Astroboot

[BinocularSky]

Preamble: Astroboot, originally an initiative by Scopes'n'Skies to pass on oddments of astronomical kit, closed down in late 2013 and has reopened in 2014, describing itself as "new, improved and now under new ownership".  My latest experience:

9 April 2014: Placed an order for four items.

11 April, midday-ish: Order arrived, but two items were not what I had ordered. I received a 70mm  binocular lens instead of an 80mm one and a hybrid (0.965" > 1.25") star diagonal instead of a 1.25" one.

.               13:24: I emailed Astroboot with images of the incorrect items, and also left a message on their answer machine.

.               17:33: Reply from James at Astroboot, apologetic, acknowledging error, enquiring if another 80mm objective would be suitable for my needs, and inviting me to keep the erroneous items.

.               17:41: I reply, stating that any mounted 80mm binocular doublet objective would be suitable.

14 April, 15:59: I receive an email, informing me that the replacement items had been dispatched.

16 April, 08:30-ish: Parcel with correct items received. The star diagonal is a new one; the one I originally ordered was used. The conical binocular tube housing the objective was thoughtfully capped at the small end with a 1.25" plug.

Summary: Anyone can make a mistake. It seems to me that Astroboot, having acknowledged their error, did whatever was necessary to remedy it to my satisfaction.  This is the sort of customer service that gives me the confidence to use them again, should they have items I want.

[BinocularSky]

Ordered 3 small items on mid-morning Monday; goods received in good order Tuesday a.m., appropriately packaged.

Given the bad press that Astroboot has received (including from me) in the past, it seems the right thing to do to post positive experiences, even if they say as little as the above.

[nightfisher]

I have been using Asroboot a bit more lately, bought a couple of 114 newts from them at very good prices, the 114 f7.8 has opened my eyes to the advantage of using slightly longer focal length newts 

The other week i ordered a pair of cheap RA motors to try and retro fit them to my Skytee, however it turned out they were not in stock, but shown in stock due to a computer glitch, James telephoned me to advise of this and to inform me that he had already refunded my money, that is good service 

I have now ordered a Revelation 15mm possl at a superb price, and a new 2" diagonal with 1/8 mirror at an exceptional price, all i can add is "highly recommended "

[LittleSkink]

as a relative novice to all things Astro (and really short of cash at the moment) I am trying to minimise expenditure and minimise risk as we try out kit

In the last few weeks, since getting our first scope (a Heritage 100P f4) I have learnt load about kit choices - and the limitations that f4 brings with EP choice/success

Having only occasionally bought from ebay it does seem to be a lottery, and not always a cheap one at that. So when someone pointed me to Astroboot I thought it was too good to be true, quality kit at s/h prices?! Everything I have bought from them has been spot on and would probably sell in the future for the same money - which, when you are buying eyepieces for an f4 scope is kind of handy

My first order was just after New Year - for a Digiscope adaptor, Philips Planisphere kit (and a cheap mini tripod to use with our webcam that was effectively free as it saved on postage costs). It was easily less than half the cost of getting kit elsewhere. The website workings are quaint and the ordering process almost archaic (compared to some) but it worked. No communication after the order but then the phone rang to say they had not got the adaptor in stock - I was interested in  a Revelation Barlow so the ordered was cheerily amended over the phone. Everything duly arrived well packaged and in perfect condition 2 days later

Second order was for another Revelation item, this time a 20mm Plossl for silly money, even with postage on top. Same order process and a few days later a jiffy bag arrives with a jewel like EP in it. It might have been nice to know it was on its way but Astronomy has taught me patience if nothing else

Overall, it strikes me that Astroboot is a bit like the Bistro we have in our village. The prices are great the food tasty and the waiter is lovely - but they sometimes forget to buy ingredients or the chef mis-reads the food order. Astroboot might not be seamlessly (soullessly?) efficient with truly up to date website stock and automated emails at every step - but the place has character, and I like that

[Floater]

Ocacasionally - and,perhaps, too rarely - one has an uplifting experience when dealing with retailers, and this happened to me yesterday with Astroboot.

I had concerns about the safety of an item they were offering for sale and emailed them regarding those concerns. I received a measured and considered response via email from James Munson, of Astroboot, thanking me for attempting to give them a heads up about potential dangers but reassuring me that there was no problem with the item and detailing why. Not only that, he also took the trouble to call me on the phone and run through all the relevant data about the safety of the product and point out where I had made a mistake in thinking there could be a danger.

It's encouraging when retailers treat their customers as people and go that extra mile to ensure satisfaction and peace of mind. I have dealt with them, happily, several times before but this response was, to my mind, 'above and beyond the call of duty'.

I have no hesitation in awarding Astroboot top marks for customer service and would recommend the company to anyone and everyone.

[ghostdance]

I've ordered several small things from Astroboot over the past year and have always been pleased with the service. Delivery could be slow (couple of weeks) but not too frustrating.

However, I ordered a SW Virtuoso Mak OTA on Saturday, recieved the usual confirmation email from AB so settled in for a wait of at least a week or so...especially as postage was only £1.50.

Yesterday I recieved an email from the *overnight* courier to say the package would be delivered today. And it was, at 8.45, very safely packed, double-boxed and in perfect condition.

*Excellent* service, thank you Astroboot

[swag72]

I was after some small weights and so searched on Astroboot. Their UK site was down at the time, but it said that there was an EU site I could peruse. I did so and found the weights that I was after. They were cheap enough, so with some apprehension I pressed the 'buy' key as I've read things before about Astroboot not being the most reliable of retailer at times. 

I received an email saying that the order had been placed on Wednesday evening last week. The weights were delivered today to Spain 4 working days later. 

Excellent service and I will certainly use them again.

[Charic]

As the previous  Binocularsky,  Astroboot thread has closed, I'd thought I'd let you  all know that their UK site is down for good! having re-located overseas?
I have just  had some dealings with them, during the process of moving, and the end result of my business, unfortunately,  was to receive a full refund, due to supply issues,   James M.  could not have been more helpful, many thanks.
I hope their business continues, as I have had no issues  in the past with their dealings.

[fozzybear]

Hi,

having ordered from them on three occasions in the past month cannot praise them enough great service thank you Maria for the updates, highly recommend from the EU site fast delivery.

Andy 

[fozzybear]

what have I done needs to be approved by a mod sorry?

 

Supplier review posts need to be approved by the team, regards Nightfisher

 

[Alan White]

A quick post in praise of Astro Boot.

I have just bought a scope (150p F5) from them for a good price.
I had concerns as they now no longer show where they are based in any way on the website, just list a UK phone number.
Was even more concerned when my order was not acknowledged.
But I got a track your package from UPS a day later, Interesting as it was sent from Sweden!

Astro Boot may now be based in Kivik in Southern Sweden, which is fine with me, but why not show that you are on your website?

The scope arrived pristine and as described, the overall service and price was good, so I can only praise them in the present form.
Overall pleased with the item and delivery, but customer information is not of the level I am used to from other retailers such as the sponsor of this site.