[ColHut (Colin)]

I was musing on the real cost of this hobby for beginners, and it is not cheap. (not that this is rocket science). You largely get what you pay for.
Sure you might buy a complete starter telescope package for as little as 250-500 dollars, but then the hidden costs will occur.

A decent set of eyepieces - even budget plossls and a barlow $100-$200
Maybe a collimation tool or tools $50-$150
Maybe batteries single use $10 per time or rechargebles with charger $50-$150 depending on their size and capacity.
Did your scope come with a dreaded 5x24 plastic thingy for a finderscope? you need to shell out for a 6x30 or 8 x 50 or unit finder? maybe $50-$100
You do have some charts or a subscription to S&T? beacuse you will soon tire of printing off bits from Cartes du ciel or similar $50

Not included here is anything related to dew heaters, or shields anything to do with astrophotography, comfortable chairs, binoculars, compasses, or encoders etc. etc..

Now some of these things will be more or less useful for other telescopes you may purchase and some not. But you may well find yourself shelling out $300-$600 to get your self set up and you need to bear this in mind before buying your first (or second) scope. And this is for economy class gear. If you want top of the range add a zero to the price. All this supposing you haven't got a scope with inadequate mount or hopeless focusser or some other major weakness.

Overall I think that these sorts of hidden costs must turn quite a few people off this hobby.

cheers