I think someone is tellin porky pies

[spaceboy]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skywatcher-Telescope-250px/271709649811?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D28111%26meid%3D373a8800c5e44d76a8479cd8b487f770%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D11472%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D291327199510&rt=nc '£1600 worth of kit'

I make it  :

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-250px-dobsonian.html £435 for the scope

http://www.telescopehouse.com/acatalog/Revelation_Photo_Visual_Eyepiece_Kit.html £119. for the eyepiece kit

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-8-24mm-zoom-eyepiece-125.html £54.50 for the zoom eyepiece

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/telrad-finder-astronomy.html £35 for the telrad

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/light-pollution-reduction/skywatcher-light-pollution-filter.html and £18 for the LPR filter

Grand total of £661.50 new and his/her buy it now for used is £650 and collection only ????

I know it's all fair game when people list things on eBay and I should wish them all the best and more fool the person who clicks buy it now but still........ it's surely a blatant attempt at misleading people who are new to the hobby ?

There are certain laws in place for retailers to abide by to protect consumers so shouldn't there also be some in place for the used market ? I am aware that the consumer contracts regulations (formerly distance selling regulations) are in effect for any buy it now purchases but I am sure eBay have their own interest in people selling at extortionate prices so don't make this information easy for those not who are not too savvy to using eBay and any buyer protections that are in place.

Sorry for regularly posting these same concerns over eBay but I just hope by posting these topics often and with it being on an astronomy forum that's open to the public that there is a chance that potential buyers may come across it. And I'm sure you'd all agree the money would be better going to astro retailers,  some of whom make it possible for us to have forums like these (thanks flo) than to someone just looking to mug someone off. Granted there is a "make an offer" on the sale but I would be very interested to what the offer is they would accept.

[Ptarmigan]

Welcome to the brave new world of Globalisation

and different jurisdictions !

So yes, ebay could be controlled and filtered out of the uk or eu if it did not conform,

but look at the stick we give China when it does similar for its citizens 

Maybe we should not use ebay if we dont like it ?

[Uplooker]

I have to agree with spaceboy here. I think it is out and out profiteering. I also accept that Caveat  Emptor exists. But as has been pointed out, sometimes people who are maybe not as knowledgeable as others on here, need to pointed in the right direction.

I commend your actions and motives spaceboy.

Ian

[beamer3.6m]

Could it have cost that much originally?

[Uplooker]

Could it have cost that much originally?

spaceboy has detailed the costs new in his original post. If you mean, the guy bought the equipment 10 or so yrs ago and it was more expensive then, well possibly. I do know that when I bought my SW 150P on an EQ3-2 in 1999 it cost me £200. To buy it now would be £284, so i doubt it.

Ian

[Polar Bear]

I have mixed feelings about this as people should take the time to research things before buying. Ebay can work both ways, I have taken risks with items and travelled long distances to pick them up, and have got some amazing bargains that I have resold at a profit (upto 500% in one case) However, with items bought on SGL I only ever sell on at a loss after having the use of an item, and have been known to give some scopes away.

As to the OP, the gear is not worth the asking price, and the ad is misleading (I noticed it earlier)  but if you live near Cambourne and need a ready assembled 250px with extras then it may be appealing.

I worry more that the BBC pay Chris Evans £600,000 a year for him to squander it on Ferraris. I wonder if the licence fee will be going up next year?

[Ptarmigan]

I also accept that Caveat  Emptor exists. But as has been pointed out, sometimes people who are maybe not as knowledgeable as others on here, need to pointed in the right direction.

Oh I could not agree more !

but there are ways and means

I was not advocating one system or another,

just amused me to attempt to point out a problem with "those who know" constructing _rules_ for the benefit of others!

No probs, just discussion, no hidden political agenda etc&etc

[Steve Ward]

There are chancers out there in whatever field you care to mention , e-bay is full of them ... 

But who in their right mind would bid on an item without doing a little research first , whether it be a telescope or anything else , if they do then more fool them ... !

Unfortunately the world is overrun with greedy so-and-so's out to make as much lucre as possible , by any means possible , with no thought for anyone else ... especially at this time of year ...

Take your time , do a little "Googling" , don't get caught ... 

[starman1969]

I can tell by the way the description is worded that the seller knows chuff all about scopes. I can just tell.

Also, what's a lense??

Tailrad anyone??

[Chris]

Sorry, I couldn't help myself, I've sent them a polite message questioning the 1600 pounds? plus linked this thread! 

I really don't like this kind of thing, it gives Astronomy a bad name. I want them to know that people pick up on this kind of thing so maybe they think twice before trying to mislead again.

[reddoss]

Unless the seller is been given the wrong information about the original prices, what does this advert tell you about the seller? Does he hold potential buyers in high regard?

I often find that there is a very fine moral line between what is often  called standard 'business practice' and deceitfulness. 

[Zakalwe]

Its a private sale of second-hand goods. The onus is on the buyer to check what they are bidding on. End of story.

I recently bought a SONOS music player. I paid £279 to Amazon and they delivered it next day. I was looking on enBay and spotted a few. One 2nd hand one went for £265 + £15 postage (£1 more than a brand new one with warranty). Another went for £246 + £13 postage (£20 less than a brand new one).

The old story about fools and their money still applies....

[reddoss]

Its a private sale of second-hand goods. The onus is on the buyer to check what they are bidding on. End of story.

I recently bought a SONOS music player. I paid £279 to Amazon and they delivered it next day. I was looking on enBay and spotted a few. One 2nd hand one went for £265 + £15 postage (£1 more than a brand new one with warranty). Another went for £246 + £13 postage (£20 less than a brand new one).

The old story about fools and their money still applies....

What ever happened to good old fashioned manners and honesty?

Some think (as I do) that these values also apply in business as well as other aspects of life.

[wxsatuser]

BIN for £650, must have taken some advice.

Opps!

Must put my glasses on when reading posts.

[Zakalwe]

What ever happened to good old fashioned manners and honesty?

Sadly missing all too often.

However, caveat emptor always applies. Buyers have a duty of care to ensure that they are in a position of knowledge before parting with their hard-earned.

Some think (as I do) that these values also apply in business as well as other aspects of life.

It's a private sale, not a business.

[wxsatuser]

What ever happened to good old fashioned manners and honesty?

Some think (as I do) that these values also apply in business as well as other aspects of life.

There is not that much around these days, sadly.

[wxsatuser]

Sadly missing all too often.

However, caveat emptor always applies. Buyers have a duty of care to ensure that they are in a position of knowledge before parting with their hard-earned.

It's a private sale, not a business.

Agreed!

[rowan46]

Sadly missing all too often.

However, caveat emptor always applies. Buyers have a duty of care to ensure that they are in a position of knowledge before parting with their hard-earned.

It's a private sale, not a business.

A private sale is still a business transaction. And as to caveat emptor I agree that buyers should do their research. caveat emptor does not however excuse the seller  from honesty

[Zakalwe]

A private sale is still a business transaction. And as to caveat emptor I agree that buyers should do their research. caveat emptor does not however excuse the seller  from honesty

Fair enough.

Its all a bit "meh" though, to be honest. Some stranger on the Internerd is asking a high price for some items that some other stranger *might* possibly buy. I'm not too sure it is too much get get all hand-wringing about? <shrugs shoulders, wanders off to inspect belly button fluff>

If it is that important then we best round up the villagers...

[Chris]

Well this is the way society seems to be going, no one cares if people try and rip people off so its sends the message that its ok. 

[Davey-T]

Some "interesting" pricing on EBay if you look around, looking at helping hand magnifiers the other day £10.00 in Maplin . identical thing on EB from £12.00 to £80.00   for the the same thing same make in the same box and they reckon they've sold four so there's always a mug out there

Similar S/H Doro phone £86.00, new in ASDA £60.00 ?

Dave

[Macavity]

If you do feel you must point out the "error of someone's ways" on Ebay,

I do hope the Email is a tad less "Victor Meldrew" than one I received?

A page long diatribe about the "degeneration of society"... the "youth of

today"... Tacit assumption I was young... I should be flattered, maybe?

I think (dis)honours are "equally divided" on Ebay.

Caveat Emptor == Caveat Vendor these days?

Aside: My "crime"? To advertise NEW stuff as "new". (I believe Ebay later

changed the rule on this one... in my favour!). I derived modest pleasure

informing my critic that trying to get me to reduce a price to his proposed

value was definitely in violation of Ebay's terms and conditions... 

The vast majority of Astro buying and selling is still pretty honest. 

And (I sense) quite often to the advantage of the purchaser...

[Chris]

If you do feel you must point out the "error of someone's ways" on Ebay,

I do hope the Email is a tad less "Victor Meldrew" than one I received?

A page long diatribe about the "degeneration of society"... the "youth of

today"... Tacit assumption I was young... I should be flattered, maybe?

I think (dis)honours are "equally divided" on Ebay.

Caveat Emptor == Caveat Vendor these days?

Aside: My "crime"? To advertise NEW stuff as "new". (I believe Ebay later

changed the rule on this one... in my favour!). I derived modest pleasure

informing my critic that trying to get me to reduce a price to his proposed

value was definitely in violation of Ebay's terms and conditions... 

The vast majority of Astro buying and selling is still pretty honest. 

And (I sense) quite often to the advantage of the purchaser...

lol sounds like a interesting read, maybe it was Victor himself

no, I didn't go that far , two lines plus the link to this thread. I thought they might find it interesting reading

[Alkaid]

I often peruse Ebay for telescopes, not to buy, but to amuse myself with the sheer audacity of some sellers.

[symesie04]

Well this is the way society seems to be going, no one cares if people try and rip people off so its sends the message that its ok. 

Have to disagree im afraid. I think its one thing if people are duped or ripped off by elaborate scams but this isnt the case with the ad. The ad is a simple case of someone trying to see something for more than its worth something im sure we all do from time to time just maybe not with a favorite hobbies. In this day and age of internet access and online shopping there is simply no excuse for being ripped off with simple high pricing. If you do then its down to either laziness or sheer stupidity and the fault lies purely with the buyer. After all if buyers did the research and therefore bypassed such ads then people wouldnt bother trying to rip people off with high prices.I do feel that with internet shopping that there is a trend for shoppers expect everything to just be presented in front of them with little or no research required.  Having said that it seems to me that fleabay is a world of crazies, the amount of times i see second hand auction kit selling for more than brand new buy it now prices and other retailer prices is utterly mind boggling.