Bintel feedback

[anna]

I'd like to put in my two cents worth regarding Bintels customer service.
I wanted to get John a book on Astrophotography for Christmas, so I rang
the Melbourne store and spoke to Graham. I explained to him that I wasn't
sure on the best book to get. He had a chat with Roger and they both agreed
on the right book. As John is always home before me, I asked if the parcel
could be addressed to him so he would get a surprise.
The parcel arrived the very next day.

That's what I call service.

All we need is one in Adelaide now. Adelaide Optical are very much overpriced and they really are more interested in selling cameras I believe. Nothing wrong with Optic SA, but some more competition would not go astray.

[anthony2302749]

Hi David

I think it goes something like this,mind you its only a theory, but the amount of bad weather one would expect after purchasing new astronomical equipment is proportional to the amount of money spent on the said equipment. For me $1400 equal to about 5 months of bad weather (+/- $9 a day).

Anthony

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

they may deliver on time and have great customer service, but what happened to the disclaimer re getting rid of rapidly falling temps and bad jetstream for new equipment??????????


powermate 5x is great guys - thanks!

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by rumples riot

My only criticism is that they should get into selling Celestron also.

They used to sell Celestron scopes before they became a local dealer for Big Blue. In addition, Don Whiteman worked for Celestron in the USA for a couple of years as a technician.

I don't mind paying a little bit extra for the excellent customer service they provide. Its also worth noting that in the last 2 years they have become a lot more price competitive yet still maintained the excellent service levels.

My preferred Australian Dealer.

CS-John B

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

I really appreciate Roger's expertise and attention to detail in the Melbourne shop, but I've got a feeling I will still be buying a fair bit of my gear from the Sydney store. Melbourne is still the underdog, unfortunately.

I went to the Melbourne store last week looking to buy a GS Crayford focuser. They had one but it was a bit dodgy. Expecting more in on Tuesday (following week), I was told. Wednesday: haven't arrived, should be there by Friday. Hmmm, I really want this thing ready to go by the start of the holidays. So I ordered one from the Sydney shop yesterday afternoon and it got here lunchtime today. And at the new low price of $99! (+$9 postage)

Now, why can't Bintel's own store receive the same level of service I do? I got what I wanted overnight, they have to wait for stock for a week or more.

[ving (David)]

*cough*andrews have had that new low price for ages *cough*

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by ving

*cough*andrews have had that new low price for ages *cough*

David,

You need to understand the difference between a store that sells boxes containing astronomy equipment cheaply and a store that provides the equipment, advice and the service, all with a smile

The only similarity between Bintel and Andrews is that they both sell the GS Crayford for $99.

CS-John B

[ving (David)]

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

David,

You need to understand the difference between a store that sells boxes containing astronomy equipment cheaply and a store that provides the equipment, advice and the service, all with a smile

The only similarity between Bintel and Andrews is that they both sell the GS Crayford for $99.

CS-John B

too right, lee charged me for his smile!!!

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Originally Posted by ving

*cough*andrews have had that new low price for ages *cough*

I agree with John, but 50% price difference is a lot, so I'm glad Bintel have dropped their price.

... but a bit more on the Crayford: Roger would not sell me the one they had on the shelf because it had a bit of backlash in the shaft. He had a look at it and came up with a solution. So I was actually tempted to buy it despite the problem (and at that point I still thought they were $149), but Roger said to wait till they get more of them in. Then he showed Daniel & me how to shim the R&P to get rid of image shift. I think Daniel was going to give it a go before thinking about buying a crayford. This is the sort of service you will not get in just any old shop selling astronomy gear.

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Originally Posted by Exfso

All we need is one in Adelaide now. Adelaide Optical are very much overpriced and they really are more interested in selling cameras I believe. Nothing wrong with Optic SA, but some more competition would not go astray.

I agree. Mathew from Telescopes-Astronomy is good also but not really a "walk in" store Service is good though. AOC never really liked going there, shop is too small and service makes me feel like a noob with no idea. OpticSA never been but they replies to all emails I sent them.

C'mon business owners, we need more in SA

Something like a Camera, Astronomy, and weather shop all in one then I would be in heaven. Thought about opening one myself but no expertise or money to do it.

[lost_in_space]

Well I am still waiting for my Christmas present from my 2 boys. They clubbed together to get me an EP (Haven't a clue what it is), ordered it from Bintel before xmas and were promised delivery before the big day. As of today (Mon 16 Jan) we are all still in suspense.

To Bintel's credit they have kept my kids informed, and the silly season is a nightmare for retailers, but...

I have infinite patience and hopefully I will get it before my birthday mid Feb. If so, they can get me another one for my birthday and I might even get it before xmas '06!

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

What was the present supposed to be? I had some hiccups with deliveries from Bintel Sydney before, but it was my fault as much as theirs, and they made sure I was not out of pocket for it (they payed all the postage costs).

[lost_in_space]

Originally Posted by janoskiss

What was the present supposed to be? I had some hiccups with deliveries from Bintel Sydney before, but it was my fault as much as theirs, and they made sure I was not out of pocket for it (they payed all the postage costs).

As I said in my post, it's an EP but I don't have a clue what it is. It might be (live in hope) a Nagler, or it might be a cheap & nasty piece of crap for all I know. I don't care, it will be good regardless because it is an xmas present from my kids. They don't want to tell me what it is and spoil the suprise.

I am cool with it, I know what retail is like. I am patient and understand that things don't always go to plan. I can wait and will be ecstatic when I eventually get it regardless of what it is. My kids don't have my patience and are p'd off. They are the customer and they are gaining a good lesson in "caveat emptor" that should serve them well in the future.

Bintel staff, if you are reading this can you look up an xmas '05 outstanding order for an EP with a Tassie delivery address and do something about it please?

I have a couple of bumfluffy teenage boys in hormone overload who want to go to war. They are armed with all sorts of things like:

• Black belts in 213 disciplines.
• Advanced knowledge of hacks, cracks, viruses, networks, and other computer nasties like windows.
• Glass cutters.
• Coarse grinding powder.
• Bolt cutters.
• A seriously heavy tassie hardwood LART.
• Strong electromagnets.
• A powerful emp generator.
• Paintstripper.
• Cat dust.
• Fish.

They are not happy.
They are in contact with Uranus, Zeus, Indra, Okko and Ambreesh.
They could have a serious effect on seeing.

[davidpretorius]

oops?????

do you want someone else to ring them? i am happy to ask the question and then pm you delivery details, not what it is of course???

[lost_in_space]

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

oops?????

do you want someone else to ring them? i am happy to ask the question and then pm you delivery details, not what it is of course???

No, thats fine but thanks Dave. It's under control. To Bintels credit I do believe they have kept the boys informed about the delay. I understand they may be having problems getting the stock in from their supplier.
My above post was more in jest than a serious whinge.

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Hey there is always next birthday, if it doesn't come this one

[Librarian64]

Yep, Bintel are my first choice re: customer service, choice and quick delivery!

Excellent work guys!