Brickbats for bintel

Lee · #1 03-08-2006, 05:45 PM

I'm a believer in credit where credits due..... and the reverse - I must vent.... I visited bintel a few weeks ago and was impressed at the high level of service I recieved.....

Then I ordered some things over the phone - 2 small items.... no worries I was told, will go in mondays post (the 24th)...

Still nothing delivered today.

In between late supply of stuff to them (not advised to me), and them forgetting most of my details, and losing my credit card details.... then an inexplicable delay of two days after the goods arrived before they sent them (allegedly!).... bintel have slipped a notch in my estimation....

Not happy Jan....

I feel a bit better for my vent now.

On the other hand today I got my 20*80 triplets from Andrews, delivered to the door in under 36hr from phone order - very impressed.....

edit - had initial order date wrong - my bad....

Dennis · #2 03-08-2006, 06:25 PM

Oh dear - I just placed an internet order with Bintel this morning, I hope that I'm not in for a rough ride.....

I did receive the e-mail order confirmation message however.

Cheers

Dennis

Striker (Tony) · #3 03-08-2006, 06:52 PM

I'm still waiting for OPT to confim my order...has been 1 week now.

GrampianStars (Rob) · #4 03-08-2006, 07:02 PM

from US sites
OPT has closed

acropolite (Phil) · #5 03-08-2006, 07:04 PM

In all my dealings with Bintel I've only had one order overlooked, but it seems that occasionally things do go wrong. IMO the service they provide is first class, given that their pricing is amongst the lowest in the country.

Dennis · #6 03-08-2006, 07:06 PM

From their website, OPT were hosting "The Southern California Astronomy Exposition, located at OPT's beautiful new showroom location".

This was on July 22 and 29, so maybe their hands are full right now and they are playing catch up?

Cheers

Dennis

matt · #7 03-08-2006, 07:32 PM

You might want to have a look at my thread about my problem SCT (9.25) and the extra yards Don went for me to get this sorted today.

To the heart of this thread, during my conversation with Don today it was confirmed an order I'd placed Friday had been lost.

Don was away last week and I think things were a bit hectic.

No excuse, I know, but these things happen and their service overall is pretty good

Jupiter · #8 03-08-2006, 07:34 PM

No probs with OPT, made an enquiry, recieved a prompt email, another confirmation, prompt email, the goods will be sent before Friday, no probs re OPT from me.

iceman (Mike) · #9 03-08-2006, 07:54 PM

I ordered Astronomik's RGB filters via email, paid via credit card at 1:30pm on Wednesday, received via courier at my door 8am the next day.

Now that's service.

Top stuff Michael and Don!

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #10 03-08-2006, 08:08 PM

I have only ever had 1st class service from Bintel. Don't forget they have only just moved into new premises and are still sorting a lot of stuff out in regard to the move.

CS-John B

astronut (John) · #11 03-08-2006, 08:25 PM

I bought my LB12"+ Orion collimator from Bintel earlier this year, and a month later a finderscope for the same scope. The collimator was not in stock at the time, but when it arrived a week later it was express shipped to my door for free.
A few problems with the altitude brake scarring the aluminium bearings, brought an immediate "We'll fix it" by Don. In the next order from o/s (3weeks) the new bearings arrived, N/C!!!!.
I've dealt with Bintel for about 6years now, from small things ($8)to a brand new scope, and I've always found them courteous, friendly and prompt.
My 2 cents. John.

GrahamL · #12 03-08-2006, 08:32 PM

It is a pain when things Don't go to plan .. all the positive
experiances of others do get a little lost on those haveing the problem
I guess.. they are good guys to deal with lee and will sort out all this out .
I always believe the best way to judge customer service is when things
DO go wrong for us then you really get to see how much value
your buisness means to the service provider.

take care ns

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #13 03-08-2006, 09:39 PM

You'll have to be specific if you are going to talk about 'Bintel'.

If you bag the Sydney one, the Melbourne one could suffer and Visa-versa if you just generalise by saying 'Bintel'.

'Be vewy vewy careful'

Lee · #14 03-08-2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

You'll have to be specific if you are going to talk about 'Bintel'.

If you bag the Sydney one, the Melbourne one could suffer and Visa-versa if you just generalise by saying 'Bintel'.

'Be vewy vewy careful'

It is the Sydney store. Like I said - we received good over the counter service in the store, but less than great over the phone to be honest. I've seen enough good reviews from others to be sure it is just a glitch rather than the norm.... I was expecting much better - and have been disappointed....
I just want my solar filter!

h0ughy (David) · #15 03-08-2006, 10:57 PM

part of life they all have bad days every once in a while. Its the ones that 365 bad days you need to steer clear of IMO.

Hitchhiker · #16 04-08-2006, 08:19 AM

I have only positive comments about Bintel.

Makman and I made the long 'road trip' to Bintel in Sydney yesterday. Makman looking for a finder for his ETX125 (to improve his initial alignment), and me intending to get a set of Bob's Knobs for my LX200GPS.

It would have been the easiest thing in the world for Bintel to sell Makman a finder of some description but, instead, Mike went through a couple of options and arrived at a no cost solution.

We had a great visit to Bintel and came away very happy.

MakMan · #17 04-08-2006, 09:02 AM

Ditto Adam.
The "Hitchhiker" lived up to his name yesterday hitching a ride to Bintel with me.

I know it's frustrating waiting for your order to arrive Lee, but as with all things, you have to weigh up the good and the bad when dealing with anyone.
Have a look at Matts' threads and it will reinforce what a lot of us have come to realise and appreciate.... when you really need expert help and all else has failed.... "who you gonna call ......"
BINTEL!

Hope it works out for you soon.
Cheers
Mal

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #18 04-08-2006, 10:04 AM

I had a problem with my Orion Deepsky Star Shoot imager and Bintel Sydney were great in resolving the issue straight away and with a minimum of fuss

Dujon · #19 04-08-2006, 10:48 AM

I found the Sydney store (Rob and Mike) to be most helpful when ordering and enquiring over the 'phone.

Delivery was a day late - possibly courier problems as best as I can gather. The 'scope though was not collimated - one of the primary collimation screws was cross-threaded and the secondary/diagonal was way out of whack. I didn't know at the time but they were in the midst of moving to their new location.

All has been forgiven (and it gave me a great introduction to collimation procedures).

I work for myself and by myself. Sometimes things go wrong - a hastily written note going astray, brain fade, volume of work - there are many reasons. We are after all human. I'll forgive others their frailties provided that they forgive me mine.

So, Lee, don't give up on a supplier, any supplier, on the evidence of one transaction, disappointing though it might have been.

GrampianStars (Rob) · #20 04-08-2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dujon

I found the Sydney store (Rob and Mike) to be most helpful when ordering and enquiring over the 'phone.
.............

I agree. They're usually still there to 6pm at their new digs.