Good value overseas astronomy shops that ship to Aus.

[Mokusatsu]

Hi,

What US or other vendors do you buy from, given the huge markups on equipment locally. I'm after a pair of good value 20x80+ binoculars.

I saw this company mentioned in another IceInSpace thread and am considering buying:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=20x80&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Does anyone have any recommendations for other places, either cheaper or perhaps better support if they arrive broken or something?

Travis

[Amaranthus]

I have bought a lot from B&H Photo. They are really competitively priced, pack the gear well, and send the orders quickly. Highly recommended.

[glend]

I buy a fair bit from Agena Astro, and OPT corp, and have never had anyyhing arrive broken. I would recommend you stick with California based businesses like the two mentioned, that way you can get low cost USPS shipping rates and next day dispatch via the LA international sorting centre and air dispatch daily direct to Aus. It's not unusual to get a delivery in a week from these suppliers. The problems with east coast USA suppliers is the long transit times via USPS to the few international sorting centers.

[killswitch]

+1 for B&H. Sometimes their shipping prices is a bit funny though (Probably due to what Glen was saying)

Theres also AgenaAstro and Optcorp are also good.

Wait for the upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

[Stardrifter_WA]

I also get most of my gear from OPT too, as well as deal with B&H for photo stuff. OPT has a much better range of astro gear than B&H.

Used Agena once but wasn't happy with their service and product knowledge.

[clive milne]

Travis, that is a sweeping statement and I am not sure that it is entirely fair or correct.

[dannat]

if youre looking at the skymaster 20x80 once you factor in post & currency conversion- you might consider this locally
bintel -orion 20x80 (http://www.bintel.com.au/Binoculars/Orion-Binoculars/Orion-20x80-Astro/1045/productview.aspx)

[brunono2]

Agena- they are fantastic- there are no better suppliers than Agena- they ship by next day and keep you informed- their shipping charges are amongst the lowest- they use USPS - IF THERE are any issues with an item they correct it immediately-items are well packed- I prefer them to OPT who are also good

I get upset when persons say anything bad about such suppliers as a previous messager who does not know what they are talking about- I have imported many, many items through them and am 100% satisfied- there ARE NOT MANY other suppliers that I can say the same for

Brian

[Stardrifter_WA]

It is rather obviously that you are talking about me here Brian. :sadeyes: So, who are you to judge me?

Not everyone has the same experiences as you Brian and I do know what I am taking about. I have, probably, forgotten more than you know about astronomical products. But, having said that, I do expect a high level of service and product knowledge, as a result. That is my right! So, that is an arrogant statement to make, as you have no idea of the situation and you do not know me.

From my experience, I cannot defend them in the same manner as you. Although not a certainty, unlike an Australia company whom I will never deal with again, I will probably not deal with Agena again, based on my personal experience.

That is the problem with this forum, any descent isn't tolerated. :sadeyes: God forbid anyone to say anything bad about your favourite store on this site.

I do commend you for your loyalty though Brian and your defence of a company that you are oblviously happy with and that is admirable. And I am happy that you have had such a great experience.

You are also completely wrong though, as I can also defend several companies in the same way you have with Agena. There are other suppliers that are great to deal with, OPT, Stellarvue, in particular, and Astronomics, however, let me clearly state that I think these are great companies to deal with based on my experiences.

Yours isn't the only experience. And, I do not denigrate them for their speedy service either, but then, that is their job!

Peter

[Mokusatsu]

I'm talking over the entire supply chain.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not suggesting that the astronomy shops of Australia are ripping us off and I know Australian shops tend to do relatively low volume compared to some of the giant businesses in the US, which comes into it too.

But when I look at the prices of some of those binoculars and find I can pay about 40% of the local RRP inclusive of shipping I imagine somewhere along the line are importers and wholesalers applying quite substantial markups and it's not hard to make a case for just buying off the Internet.

It's the same with a lot of specialty retail in Australia. I'm a cyclist too and get everything from a handful of popular web based retailers at a fraction of the Australian shop price. I don't blame the shop owners, but the physical retail store business model clearly adds a lot of expense!

Travis

[sil]

+1 for Agena, bought lots of smaller items from them.Very happy.
+1 for B&H, bought a 6" celestron SCT scope and mount, the controller came with a known software problem, when I asked B&H if there was a path I could apply to fix they just organised pick up and replacement of the scope. No mucking about, very fast and efficient. This is probably the only DOA item I've ever had so I don't care much about customer support but I was very surprised at how good they made the experience when I did need it. I know a lot of times the postage is a killer from the USA but it often is still a better deal than can be found in Australia.

[brunono2]

Hi Peter
Yes I was referring to your derogatory statement about Agena- A robust discussion is always good if we are open to it and do not take offence if someone disagrees & do not get personal

To say you have forgotten more about Astronomy than I know about is a strong statement from someone who dosent even know or met me- so please don't raise this kind of personal attack without even knowing the person you are referring to.

Agena is simply one of the most efficient distributors I have met- they don't pretend to be product experts- I HAVE BOUGHT MANY MANY ITEMS TO BACK UP MY OPINION

Stellarvue and OPT on the other hand are very different providing a complete service to astronomers- professional advice, services and higher value products as well as accessories.

You cannot compare the 2 types but we amateur astronomers need both
types of suppliers

Brian

[Stardrifter_WA]

Fair enough Brian. I take your point, I do not know you.

For the record, I was not attacking your personally, as I do not know you, as you correctly pointed out, but your statement that I am wrong was arrogant, just as much as mine was, particularly since you don't know me either. You are also correct, I cannot make any statement without knowing you, just as you cannot justify your statement without knowing me.

None of this changes my view either, based on my own experiences. If this upsets you, that I don't see this dealer in the same light as you, well I am sorry about that.

If I cannot make a statement in the negative without being castigated, then it is a sad day for this forum.

Goodbye Brian :)

[brunono2]

Hi Peter

We have both expressed our vies on Agena
I have no issue with your comments in the last reply
Its healthy to openly air our opinions in this forum as long as we
don't allow this to get us upset with each other-after all we are not dealing with serious issues

Cheers

Brian

[KenGee]

Hi Mokusatsu/Travis be sure to let us know who you work for so we can avoid spending any money with them.

[Mokusatsu]

I'm a student, I don't have a job (or an income).

Do your worst! ;)

Travis

[PCH]

Lol - great comeback - very funny indeed :)

[jenchris]

The suppliers have pretty much cut out the heart of the market by gouging.
The retailer can't do any better and make a living.
The level playing field that Keating promised with USA is very lopsided from my point of view.

I'm going to get my supplies direct from USA after this.
I have sufficient contacts over there to allow for most problems and move around the world sufficiently to enable moving new stuff without undue excise.

[OzStarGazer]

I like skies_unlimited on eBay. Postage is cheap, and Alan is very helpful.

[GeoffW1]

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

But you will someday! We will get you then ;):lol:

[Mokusatsu]

In all seriousness though, I know the fault doesn't really lie with local retailers. They have to apply a certain markup in order to cover their costs, which is on top of the markup applied by the wholesalers, importers, and GST.

It's really hard to be in retail, I know this because one of my first jobs was as a milkman, back when direct household delivery of milk was still a thing. Supermarkets would regularly sell milk retail for less than the wholesale price which I paid, and they could cover their costs on razor thin (or negative) milk margins because customers bought other things while they were there. It sucked, but at the end of the day I accepted that the people in my area did not owe me a living, that I was not a charity and the only way to run the business profitably would be to compete based on convenience (direct deliveries to the doorsteps, or sometimes the kitchen fridges of often immobile elderly customers), range (being able to get in any yoghurt flavour when the shops refused to carry anything but strawberry and vanilla for example!) or whatever.

I could feel sorry for the people in retail, but if they're losing money because they can't compete with discount Internet retailers, then maybe they need to examine their business models and find other income streams.

[John K]

Interesting discussion. My 2 cents worth.

Having worked in the wholesale/marketing area for a long time, the issues that work against Australian retailers can be:

1. They don't have high volumes compared to retailers o/s therefore what they can buy the products for and the rebates they can get especially with currency movements generally means products are more expensive for them than for retailers based in the product manufacturer's home countries e.g. telescope companies in the USA with their local retailers

2. Freight - remember that our retailers have to get the product shipped to them, hold the stock, and then sell to us.

3. Retail rentals - Rents can be quite high in OZ compared to O/S in terms of retail trading costs as can wages on an hourly rate. e.g. USA

The evolving model for retail is to look in-store, then order on-line, and get it shipped directly from O/S. The retailer becomes a portal and a viewing area. This already happens for the GSO RC products I think?? all you need is demo stock on the floor.

Prices have gone down, but when an o/s retailer is discounting, tough for our retailers to compete. BUT, retailers that offer good service, technical expertise and good staff, means that people can be prepared to pay extra for this service. I think Bintel is a good example of this. Also, if you want it NOW, and the retailer has it in stock, then instant gratification is worth something.

Another reason retailers like harvey norman want the government to charge us GST for purchases below $1000. That alone creates currently a 10% difference in pricing.

Clear skies,

John K.