A$ hits 18 year high

[iceman (Mike)]

Apparently I've got an image or two in the Sep issue of S&T (US version), and they pay US$50 per image. Now I wish the exchange rate was 50c

[h0ughy (David)]

this is terrible news!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have no money!!!!!! I would like more shiny things like dedicated lenses..... ohhh the pain.... the pain..........

[davewaldo]

What are the best online Astro shops I should be looking at in the US?

[Stephen65]

I buy from OPT (www.optcorp.com) and have only had good experiences, they are keen to sell internationally. Just one tip - if ordering online on their system don't accept the default quotation for postage the system offers (which is the most expensive option), instead take the option in the ordering system to get information via email on a range of shipping options.

[sparky (Eddy)]

I bought from one of the better US dealers last year and nearly got ripped off to the tune of AU$1300. I made 2 purchases through their website and each time US$500 was added to the bill. I didn't get to find out until I got my credit card statement. It seems somebody got hold of my address and card details and used them to withdraw US$500 cash on each occassion . I had a 4 month fight with the credit card people. In the end they reversed both unauthorised payments but never confirmed to this day (10 months later) that the case was closed. The US dealer was empathetic but not helpful. I read recently that certain websites are being hacked for credit card details and this is an ongoing problem. Has anyone else had this problem? Maybe we should be ordering stuff over the phone.

Cheers

Eddy

[montewilson (Monte)]

I bought my SBIG STV in the US when the dollar was at $0.48. That hurt but I was in the US and it was second hand. I arranged to meet the guy who sold it to me on the floor of the Luxor Casino in Las Vegas. I don't know what the security camera guys would have thought. It must have looked like a movie scene. Two men meeting near the blackjack tables and one handing over a black briefcase and then both going their separate ways.

I am glad I bought it. Its the best guider/small ccd/lowlight video camera I've seen and it has paid handsomely in service since.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Yep Sparky, the same $500. Fortunately my bank contacted me because I never withdraw cash with my CC and it was from a site that did not match my normal online purchases. They were really good about it and there was no drama in getting my account straightened out.

[GrahamL]

who is it ?..pm fine

[Jupiter]

Funny that last year I got bitten for $500 US as well, credit card company refunded after about a month, but wait theres more this year I got another surprise in my credit card statement, someone kindly purchased 3 airline tickets to the tune of $5,900 AU, I kid you not, I got that refunded too after about 30 days.
I have never found out if these ppl were charged, arrested or not, needless to say I cancelled my card.

[sparky (Eddy)]

Luckily like we all got our money back in the end. But there seems to be a trend here (anyone else??). I mentioned to my bank manager about my CC problems he suggetsed that the credit card companies are "backing away" from paying for these unauthorised transactions. Its a shame that local Auz dealers prices aren't a bit closer to those tempting US prices then I would buy local every time. Hmmn seems the internet is a double edged sword.

[xstream (John)]

Originally Posted by Jupiter

Funny that last year I got bitten for $500 US as well, credit card company refunded after about a month, but wait theres more this year I got another surprise in my credit card statement, someone kindly purchased 3 airline tickets to the tune of $5,900 AU, I kid you not, I got that refunded too after about 30 days.
I have never found out if these ppl were charged, arrested or not, needless to say I cancelled my card.

Same thing here.
Anna received a letter from her CC provider this week to say she had gone a couple hundred over her limit, when she phoned to say there must be a mistake she was informed it was now over a thousand over her limit. Airline tickets and accommodation in Asia, nothing is sacred any more.

[montewilson (Monte)]

If I get something from Optcorp. I ring and talk to Craig directly. If I pay by card it is done directly and not over the Net. I've had no problems this way.

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by sparky

I bought from one of the better US dealers last year and nearly got ripped off to the tune of AU$1300....

.. I read recently that certain websites are being hacked for credit card details and this is an ongoing problem. Has anyone else had this problem? Maybe we should be ordering stuff over the phone.

Cheers

Eddy

I've stopped using the online service of a well known US astro dealer too !
I've had amounts of up to US$500 charged on the CC on three separate occasions after I've placed orders online.
Luckily I've been refunded costs plus interest but only after months of waiting.

Now I am reluctant to deal with them and if I have to I only deal with them via email and fax them an authorization !!!

[Karls48 (Karl)]

I'm using PayPal and so far I had no problems.

[GrahamL]

could someone please pm me the name of the dealer concerned as I have an transaction about to be processed from the US .

[casstony]

Why not post the name of any dealers concerned here so we can all be vigilant if using those dealers? It's not an accusation against the dealer, just a potential problem to be aware of.

I'm really slack with checking my statements but after reading of these experiences I checked back through 12 months worth of statements.

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by casstony

Why not post the name of any dealers concerned here so we can all be vigilant if using those dealers? It's not an accusation against the dealer, just a potential problem to be aware of.

I agree, name names. Otherwise all US dealers are tainted by association.

[Prickly]

Digby dart is right on - are the savings do not seem to be being passed on as much as you might expect. If not it may not be the best time to buy equipment quite yet??

One thing is for sure - if the dollar keeps appreciating eventually those suppliers who have not sold the equipment they bought at a lower $A to $US exchange rate may be hit as they try to compete with others selling their equipment bought at more recent higher $A to $US exchange rates.

So I cant see any logic in not passing on the lower prices other than possible short term gain. To me it would seem better to clear out the equipment ASAP and buy more equipment in cheaper.

I guess time will tell.

[space oddity]

Reasons of $US being low- high debt mainly.Funny that, AUS has the same problem.It is only a matter of time before it catches up with us too. Now is probably a good time to buy US made gear. There are freight forwarding firms that will send US purchases by cheapest option.Many US dealers have outrageous postage fees making importing it yourself only a minor saving. Best to have a contact in the States that can send stuff over by cheapest method. Another trick, if packaging is opened, deemed value of goods drops by 20%(classified as used). At present, if value of goods + postage/insurance is below $AUS 1,000 you can escape GST if goods are posted. Having it brought in by someone travelling to USA can bring in MUCH less in value of goodies($400 from memory.)I am waiting on a few little goodies myself from the USA.

[Stephen65]

Yes, you definitely want to have the value of any single package of goods declared as less than A$1000 so you don't pay GST on it.