Buying from Andrews Communications?

0tt0maddox · #1 24-04-2011, 10:38 AM

Hey,

I've found the telescope I think I'll go with (SkyWatcher SW102 Refractor).

The only two websites I've found that have it for under $500 seem kinda dodgy. What I was wondering was, has anybody bought from Andrews Communications and are they trustworthy? The scope's only $349 on their site. If so, how do you go about actually purchasing from them (they don't seem to have any links or anything).

Also, has anyone bought from 'telescope.com.au'? It looks really dodgy, but the telescope's only $419.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

asimov (John) · #2 24-04-2011, 10:56 AM

Andrews is certainly not Dodgy. Most of us here have bought something off Lee at one time or another. Go for it.

I can't comment on the other lot you mention.

You'll need to ring Lee to order it, that's what I do in any case.

telecasterguru (Frank) · #3 24-04-2011, 11:17 AM

Andrews are a very well known and long established business.

Lee is a pleasure to deal with.

stattonb (Statton) · #4 24-04-2011, 11:28 AM

brought all my scopes from andrews the a good company a+++

Jules76 (Julian) · #5 24-04-2011, 12:45 PM

Brought my current scope from Andrews. Highly recommended.

Wish I knew about them before I purchased my first scope!

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #6 24-04-2011, 01:13 PM

otto,

Andrews is an exemplary company to deal with, you can feel confident to deal with them.

The reason their prices are much lower than others is because they are the pioneers of telescope competition in Australia and pride themselves on providing customers with the best price, always.

There is no point trying to haggle, their price is always better than anyone else....

I buy everything from them.

Cheers

Chris

DavidU (Dave) · #7 24-04-2011, 01:32 PM

After buying from Andrews a few times I would rate them very highly indeed.My favourites are Andrews, Bintel and Astronomy Alive.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #8 24-04-2011, 03:32 PM

Just pick up the phone and place an order. Deposit the monies into their account and before you know it, your new toy will be delivered to your door.
It's that easy.

TrevorW · #9 24-04-2011, 03:55 PM

Ask for Luke say Trevor sent you

always a pleasure to deal with

0tt0maddox · #10 24-04-2011, 05:21 PM

Thanks everyone, I'm so keen for this scope!

This forum's the best. So good to see that people are here out of genuine interest, not just to sit and insult people like a complete tool. I'm usually anti-internet, but every time I read this site it makes me feel like things maybe aren't so bad.

Thanks again and Happy Easter!

AdrianF (Adrian) · #11 02-05-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0tt0maddox

Hey,

I've found the telescope I think I'll go with (SkyWatcher SW102 Refractor).

The only two websites I've found that have it for under $500 seem kinda dodgy. What I was wondering was, has anybody bought from Andrews Communications and are they trustworthy? The scope's only $349 on their site. If so, how do you go about actually purchasing from them (they don't seem to have any links or anything).

Also, has anyone bought from 'telescope.com.au'? It looks really dodgy, but the telescope's only $419.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

I have had absolutely no problems buying from Andrews Com.

Adrian

yusufcam (Colin) · #12 02-05-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdrianF

I have had absolutely no problems buying from Andrews Com.

Adrian

likewise

NatalieR (Natalie) · #13 02-05-2011, 02:36 PM

I just bought an 8" Dob and a bucket load of bits and pieces for it through Andrews. Luke and Lee were both wonderful to deal with and the whole transaction was hassle free. Luke was also great at answering my newbie questions about what sort of eyepieces and filters i should get to compliment our setup.

Cheers...Nat

Stu Ward · #14 02-05-2011, 07:48 PM

I'm picking up a 12" goto dob from them tomorrow.

mercedes_sl1970 · #15 03-05-2011, 10:52 PM

Just to add to the gener support for Andrews - they've always been excellent to deal with.

Andrew

plmedcraft (Paul) · #16 04-05-2011, 11:37 AM

My 10 cents worth.
This is not a shot at Andrews, rather it is a commentary on discount wharehouses in general.
If price is your main and only driver Andrews are the guys. I have dealt with them in the past and they have the stock, give the best prices and acknowledge up front that there is no point getting into a detailed discussion with them about pros and cons, they are not experts.
I just spent over 12k this week, I contacted Andrews to purchase an item they confirmed was in stock on the website for 4K but was told they would need to find it first as they had several wharehouses. Fair enough, gave em a couple of days cause I believe in fair enough. That was a week and a half ago. Bintel, in particular Don at Bintel not only got the 4K but through his expert advice turned it into more than 6K and I have now spent more than 12K off the back of Dons advice.
Was Bintel as cheap as Andrews, nah...
But Bintel has Don, Mike, Roger etc etc and I should pay a couple of hundred extra for that expertise everytime.
I have been buying and selling for a long time now and it is sometimes good to be reminded that cheap isnt always best.
Paul Medcraft

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #17 04-05-2011, 11:45 AM

I've bought from a number of Australian dealers.
Two things they all have in common....
their passion for Astronomy and their ability to talk your ears off about it.

yusufcam (Colin) · #18 04-05-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plmedcraft

My 10 cents worth.
I have been buying and selling for a long time now and it is sometimes good to be reminded that cheap isnt always best.
Paul Medcraft

i'll see that 10c and raise you a nickle...

i'd like to make a comment here, i have collected several scopes from a number of different locations and was suprised once when i walked into a particular store (which will remain anonymous) and asked advice about a telescope i had (which may have led to a future purchase) to be greeted by a gruff, "well you didn't buy it here" meaning go back to where you got it (yar freeloading tosser [implied]).

i have since had other more positive experiences with them, but found the first exchange suprising, unsettling, err medieval perhaps.

plmedcraft (Paul) · #19 04-05-2011, 02:09 PM

LOL
I had a good chuckle over that, I didn't need any help placing a face to the comment.
However...
Put yourself in their shoes which neatly highlights the point I was making. A discount supplier sells it but when it comes to any advice we collectively end up walking into the business that has always been there providing product and advice. Only now they dont get paid for the advice and collectively we take up time that they would otherwise use to make a sale.
I have done this as well so I am hardly one to point any fingers.
Sometimes the buyer knows the answer, they know what they want and off to the discount supplier they go but its not the answer that is important, it is one of many questions that they dont know. Thats where the experience from guys like Don is invaluable, they know the questions to ask.
Far as I am concerned the response from the shop owner wasn't medieval especially given that the discount supplier in question has comparitive prices of his competitors front and centre on his website. What isn't stated on his comparison table is that when it comes to what you need, how to make it work, what are the traps and an endless list of other questions you don't know to ask you need to go elswhere...
Thats why the price is different.

Rick Parrott · #20 05-05-2011, 11:30 AM

Have to say that Andrews' are always very helpful and I would not hesitate to purchase more items from them!