Astromart registration

koputai (Jason) · #1 25-02-2008, 11:36 AM

Hi Guys,
Don't you think it's a bit steep, Astromart wanting USD $12 just to register to read their site?
There's stuff on there I'd like to read, and 12 bucks won't break the bank, but I just don't like the ethics of it.
How many of you have paid for Astromart registration? How many haven't?

Cheers,
Jason.

Zuts · #2 25-02-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koputai

Hi Guys,
Don't you think it's a bit steep, Astromart wanting USD $12 just to register to read their site?
There's stuff on there I'd like to read, and 12 bucks won't break the bank, but I just don't like the ethics of it.
How many of you have paid for Astromart registration? How many haven't?

Cheers,
Jason.

I paid, classifieds are worth every penny.

Paul

koputai (Jason) · #3 25-02-2008, 11:39 AM

Jeez you're quick Paul, I hadn't even finished the original post!!

Cheers,
Jason.

iceman (Mike) · #4 25-02-2008, 11:45 AM

I registered before they started charging, but have since forgotten my password and can't recover it. Sending an email to support doesn't help.

So I just don't go there anymore.

Kal (Andrew) · #5 25-02-2008, 11:57 AM

I registered before they started charging, and I find the site useful. I have bought a couple of items from the traders on there before, and I enjoy reading the posts by the likes of Roland Christen, Marcus Ludes, Yuri, and all the other industry big wigs.

asterisk (Geoff) · #6 25-02-2008, 12:00 PM

My wife considers that I spend enough on astronomy items without paying to be able to spend some more

RB (Andrew) · #7 25-02-2008, 12:01 PM

Yep I was registered before the new charges came in.
I'd forgotten my details but was able to find them as I'd written them down somewhere.

I probably wouldn't pay to register now though.

goober (Doug) · #8 25-02-2008, 12:02 PM

Someone recommended I try Astromart for a Herald-Bobroff atlas - I got as far as the $12 registration. I don't know what was on the other side of that portal - I suspect wondrous things that are "Ship in the US only".

rogerg (Roger) · #9 25-02-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koputai

Don't you think it's a bit steep, Astromart wanting USD $12 just to register to read their site?

I can understand they need to pay for the service some how. They don't get any cut of sales that occur on the sight, so I can see they had to find some other way.

I expect it would be significantly more expensive to implement the process to take a cut of sales than to charge $12 on registration and so hence why they would take the registration option. Look at all the lengths eBay have needed to go to in order to protect that cut they get.

It is a shame however that there's so many downsides to that, like not being able to view full information of adverts.

I have a login from before they started charging. Haven't used it for a few months, I keep suspecting they'll suspend old/rarely used ones sometime. If they did, I probably wouldn't pay the $12 to re-register, I don't buy enough through it to warrant it.

robgreaves · #10 25-02-2008, 12:44 PM

A lot of AstroMart is all the 'CONUS only' crowd, but if you put out wanted ads properly, or email the For Sales and ask why the CONUS only, some are receptive and will send abroad. I have AstroMart to thank for my TOA150, AP1200 and STL11K, solar gear, as well as the Paramount before that as well as a heap of other stuff.

I only had one case of a guy who simply WOULD NOT post out of the USA on a set of Losmandy rings for fear of the MIB's turning up and interrogating him, so had to send those to my mother in law in Florida to then send to me. A bit long winded.

Stress with them they send the stuff exactly the same way, ie. from their local post office. Being Americans, a lot aren't wise to that yet

Regards,
Rob.

DJDD · #11 25-02-2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerg

I can understand they need to pay for the service some how. They don't get any cut of sales that occur on the sight, so I can see they had to find some other way.

Luckily, some sites like http://www.iceinspace.com.au do not charge anything to sell on their site.

thanks, mike!

cheers,
DJDD

Zuts · #12 25-02-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJDD

Luckily, some sites like http://www.iceinspace.com.au do not charge anything to sell on their site.

thanks, mike!

cheers,
DJDD

True, but some sites dont have thousands of items for sale either

h0ughy (David) · #13 25-02-2008, 01:38 PM

I have been buying off that site since 1995, although over the last few years I havent, nice to browse occationally though. I have two registrations, one that doesnt work for some reason, and one that was my original logon. When current owners of the site took over they had a server rebuild - I suspect, and in no way is he as friendly as the original owner. But you don't get nothing for nothing nowadays do you

DJDD · #14 25-02-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zuts

True, but some sites dont have thousands of items for sale either

touche!

okiscopey (Mike) · #15 25-02-2008, 02:31 PM

I registered before they started charging as well, but I needed to make changes to my e-mail and password details ('re-registering') and that costs the same USD12! Hmmm. I paid, so I must have thought it was worth it.

wavelandscott (Scott) · #16 25-02-2008, 02:36 PM

I registered before the $12 charge...

I'd pay it if I was not already a member...at about US$0.03 per day I think it is a bargain.

Cheers!

citivolus (Ric) · #17 25-02-2008, 03:42 PM

I also registered prior to the fee (and was a donating member for a while), but have sold enough equipment on there to make back the fee 50x over as compared to eBay fees on the same stuff.

$12 is nothing for the service they provide.

Eric

matt · #18 25-02-2008, 04:10 PM

I also got in before the $12 fee was introduced, but would happily pay it given the amount of saving I've made on purchases there over the last few years.

EzyStyles (Eric) · #19 25-02-2008, 06:19 PM

yep i was lucky enough to register before they charge the $12. Now if i want to change my email address, they ask for $12 just so i can change my email address.

GrahamL · #20 25-02-2008, 10:05 PM

Well I didn't pay the $12 .. but I have never used it as such .. the few times I have mailed a seller and asked would they ship to australia never got a reply.. though the last one did so maybe one day i'll buy from there

.. has anyone bought from cloudy nights classifieds ?.. they seem to be prety well frequented by the looks and often well priced.