Buying a telescope from a photo place? That's dangeroius right?

[stolenfeather]

I remember a seasoned astronomer "walking me through" the dos and don'ts of astronomy many years ago. He looked me straight in the eye and said, "Never, never, NEVER purchase a telescope or any equipment from a camera store". Like a diligent student I have followed AND spread this kernel of wisdom to all I knew until a couple of weeks ago.

I had lost all trust with my old Internet source for my equipment needs since orders were taking more than a month to reach my home. My husband, a passionate audio / video / and photo nut suggested I try his source: B & H click here.

Two weeks later my Celestron Ultima 2x Barlow Lens arrived! I would love to test it since I am definitely sure that it will work better than my cracked Antares but it is raining outside. Isn't that what you call astronomer's luck?

Buy at photo stores? I guess some are okay.

Isabelle

[yeti monster]

There is a small shop in Burnley, England, called the Camera Centre. They can supply me a good many astro bits and often have used scopes in the shop. I try to buy whatever I can from them as I feel it is important to support local business at every opportunity, even if it means paying a little extra on occasion.

[stolenfeather]

So there are "gold mines" a little bit everywhere. I guess, if one is a beginner, it would be a good idea to avoid camera stores but once one knows what one wants,... a great place can be anywhere!

I agree with you completely about purchasing from local businesses. I wish I could do the same but there are no stores in my area and have to rely on the Internet. If truth be known,.. I have never set foot in a store for my astronomical needs. To tell you the truth, I'm kind of afraid to do so. Surrounded by so many "goodies"? I may go completely insane (or broke whichever comes first)

Isabelle

Isabelle

[Photosbykev]

BH Photography have been around along time, I've bought from them and I live in the UK but you are right never buy astro gear from a photography shop lol

[twotter]

Buying astronomy kit from a photography shop isn't the first thing I would do. But, if you have few choices, then buying a few cheap 'test pieces' should show how good, or bad, they are.Again I'm another supporter of local shops. Lucky for me there is one just a few miles away, and I can say their 'shop' experience is very good indeed

[Viv]

If you know what you want & they are either local or good value - why not ??

I've bought from Bristol Camera's a couple of times - no problems.

[RikM]

Ace cameras has an asto unit in Yate (aceastro). They have always been very helpful and I have had a few eyepieces and adaptors off them in the past. I think highstreet 'chain' photography shops are the ones to stay away from. Smaller specialised shops tend to know what they are doing.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I would say mileage varies. Some local camera shops happen to have an astro-nut working for them, who knows the business. In that case you are perfectly safe. Otherwise, telescopes are a sideline and they generally do not have better quality kit.

[stolenfeather]

Thanks everyone. I trust Celestron so told myself, why not? It was a good price and my husband assured me that the item would be in my hands in two weeks via mail. I looked at their online store and recognized many brands (including my own Sky-Watcher telescope) so took the plunge. I guess being wary is key!

Isabelle

[Astro Imp]

Hi Isabelle,

I guess if you are buying a known brand (Celestron) it shouldn't matter where it originates so along as the price and service is right.

Hope it stops raining and you get to try your new "toy".

All the best.

[stolenfeather]

Thanks Alan. I just used my new HoTech Collimator and I'm ready for some serious viewing. It looks like I may have a chance on Friday!

Isabelle

[Rossco72]

I would say that as long as you have researched what you want and a REPUTABLE camera store has it then by all means use them.

There are a couple of Astro stores in the UK who use significant mark up on items over what you can get from non-astro stores (even if you have to wait a week or so).

Obviously we are blessed by our very own auntie FLO who steers us away from those kinds of stores.... :-)

[GazOC]

I think its good general advice for a beginner looking to get into the hobby. Camera shops do have some pretty ropey telescopes on sale.

[jnc71106]

If you know what you want & they are either local or good value - why not ??

I've bought from Bristol Camera's a couple of times - no problems.

cant say my experiance with them was good an absolute disgrace is more the words i would use AVOID like the plague because if you do have an issue with the goods they arent interested in helping and actually like to try and hold on the goods and not return them to you. only got mine back when i threatened to report the items as stolen with the police giving them the shops address and then what do you know the items were back with me within 2 days after refusing to return them for nearly 3 weeks

this is of course just my experiance with them

[Interested]

I bought my telescope & mount from Ace Cameras in Yate. My telescope isn't mentioned on their website but, they got it for me, and at a good price. Very good service from them.

I had my doubts initially though (being a camera shop)!

[JamesM]

To be honest its not really the type of shop itself that is important but the service and knowledge that you receive. The biggest problem I have experienced is the availability issue, claiming they have the product, taking your money keeping you waiting as they order it from the suppliers. Fine if they are up front about any delays but it seems to be the case that some retailers aren't as honest as they should be because they are trying to run a business with small amounts of held stock which might be good for the balance sheet but not for customer service. Ace Cameras used to be good but they are slipping down this slope of having to order everything in all the time when in the past they had better stock levels.

Rewarding honesty and good advice with your custom benefits everyone in the longer run and is something that I try to do. I don't consider any astronomy gear as essential in my life (...can feel like it sometimes ) so quibbling over a couple of pounds here or there is a little short sighted if it doesn't reward those retailers who go the extra mile - and some do.

Clear skies

James

[Interested]

Ace Cameras in Yate are a 'walk in high street shop' and yes, they did have to order my telescope (it is not advertised on their website so I expected them to have to 'order in'). It took 2 days for my order to arrive and the scope was £100 cheaper than I could buy it anywhere else so, ok in my book.

This was only a few months ago - maybe my experience was good because I live about 8 miles from Yate so could 'walk in'?

I am sourcing from other suppliers if their prices are good.

Modern Astronomy - good service.

Have a small order with FLO at the moment, I'm sure they will give a good service as well!

[MartinB]

It's how FLO started - Steve worked for a photographic national chain and developed a side line because of his own interest. From small acorns...

[stolenfeather]

To be honest its not really the type of shop itself that is important but the service and knowledge that you receive. The biggest problem I have experienced is the availability issue, claiming they have the product, taking your money keeping you waiting as they order it from the suppliers. Fine if they are up front about any delays but it seems to be the case that some retailers aren't as honest as they should be because they are trying to run a business with small amounts of held stock which might be good for the balance sheet but not for customer service.

That's exactly what I have put up for the last few months. The item says "in stock" you pay and play the waiting game! I knew what I wanted and it just happened that it was a "camera specialty store". I bought and two weeks later I had the item in my hands. I agree with you completely,.. honesty is what's missing in many companies these days.

Isabelle

[Ad Astra]

On the flip side of that....

I have an Aunt who worked for a Major Retailer in the States - the kind of place that has Cameras, sporting goods, toys, groceries, even an optical department where you can get fitted for specs! (I won't name them - they have a legal department that eats small homeless children and stray cats for breakfast!)

My Aunt sent me an advert from her store, showing three telescopes they were offering for sale. It seems that quite a number of customers who knew her well had asked for advice (and she had been bragging about her nephew "The Astronomer" ).

I had to tell her that I didn't recommend ANY of them! (they were really rubbish!) And told her to recommend Orion USA if the customers wanted a telescope that wouldn't disappoint.

She told me that my advice would be likely to get her fired! She eventually decided to "play dumb" and told folks to "go and ask the camera department." That didn't play well with the bosses either, as she was expected to boost the store's goods "no matter what." But at least she kept her job (which was fitting specs, by the way!)

Let us say that I wouldn't buy from such a place unless:

1. It was a national brand that I knew and trusted. No oddly named wacky imports, eh?

2. I knew that they had the goods on hand - cash & carry, or NOTHING!

3. I had a chance to inspect, and if possible, try out what I was buying. I could tell you tales of "floor sample bargains" that would leave you in tears.

When I worked for a "major metropolitan telescope retailer", we often saw these folks. They would come in dragging a box with lots of partially assembled plastic bits begging for help.... store policy was a $50 fee for inspection/assembly of said junk-o-scopes, but they were invited to apply that to a future purchase within 30 days.

We sold a lot of good scopes that way!

Dan