Bad News for Melbourne Astronomy

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #1 04-01-2016, 10:10 AM

I rang Bintel's Melbourne store to enquire about a repair issue. They have told me that the Melbourne store is closing later this month.

Gather this is a victim of the Internet age but our hobby I think still benefits from people being able to see and touch at a specialist sellers store.

I gather Anthony (the Melbourne store manager) is setting up a repair business so assist people requiring servicing on scopes and mounts going forward.

Malcolm

04Stefan07 (Stefan) · #2 04-01-2016, 10:20 AM

That is very bad news.

They have provided excellent service over the years.

pfitzgerald (Paul) · #3 04-01-2016, 10:49 AM

That is not good news -

- Their service and advice has always been excellent in my dealings with them.

So sadly another retail outlet leaves us.

Paul

rustigsmed (Russell) · #4 04-01-2016, 10:53 AM

very bad news indeed.
I would have thought they would be doing ok being the main (only?) general astronomy store in Melbourne

deanm (Dean) · #5 04-01-2016, 10:59 AM

Not only bad news for Melbourne, but all of Oz.

I'm sure many of us around the country have ordered stuff from them - always excellent, speedy sevice.

A great shame....

Dean

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #6 04-01-2016, 11:33 AM

The Sydney store (that does the internet and mail order sales I believe) will keep operating, just the Melbourne shopfront that is being shut.

Malcolm

issdaol (Phil) · #7 04-01-2016, 11:54 AM

Sad to see Bintel close their star in Melbourne but their Sydney store is still there are provides excellent service.

One thing I find very interesting is how many lament the closing of these local retailers but are the first to buy online from internet stores overseas.

traveller (Bo) · #8 04-01-2016, 12:09 PM

That's a bad start to 2016.

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #9 04-01-2016, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issdaol

Sad to see Bintel close their star in Melbourne but their Sydney store is still there are provides excellent service.

One thing I find very interesting is how many lament the closing of these local retailers but are the first to buy online from internet stores overseas.

In the few years I have been in the hobby I have seen, AOS, Star optics, York and a couple of others shut up shop. I have always made a point of directing beginners on IIS to Bintel especially if they are in Melbourne. But these days the internet rules.

Malcolm

carlstronomy (Carl) · #10 04-01-2016, 12:55 PM

Unfortunately this is the way many businesses are going and not only in the telescope community. Back in the day manufacturers and OEM's only sold to a retail store not to the public. Then came the change that they would sell direct to the public (Internet sales), but the cost would be greater so that the retailers could get back import duties, taxes and freight.
Now they are almost competing with the retail stores on a lot of items, I am unsure why and how this ever came about. But on most small items you can purchase directly from the manufacturer or OEM, have it quicker and of course cheaper.
As a consumer purchasing small amounts we don't pay import tax, duties and we don't have to wait to get a certain amount of orders to make it worth bringing in special orders into the country.
Retailers can not stock every item, especially in our hobby where there are so many types and brands and the cost to bring in some items is way higher then if the consumer was to purchase directly himself.

I agree and do where possible support our stores, but I like everyone else have to save a dollar where possible. So if I can get a saving going direct I naturally do this.

Just my rant, for retailers to survive direct to the public must end or be at a higher cost to the consumer. As we know with no retailers we lose the ability for repairs and the quick buy when we need it!

Carl

anthony2302749 · #11 04-01-2016, 01:31 PM

Hi all
I want to thank you all for your business and tell you how much we have enjoyed having you as customers. Please don't hesitate to call if there is anything we can do for you before we close which will be at the end of January.
For all future sales and service please don't hesitate to phoning Don, Michael and all the staff at BINTEL Sydney.
Regards
Anthony McCulloch, James Murphy, Gavin Styles and Adrian Mete.
BINTEL Melbourne.

anthony2302749 · #12 04-01-2016, 01:51 PM

Hi Again
As Malcom has mention I am going into business for myself, manly focusing on providing a repair service for binoculars, telescopes and optical related items, focusing on Melbourne and the southern states. It is early days, so currently I only have an email address which is btsc@optusnet.com.au for enquires. As a business I plan to be formally up and running by the end of January
For those who don’t know I have over 15yrs experience in optical retail and am quite capable in servicing and repairing a wide range of Binoculars, Telescope and Optical equipment (Thanks to the tuition from Roger Davis). I have experience work on Meade, Skywatcher, Celestron and Orion telescope. I will also be able to engineer and machine part for various astronomical and optical applications was I have the lathe/mill setup.
Regards
Anthony McCulloch
Local Repair Service
btsc@optusnet.com.au

skysailor (Peter) · #13 04-01-2016, 02:01 PM

Sorry to see them go... I bought my first two telescopes from their store when it was situated above another business in Burgundy St Heidelberg (so long ago)

and my dear old dad also bought a scope & mount there... I must go down to the store while it's still open and buy a few goodies... just for old times sake.
Good luck to all the staff...

cheers

castor · #14 04-01-2016, 02:27 PM

Sad to see this place go.

I remember buying my first scope at BINTEL's previous incarnation in Heidelberg when I was 20. Many lovely chats with Roger and Anthony over the years. It was they who introduced me to ASV and observing in general.

There's still a few things I'd like to purchase, but I'm not going to be in Melbourne before next month.

astro_nutt · #15 04-01-2016, 04:42 PM

Very sad indeed! I'm another who brought from BATSC in Heidelberg, then onto Bintel. Roger and Anthony have been great in helping me to sort out any issues in scopes and stuff, but also being genuinely professional. But, if I need any repairs, I know who to see.
Thanks again guys.

Eden (Brett) · #16 04-01-2016, 05:43 PM

This is very sad news...I've bought most of my kit from Bintel and Anthony has always gone the extra mile for his customers.

There aren't really any other options aside from Bintel in Melbourne, so I am not sure what would happen there...

It's good of Anthony to be setting up a business to take care of repairs

The_bluester (Paul) · #17 04-01-2016, 06:39 PM

Very sad news. I have not bought a huge amount of gear and not all of it was bought new but just about every bit of new gear I have bought I carried out through the door of Bintel Melbourne.

MortonH · #18 04-01-2016, 06:48 PM

Sad to hear this. I hope it doesn't foreshadow the disappearance of Bintel entirely.

Renato1 (Renato) · #19 05-01-2016, 11:13 AM

That is most unfortunate. It was only last year that it transpired that the husband of the dental secretary I was chatting to, was very interested in astronomy but didn't know where to start. I told her about Bintel, he then went there, and bought a telescope and was quite happy.

I don't know of any other store to refer people to. The last place would be National Geographic stores who like selling those expensive 60mm refractors which are extremely hard for a beginner to use.
Regards,
Renato

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #20 05-01-2016, 11:18 AM

I have a dislike of the Aust Geo stores having seen too many scopes on display incorrectly setup (dobs with the eyepiece end pointing down) and asked the staff and told that that's how they are supposed to be. Also told by the staff at one store that a Celestron 4SE scope was ideal for astro photography!!

Malcolm