Grey market businesses - First Scope

[vanwonky]

OK - still doing the research weeks after my first post!

I have come across prices that seem really good from certain local suppliers but do have concerns about backup / warranty if problems occur. If a shop is not an official reseller of (in this case Tasco) and they have bought the product overseas themselves to resell here would you say the warranty would be nil unless the shop is willing to fix it on there own back?

The Tasco website seems hopelessly out of date so I can't rely on their reseller list being accurate. Anybody had experience in this area. Should these shops be avoided for the major purchase? Have I answered my own question? ;)

[seeker372011]

If you are talking of Andrews Comms....go ahead and buy from them
Many people on this forum have, and it's all good

[casstony]

Depends if the shop offers good customer service. Why not name the shop and ask if people have had good experiences there. You could also say which item you're considering buying and forum members might be able to give you feedback on it's relative reliability.

[vanwonky]

Yes fair call I suppose. Well, being in Perth, there are only 2 suppliers of the Skywatcher 12'' or maybe 10" with GOTO Dobs that I know of and they are BTOW in Malaga and Midland Camera House. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[EddieDog]

BTOW have been around a long time and quite reputable. When I was in both Sydney and Melbourne Bintel shops staff at both enquired about Keith from BTOW. Chatting with him not long ago he admitted to importing Celesgtron from B&H in NY as the middleman's cost was so high!
Camera House in Canning Vale, are an official repair depot for Celestron, but will only take and ship to proper repairer much of the time.
But Camera House in Midland should be fine though I would imagine a very limited stock on displayl.

Take a look at Andrews (usually free shipping) in Sydney and Bintel.
I am in Perth and would like to support BTOW if I can afford. But thanks to the town of Vincent, who wouldn't let them put up protective grids, they moved to Malaga and now carry only a very small range compared with what they used to have. But you will find Keith a very supportive and decent guy and have no worries re warranty.

Eddie

[vanwonky]

Oh yes that's right! I remember that shamozzle with the council. Shame about that. I have lived in the area for years and always thought "one day" as I drove past the shop with the awesome display of scopes on the floor!

I would definitely support local if possible.

[Rayw]

Hi Dave, I am in perth also so I went to see Keith in Malaga, unfortunately he didn't have the scope I wanted, I also rang Midland camera house but there prices are way over the top !, I have ordered from Astronomy Alive (they have an advert here) and they have a little info on the web site about warranty , take a look here http://www.astronomyalive.com.au/about-us you will have to scroll down a little to read it, then you can ask Keith if he does the same warranty ;)

Ray

Actually you will have to scroll down quite a bit, there is also some info on grey imports

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

As long as we are mentioning traders (hope this is OK Mods), I have been through a lot of confusion recently with OzScopes. I believe it all stemmed from misleading specs they were given by their own suppliers.

They met my concerns, and were polite, responsive, tolerant (when I did a rant), and made every effort to answer my concerns.

I think they deserve a little wrap for that (I have no connection with them outside of purchasing).

Cheers

[casstony]

In general I think grey imports are a bad idea, but if the Australian distributor sets prices excessively high they deserve to be bypassed. Grey imports have forced one particular Australian distributor to lower their pricing benefitting both retailers and consumers. It's not a black and white story, rather it's shades of.. (ok bad pun :) )

[vanwonky]

Thanks Ray, good advice, I will have a look at that. Your right, Midland Camera House prices are certainly high on the ticket. Hopefully they might be up for some price matching!

Geoff - thanks for the positive info about Ozscopes.