Apparently high prices charged by some of our retailers here in Australia

ColHut (Colin) · #1 29-12-2009, 01:14 AM

I happened to be cruising the web and noticed the following "specials" at an apparently major telescope supplier in Australia:

"Bushnell 114mm x 900mm Reflector with Real Voice Ouput to tell you about the wonders of the heavens. This telescope automatically finds objects for you, taking the hard work out of locating and identifying celestial objects. "
The price after "saving" $200, was $849. I was most surprised.

I noted also a "Sky-Watcher 102mm refractor telescope with 1000mm focal length. Excellent choice for serious astronomers." The price after "saving" $320, was $949. Again I was most surprised.

I would be most cross if I had paid that much for either scope, especially as the latter was available elsewhere for $599 in one case, (and at $795 at a more expensive store).

I would not recommend the former at a fraction of that price, and note they are available elsewhere for about $530, and a couple of years ago National Geographic was quitting lots of them for about $350.

I do not doubt that there is a 'list price' somewhere from which these nominal values are derived - I do think that is way too much considering what else is out there from other very well known retailers. I accept that the market will bear whatever price it does. However, anyone new to astronomy might be disappointed with the results they get for the money expended.

regards

bmitchell82 (Brendan) · #2 29-12-2009, 04:14 AM

people charge the price they think people are willing to pay. if that price is higher than your nearest comp, then so be it. why does 2 fuel stations oppisite each other sell fuel at different prices? say 1.27 and 1.08. still you see people at the 1.27 servo fillin up.....

Louwai (Bryan) · #3 29-12-2009, 09:42 AM

There's a difference between Competition & Blatent Rip-off.........

I looked at a CGE1400 a very short while ago.
In the US they were (& still are) retailing for around AU$8k.
A well known Astro retailer here in Brisbane had them advertised for just over AU$24k.???????
And this was AFTER the Australian Distributor had been changed.

bojan · #4 29-12-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmitchell82

people charge the price they think people are willing to pay. if that price is higher than your nearest comp, then so be it. why does 2 fuel stations oppisite each other sell fuel at different prices? say 1.27 and 1.08. still you see people at the 1.27 servo fillin up.....

It is all about having correct and up to date information..

I can not agree to "so be it"... because it is NOT in retailer's interest to allow correct information to be widely known.. and there will always be some sucker that will pay the higher price (I was once.. and I am still not feeling good about it) when confronted with competitor's pricing, they would just say nothing or try anything to blurr the picture with with something like "yes, they are cheaper but our product has support and it is of higher quality..." This is just BS... And it is NOT about free choice - free choice is possible only if all information is available and that is clearly not the case most of the time.

That is why it is in our (consumers.. that is what we are unfortunately) best interest to spread the price information as much as we can

alanfvic (Alan) · #5 29-12-2009, 07:50 PM

I expect the low turnover of stock in Australia justifies the high margins. I don't expect it is easy to turn a profit and there seems to be quite a bit of competition here.

I have bought direct from overseas and mostly it has worked out ok, but it is a gamble. One time I received a star diagonal when I ordered a secondary mirror, and it was not possible to resolve the dispute due to the high cost of returning the item (they would replace it, but would not pay for shipping). I have been charged $70 by customs on one occasion so they could inspect the package (user pays!) and that was on top of GST charges.

I recently purchased a telescope from a local dealer which had some cosmetic defects, and it was replaced with free pickup/delivery - that sort of service costs the dealer. All of our local dealers seem to offer good service from my experience.

netwolf · #6 29-12-2009, 08:03 PM

Its pure and simple its called Greed. And I wish one of the so called Astro magazines would do some real journalisim and expose the distributors behind this. I know there are some editors here on the forum and I would like to here what they have to say on this topic as to the best of my knowledge they are still sponsored by these distributors. Perhaps it would serve the community better not to advertise for them.

matt · #7 29-12-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netwolf

I know there are some editors here on the forum and I would like to here what they have to say on this topic

Good luck with that, Fahim.

bokglob (Darrell) · #8 29-12-2009, 09:06 PM

I recieved a "christmas specials" junkmail flier from a large Brisbane inner-city telescope shop(xmas08) advertising 300mm dob ref (rebadged g.s.o) for $1800!!! Thats arrogent robbery,doing nothing to promote astronomy. I would be expecting good advice and a FAIR price from a specialist store! Shame on you. You won't be getting any more of my bussiness. P.S Andrews were selling the same setup for $799 at the time

Kal (Andrew) · #9 29-12-2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netwolf

Its pure and simple its called Greed. And I wish one of the so called Astro magazines would do some real journalisim and expose the distributors behind this. I know there are some editors here on the forum and I would like to here what they have to say on this topic as to the best of my knowledge they are still sponsored by these distributors. Perhaps it would serve the community better not to advertise for them.

I don't think it is legal to discriminate against another company and exclude them from being able to advertise thanks to Australian Fair Trading laws

I would like to see some hard hitting journalism though

matt · #10 29-12-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kal

I would like to see some hard hitting journalism though

What? On this issue?

Riiiiight......

bojan · #11 30-12-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netwolf

Its pure and simple its called Greed.

Exactly right...
Or, more politically correct expression would be "reasonable price policy"

mick pinner · #12 30-12-2009, 08:32 AM

l priced a scope from a local dealer when the dollar was 68c, and was given their web price, ok. rang back when the dollar was 98c and asked them to order the same scope for me and l would wait for the next shipment and guess what, same price? l've given up trying to work out the system in Aus, maybe someone smarter than me can shed some light.

h0ughy (David) · #13 30-12-2009, 10:07 AM

guys please note from section 4 of the TOS:
"When discussing a vendor, be careful about what you post as it can be easy for comments to be taken the wrong way and a vendor may take offense. In general, remember to be specific about your experience or opinion, don't generalise and don't play judge and jury. Think and re-read before pressing submit. "

Just a friendly reminder - and BTW i wished the dollar would go back over the 90 cent mark

matt · #14 30-12-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

guys please note from section 4 of the TOS:
"When discussing a vendor, be careful about what you post as it can be easy for comments to be taken the wrong way and a vendor may take offense. In general, remember to be specific about your experience or opinion, don't generalise and don't play judge and jury. Think and re-read before pressing submit. "

I thought Mick (Pinner) was quite specific about his experience.

Oz dollar = 89.41 cents. Nearly there

Benno18 (Ben) · #15 31-12-2009, 12:57 AM

I also think down here because there are less people getting in to astronomy yet there are a fair amount of dealers around, all the dealers bought there stock when the aussie dollar was around the 68c mark, so they have paid more for the same item they would buy now.

So to try and make their money back they have to sell at the higher price. Then when the next shipment has come in they have bought it at a lower price then the price should come down...... but of course human nature kicks in and the price dosnt fall.

Sounds a lot like the fuel at the moment.

Just wondering what the eastern staters pay for all their equipment? Would it be the same retail prices as over here?

netwolf · #16 31-12-2009, 01:52 AM

A couple of things i note come up in these threads.

1. Cost is higher because local support and warranty need to be provided. Question why are Scopes from Sky-watcher, Vixen, Takahashi, WO priced much more closely to US prices? Dont they cost more to support here?

2. Import Duty. Only GST applies to amount above 1000$ for any Astronomical equipment or accesory.

3. Shipping from US is expensive. Question Is is really being shipped from China to US and then back to AU? Question again why Sky-watcher, Vixen, Takahashi etc are on par with US retail pricing?

As i said before simple Greed is the only answer. Seriously 20K+ for a Celestron scope, are you kidding. We can get hand made world class optics from Mark for a tenth of that. Bird's Jupiter shot was taken with one sample. http://www.acquerra.com.au/astro/equipment/13/
And the one Binoscope i looked throug at Kulnura was the best scope i have ever looked though visually the 3d bino view gave it the edge over the SDM larger apperture on the field that day.

Celestron have in there own email suggested that all pricing is in the control of there local distributor. So my advise stay away from Celestron, unless your buying from Overseas. They make good scopes but not worth the local Australian prices. I have great respect for the brand Celestron, as it has a rich history to that name. But i have little tollerance for local distributors that think they are above it all.

Edit: If you do wish to import, I would suggest to look at the SouthernGalactic forums, members get discounted pricing from OPT and they offer freight forwarding services. Other alternatives are PriceUSA who also offer Return insuracnce for a small fee which gives you warranty coverage. SG do import quiet a bit of gear for there hosted remote Observatory services.

Regards
Fahim
PS Still cloudy in Sydney...

chris lewis · #17 31-12-2009, 06:04 AM

Below is a classic example of overpricing.
This Barska 70 mm / 90 degree eyepiece binoscope is priced at $A 3899 dollars. This is approx. $US 3446 dollars.
In the USA the off the shelf price is $US 829 dollars.
The Australian price is well over 4x times the US price.
I have twice checked with the Vendor in Brisbane who assures me it is the correct price and 'a bargain'.
I dont think so.
You even save $A 1380 at this particular dealer !

Below is the link to the vendor. If I have broken any rules please in identifying the vendor please delete / ignore.
However I believe high lighting these major discrepancies is a way to bring change.

Chris

http://yorkoptical.com.au/ProductMen...ee3%2cUnitCost

gbeal · #18 31-12-2009, 06:34 PM

Chris,
like the Barska deal, I thought your post was too good to be correct, this is the cynical side of me coming out, sorry.
I did a Google, and found them at a reduced price of US$829 like you said, albeit down from $1700+, but nowhere near the York price.
A bit different for you and I no doubt, it is just as difficult to import from Oz as it is the US, so voting with the credit card is the only way to change this.
Gary

Wavytone · #19 01-01-2010, 09:03 PM

You think that's a bad buy ? Sheesh - you could throw $3699 at a pair of measly 10x44 from the same retailer, "saving" a whopping $300.

Matt Wastell (Matt) · #20 01-01-2010, 09:26 PM

Buyer beware!
Our small market would make selling astronomy gear a real challenge - and I guess new people to the hobby are the most venerable to shonky dealers - fortunately I have never been in that situation.
There are some fantastic retailers in this country and they are entitled to make a living - price is not the only concern.