Andrews Communication

[OneEye]

Just wondering if this firm is reliable re service and warenties etc. as their price for a CGEM 925 EDGE HD is about $500 cheaper than what was quoted by a local dealer (Celestron agent)

[John W]

I've always found them reliable and prices good. Should be no problems.

[glend]

Andrews is not part of the Australian Celestron dealer network, and as such all warranty issues have to be addressed by Andrews directly. Celestron have a premium dealer like Bintel, that can service, repair, etc as approved by Celestron Tech Support. It is unclear where Andrews acquires its Celestron gear but it is not part of the distribution system as far as i can determine.
That said i have dealt with Andrews for years and yes their prices are usually the lowest. I know with the radio gear they sell, most is also covered by an Andrews warranty and not a manufacturers. With GSO scopes, they are a direct importer of GSO gear, and have a relationship with GSO Taiwan.

[xelasnave]

I have found them great.
Ring them and ask the question you ask here...
You will have the pleasure to speak to someone who will answer you honestly also ask them what happens if something goes wrong ... I am sure they would be good to deal with but try a call.
alex

[SkyWatch]

I agree with Alex. I have always found Andrews to be up front, friendly, knowledgable, and they do all they can to help. I would have no concerns about them honouring any warranty.

- Dean

[codemonkey]

The first mount I ever bought was a CG5 from Andrews. I had a problem with the hand controller and returned it - it was promptly fixed and shipped back. Do be wary if as Glen says they're not official dealers of the item in question though, it may not be a simple fix and you may get stuck. Andrews always had great prices and were fast to ship... I bought many things from Andrews!

[leon]

I wish the service I got from them on a broken item was as good as you guys say !!

Leon

[OzEclipse]

I've always had good dealings with them. Good sales service. Never needed after sales service. As earlier poster mentioned, contact them and ask about warranty service. They always seem pretty straight and honest with their responses.

Joe

[multiweb]

+1 - top blokes. They've been around a long time and to last in this game you have to do the right thing. It's a very small community.

[Premordial]

They're a good bunch at Andrews. Have purchased from them over the last few years. Questions patiently answered, and phone calls promply returned.

[Sconesbie]

I called them on Monday and bought something over the phone and it arrived on Tuesday (To Tasmania) via express post.

It was only a small item but was no problem.


Regards
Scott

[RB]

That's pretty good for overseas Scott.

:lol:

[Visionary]

Marc, you nailed it, within a small community poor behaviour isn't tolerated for long. Andrew's have been in business a long time, ergo: they are a well-behaved supplier and coincidently, great blokes.

[gaseous]

Bought a few eyepieces from them and they’ve been fast and professional. Sounds like Leon might have gotten the work experience student!

[raymo]

I might as well add my two bobs worth. I have bought a scope, several
EPs, and a couple of other small items from them over the years with
no problems.
raymo

[Tropo-Bob]

I generally pay over the phone, by card, for gear in Australia and never had any problems. This includes several items from Andrews Com.

I have never had a bad experience with any Oz optical suppliers.

Not quiet true: I priced an item many years ago from a supplier, who gave me a vastly inflated price, sounded like I was bothering him and who disappeared from the game a or two year later. I was surprised he lasted that long!

[Huey]

I dealt with Andrews on numerous occasions and always paid with my card as I live in Outback NSW. Never had any problems and delivery was always prompt with the item exactly what I ordered and at a good price.
I did have problems with my card but not with Andrews and only when I booked accommodation on line in Oz. I very much trust Andrews as they are good people to deal with and a small family business that needs our support to be able to offer the prices they do.

Huey

[that_guy]

I suppose you guys are right, I've deleted the post.

[m11]

+1 Just wanted to add, brought from Andrew's Communication on a number of occasions and they have been great to deal with. Always easy to talk to and I have found them professional for my purchases.

I have had no problems with orders or the items ordered being delivered, always packaged well going interstate.

The only thing I would say is their website is hard to navigate as it seems to scroll forever!

M11

[gaseous]

A bit like your list of scopes Mel! Very impressive...

[m11]

Hi Gaseous,

Lol, don't tell the wife as she is already complaining about space :rofl::rofl::rofl:

My wonky aim was to get enough scopes and binos so I could lend or give to others for free to use and spend time with people to help them with it.

I went a bit nuts I think also on the eyepieces :sadeyes:

M11

[RKenning]

Hi Evan,

I know it's a bit of a late reply, but better than nothing.
I bought an AVX EdgeHD8inch package and then later an ED80 Ref from Andrews Comm. The guys at Andrews are fantastic for service and advice. I will happily go back for my next purchase. e.g Larger Apo refractor and possibly CGX as well.

Clear Skies.

Rob

[04Stefan07]

I originally bought my Lunt solar scope from them a few years back who were great to deal with but lately not so much.

I send them emails and get no reply until I call the store up. They said they seen my email just had no time to reply. If they are that busy it sounds like they need to hire another employee to just answer emails. I inquired about a product to which they had to contact the supplier to get a price and ETA, still haven’t heard back from them. I have contacted the supplier directly in the past before and got a reply within 24 hours, and they are on the other side of the globe!

They were good a while back but lately been having a lot of issues.

Their prices are great and range good but their customer service needs a bit of work.

[casstony]

Stefan, if they're really busy it's a good excuse to share the business around. I spent a few $ at Astro Pete's on the weekend - good email communication.
Phone is the best method for Andrews; they haven't been great at emailing for several years. I think they had trouble keeping up with the volume of email enquiries.

[04Stefan07]

Yeah, I did phone them a few times and they said they would get back to me but never did.

[Nikolas]

Many people don't have time to sit on the phone which is why email is so useful. If they have enough time to answer calls they have more than enough time to answer emails.
I too emailed them and never got a reply, still waiting 2 years later in the hope they will do so. Crap service does not get my money despite price. Their website is a dogs breakfast as well

[xelasnave]

I am sorry to hear about even the occassional example of poor service but I must again say my experience with Andrews has been wonderful.

My EQ6 delivered personally by the boss, my 8 inch and HEQ5 also from Andrews...rung up found none in stock or in the shop so I arrange to call them...that works ...and I called personally for the mount and scope on different days...and in each case they carried the goods to the car.
Now that is the kind of service that one does not get at any other stores I know about.

Imagine going to Harvey Norman for example and have the sales staff carry the purchase ti the car...er hang on they have done that for me...but few do...and certainly Andrews offer without being asked.

Bad service should not happen but if someone fails to return a call give them the benefit of the doubt and ring them..you know how it can go you try and ring back and you cant get someone and I have had occassion where I ring and ring and when you finally get them they tell you they had their phone off or something.
Who knows but heck call back rather than sit and become indignant as if you are the only person in the world and folk should serve you as if you are the only person on their list.

Heck up North last week you could not get anyone on the phone and when you did the call would drop out...
As to their web site I like it...if you look around you will find it at least it seems it all there.

Anyways if anyone wants to cut Andrews out got for it as you will be the loser really.

Alex

[Nikolas]

Problem is some of us are time poor and don't have the time to sit on the phone, it is one of my pet hates to have to wait on hold and try and describe what I want or worse you have to call then leave a message then wait till they call back, usually when you can't get back to the phone because of work or other commitments, I could go on and on. Email is a great failsafe so long as a company bothers to respond. I've emailed companies both here and overseas and received response well within the next hour or so, sometimes within the first 5 minutes, it opens up a dialogue of conversation so that when I am ready to purchase and need to call the other party is expecting me to do so.
Common courtesy gets you very far.
I'm glad your experience was a fgood one Alex, being ion the same area as the company is awesome but since Bintel left Melbourne we are very hard up on good and quality and affordable service

[xelasnave]

I dont like the phone these days but I am not into emails☺
Vert hard to avoid email but I have managed...only notable email I have had was actually to Bintel when I was having the field flattner on the 80mm I purchased via Michael before he left for Tassie.
I sure appreciated their help.
Probably someone could tell Andrews they may be able to address it. All calls should be recorded a copy stats wuth the salesman which he completed these being cross checked on some periodical basis...maybe they need to know how the world works these days.
I would hate to be in Real Estate now..its twenty four seven with email and world wide exposure...
Maybe we send them an email and suggest areas to help them and us all at once.
Or we could wait let their business decline then buy it and turn it into a world wide franchise..
Alex