Astromart subscriptions

[Astromelb]

Dear Ice In Spacers,

It appears that "Astromart" have changed their policy regarding memberships, and a "Lifetime Membership" that was signed up to years a few years ago is now regarded as EXPIRED !!

Not only an interesting way to run a website, but also actually ...... illegal.

Any other members on I In S getting this same treatment from the XXXXXX yanks ??

Rgds,
Astromelb.

[Octane (Humayun)]

I wouldn't tar all "yanks" with the sentiment of your post.

The web site is run by one guy, if I'm not mistaken. It's his baby.

Maybe if enough people cancel their subscriptions, it might get the message across. But, I doubt it.

H

[Astromelb]

When I signed up for a "Once Off Fee for a Lifetime Membership" that is exactly what I expect to receive.

This is quite simply put - Breach of Contract - it's - ILLEGAL.

Plus my name doesn't start with any of those letters you refer to.

[Octane (Humayun)]

If it's a breach of contract, then, you should be able to take him to court? I have no idea, I'm not a member anymore.

H

[MrB (Simon)]

Perfect opportunity for someone to come up with something better and take his customers from him.

[GrahamL]

Maybe the owner is going to close it down ? no paid up members probably means no refunds on subscriptions..since my membership flew off into the sheen some years back and I don't go there often I notice
now in my area of interest the listings have dropped by more than 50 % from a couple of years ago.

[FlashDrive (Poppy)]

I was thinking of ' signing up ' not long ago ... glad I didn't.
A slow Exodus is on the cards here .. I'd say ... going by what I've read here.

You all know the ' old saying ' ...Don't bite the hand that feeds you ..!!
Maybe HM Herb has had enough ...I dunno ..

Flash ..!!

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by nightstalker

Maybe the owner is going to close it down ? no paid up members probably means no refunds on subscriptions..since my membership flew off into the sheen some years back and I don't go there often I notice
now in my area of interest the listings have dropped by more than 50 % from a couple of years ago.

Ditto that

[marki]

Originally Posted by Astromelb

When I signed up for a "Once Off Fee for a Lifetime Membership" that is exactly what I expect to receive.

This is quite simply put - Breach of Contract - it's - ILLEGAL.

Plus my name doesn't start with any of those letters you refer to.

Have to agree, I aslo signed up on a one time fee now I am being told my account has expired. Won't be wasting any more money and honestly who would sign up as a lifetime member knowing he is likely to lock your account and demand more money whenever it suits him. What a tosser.

Mark

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Astromelb

When I signed up for a "Once Off Fee for a Lifetime Membership" that is exactly what I expect to receive.

This is quite simply put - Breach of Contract - it's - ILLEGAL.

Plus my name doesn't start with any of those letters you refer to.

How is this illegal, or a breach of contract?

Sorry to say, it is not a breach of contract.

Under the Terms of Service, to which you must agree in order to sign up, Astromart clearly states "Astromart reserves the right, at its discretion, to change, modify, add or remove all or part of the Terms of Use at any time."

When one signs up to anything one should actually read the Terms of Service before doing so. And, if you don't like them, don't sign up. To cry foul later is simply not justifiable. Most people just don't read the fine print and just accept things will be OK. Often they are not.

It is another example of Caveat Emptor!

I too was removed and that is OK with me. I didn't get much out of the service anyway, so I will not sign up again.

[Paul Haese]

Have not been a member on Astromart for several years now, but do find this beaviour quite odd and comical. It would be better to place a small charge on each sale and this would be more effective and prevent people leaving or not joining. Crazy dude.

[GrahamL]

And if your planning to move ,you had better ask first
comical it is paul and a little weird to!

I’ve been a supporter of Astromart for years, even before the current owner, Herb, bought the site. Yes, Herb isn’t the original owner of Astromart. Alot of people don’t know that.

Anyway, as I said, I supported the site through donations for years. Then, when Herb decided to implement the $12 registration fee, I felt that it was no big deal and I paid the fee to continue to support the site. Shortly afterwards I moved and sent Astromart an email asking to update my address in my profile. The next thing I know my entire account, profile, ads, and feedback were deleted. I was locked out. Several emails to Astromart inquiring for an explanation went unanswered. I finally got a reply from Herb via a newsgroup that my account was terminated because I fraudulently posted wrong information in my profile, which was my address. I tried to explain that I had moved and I now have a new address, but I apparently didn’t get Herb’s approval to move before doing so. I didn’t know I needed his approval, but according to him, I do.

Basically, Herb stole $$$ from me. I no longer use, or recommend Astromart. I hope Herb has a good life in his own little world.
# posted by http://img2.blogblog.com/img/anon16-rounded.gif PA-J3 : 7:47 AM

[Astromelb]

When I signed up I paid for a "Lifetime Membership under the rules in place at "that" time.

I paid "consideration" for a lifetime contract with Astromart, that's what their rules stated at that time.

They cannot change their mind partway through and "expire" such a contract at their whim - that's "Breach of Contract".

He can change the rules for NEW memberships from Friday last week sure, and have a new annual fee for new accounts, but that's moving forward. He is not in a position to place this new rule retrospectively.

I have had their website and the documentation in my possession (from membership date) checked via a very close friend (senior level Victoria Police Fraud Squad yesterday), he is actioning this matter via his US links for legal & criminal action.

As I state this isn't a negotiation, don't just fall over on this one, he's in breach of contract and deserves a broadside.

In the meantime I have a rcommendation for you all - "Boycott Astromart" !!

[gbeal]

Good on ya Cris, I applaud your determination.
In my case though I found many other avenues to buy and sell through, and forgot the annoyance. I do however firmly not recommend that site to anyone looking, instead prefer to point anyone and everyone to this and a few others.
Keep us posted.
Gary

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Astromelb

When I signed up I paid for a "Lifetime Membership under the rules in place at "that" time.

I paid "consideration" for a lifetime contract with Astromart, that's what their rules stated at that time.

They cannot change their mind partway through and "expire" such a contract at their whim - that's "Breach of Contract".

He can change the rules for NEW memberships from Friday last week sure, and have a new annual fee for new accounts, but that's moving forward. He is not in a position to place this new rule retrospectively.

I have had their website and the documentation in my possession (from membership date) checked via a very close friend (senior level Victoria Police Fraud Squad yesterday), he is actioning this matter via his US links for legal & criminal action.

As I state this isn't a negotiation, don't just fall over on this one, he's in breach of contract and deserves a broadside.

In the meantime I have a rcommendation for you all - "Boycott Astromart" !!

He may deserve a broadside, and I agree with this. However, he still isn't in breach of contract if you read all the rules. It can be changed at any time, however, you should have been notified first, according to the sites own terms. Besides, how much did you pay, probably not much, so it is moot.

I wasn't informed first, but then I only had an annual subscription, so I just don't give a toss, because I don't support anyone that changes the rules.

[Wavytone]

I agree what he has done is annoying, and very poorly handled.

Looking at some areas of the site I'd say Astromart is dying anyway, and secondly its full of junk, for example people trying to flog 1 kellner eyepiece for $20, or an old surplus-shed doublet lens for $55. That stuff is just junk and not even worth posting. In this respect I suspect he's trying to get rid of these junk items by charging a fee.

BUT... as it stands now you have to shell out for a annual membership (or 40 ads) either to post an ad, or to buy anything, which may, or may not be successful.

He'd have done a lot better to charge a sellers premium eg charging say 3% of the sale of each item, but making that work through PayPal is probably not possible.

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

That's me gone too.
He's been annoying people for years - is he the most disliked person in amateur astronomy?

[Moon (James)]

Me too. Not even so much as an email notification. I hope this is the end of astromart.

I might ask my bank if they can do a reversal of the credit card payment (i.e. a chargeback) Worth a try.

[AstroFlyer (Arek)]

Originally Posted by Moon

Me too. Not even so much as an email notification. I

I've just found out my subscription expired as well.
It was only $12 one off (or maybe not) fee so no huge drama, but the way it is handled is pretty poor.
No email notification, no warning at all. Sad really.
I did make few purchases, but will not be renewing my subscription.
IIS will get all my business...

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

I too have noticed a slow and steady decline in postings on astromart. I never subscribed, I found the process & conditions unsatisfactory for some reason I just don't go there anymore, haven't for close to a year for so much as a sticky beak.

May I suggest the Cloudy Nights classifieds in place of astromart. No subscription fees or unreasonable rules and conditions. CN runs very much like our valued IIS - many thanks Mike & mods.