Quote:
Originally Posted by PlanetMan
Sadly I find this circumstance with respect to both the product and the retailers attitude unsurprising.
Unfortunately, it always comes back to the old point that you get what you pay for in the end. From my perspective it is better to spend more and be safe than taking a punt on a cheaper alternative as in this competitive world something has always gotta give to explain why premium US brand "A" charges 4k for a telescope and mainland China brand "B" charges 1k for something supposedly the same.
I know many folks have had great experiences with their cheaper products but when you are unlucky enough to pull the short straw these are the unhappy stories which always arise.
I personally rather wait, save my pennies and pay a lot more for a Televue telescope (for example) from a bricks and mortar store like Bintel than taking a punt with a 'internet" store which in many instances only physically exists on someones PC located in their garage.
Glen - I sincerely wish you have a good outcome from this in terms of finding a suitable remedy.
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Hi Planetman,
I disagree, to a point, if a product states that it can do something, then by law it must do what it says it can do, regardless of the cost. And, just because a store is only on the Internet, it still has, by law, an obligation, just as a bricks and mortar store has. It is disgraceful that the retailer just passes the buck onto the wholesaler, and it is a warning to us all.
Although I mostly buy a higher quality product anyway, not everyone can afford to buy the best, however, I do agree with you that it is better to wait and get the better option, but not everyone can do that. Also, at what point do you stop and jump in. I know that if I had unlimited funds I would have much better gear than I have, and I have some pretty good gear, not all of it the very best, but not the worst either.
Furthermore, some of the quality coming out of China now is superb, particularly given the price, so to indicate that anything Chinese is junk, simply isn't necessarily true. Take my WO FLT 110, it is a fantastic telescope for the price, but no, it ain't no Takahashi either, but then, I couldn't afford the Tak, at the time, and didn't want to wait until I could, as I would be waiting a long time to be able to justify the considerable cost difference. And, it doesn't matter if you buy the more expensive brand anyway, you can still have problems with it; less likely I admit, but it still happens.
Also, dealing with bricks and mortar stores doesn't necessarily make that much of a difference, it seems, in some cases. One particular Aussie astro store, who shall remain nameless, managed to alienate me by disrespecting me and even considers spending over $10,000 as not enough to be considered an important customer, which I found quite disrespectful. Really, that is what was said to me.
Maybe not in those exact words, but the meaning was quite clear, in my mind at least. And it isn't like I have been a difficult customer either, as I very rarely asked for much, but was treated as not worthy of their time.
Go figure
Unfortunately, it wasn't the first time either, but will probably be the last. If you are not one of their mates, you don't count. Not a good way to do business.
A lot of Australian businesses that are doing really well in good times forget that you have to treat every customer as a very important customer, no matter how much they spend. EVERY customer is the lifeblood of any business. It is ok being dismissive in good times, but when things get tough, and they will, particularly now that the dollar is dropping (and will drop much further), you will need every customer you can get, every single one.
Customer service in Australia is becoming appalling, and they wonder why business is so tough in Australia. I normally support local business as long as I am treated with respect and that they give excellent service, even when paying a higher price. But they are rare companies now, and as a result, there is no longer any reason I should buy locally. Now it all comes down to price and if I can get it cheaper overseas, then so be it. Mind you, I still do deal with local businesses, but only as long as I am treated with respect and I get outstanding service, as that is what it takes now.
Bottom line, if companies in Australia were to give much better service, they would be able to retain some of the business heading off shore, I know in my case they would.
Cheers Pete