Cheapest OS dealers

[programmer]

With the Aussie dollar the way it is, I was wondering what the cheapest overseas astro seller is, assuming good reputation, etc.

I'm sure I'm not the only one interested in seeing this info collected in one place.

Thanks!

[Ian Robinson]

Most any of them will beat the local guys , and you'll avoid paying GST so long the item is posted to you rather than shipped by courier or freight.

The problem is that on big items , large mass and large volumetric mass, postage and freight charges are murder , even by surface .

Another problem is that to protect the local dealers , some companies (Meade, Celestron, Vixen, Orion TS, TeleView for instance) will not allow OS dealers to ship overseas and the warantee wont be recognised here. Local dealers (the big ones) here are very adverse to competition on price and so are able to hold the prices high despite the improved foreign exchange rates (cf a couple of years ago) .... more profit for them .

In all fairness prices on imported products should now be a lot cheaper cf with a few of years ago when the 1AUD = 0.65USD where it is now better than 1AUD = 0.92USD. But have prices on imported astro stuff, mounts and scopes come down ?

[programmer]

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

Most any of them will beat the local guys , and you'll avoid paying GST so long the item is posted to you rather than shipped by courier or freight.

The problem is that on big items , large mass and large volumetric mass, postage and freight charges are murder , even by surface .

Another problem is that to protect the local dealers , some companies (Meade, Celestron, Vixen, Orion TS, TeleView for instance) will not allow OS dealers to ship overseas and the warantee wont be recognised here. Local dealers (the big ones) here are very adverse to competition on price and so are able to hold the prices high despite the improved foreign exchange rates (cf a couple of years ago) .... more profit for them .

In all fairness prices on imported products should now be a lot cheaper cf with a few of years ago when the 1AUD = 0.65USD where it is now better than 1AUD = 0.92USD. But have prices on imported astro stuff, mounts and scopes come down ?

Thanks Ian, your points are valid. I certainly don't want to start a local vs foreign thread. Most of the time local dealers will come in slightly more expensive (even including shipping) so it's not worth your while importing. And I want to support local guys. But now and then there's a great deal and I was just wondering what 'the' best priced OS dealer is.

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

But have prices on imported astro stuff, mounts and scopes come down ?

I mentioned in the AS&T thread that the Bintel ad in the mag mentioned changing prices due to the exchange rate and that the Meade prices seemed lower, at least to me

So in answer to your question..maybe some??

[Ian Robinson]

Another aspect of this is their stock turnover , if a local dealer has stock that has been with them for 2 or 3 or 4 years , because of the small market here , you will pay for that in the hip pocket , whereas those overseas with access to bigger markets can get away with smaller markups and probably also get better wholesale discounts due to volume of stock they move , so lower prices.
There is also a lot more competition overseas too , this drives down the prices.

I think the locals can do more.

I too support my local trader (Col Draper at Nineways) and regularly refer people to him.

The bigger guys in Sydney , Brisbane and Adelaide , are quite adverse to competition , but for major items , you have little choice but to deal with them so it pays to stay in touch with your favourate dealer and build a relationship with them.

You have to shop around , and get prices for what you want from more than one source.

[Alchemy (Clive)]

whats the bet this thread turns into the usual theme?

my 2c worth ... google and buy overseas if price only is the issue.
service and convenience will cost a little more (for lots of reasons) if thats what you want choose accordingly.

its your money spend it how you like.

[matt]

I am a confirmed, card-carrying platinum member of the overseas shopping brigade

Have saved thousands of $$$ over the years it hasn't proven any more inconvenient or caused any more grief than shoping locally (in Oz).

[programmer]

Back on topic... is anybody prepared to name any OS dealers they've dealt with? Trade secret???

[matt]

Oceanside Photo and Telescope

http://www.optcorp.com/default.aspx

And Adirondack are also very good

http://www.astrovid.com/

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by programmer

Back on topic... is anybody prepared to name any OS dealers they've dealt with? Trade secret???

I've purchased a couple of items from Oceanside Photo and Telescope (OPT) and will definitely recommend them.

I always like to look at local vendors before looking at OS vendors though.

[programmer]

Thanks Matt. I had found those two, and the prices seem good.

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by Matty P

I've purchased a couple of items from Oceanside Photo and Telescope (OPT) and will definitely recommend them.

I always like to look at local vendors before looking at OS vendors though.

Over the last couple of years I bought from :

Hands on Optics
Shoestring
Agena
House of Optics
Lumicon
Devantect
Anacortes
Orion Optical
Astro Systems
Teleskop Service

[programmer]

Thanks Ian. Some browsing to be done with that lot!

A general question, do people find postage costs roughly the same across all vendors (in the US)? Thanks.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by programmer

Thanks Ian. Some browsing to be done with that lot!

A general question, do people find postage costs roughly the same across all vendors (in the US)? Thanks.

I'm pretty sure that the postage cost are the same across different vendors but may vary a couple of dollars depending on what type of carrier the vendors use.

The best way to find out is to get a quote from them.

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by programmer

Thanks Ian. Some browsing to be done with that lot!

A general question, do people find postage costs roughly the same across all vendors (in the US)? Thanks.

I aways specify USPS 10 day or 5 day airparcel service , insured and traceable , with USA vendors costs a lttle more , but if it disappears or gets busted .... better safe than sorry.

I use PayPal or I get their fax number and do the order by fax with my card number (and I make sure my debit card only has sufficient funds to cover the purchase too).

PS : don't let them talk you into UPS or other small parcel couriers / freightage firms (unless it is big and bulky or heavy) ... it'll cost you more , and you will be slugged GST when you collect . Nor will you get it much faster.

I have never been asked for GST on a parcel sent from overseas by my local postoffice.

I've got stuff from the USA or UK by post quicker than I can stuff from Sydney by post.

I NEVER provide my banking or card details by email or electronically EVER !!!

[programmer]

Originally Posted by Matty P

I'm pretty sure that the postage cost are the same across different vendors but may vary a couple of dollars depending on what type of carrier the vendors use.

The best way to find out is to get a quote from them.

Yes, I have sent a request. It's just that this dealer will let you complete the online transaction without actually telling you the postage. Web sites like OPTCorp's calculate the postage immediately so you know what you're up for.

[Zuts]

Originally Posted by programmer

Yes, I have sent a request. It's just that this dealer will let you complete the online transaction without actually telling you the postage. Web sites like OPTCorp's calculate the postage immediately so you know what you're up for.

It's best not to use this feature. For a small thing like an eyepiece contact OPT directly and you can get Fedex postage for around 20 USD. Also if you are a member of an astronomy club and tell them you can get a discount of a few percent.

Remember that anything over 1000 AUD plus postage attracts GST of 10 % plus customs clearance of maybe 50 AUD. Under 1000 AUD and it comes straight through. I have purchased many things from OPT and find them quite reliable.

Paul

[Stephen65]

I've also ordered many times from OPT and had only good experiences.

What Zuts says about not accepting the shipping quotes that the OPT web shopping system offers is correct. Those are courier quotes and you can usually get cheaper, often much cheaper, shipping by using USPS 5 or 10 day mail. There's an option in the OPT ordering system to ask them for a shipping quote by email instead and if you select that they'll send you an email with USPS options.

Stephen

[Zuts]

Hi Stephen

Talking about OPT and looking at your avatar, well there is a mewlon 180 on OPT second hand at the moment for 2200 USD. What do you think; and do you have any photos from your setup?

Paul

[iceman (Mike)]

Originally Posted by Alchemy

whats the bet this thread turns into the usual theme?

Let's hope not. We've seen enough of them.

On topic of the thread, I've bought from OPT and Astrovid successfully.