bentleigh - able to support a full range of specialist astronomy products from beginner, intermediate, advanced, professional and major observatory systems.


www.astronomyalive.com.au

Just trolled your website
Little stock, slow to load, price on asking is a no no. either state the price or don't even bother.
Not a fan of the gloating either.
Bintel still have their sydney store and their website is way easier to follow and everything is priced.

[alpal]

Originally Posted by RB

I wouldn't buy from you if you were the last Astronomy shop in the World !

Just my thoughts....

RB

That's awful from a moderator & to a person who advertises on this site.

I can tell you from experience that what Cris has on his website in only a fraction of what he actually has in stock.
He has items that you could try to get for years on Astro Mart & not be successful.

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by alpal

I can tell you from experience that what Cris has on his website in only a fraction of what he actually has in stock.

He has items that you could try to get for years on Astro Mart & not be successful.

How is anyone supposed to know what's available if it's not advertised?

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Hey guys
When I started this thread I never intended it to be a slanging match over who is a good retailer etc. Just sad that a store I have frequented and enjoyed visiting over the years is no more.

Let's just leave it at that hey!

Malcolm

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by barx1963

Hey guys
When I started this thread I never intended it to be a slanging match over who is a good retailer etc. Just sad that a store I have frequented and enjoyed visiting over the years is no more.

Let's just leave it at that hey!

Malcolm

Well said.

[Astromelb]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

The moderator that made the comments - I don't know you, have never had any dealings with you, have never spoken to you or corresponded with you, so whilst you are welcome to your opinion, I just don't know where you got it from. On IIS you don't use your name, merely "initials", and call yourself "moderator", may I recommend this is not a very open way to communicate ?

Let's just leave this as a sad goodbye to a decent & capable Melbourne retailer.

Rgds,
Cris.

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by alpal

That's awful from a moderator & to a person who advertises on this site.

Moderator or not, I don't form my opinion based on who advertises on here.
Maybe you'd be happy to hear from someone that does base their opinion on sponsorship.

I too am saddened to see a branch of an astro retailer close.

Our hobby consists of a tightly knit community and it's a very competitive marketplace so it hurts everyone when we see our buying options diminish.

Luckily Bintel hasn't closed up completely and the Sydney Store is going strong.
I have been more than happy with the service I have received from Bintel Sydney and I might add, other astro dealers I've delt with over the (more than) ten years in this hobby.

Just my opinion and I wish the staff at Bintel Melbourne all the best in the future.

RB

[traveller (Bo)]

Getting back the original intention of the post, I bought a couple of things there today. They will close on Sat and will be missed when the doors finally shut.
Bo

[raymo]

I'm sorry, I just can't keep my mouth shut. Astromelb obviously just doesn't get it at all. We are here expressing our thoughts on the closing
of yet another astro outlet. This is neither THE TIME NOR THE PLACE to
push his business, and he's still doing it in his latest post.
raymo

[VPAstro (Andrew and Cam)]

I would have to agree with you Raymo.
I have typed up a few responses, but deleted them all.

[John K]

Back to the original intention of the thread....

I too am saddened by the closure of Bintel which I think is reflective of the tough environment that retailers have to operate in. The emergence of on-line shopping no doubt strongly affected Bintel and other retailers (aka. Dick Smith!) where people go in, get advice face to face, get the info, and then buy the cheapest on-line.

Nothing beats having a well stocked retail store with knowledgable staff to advise particularly beginners.

However, I still fully don't understand why for certain items related to our hobby there can be such a wide variation between buying on-line from O/S vs locally. That's another discussion though related to overheads, wages etc!!! as well as local purchasing power.

RIP Bintel Melbourne.

[N1 (Mirko)]

Perhaps this is an area where an astro club or society could play a more active role? I understand that's how AstroNZ was conceived. Not sure if they have physical premises open to the public though.

Re controversy around the one remaining retailer in Melbourne - interesting

[anthony2302749]

Originally Posted by Nikolas

Went in this morning to buy a pier extension but alas I found out they were closing in Melbourne. Anthony is a true professional and it will definitely be the end of an era.

Hi Nikolas, thanks for the complement. Cheers Anthony

[anthony2302749]

Originally Posted by 04Stefan07

I can confirm Anthony is starting up his own telescope/binocular repair business. Had a chat with him and was telling me a bit about it.

He is currently building a website so I would keep an close eye on it .

www.battes.com.au

Thank Stefan

As for the first week of business things are going well. Setup a temporary work space in the study. Gets a little crowded when the son decides to play Minecraft. Although this is one of the reasons I went in to business for myself, to spend more time with my son.

Completed my first service job on an 8" dobsonian, mirror need cleaning, some moisture removed from the finder, bit of a paint job and new rubber on the focuser knobs.

I am also in the process of purchasing lathe and milling machine which with a bit of luck will be installed in the next week or so. Once I have these two items setup I can do a lot more like complete the repairs on Melvin's Orion 15x70 and make tool required for binocular repairs.

As for the web site it is slowly coming together the Contact page is fully functional so if you have any enquires feel free to contact me.

The web address is www.battes.com.au

Cheers
Anthony McCulloch
Binocular and Telescope Technical Services

[anthony2302749]

Originally Posted by Hagar

Sad to see Bintel disappear from Melbourne. It was one of my drop in spots when I travelled down to Melbourne. I had quite an account with the guys there. even after they showed my daughter one Fathers day. Thank god it wasn't the wife.

All the best with your new venture Anthony. It's been nice doing business with you over the years.

Thanks' Doug c

Cheers Anthony

[Nikolas (Nik)]

Originally Posted by Astromelb

Thanks for all the comments guys.

The moderator that made the comments - I don't know you, have never had any dealings with you, have never spoken to you or corresponded with you, so whilst you are welcome to your opinion, I just don't know where you got it from. On IIS you don't use your name, merely "initials", and call yourself "moderator", may I recommend this is not a very open way to communicate ?

Let's just leave this as a sad goodbye to a decent & capable Melbourne retailer.

Rgds,
Cris.

So why is your website such a trainwreck with no advertised prices for all items?
Can you address that concern?