Mirror horror

Mark · #1 26-10-2007, 06:45 PM

If you pulled the primary mirror out of the OTA of your brand new scope and found a black streak, a scratch and a fingerprint on it, what would you do?

I know mirrors can have all sort of apparent 'defects' that do not have any effect on performance - just shine a torch onto any SCT primary and you'll know what I mean...but a fingerprint? C'mon!

Terry B · #2 26-10-2007, 06:53 PM

Take it back

iceman (Mike) · #3 26-10-2007, 07:11 PM

ditto what Terry said.

Phil · #4 26-10-2007, 07:32 PM

Band new and finger prints on it i no what i would do.
As already said take it back.
Phil

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 26-10-2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

If you pulled the primary mirror out of the OTA of your brand new scope

If you took the mirror out, then the shop can easily say "you did it".

But yep, I agree, not very good at all. In fact terrible!

Lee · #6 26-10-2007, 09:10 PM

Put the mirror back in - then show them the fingerprints.....

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #7 26-10-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasmodium

Put the mirror back in - then show them the fingerprints.....

unless they read this forum, which many Astro shops do

bird (Anthony Wesley) · #8 26-10-2007, 09:22 PM

It's a fingerprint... forensic science can determine that it's not yours :-)

In fact you might be able to track down the culprit, call CSI...

Bird

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #9 26-10-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bird

It's a fingerprint... forensic science can determine that it's not yours :-)

In fact you might be able to track down the culprit, call CSI...

Bird

citivolus (Ric) · #10 26-10-2007, 09:34 PM

I ditto take it back. Maintenance work on your scope does not always void the warranty - take Meade for example, who will generally turn a blind eye to "upgrades" installed on scopes that they are servicing.

Eric

Mark · #11 26-10-2007, 10:12 PM

I'll be contacting the dealer. I guess the worst they can see is 'tough'.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #12 26-10-2007, 10:18 PM

The black mark and the scratch sound a bit strange. That sounds like something done during factory assembly.

Good luck with it, Mark. I hope they replace it for you.

Mark · #13 26-10-2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

The black mark and the scratch sound a bit strange. That sounds like something done during factory assembly.

Good luck with it, Mark. I hope they replace it for you.

My thoughts exactly. I'm guessing the black streak may have been part of the process of centre-spotting the mirror, as it starts at the centre ring. I guess the fingerprint is just..well..it's a fingerprint. Fingers and mirrors are a no no.

Thanks..I'm hoping too.

Mark

g__day (Matthew) · #14 27-10-2007, 01:56 AM

Call dealer, see what he can do - remember all purchases on credit cards are fully covered by the Banking Payments act - so you can always, repeat always invoke repudiation of any credit card payment within 90 days of purchase for goods not fit for service, good not supplied or goods not what you ordered.

Repudiation process is ask for satisfaction in writing for one of the three reasons above. If merchant doesn't comply with your request - call credit card issuer and notify them of a dispute under the credit card payments act and mention you have sent a formal note and you send them and the banking ombudsman requests to process this matter and return your funds. Do these two things in writing and by law, the credit card company or bank must assess your case rapidly and they must inform the banking ombudsman and yourself of progress. Generally they should move any funds you gave as payment out of their account and into a trust account which on resolution will see the balance of the transaction credited back to you - and if they deem it not a frivolous or unjustified case - then the issue becomes between the bank and the merchant.

Your rights under Australian law are very, very significant in this matter.

astronut (John) · #15 27-10-2007, 07:34 AM

Mark,
If it's a reputable dealer (and most are) you should get the mirror at least, replaced.
Sneaking into the conversation that you've taken advice from IIS members may hasten the exchange.

Mark · #16 27-10-2007, 07:58 AM

This scope also has a corrector, and I since they are matched (should be matched), they would have to replace the entire OTA.

Mark · #17 27-10-2007, 10:50 AM

OK..so I contacted the dealer. The only thing they could do for me is clean the mirror. It is what Meade would tell them to do. If I had advised them immediately upon receipt of the OTA the case for replacement would have been stronger, but now it is to no avail..my warranty is hereby null & void.

There's no point in me sending it back. I can clean the mirror myself.

C'est la vie

g__day (Matthew) · #18 27-10-2007, 10:53 AM

Are you sure that a deep inspection of gear invalidates your protections under the electronic payments act?

I really don't think so, most merchants aren't aware of the teeth this act has until a crediit card issuer, the bank or the banking ombudsman calls them - believe me...

Mark · #19 27-10-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g__day

Are you sure that a deep inspection of gear invalidates your protections under the electronic payments act?

I know nothing.

I don't want to get caught in a poo-fight with anybody either. The issues mentioned may have zero noticeable effect on mirror performance. It's mostly a psychological thing - I know they're there so I'm slightly nauseated.

What to do?

Mark

netwolf · #20 27-10-2007, 12:12 PM

Mark, how many days have you had it. I would get into a poo fight as you say if it was me. Thats just not acceptable. Call them back and demand a replacement. Warranty should cover replacement if mirror is scratched or has a defect. I don't think you can clean a scratch. Did you take any photos of the equipment when you first got it, did you take any photos of the mirror?

Regards
Fahim