Astro dealer with an indifference

janoskiss (Steve H) · #1 29-11-2005, 07:02 PM

I had to go to Melbourne CBD today, so I thought I might as well stop by at an astronomy shop where I bought nearly $400 worth of goods last time I visited some months ago.

I spoke to one of the guys there; I reminded him about what I bought last time and asked what is new. "Nothing really" was the answer. After a quick glance across the counter the full range of Baader Hyperion EPs stood out. (These are the new wide angle EPs, Vixen LXW clones like my Stratus.) "These are new!" I said. No response. I went on to tell the guy what I knew about them, that I have the very similar Stratus EPs, but with the Hyperions you can unscrew the Barlow bit and use each EP at lower powers too. He said he doesn't really know about that and that they just got the EPs in yesterday. And a minute ago he said they have "nothing" new.

I hate a pushy salesperson as much as the next guy, but I would have expected that moderately priced wide angle EPs that work very well in fast scopes should be something to get excited about and the first thing to tell an enquiring customer about...

Anyway, I think $285 (or maybe $265) was the asking price for the Hyperions, and they do appear to be the same thing as the Orion Stratus. I got mine from the States for $175 ea, incl. postage. Superb EPs for the $.

matt · #2 29-11-2005, 07:37 PM

Steve

A sadly not uncommon scenario

I've actually been quite surprised how many "sales" staff you encounter in this quite specialised hobby/passion of ours who have either very little understanding or product knowledge ... or are just as you described "indifferent".

And yes, before the howls of protest, there are also plenty of good guys around as well!

But, let's be honest, ours is a quite specialised field and with the prices of most things being what they are (expensive) it's not too much to expect staff to know their stuff or do a little work to convince us it's money well spent?

janoskiss (Steve H) · #3 29-11-2005, 07:42 PM

I am looking forward to Bintel Melbourne with cautious optimism.

matt · #4 29-11-2005, 07:47 PM

That should be a very positive development. I'm sure they'll do everything they can to offer the same excellent level of service and enthusiasm as they do in Sydney.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 29-11-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthony2302749

I know I should not say this, but don't be cautious with Bintel Melbourne. The guys that work there have over 100yr of optical and astronoical experience combined. They know what they are talking about.

Yep, all 50 staff have been there 2 years!!!

asimov (John) · #6 29-11-2005, 09:13 PM

LOL Ken!!

janoskiss (Steve H) · #7 29-11-2005, 09:21 PM

Good one Ken. Maybe it's a 1000 monkeys that have just completed their 6-week probation.

Melbourne Zoo, look out! Bintel is coming to town!
PS. I spam therefore I am.

davidpretorius · #8 29-11-2005, 09:34 PM

here is a serious thread, i was about to add a serious statemanlike response and BAM, CRASH, here comes ken, rocking into the store and shouting to the staff "how the f$$$ ar ya, my names ken, show us ya naglers! Thats all right luv, ya naglers look look fine where they are pointing!" - actually rodney dangerfield comes to mind!!

"50 people x 2 years" , i am still crying!!!!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #9 29-11-2005, 09:42 PM

Hey! Wotcha on about Mate! I ain't like that!!!!

Show us ya series 500's love!

Wanna buy some pictures of Ian in a thong!!

davidpretorius · #10 29-11-2005, 09:43 PM

what i was going to say, whilst not wanting to be pressured, a common passion works wonders. When i come across in march, i am going to bintel to have a look. It will be a bit of a holy grail. lots of scopes, lots of eyepieces. I know i will want to look and look and look and talk and talk and talk. I may not buy then and there, but that whole experience will determine if i will part with lots of $$$.

I am not buying underwear, I am buying an object for a subject i am passionate about. That carries $$ (call it good will). If bintel are 10 to 20% dearer, then so be it, they deserve it and resultant business for creating the atmosphere!!!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #11 29-11-2005, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robodavo

If bintel are 10 to 20% dearer, then so be it, they deserve it

What are you doing Davo???
Don't give them an excuse to be expensive!!!!

asimov (John) · #12 29-11-2005, 09:51 PM

well, I'm quite passionate about MY underwear even if your not Dave.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #13 29-11-2005, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimov

well, I'm quite passionate about MY underwear even if your not Dave.

Yeah! I'm with John.

Gotta feel comfortable whilst using those new astro goodies

janoskiss (Steve H) · #14 29-11-2005, 09:58 PM

Davo, there's no way Bintel will be dearer than any of the Melbourne dealers. But, even if they are only as dear I will just keep ordering gear from interstate and O/S.

ving (David) · #15 30-11-2005, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

What are you doing Davo???
Don't give them an excuse to be expensive!!!!

here here!!

theres no excuse for being 10-20% more expensive than the competition...

GrampianStars (Rob) · #16 30-11-2005, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

I am looking forward to Bintel Melbourne with cautious optimism.

Roger & Graham are very accommodating and knowledgable and are always a pleasure to deal with.
The added benifit is no more freight from NSW
Roger is willing to manufacture specalised parts on site to suit the odd requirement.
His astronomy knowledge cant be faulted

Eardrum73 · #17 30-11-2005, 11:16 AM

I have been to Astro in Sydney when I first started out and they were pretty helpful there.
However the scope that they were offering did not meet my requirements (longer time to setup and portability hassles) so I ended with a GS Dob instead. Plonk and ready to go!
As for service and information they were great!

But it irks me to see such staff about in a specialist store.
I mean this is the sort of attitude you expect in a supermarket!

I would have thought specialist telescope shops would have been more selective in employing the right people, afterall I think there's more than they have jobs available! Surely its not hard to find a passionate one...

The staff at the National Geographic store seems more helpful, and they are not even a telescope specialist store!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #18 30-11-2005, 11:38 AM

I went into our Local 'Camera House' (Meade dealer) about 2 months ago to get a Meade EP (only ones available) but they don't keep them in stock. You have to order them. But, the manager was very helpful. He went to a back storeroom and he pulled out a very dusty Meade catalogue (that made me laugh) and ran through the list of EP's he can get. He was trying to be helpul and was asking me lot's of questions.

In the end he recommended that I buy direct from Sydney as Camera House order from Overseas and it would be quicker for me to order one myself in Oz.

He was fascinated that someone around Ballarat had a 12" scope. The only scopes on display in their store is 1 small ETX, 1 Bushnell spotting scope and 3 sorts of knockies.

The camera shop 2 doors down has about 5 Tasco's on display but when I put them to the test they weren't even able to tell me if they were refractors or reflectors!!! (I pointed to a small refractor and asked "is that a reflector or refractor"). I will never go there for anything.

Although Camera House have very little stock I found him willing to help. Good on him for trying.