Superb service from Bintel ... again

[Jon]

I'm not usually the sort of person who writes reviews of shops and things. But I can't help but writing something about how good Michael and Don and the guys at Bintel are. High-precision telescopes and cameras are fiddly things, and their owners can be even more fiddly.

I've always had tremendous service - good advice about what to but, and excellent support if things go wrong, or even are suspected of going wrong. My latest issue is an intermittent electrical fault - and we all know how frustrating those can be - causing my telescope to slew crazily in Dec randomly after 2 mins or 12 hours of normal operation. A phone all to Bintel - suspected dodgy servomotor encoders, and a new motor is on its way.

I suspect it's a bloody good business model, though. They've had a good bit of my coin already, and if I ever win the lottery and buy myself a Takahashi-Paramount XXX-rated Finger Lakes astronomical doodad thingy, I know where I'll buy it from :-)

[leon]

Have to agree, they are an excellent business, who care for their customers.

Leon

[toc]

I like bintel, but I always seem to have to hassle them with order statuses. If something is not in stock it would be great to be told. Other than that, they are a great store, and I won't hesitate to buy from them again.

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Yes +1 from me as well , I have got lots of gear from them over the years and always received top service and communication from them .
A great company that I will continue to support .
Brian.

[04Stefan07]

+1.

Went to buy an L Dovetail bracket and they didn't have any in stock so they took my details down and ordered one in for me. 4 days later got a call saying it's ready to pick up.

Went and picked it up and turned out to be cheaper than originally!

Great service as always, will continue to shop there.

[Allan]

My telescope order got lost once or twice, so missed some of their shipments from America. I must admit to getting a bit frustrated at having to wait over 5 months to receive a commonly available telescope. Since that hick-up most of the service has been pretty good.

[Stardrifter_WA]

They do? I certainly don't think so! :sadeyes: I will not say why, so please don't ask, but I will never deal with them again.

[JRC]

I got my C11 (originally from Bintel in 2001) recollimated by Don at Bintel and it works an absolute dream! Don is always good for advice or a chat and very up front both with advice or general help, as is Mike S. Good business!

[Profiler]

I can't speak for other peoples experiences but I have always found Mike and especially Don very helpful, pleasant and always happy to chat about all manner of topic. If there is one clear impression I always come away with from them after a visit to the Sydney Bintel store is that they work at Bintel because they genuinely love astronomy and it isn't about doing "business", "selling anything" or " simply a job" to them.

Ironically, when it comes to shady dealers in the Australian astronomy arena they certainly aren't on my list but a few others certainly do spring to mind. Finally, no - I don't care to name names.:thumbsup:

[Logieberra]

Michael is just a great guy to deal with. I once had a good deposit with him for an GM8. I then changed my mind, with reasonable notice of course. Did he care? Hell no. Full refund with a smile. No questions asked. Service+.

[Ric]

+1

I've been shopping with them since 2006 and never had even a hint of a problem.

I once ordered a book from them one afternoon and it arrived by 10:00am the next morning. I don't know how they did it but I was blooming impressed.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Sorry, comments withdrawn. It appears I am a heretic, for having an opposing view. I didn't intend to upset anyone with my views, so have withdrawn comments.

[Profiler]

Hi Peter

I stick to my original comments that Don and Michael are very nice people and, speaking only from my own personal experiences, I can only have positive feedback towards them and the service and help they have always provided to me over the years.

However, I do take on board your comments and must admit that I have wondered what the Australian astronomy market would be like if Bintel wasn't the only astronomy store in Oz which held exclusive rights to sell Televue products.

But then - I suppose such variables are really what the world of successful businesses is truly all about. In this context, there are far bigger fish to worry about as most international observers would be at a loss to explain how a country as big as this tolerates only two major food retailers which essentially control the market on essential products.

[raymo]

Hi Peter, Whilst I fully support your right to air your opinion of Bintel.
I think that it is a pity that you won't say what your problem with them
is, thus giving them the right to explain their position on the matter,
should they wish to, as another company did recently in this forum.
Other posters who have had issues with retailers have detailed those
issues.
raymo

[Jon]

Most sensible advice, Raymo. But I think here it may be a case of DNFTT. Peter said his piece earlier on in the thread, including the slightly childish "don't ask me why, I won't tell you". But no-one took the bait so he came back for a second go.

I'm certainly not going to take the bait. I'm just going to go and enjoy my scope, which last week was totally stuffed, but four days after a phone call to Bintel now works better than ever (literally) at a cost of $0 to me. Speaks for itself, really.

[philipheaven]

Anthony and James from Bintel's Melbourne store are an absolute pleasure to deal with. Always friendly and they know their stuff. I wouldn't shop anywhere else.

[barx1963]

Some interesting comments here!
Firstly I will back up the general consensus that Bintel are good to deal with. Any of my orders I have made have been despatched promptly, well packaged, and any queries have been responded to quickly and helpfully.
In store in Melbourne the staff are knowledgeable, helpful and patient.
In regard to the comment about exclusivity, I am assuming it is only Televue, as far as I know they are the only product that is exclusive to Bintel in Australia.
When I was in New York in 2012 I popped into B&H and checked their prices in TV eyepieces and result was it was cheaper to go to Bintel. Even today The most recent EP I have purchased was an 8mm Ethos which was $699. OPT sell them for US$585, which after taking exchange rates into account is not far of the mark. So the evidence I see is that although they may be exclusive, as far as EPs are concerned, they are not exploiting it, certainly nothing like the price differences that can be seen on some other products.

Cheers

Malcolm

[Stardrifter_WA]

Jon, I defend the right to your opinion, even if I think it is wrong. It appears I am a heretic, for having an opposing view, something that is obviously not welcome on IIS, so I have withdrawn my comments, and will withdraw altogether.

I really didn't intend to upset anyone, and nor was I trying to bait anyone, with my views, and for this I apologise, if it has come across that way.

I will make no further comments on the matter, other than I simply don't agree, from my personal experiences.

[Stardrifter_WA]

I agree Malcolm, their prices for Tele Vue are on par with OS prices, and I have bought all my Tele Vue eyepiece from Bintel anyway, as I know they are not exploiting prices, that is self evident. Even though prices is often important to most people, it isn't always about price.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Raymo, I did take it up with management, but it was not resolved to my satisfaction. My experience has sadly been different to everyone here.

As 'decent' is clearly not tolerated on this forum, I have withdrawn other comments. I simply don't agree with others experiences, mores the pity, as they are a great business overall. It does make it hard not having other competitors, which is the real issue here, particularly when a business become complacent due to a lack any significant competitors, which was my real point anyway.

[Jon]

Peter, apologies if I was a bit harsh, mate. I wasn't intending to be.

I wonder if you realised how strange your posts appeared - saying "they're no good, but I'm not telling you why". It would have been good if you had just given some substance to your concerns - if they delivered something late, or overpriced, or that didn't work, or stole your money, or if they insulted your favourite constellation in their monthly newsletter? Whatever it was. Just to slag them off without giving details - well, I reckon that's dodgy.

[Jatz]

I am in Adelaide, and have never been to Bintel in person, but they have been generally stellar (excuse the pun) to deal with via phone orders!

[Harb]

Yes I have to say they have always given me great service......its been a while since I have been on the eyepiece, but I have nothing but good experiences with them.