Sellers on IIS

[The Mekon]

I have noted that there are some IIS members who seen to be regular sellers of astronomical equipment (no names mentioned), yet they are not declared dealers.
I have no objection to their doing so, in fact I have made some great buys off these members in the past.
My question is, do they have some special inside arrangements to access a treasure trove of stuff to sell, (if so I want to know where!) - or do they just frequently turn over their gear?

As one who almost never sells anything I am just curious.

[Screwdriverone]

Hi John,

I have noticed the same thing, people who seem to be always selling some high end scope, or even a cheapie, who seem like they wouldnt own that or somehow are selling on behalf of someone else or perhaps some shop somewhere (alledgedly).

Its only my observation of the frequency and range of equipment that is always "near new" or bought x months ago and never used. If these items were bought to test out, considering their high turn over rate, wouldnt the seller be burning money? The items are never full retail price....seems silly and suspect to me.

I'm not denying some items are attractive to buy at reduced prices, yet it always feels like some people are conducting businesses here without declaring themselves doing so (in violation of the T&C's?). I know of others who are completely up front about their affiliation and have it in their signature (but dont ever sell their wares here)....

I have brought my suspicions to the attention of the moderators once or twice, but they assure me that it all checks out, and I believe them.

Still doesnt stop me from wondering why and how often some people buy thousands of $$$$$ of telescope equipment and then immediately offload it?

hmmmm, makes you wonder....

Cheers

Chris

[renormalised]

I wonder that sometimes too, Chris. What really gets me is where are they getting all the money from to buy this equipment!!!. Like, how often can you put your hands on the money to buy an EdgeHD scope...of any size!!!!. Or, a top of the line CCD camera. What's more, unless you have some arrangement to test out equipment for some store/organisation, why would you want to part with good gear like that anyway???!!!. Not after a few weeks!!!. Geez, if I could get my hands on a 14" EdgeHD or Meade ACF, and a FLI Proline or SBIG camera of any decent size, I'd lock it up and throw away the key so far as selling it goes!!!!. You have to wonder about it, though. Pointless to buy something one week only to sell it off the next because you've "changed your mind"??!!.

[Octane]

Some people are just very fortunate, I guess.

H

[multiweb]

Some compulsive buyers I reckon. More interested in buying and selling than actually using the stuff?

[Screwdriverone]

Dont get me wrong, it benefits the buyers here who pick up a bargain or two.....

Something just doesnt seem right about it sometimes....ebayaholic or not....

Cheers

Chris

[bartman]

I must admit it has crossed my mind as well. I see some sellers selling stuff bit by bit over a period of time.
And yes H:), some are fortunate, and that does give us an opportunity to have a bit of their fortune:D.
Let sleeping dogs lie?

[Ric]

I just wish I could be able to afford one of those CCD cameras that pop up from time to time.

Always just out of my price range.

[renormalised]

Yeah, there's been some beauties turn up in the classifieds.

[tlgerdes]

I think the government should do something to help this minority group.

Maybe have a licensing system for everyone to be able buy and sell anything, that way they can keep track of the shopaholics and protect them from themselves, maybe a pre-commit limit attached to it.:screwy:

[Saturn%5]

As long as they keep selling i will be happy, In the market for a complete new set up very soon. :)

[iceman]

This is quite true I think. Some people love the technical/equipment aspect of the hobby rather than actually using it.

And some people buy things on special, get "extras", and then sell the extras.

Chris is right, it has been raised a few times and I've checked it out and its legit. There's no 'dealers' acting in this way.

[GrahamL]

I've lost out over $1000 buying and selling on high end eyepieces over the years, I've even bought and sold orthos twice because I don't like the eye relief:P

In light of recent events here I'd be more concerned about the number of times an item has been sold or if it exists at all rather than any long standing member selling on fairly new gear , I can think of a mod here
who in a past life likely got x-mass cards from the freight companies the amount of gear they'd regularly move on :)

[5ash]

I have observed some notable members consistently selling/reselling quite expensive gear , and by this means improving their equipment over a number of years . Good luck to them , in many cases it is the only way to afford high end equipment. Only wish I had the gumption to follow their lead.
Philip

[Jules76]

If it's not against the T&C's, I don't see the big fuss. Besides, it means more bargains for those who can't afford to pay retail. :thumbsup:

[The Mekon]

There is no fuss Julian, I was just curious to know if there is a great treasure trove of gear out there that I do not know about!

There is so much good gear out there at decent prices these days, I agree that these members are only doing a good service if they are acting as conduits to move stuff on.

Todays generation do not know how lucky they are. Back when I was 16 I had worked for two years to save the $150 to buy my Royal Astro 3" refractor (2nd hand at that)!

[AstralTraveller]

One regular saleman has told me how much he has lost selling near-new stuff second hand. Yet I notice he still does it. :shrug:



I think the most cost-effective way to improve equipment is to buy quality and buy it once. You may have to wait but you won't lose money on the resale as you incrementally step up and you won't want to replace what you have. When I upgraded my ep collection (from the stuff I had in the 70s) I worked out what I wanted and checked the classifieds several times every day. Eventually most of what I wanted appeared and I got good-as-new for ca. 75% of new price.

[Hagar]

I for one am a fairly regular seller on this site and can assure you I am not a dealer, at least not yet. I usually buy new gear only to find for one reason or another that it doesn't suit the use I wish to put it to so thus another sale. I would have thought that everyone would be jhappy with the huge amount of gear that is for sale on the site and the often rediculously low price a lot of it gets sold for.
Most of the gear I sell is near new and priced at well below market price just to move it on.

Should at some stage I become a dealer you can rest assured the prices I am selling at will jump quite some and I will also inform everyone of my status.

Keep gear moving everyone. I for one appreciate the low prices.

I still maintain a dealers forum on the site would be a welcomed addition where deallers can offer gear at special prices and let us all know about new gear. I see absolutely nothing wrong with deallers providing some service on the site. Some already advertise on the site, possibly for a fee or maybe not but a service to us all is just another bonus of belonging to a community like this.

[ballaratdragons]

Would you rather someone sell their high-end gear here, available to all at a lower price, or that they trade it in and the dealer makes the profit when they re-sell it?

Most Astro companies don't take trade-ins anyway, so they have to be sold privately.
And I know of no 2nd hand Astro shops.

Let em sell as much as they want in here. It ends up helping us :thumbsup:

Yeah, I agree with Doug. A Dealers section would be good :thumbsup:

[richardda1st]

Thanks for that Doug, :thumbsup:I was going to say the same thing. What's wrong with dealers selling on IIS?:question:

[iceman]

Having a dealers forum on IIS is something that Terry and I have discussed a number of times - most recently a few weeks ago.

Will keep you posted.

[renormalised]

Nothing, so long as it's legal. What we're just curious about is where some people who very regularly post there can cough up the money to buy all this stuff, only to eventually pass it on in a very short space of time. Not only that, if you're going to buy something like astronomical equipment, wouldn't it be prudent to know what you want beforehand and what you want to do with it, before you go plunking down literally thousands of dollars to acquire it??. It's like why buy a C14 when 2 weeks or so later you start to think "Maybe I should've got a 20" dob instead" and then sell the C14. Know what you want, make up your mind, buy it and stick by the purchase.

[renormalised]

A dealers forum would be brilliant, especially if the dealers can keep us up to date with the latest news and reviews in astro gear.

[ballaratdragons]

It's not really any of our business how they can cough up as much money as they like (as much as it amazes us stuck on pensions) and then dump it again fairly quickly.

Maybe they have very big bank accounts :shrug:

I know of one member in here who regularly buys expensive equipment, tries it out, maybe uses it for a while, then passes that gear on for free to quite a few other members.
Yes, free.
Telecopes, adaptors, lenses, accessories etc.
This member is in a situation where they can do it, and enjoys doing it to help others.

But I feel a bit annoyed about a couple of buyer/sellers who may be just using this site to run a small business in buying and selling for profit.
I know it isn't against any rules and it is 'just business' but it doesn't seem right to me. Especially when they buy the item here, then resell it in here immediately for more.
They are more of a worry than someone regularly unloading unwanted gear at cheaper prices (which we should be happy about) :thumbsup:

[Hagar]

Maybe I earn a bit more than you Carl or I have expectations which are harder to fill or I just buy on a whim and sell on later or maybe I just see a bargain and think I can make a few bucks on it selling it here.
Whatever the reason it still doesn't make me a dealer unless I make the bulk of my living from it or choose to register as one. You can still make a small income selling second hand gear without requiring a second hand dealers lisence.

I hate to think what I have lost over the years through all of the reasons stated above but with that in mind I have never had someone who bought something from me offer more because it was too cheap.

[Stu Ward]

I nearly bought a 14" Goto from the Classifieds here, but coupled with the guys inflexibility to view the thing, some of the excuses made, and the fact that all of the guys contributions to these forums have been Buy / Sell then i decided to pull out.

[renormalised]

I don't mean you specifically, Doug. I don't think anyone does. I don't see you in there all that often anyway, and not with very expensive stuff for the most part. I'm talking about people who regularly sell things like expensive scopes and such. That seem to appear every few weeks to months with near brand new stuff to sell on. It's great that they do, we're the ones benefiting from it. But you have to wonder about why they would do such a thing...what are their motivations.

[Jeffkop]

I decided to scratch my 50 year itch to look into the heavens. I didnt have a clue what to buy ... I joined this forum and asked questions and told all those interested in reading my posts about what I was interested in etc etc ... I know now that to be properly guided I really needed to know the right questions ... I spent thousands on equipment that later after some experience realised that the gear I bought would never cut the mustard ... so I sold it on this forum. I'm sure this story can be repeated times over and over by members here ... (but I can assure you Ive nothing for sale amongst my present stock !!!) This situation can be repeated at many levels of experience I would imagine, but all the same, I understand this post as there are "for sale" posts that regularly appear from the same people ... some with no other posts other then equipment. Personally I dont care, but anything I decide to purchase from members will only ever be from just regular contributors to this forum as I have a 100% confidence in the word of those people with regard to equipment they are offering ... It is analagenous to buying from someone you know if you like ... and thus far the formula has been very rewarding and all happy endings.

[ballaratdragons]

Not always true unfortunately as we have all witnessed with the Statton Broxham experiences of late :sadeyes:

A long standing regular member who turned out to be a conman!

Be careful.

[Jeffkop]

Ken ... I dont doubt your post for a second .. but that name I have never heard of ... was he better known as another name ???

As a matter of fact .. Im that far under the rock that Ive not even seen any talk of this and Im on the forum every day ... As usual, Im my own worst enemy hahahahaha

[GeoffW1]

:P um, who did you say that was ? :D

[ballaratdragons]

:lol: Yes Jeff, you must be under a rock to miss all the excitement that went on about Statton. :P

Here ya go: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=75232

and here: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=75862

[GeoffW1]

Hi Philip,

I am with you in this thinking. I have rarely bought new, being cheap by nature :lol: and I intend to slowly buy and sell 2nd hand here on IIS until I either die:eyepop:, get tired, or smugly satisfied :D with the setup I finally arrive at. :lol: They might all happen simultaneously :thumbsup:

I have little but good feelings here about being able to lurk in the bushes waiting for that ideal buy to pop up, and if it happens to be a dealer selling out of the bathroom while sitting down with his notebook :ashamed:, I don't mind, as long as it is all honest.:prey:

Cheers

[ballaratdragons]

That member will let you know, if the occasion ever arises where you would need to know :thumbsup:

If I said anything, the member would be bombarded with requests for stuff. ;)

[GeoffW1]

Of course, I am suitably chastened :)

[Hagar]

I really didn't take any offence to the comments but fail to see why anyone would really be concerned. Even if the sellers concerned are in buisiness what does it matter as long as the price is right. We have the option to buy or not to buy.
There may be a million reasons why so much gear is bought and sold and to worry about a conspiricy ? seems very secondary to the fact that nice gear is offered for sale regularly. Keep it coming for me.

[strongmanmike]

Um ar! P-O-L-T-I-C-A-L tut tut tut.... Chriiissss...? :lol:

[Screwdriverone]

Ummm, yes Mike? what can I do for you??? :confuse2: POLTICAL? What is that? I think I know the word you wanted......;)

Cheers

Chris

[strongmanmike]

He he wrong Chris...just joshin real Chris :innocent: :P

[h0ughy]

which mod would that be?

[Hagar]

You too. I even get a discount from the post office now.

[wasyoungonce]

I like that idea.:thumbsup:

Brendan

[tlgerdes]

I am not being political, I genuinely want to help shopaholics, honest:eyepop:

[plmedcraft]

Spotted this and began to wonder whether you were perhaps referring at least in part to me as I appeared to be the only one with NEW gear for sale and I have sold a fair amount of it over the last few years.
For the record if it is in reference to me.
No, I am not affiliated with any shop/distributor/grey market onseller, never have been.
I have had the good fortune to own lots of kit, sometimes I take a wrong turn and need to change directions which means someone gets a bargain. One reason is that I have moved between Perth and Melbourne twice in the last few years and it is cheaper to sell than freight. My personal motto is take your lumps and move on.
I normally don't worry about this sort of stuff but was a little concerned that some harboured doubts due to that Statton guy.
Anything I have sold is exactly as described and everything I have bought on IIS has been the same, exactly as you would expect from a community of Astronomers.
Finally
Yes, when it comes to spending on astro gear I am an idiot but I am loving the ride.
Paul Medcraft

[Octane]

Keep it up, Paul. We benefit from your good fortune. :

Cheers!

H

[jjjnettie]

I wish I had the dosh to indulge in the bargains more often.:D

[plmedcraft]

The gear for sale at the moment should be it for a while...
After all, what do you get after you own a 25" Dob?
Aricebo is not for sale but I could lease Kitt Peak maybe?
Perhaps I am compensating for something?
:shrug:

[renormalised]

50" dob (http://www.astro-optical.com.au/viewscope.php?scopeid=203&minnum=0&maxnum=5&priceband=all&sort=name&x=53&y=19), CDK700 (http://www.planewave.com/index.php?page=1&id0=6&id=0), RCOS 32" (http://www.rcopticalsystems.com/telescopes/32truss.html), OGS 32" or 40" (http://www.opticalguidancesystems.com/products.php?p=systems&s=RC32-190F), BIG scopes (http://www.astelco.com/products/alt-az-telescopes/alt-az-telescopes.htm), and many, many others:)

[plmedcraft]

Ah God, I nearly split my sides when I realised what you had posted (LOL):lol:
It didnt click for a moment, I am looking at the empty message with just your signature block...
And then I read the signature...
OMG!
No, can't happen, nothing bigger.
My new scope arrived and I couldnt even get the trailer into the underground carpark. Sat there for half an hour scratching my head while my partner laughed her head off. Managed to get the tubes that hold the truss poles off the top of the trailer and she scraped into the car park literally.

[Visionoz]

So Paul, does that mean that we'll not be able to look thru it at Bakers Hill soon? or maybe Dryandra?:P

A bit OT I know but couldn't help it!;)

Cheers
Bill

[plmedcraft]

She will certainly be coming along to those spots. I will bring her to the lunar night on Saturday as I need the practice putting setting her up. Hope someone has a spare lunar filter though as I dont own one. Imagine looking at the full moon through 25 inches unfiltered LOL

[Screwdriverone]

Hmmmm,

I am sure I saw a movie like that once........;)

Cheers

Chris

[Jerous]

If you have issues getting it out and need an inch or two more, a handy trick I've had to use before is, let the air out of the tyres. That'll get another inch or two of breathing room. Provided you have an air compressor to pump them back up again, if not, just let some out and you can still limp to the closest servo.

[RobF]

My too JJJ. At least we can have fun window shopping!
I'll need a new keyboard that's waterproof to keep my drool out of it though maybe :question:

[plmedcraft]

A little off topic but I thought it was funny.
I took the new toy out to the ASWA Lunar night on Saturday. Naturally it clouded over (1st light syndrome of course).
But the other problem was a little embarrassing. I set it up during the day so that I wouldnt embarass myself during the night and couldnt find the power input point. In the end, even after tracing back wires I had to ring the builder Peter. He is a great guy and quickly helped me, it was actually fitted inside one of the feet (which was deep under unmowed grass so I didn't even think to look there). Peter stayed on my mobile giving me several tips including one about the foot and I quote:
Paul, be careful when you wheel it up the ramp into the trailer, give the foot a kick so that it is not at the front otherwise it will catch...
Roll forward a few hours to the Lunar night, I set it up, collimate it, exchange pleasantries with the neighbours and finally go to plug it in...
Busted plug, snapped off by the ramp on the trailer SH#T!!!!
First night was push to,a little repair work required in the next few days LOL