Has anyone bought from astronomics?

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

I'm having nothing but problems with these guys...

I put in an order on the 5/10 for 3 items - 3mm and 15 paradigm eyepieces and an AstroZap bahtinov filter. Nothing too pricey. I've never used them before, so wanted to feel them out with some smaller/cheaper items. Both eyepieces showed in stock, the bahtinov mask didn't say if it was in or out of stock. I specified to ship to Australia rather than my US proxy postal service.

A few days later, I got contacted by a staff member in their shipping department, providing a quote for shipping, and also indicating that they needed my approval for said shipping, which I immediately agreed to via Email.

Then nothing for over a week, order still showing as not shipped. I gave them another week, still nothing. So, I rang them. The guy had me on hold for near 10 minutes whilst he checked, and came back to me telling me that the bahtinov mask is out of stock and they're waiting on them to arrive from AstroZap.

I checked AstroZap's site, marked as "in stock". Gave them another week, nothing. I'm generally quite a patient guy.

Sent a PM to the owner on CN, asking if he could check it out. He replied that he'd check it out and get back to me and that AstroZap was out of a lot of stuck cos of the solar eclipse...that was Monday at the beginning of this current week, nothing heard back...I call BS.

I sent a reply Email to the shipping guy, asking him to remove the bahtinov filter from the order, and ship to my US postal address - that was on Tuesday morning 3am or thereabouts. Got a reply overnight (Tuesday morning) indicating that this would be done...as I said nothing since, order still lists the bahtinov mask and still showing as not shipped.

I am far from impressed - they seem truly incompetent, and with poor customer service.

As a comparison, I ordered an item from agena astro's EBay store on the 20/10 and had it before the end of the month. Postage cost was reasonable and it was fast and well packed.

I'll give them to Tuesday morning 7/11 and if nothing has been heard, I'll send a cancellation request via Email and ring them too. If they charge my credit card and try to ship to me, I'll request a chargeback from my credit card vendor. They can pay any return shipping costs, since it'll be their screw up.

It's a pity, cos there was a few other items that I was interested in. Perhaps they don't like Aussies, or like me, or like shipping to Australia/outside of the US. I am far from impressed.

I know I might come across as a cranky old *******, but generally speaking, I'm very DTE and easy going. I do get ired easily, and I do show my frustration, but I think I've been very reasonable and patient. It's now the 3/11 and it's been nearly a month...their communication has been non existent UNLESS I have instigated it.

Has anyone else had similar experiences when dealing with astronomics?

I really feel like posting about this on CN, but would probably get banned...

Dave

[dannat (Daniel)]

i have only ordered 2 sml things but didn't have problems, got the CN discount applied also. agena is very good with their shipping times & prices

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

Originally Posted by dannat

i have only ordered 2 sml things but didn't have problems, got the CN discount applied also. agena is very good with their shipping times & prices

How long ago was it?

Did you ship to Australia, or to a US address?

I still haven't heard back from them. Sent them an Email last night, asking that they ship the order within 48 hours, or I'll cancel it in its entirety. Order is unchanged, no reply.

They've got another 32 or so hours, after that, I'll cancel the order and if they try and ship after the cancellation order, I'll do a chargeback on my credit card. I've given them a lot of rope to hang themselves sadly.

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

Well...

the order turns up @ Comgateway...

no notification from Astronomics that it had shipped, no tracking number. Hell, the order is still showing as not shipped on their website lol!!!! And is still showing the Bahtinov mask...about to check if they've billed me or not.

[dannat (Daniel)]

yep sent to australia, obviously their system requires one o their workers to manally update i presume which isn't happening

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

Originally Posted by dannat

yep sent to australia, obviously their system requires one o their workers to manally update i presume which isn't happening

yeah. Very disorganised.

[rmcconachy]

I've ordered astro toys (eyepieces and other small pieces) from Astronomics three times and had them shipped to Australia without any issues. The last order was four months ago and I did have to wait two or three weeks because the item was out of stock. However, in my case I was emailed both just after my order (to let me know there would be a delay) and when my package shipped. Like Daniel I also received a CloudyNights discount.

I've also had good experiences with Astro-Physics (only for a diagonal alas ) and Bob Luffel at Alpine Astronomical.

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

Originally Posted by rmcconachy

I've ordered astro toys (eyepieces and other small pieces) from Astronomics three times and had them shipped to Australia without any issues. The last order was four months ago and I did have to wait two or three weeks because the item was out of stock. However, in my case I was emailed both just after my order (to let me know there would be a delay) and when my package shipped. Like Daniel I also received a CloudyNights discount.

I've also had good experiences with Astro-Physics (only for a diagonal alas ) and Bob Luffel at Alpine Astronomical.

I must be an unlucky s.o.b then...

I haven't checked my billing yet, so not sure if they provided me with the CN discount and free shipping. But either way, when their billing system hasn't updated 3 days after the items arrived at my US shipping address, that doesn't inspire confidence.

I guess I don't subscribe to the Aussie mentality of "she'll be right mate". It's a terrible attitude.