Aquila Optical

[Spiney]

Hi, Any comments on the following.
I've ordered apair of AOE 11 x 70 binos from Aquila Optical but unfortunately (stupid me) didn't read where it said to contact them regarding orders. These were orderd on the net on the 18th Jan and the money taken from visa on the 19th jan. The problem is that I've emailed and faxed them on the 19th (with all relevant details) and heard nothing and I've emailed and faxed them again today the 20th and still heard nothing.
Is this normal or am I correct in feeling a little concerned. I've read good reports about them on this site so what do you guys reckon. :help3:

[janoskiss]

AOE have been extremely good with me via email on many occasions. The BEST! You might need to give them a day or so to catch up between emails. Make sure you got the right email address too. Give them a call if email is not doing it for you. The guys running the place are tops and I'm sure they'll look after you.

[Spiney]

Thanks Janoskiss I'll give them more time but I don't have their phone number as its not on the web or white pages. Any clues.:confuse3:

[janoskiss]

phonebook?? :shrug:

[ving]

i doubt you are in any real trouble.... I havent heard any bad about these guys

[Thiink]

I highly doubt its much more than a backlog of emails. Raff was extremely helpful and efficient when I ordered my binoculars from him. I think the longest time between emails was 24hours.

I wouldnt worry too much about it, you will get them, and they will be worth the effort when they arrive. I love my little 11x56's!

[stringscope]

I found them very helpfull and professional when I delt with them in December last year.

[Mikezoom]

Yep, never had a problem. I could not find a phone # either but Raff did reply to my email within 24hrs. Great Binos too! ;)

Mike. B.

[Spiney]

Thanks guys makes me feel a litle more comfortable. I'll give them a couple more working days before I really start to worry. Besides its been pouring down here at Tamborine so couldn't have used them anyway.

[johnno]

Hi All,
I got an email from Raff,a couple of days ago,as I was also concerned,re lack of answers,to an enquiry I had sent.

He explained they have changed servers recently,and wont be up to full speed until Jan 31,as they had been basically closed,since just after Xmas,and are just now catching up on their emails.

I guess we all need a break,now and then.

I would not be too worried,I have bought a few things off them,and found them great.

I also have a pair of the 11x56 binoculars,from them,and they are very good for the money.

Regards.
John

[acropolite]

I have dealt with Raff once and found the lack of a contact phone number annoying, however the service was great and Raff did contact me a few daysafter my email request and apologise for not contacting me sooner.

[janoskiss]

Spiney, Did you get things sorted out with AOE? I'm noticing their website is down, in fact it redirects to a page that says:

Account Inactive
If you are the owner, please login to the Control Panel to re-activate this account.

:confuse2:

[asimov]

Must admit, I've been wondering what's going on with AOE lately. I'm a fairly good mate of Raff's & we quite regularly email each other & shoot the astronomical breeze.

I sent him an email just before Xmas & still haven't heard from him. :confuse3: But apparently most of my emails end up in their spam bin for some reason...hence he was going to try to fix this.

Why their website is down has me intrigued though. :confuse2:

[janoskiss]

Not good! They were the only alternative I knew of to Andrews for good budget binos from hand helds to giants. On many other items they actually beat Andrews on price but they also know a lot about optics and have been very helpful for me in the past. I hope they are just having a long summer vacation and will be back. If they already charged your visa Spiney, I hope you get your binos soon. But maybe the credit card transactions are automated... Pls let us know how it turns out.

[johnno]

I also had problems accessing their website a few days ago,and I thought the worst,BUT, it was back up again a couple of days later.

I got an email from Raff,about 10 days ago,explaining they had been pretty much closed since Xmas,And would be up and running by Monday 30 th.This month.

I wouldn,t be too concerned,until then.

Regards.
John

[Spiney]

Hi guys. Yep I heard from Raff the other day and apparently they have had problems with the email side of things. I've just received my 11 x 70 binos and yes they are great, especially for the price. From the date I ordered them to the day I received them took 12 days. Not exactly efficient. However I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and understand that they did have issues with their server. I will say though that a contact telephone number would have gone a long way to alleviate any tension.
Anyway the skys up here are real dark and I'll be out again tonight with my new toy. Next step will be a 10" or 12" Dob (if the wife lets me!!!)

[ving]

gunna do us a review
?
glad its sorted :)

[janoskiss]

Glad you got your binos and that AOE are back in action. Yes, phone contact would be nice. Essential really. I don't understand how they can operate without a phone.. :shrug:

[johnno]

I am also pleased to see you got your Binos ok.

I must admit The lack of a contact Phone number is VERY annoying,But Raff has allways been very prompt in replying to emails before,even at 10pm at night sometimes.

Glad their back up and running.

Regards.
John

[acropolite]

I have to agree with you John, I suspect Raff loses a lot of business because people simply can't phone him. In my case if I want to order something my primary prerequisite is availability of the goods followed by ease of ordering then price. :confuse3:

[johnno]

Hi Phil,

Yes Mate,
It is quite a concern,when you cant contact someone,ESPECIALLY,when you have paid your money,like Spiney did.

I SUSPECT,Raff may work from home,(that would explain, the Nightime emails,I mentioned)

It May, also explain the reluctance to provide a contact phone number,
I know I would go Ballistic,getting phone calls,at all hours.

BUT,
I feel their CREDIBILITY, and TRUST, has suffered greatly IMO,over NOT having some sort of contact,other than Email.

In view of this,I will "Wait,and see",BEFORE,I am so hasty to recommend them again.

Regards.
John