Prob's with Aust. Astro dealers

[Loupy31 (Peter)]

Hi Guys.

I was reading the post on Adelaide and Melbourne dealers, and was wondering If anyone has had any problems with Australian dealers.

Peter

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I havent had any major issues buying from Australian dealers, although a few minor issues include unresponsiveness/ignoring emails, and a certain nameless Sydney dealer who could give some of their staff a training session on customer service (bordering on rude).

[Loupy31 (Peter)]

I know what you mean, I am currently going through similar problems, I dont like it when a dealer treats me like I have absolutely no knowledge about anything to do with this hobby. They need some serious educating.


Peter

[asimov (John)]

My experiences are much the same as Geoff's. Mainly email ignore's.....kind of crazy really seeing I was looking for a APO 6" objective at the time.

[gbeal]

You guys are lucky. There is precious little in the way of dealers in NZ. I have used Astromart almost exclusively, but also have had good success with a couple of US dealers. Price is almost always better offshore as well. Let me add that lately though there is a local company that has provided good service, but only for the smaller bits. If in doubt use Astromart.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Yep email issues at times as well as slow deliveries from some.

[asimov (John)]

When I was looking for that 6" objective, I ended up getting pretty wild with this company & sent them a nasty email....I got a reply to THAT email! their answer was "sorry, too busy to answer" too busy to sell me a 6" apo objective!?? Go figure!

[acropolite (Phil)]

Geoff Wrote

a certain nameless Sydney dealer who could give some of their staff a training session on customer service (bordering on rude).<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I don't know if it's the same Sydney dealer but when my LX90 secondary mirror housing rotated during collimation (a problem apparently quite common) I was not even offered an apology, merely challenged as to the need to collimate. The same dealer also ignored emails on initial software problems (which I solved by searching the Meade web site) and left an EP that I had paid for overnight delivery on the despatch bench for several days and only despatched it after I rang to ask what had happened with my overnight delivery.

[Loupy31 (Peter)]

That Sydney dealer, do they have another store elsewhere in Australia ?
peter

[dhumpie]

I have been lucky and have not had any problems so far. I have had very good service from Andrew's (Lee is a very pleasant chap) and Bintel (very quick shipping as well). Sirius Optics (I think the guys name is Ron...have not been there in a while) and Star Optics also have very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Even the guys at York Optical Brisbane are a great bunch although I don't shop there much anymore due to the ridiculous prices. So on the whole I am happy with the services from Aust dealers.

Darren

p/s: although I get most of my astro gear via Astromart these days....

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Peter (Loupy),

The rude store they are talking about doesn't have any other outlets anywhere. Just their rude little selves!

Andrews usually answers my emails within 24 hours, sometimes in 5 minutes if I send it around 9 or 10pm as he does all his email reading and writing at home outside business hours.

Haven't dealt with Melbourne stores as they are way overpriced, and never bought from overseas so I can't comment on that area.

[cahullian]

Only ever used Andrews and Bintel and have had nothing but joy,joy using those. Heard a lot of good things about Astromart also.

Gazz

[stringscope (Ian)]

I have used Bintel, Andrews and BATSC. I have found all 3 very pleasant and responsive to deal with. I have visited both BATSC and Bintel in person and I have had mail orders from Andrews and Bintel. Both have been excellent.

Cheers,

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Have dealt with Andrews and Bintel personally and through the mail. Only good feelings to report

[Jonathan]

Lee Andrews has been great to deal with through phone calls and email.
Bintel have been ok but have ignored an email from me and then when I rang up for a price the answer was a rude "I've got no idea". I rang back later and the bloke there said he'd call me back in 10 minutes, a day later I got a ridiculous price! Ordering online from them has been ok but one package took 2 weeks but nomally it's been within 4 days. Could be worse I guess.

[ving (David)]

nup no probs here...

[elusiver]

only dealt with andrews..

shippings had been fast.. i ordered my telescope and got it down to melbourne about 16hrs later eyepieces were next day and they even were honest enough to give me the lower price when i was unaware of the price change and prepared to pay the old price, just got the pleasant surprise when the eyepieces arrived.

el

[asimov (John)]

I've dealt with most in Sydney....The best service I ever received was from Raff & the boys at AOE. Trouble is, they only stock basic astronomy gear.

[johnno]

I have only dealt with Lee Andrews,and found him very good,fast shipping,and good prices,almost allways next day delivery if you order in the morning.
Regards.John

[Librarian64]

Originally Posted by asimov

I've dealt with most in Sydney....The best service I ever received was from Raff & the boys at AOE. Trouble is, they only stock basic astronomy gear.

Their eyepieces are very cheap. How good are they?

I've dealt with Bintel and Astro-Optical Supplies. Both were good but didn't return calls and one of the guys from Astro-Optical Supplies (not AOE) was quite patronising whereas the guy from Bintel I spoke to was more than helpful.