ICEINSPACE
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Moon Phase
CURRENT MOON
Waxing Crescent 4%
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21-01-2005, 02:14 PM
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In my opinion when a company quotes such ridiculous rates it tells me they dont want to send gear overseas, so they immediately get scratched off my list.
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21-01-2005, 06:16 PM
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4000 post club member
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,900
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The company I work for does all its shipping via the one carrier due to bulk discounts. I assume the same is true for most of the big astro dealers in the US and they dont give a toss about a small external foreign market.
You just get quoted the standard shipping rate by their preferred carrier and to ship any other way is just too much trouble for them.
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21-01-2005, 06:33 PM
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The 'DRAGON MAN'
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: In the Dark at Snake Valley, Victoria
Posts: 14,412
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Yeah! and apart from that it's a real problem if the scope needs to be returned for any reason (faults, repairs etc.)
Even paying the bit extra by buying in Oz at least servicing, repairs, exchanges etc. can be done in Oz!!!
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21-01-2005, 10:52 PM
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Plays well with others!
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ridgefield CT USA
Posts: 3,535
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I'd throw my hat in for buying local if you can...
I am "lucky" to be close to Sydney and Bintel...they have been very helpful to me. I have asked tons of "dumb" questions in person, via phone and e-mail and they have always responded in a nice and friendly manner. I am sure that they have a "chuckle" after I leave but they have been super to me.
It may be a little more expensive but, I can "waddle" into their store ask a few questions and leave a little smarter.
When I bought my scope, they walked me through what it was and would do...
When I had questions on collimation, I popped into the store and they showed me how...someone stood with me while I collimated "my scope" (display model) and offered helpful tips...
They have a good selection of gear on hand and lots of "smart" people...(maybe lots is too much they have one or two smart people)
They are active in the local astronomy community and have a good monthly newsletter which I read every month on the web for free...they are top notch folks...
All those things are worth a buck or two to me...
And no, I have no affliation with them...I am just a happy customer...
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22-01-2005, 06:10 AM
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Sir Post a Lot!
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gosford, NSW, Australia
Posts: 36,799
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I agree completely, their service and knowledge is A-1.
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22-01-2005, 10:39 AM
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Whats visual Astronomy
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 5,062
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I dont think I would ever purchase a telescope overseas, its to big and you need some customer support....eyepieces and small accessories.....yes I would....
Just for instance I got a price for the Celestron 19mm Axiom 2" priced at $445...here localy...overseas they are priced at $245 AUS + Postage of around $40 AUS...saving of $160 AUS....even bigger saving if you purchase multiple items making shipping cheaper per item......I tend to like buying overseas......like I said previoulsy we ended purchasing 3 bottles of expensive perfume includding post from overseas for the price of 1 here at Myers......
As far as Bintel and andrews....yes they both are great....they have serviced me well and I will continue using both retailers for certain items...
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23-01-2005, 10:45 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Box Hill South
Posts: 77
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I have bought a Meade ETX70AT from overseas, the tripod is more expensive to ship than the scope.
I dont particularly care what postage is as long as overall price is cheaper than what i can buy it in AUS for. (Ill only do it if im saving a couple of hundred, which i, lets say, very much did.....)
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24-01-2005, 10:45 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern US
Posts: 31
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Be very careful when buying any go-to telescope from overseas. Neither Celestron nor Meade allow their US dealers to export these telescopes, and they will not honor your warranty if they find that you have purchased from the US. There are legitimate business reasons for this, as it costs considerably more to handle an overseas warranty claim. This is why these telescopes cost more in some markets than in others. You do actually get something of value for that higher price: a warranty.
If you do purchase one of these telescopes from a US dealer, be sure to get a written explanation of how a warranty claim would be processed. The safer route, as has been stated above, is to purchase these items locally.
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27-01-2005, 09:30 AM
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Whats visual Astronomy
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 5,062
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Just wanted to make a small apology to Bob and his team at Skies Unlimited......for discrediting his company on this forum due to excesive postage price's to Australia.......recently Bob has sent me prices regarding eyepiece postage in general with very respectable postage prices given....actualy a little cheaper then the best price postage I have had.....
I am glad we were able to clear this up Bob and I hope my comments dont affect any future buisness with your company.
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27-01-2005, 10:19 AM
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Whats visual Astronomy
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 5,062
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I am very happy....My order has just been confirmed.....
I have ordered the 17mm Nagler 2" and the Peterson eye-opener includding postage for a total of $575 AUS
BTW thats purchased overseas.....
Last edited by Striker; 27-01-2005 at 10:21 AM.
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27-01-2005, 11:16 AM
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Sir Post a Lot!
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gosford, NSW, Australia
Posts: 36,799
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What's a Peterson eye-opener?
And will you have to pay GST + duty on that? Let us know when it arrives and what extra costs you had to pay..
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27-01-2005, 12:23 PM
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4000 post club member
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,900
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Once your package is over $500 (icl shipping), customs and GST become payable.
You might save money by splitting into two separate orders and ship separately.
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27-01-2005, 12:55 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern US
Posts: 31
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$500 AUD = $387 USD these days. Declared value and insured value are one in the same. Given that the shipper is the insured party, there might be a way to push that 500 AUD envelope provided that you can find an accomodating dealer.
Best Regards,
Bob Black
www.skiesunlimited.net
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27-01-2005, 01:47 PM
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Whats visual Astronomy
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 5,062
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Mike.....
A peterson eye-opener is as follows......it only benefits long focal length eyepieces such as 35mm and higher...pending on brand and vield of view.....
http://www.petersonengineering.com/SkyDiv/EO.htm
And yes I have asked for them to declare the value below the $500 AUS for tax reasons.....
Last edited by Striker; 27-01-2005 at 02:24 PM.
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27-01-2005, 01:51 PM
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Sir Post a Lot!
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gosford, NSW, Australia
Posts: 36,799
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Nice one Tony, looks like you're on a winner there.
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28-01-2005, 10:06 AM
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KeyboardNotFndPressAnyKey
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: geraldton western australia
Posts: 1,184
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wavelandscott
where can i sign up for bintels news letter ?
i went to the bintel home page and cant seem to find a link ?
john
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28-01-2005, 11:58 AM
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Who knows
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Blackwood South Australia
Posts: 3,051
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To get their news letter you can ring them or purchase something from them.
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28-01-2005, 09:57 PM
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Plays well with others!
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ridgefield CT USA
Posts: 3,535
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Ice beat me to it...
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08-02-2005, 12:12 PM
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Whats visual Astronomy
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 5,062
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My Nagler 2" 17mm turned up this morning along with the Peterson Eyeopener.......First impressions "I'm in love" the Nagler is so heavy but thats cool as I have fitted the counter weight set I got yesterday.....you can really feal the quality....cant wait to test it out......The eyeopener is also fitted nice and easy...I dont know why some of these parts just dont come standard.
For the money I wouldn't mine purchasing the 42mm & 50mm GS 2" if they are on special....cant go wrong for $69.
Just need tp look at some filters now.....
Bob what have you got in the way of 2" filters at Skiesunlimited?
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