Most Insulting Price Difference of the Day

[JB80 (Jarrod)]

Are there any other manufacturers around of large aperture SCT's(10"+) other than Meade and Celestron that have better policy for internationals or others around full stop?

[ZeroID (Brent)]

If you think Aust is being ripped off try NZ !! We see Aus as cheap compared to local suppliers. Small population, smaller market, less suppliers .....

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

I note that the specialist astro retailers are just about all leaving Celestron alone (Sirius, Bintel, My Astro etc). Andrews sells it but my guess is that Celestron or its rep here in Oz is more interested in selling through non specialist outlets (Aust Geographic, camera shops etc) rather than to the astronomical community.
Selling to non astronomers makes sense as a business model as markups are potentially higher and warranty claims lower.

Malcolm

[Astro_Bot]

Originally Posted by pmrid

It is probably not the retailer that fixes the price. In many instances, you'll find that the price they charge is highly controlled by the principal importer or by the terms of their licence from the manufacturer. I doubt that Sirius are any more pleased about this than we are.

Elsewhere in the thread, including my posts, you'll see that this is already discussed. I particularly mentioned that it seems mostly to be due to the importer/distributor.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by barx1963

I note that the specialist astro retailers are just about all leaving Celestron alone (Sirius, Bintel, My Astro etc). Andrews sells it but my guess is that Celestron or its rep here in Oz is more interested in selling through non specialist outlets (Aust Geographic, camera shops etc) rather than to the astronomical community.
Selling to non astronomers makes sense as a business model as markups are potentially higher and warranty claims lower.

Malcolm

Not everyone is getting out of Celestron. I noticed last Thursday that BTOW in Perth has plenty of Celestron telescopes in stock and his prices look fairly reasonable too. Not sure though whether he has all models in stock. Since I am not in the market for a new SCT I didn't ask.

Cheers Peter

[asimov (John)]

Tell me about it. I want to pull the trigger on a C14 & the difference between the price USD-AUD is exactly 3K. (OPT/Andrews).

[Astro_Bot]

Originally Posted by Stardrifter_WA

I noticed last Thursday that BTOW in Perth has plenty of Celestron telescopes in stock and his prices look fairly reasonable too. Not sure though whether he has all models in stock.

He's out of stock of C11's. Doing that price again is unlikely - I had a long chat with him a week ago, but I don't know how much of that is fit to print.

[Steffen]

Originally Posted by asimov

Tell me about it. I want to pull the trigger on a C14 & the difference between the price USD-AUD is exactly 3K. (OPT/Andrews).

The difference actually shrinks to under $1900 once you factor in shipping and GST. Still a big difference, that's for sure.

Cheers
Steffen.

[Terry B]

I bought a C11 from OPT earlier this year. Delivered to Aust with duty etc cost about $2100. This is very much cheaper than any Aust choices. The guarantee is US but I am taking that risk. No electronics to go wrong so I think the risk is minimal.
Freight forwarders solve the exclusivity problem.

[asimov (John)]

Originally Posted by Steffen

The difference actually shrinks to under $1900 once you factor in shipping and GST. Still a big difference, that's for sure.

Cheers
Steffen.

Thanks Steffen, of course you are correct. I'm just wondering if it's worth it for the $1900. There are such things as 'lemons' when it comes to Celestron SCT's & if I just happened to ship in a dud all the way from the US, thus voiding the warranty......

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Terry B

I bought a C11 from OPT earlier this year. Delivered to Aust with duty etc cost about $2100. This is very much cheaper than any Aust choices. The guarantee is US but I am taking that risk. No electronics to go wrong so I think the risk is minimal.
Freight forwarders solve the exclusivity problem.

When deciding to use a particularly freight forwarder due diligence is highly recommended.

I was going to use a "mail box" service in the US to get around the exclusivity problem, however, thoroughly checking them out highlighted a number of issues that were somewhat concerning. There were more than a few complaints about people not receiving goods and not being able to get any answers from the company involved.

Adding a further layer of complexity can make it considerably more difficult in trying to track parcels. However, that is the risk you take trying to save some dollars. Once an item leaves the retailer and arrives at the freight forwarder, their responsibility ends; you are then relying solely on the freight forwarder.

Some credit cards and services like Paypal may not offer any protection when you consider that once an item is delivered to your freight forwarder it is considered to have been delivered, as this is your US address, hence no insurance protection.

Warranty is another issue. If you return a telescope to the US retailer directly from Australia, will they honour the warranty, or will you have to return it via your US "address" (your freight forwarder)? It all sounds too complicated to save $1900. Besides, how much time would be involved dealing with warranty issues with a US company and an Australia company. My preferred Australian suppliers have all responded quickly to any issues.

Sometimes trying to save some money can end up costing you everything.

Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware) applies.

[Terry B]

This is of course true. You are relying on the freight forwarder being honest. In my case this was the case as I had no problems.
The cost in Oz for a grey imported version of the scope from Andrews is $3600. You are then relying on the warranty provided by the supplier not the manufacturer. This is OK as long as they stay in business.
The same scope from the official distributor is much more expensive. You could fly over and bring it back as luggage cheaper.
Different risks for different people.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Terry B

The same scope from the official distributor is much more expensive. You could fly over and bring it back as luggage cheaper.
Different risks for different people.

That can be true too, however, unless you can actually bring it back in your luggage, without additional weigh costs, freight costs would still apply.

I was looking at getting a Takahashi 106ED, and if I flew to Hong Kong I could get it at about half the price, according to some. With airfares, the price would be about the same as the Australian price, however, I could have a holiday too. And, it would easily fit in my luggage. Alas, I still can't afford that, so I have settled on a much less expensive alternative.

Cheers Peter

[OICURMT]

This topic has been covered many many times...

With respect to price gouging on Celestron products, the people to blame are....

http://www.sheldonandhammond.com.au/

[Nikolas (Nik)]

So why are the retailers not kicking up a real stink? Why do the retailers let the wholesalers and distributors get away with gouging?
Why are the retailer so gutless?

Same applies for Orion products as well.
Seriously is there no retailers association going after these distributors and importers?

[Nikolas (Nik)]

There are american re-shippers that will ship to australia via an american address.
http://reship.com/
http://www.myus.com

etc.
Not sure about freight for heavy items but still be cheaper than buying from here even after customs takes its cut

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Nikolas

So why are the retailers not kicking up a real stink? Why do the retailers let the wholesalers and distributors get away with gouging?
Why are the retailer so gutless?

Same applies for Orion products as well.
Seriously is there no retailers association going after these distributors and importers?

Simply put, retailers in Australia ARE standing up to Celestron, as are some consumers, like me. I didn't just moan about this situation, I have written to Celestron about this on a number of occasions, particularly about not being able to buy from another country because the Australian distributor won't stock some accessories. Celestron appears not to care, but then I am only one voice. Maybe if everyone wrote to them they might listen?

The fact remains, that the serious end of the Celestron's Australian market remains quite small whereas the smaller (cheaper) end of the market sells considerably more.

Despite that, many retailers in Australia are moving away from Celestron, as did the past distributor. The only retailer that I am aware that actually has stock of Celestron now appears to BTOW, although he doesn't appear to stock all models. His prices are not as high as some I have seen. But then, that doesn't affect me, as I already have my Celestron and I paid much more than they are now. I bought mine when the Aussie dollar was "way" lower than it is now. I think at the time the Aussie dollar was only buying about 65 cents US.

When the Aussie dollar drops below parity, and it will, the situation will become much worse. So, get in now while you can. I am, as I have already ordered a new scope and accessories whilst the Australian dollar is high.

Cheers Peter

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Nikolas

There are american re-shippers that will ship to australia via an american address.
http://reship.com/
http://www.myus.com

etc.
Not sure about freight for heavy items but still be cheaper than buying from here even after customs takes its cut

Here are some links to reviews about reshippers. To be fair, these may only be isolated cases and many have had good experiences. In moving any freight around there are always risks, and adding a layer of complexity may mean greater risks. These risks must be considered if you are to make an informed decision. Having said that, I have had many shipments and have had only one go missing, but that was ok as it was covered by insurance.

http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.reship.com

myus http://www.ripoffreport.com/Search/myus.aspx

Cheers Peter

[Terry B]

Not sure about the message but the second of the links above puts a
moving banner add across my little phone screen making it impossible to see the info under it.

[Nikolas (Nik)]

Doesn't hurt to bombard their facebook page either