So, it's hello from me, and good night from him!

[Flying Eye]

Hi all,

I first joined SGL back in December, and that was to be able to use the search facility. I had been lurking for months beforehand as the DIY section really impressed me with the sheer inventiveness thats so often seen in there.

I am mostly into birding, but the sky has also become more and more interesting as I have been reading.

I had it in mind to get some new binos anyway, but there seems to be almost too much choice and too much to know to be able to make a good decision.

I thought I might get a scope, and I felt having new binos would also help in finding things to use with any future scope that I may buy. So I got down to a shortlist of binos for the sake of supporting the use of a scope.

I have found it almost impossible to choose a scope. I'm not going to be able to afford much of a scope as it stands, and the problems with those I might afford seem insurmountable, (can't make a silk purse out of what apparently is a sow's ear) however I sort of found a way to go that could just about work for me over a longer period of time.

Anyway, I've now been stung by an astro retailer, they have the goods (back on the shelf already, the day I cancelled) and the money, and they don't appear to want me having either of them. They took the money before shipping, despite saying in an e-mail they would not, and have not been able to return it either, despite me asking once and then prompting when they had not. All this although they never shipped the goods anyway, just said they would, then that they would chase it when I asked again, still to no avail at all.

Now, as a result I did some much deeper research, they trade under 3 or 4 different names, and I checked those, and 3 of the companies have reports that have the words "winding up order" in them as well as administration and all that other bad news.

I've also now discovered that although I have met the requirements, I am not allowed to reply to any of the retailer reviews, and although I am told I am allowed to, I can't start a new thread, as it says one post one retailer.

I'd have liked to warn others, just by way of giving something back to the community, but I can't do that and stay within the forum rules.

So, I've decided this is just the last straw and that the challenges and financial risks are simply too great to make sense.

I'm quitting before I get any further down than the money which that retailer has taken from me. I don't feel like having to run a major internet honesty sweep before buying from each astro retailer, working that way is just not to my personal taste. So that one retailer has behaved to the detriment of all of them.

I will probably go back to lurking again, but my heart is just no longer in this now. Apparently it is simply not meant to be.

[patomlin76]

Sorry to hear about this. It shows how hard it is on the net between balancing best offers and reputable companies...

In fact before I discovered this forum I ordered 3 used items including eyepieces from a company which trades under a few names. I am still awaiting them 3 wks later but luckily no card has been charged. It was on this forum I discovered how unreliable they really were.

Hope you are successful in getting your money back through whichever route is available...

[Duns]

Sorry to hear of your experience - I hope over time you will be back.

[saturn4me]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience.

I sincerely hope you get this sorted and maybe find a way to warn others of your predicament and the unscrupulous shop.

Have you tried a PM to a MOD in the hope they could do something to warn others?

The very best of luck my friend and never ever give up!

[ianaiken]

Sounds like we need to know about your experience and who the retailer is. Surely a mod can help out so you post it in the appropriate section.

[Zul]

Sorry to hear about it.

[jamespels]

Ian, give your credit card company a call. They should be able to claw back any funds. Thus is a bit trickier if you used a debit card and may not even be possible (though still with a try) but pretty straight forward with credit cards (different rules apply though I don't know the ins and outs). If you paid by paypal, they are very much on the buyer's side in any issue like this.

It may be a bit late for this advice but, if you are buying from anybody dubious online, always use a credit card rather than a debit card.

In the meantime, try finding a local astro society - you will at least be able to get some observing in on their club meets and they may even have a loaner score you could borrow for a short while. If you are really interested in diy, drop me a pm on here - I have plans for a simple low cost refractor designed by John Wall that isn't to difficult or expensive to put together if you have some reasonable tools.

I really hope this helps and that it all works out for you before too long...

J.

[todd8137]

hello and welcome to sgl

[ScubaMike]

Sorry to hear about your troubles Ian,

Hopefully you will get some joy and be able to get into Astronomy without further problems.

[Bizibilder]

Hello Ian and welcome to SGL!!

[Rusty Strings]

Hi and welcome

[Mr Spock]

I hope you get this sorted out. It's a shame to get put off by a nightmare dealer.

[Charon]

Yes it is a shame that you have had a bad time, maybe later on you may have a re-think and decide to have another go, this time with a proper legit company.

[Zowghi]

Sorry to hear about that. I hope it gets sorted.

[Catweazel]

Hi Ian, I had a similar problem a couple of years back with some furniture I ordered online. I let them stall me with excuses for so long that the PayPal claim scheme had expired, so I couldn't get money back. I kept on & on at them by phone, and in the end they sent me the furniture, but not exactly what I ordered; then they went into administration, so I was stuck with it. My advice is to harass them constantly about it; there is a fair chance that you will get refund or goods eventually.

Also, as others have mentioned, if you have paid by Credit Card or Paypal, then you should be able to sort something out with them re getting money returned.

I know how dispondent this sort of thing can make you feel, but give it some time, and keep half a mind on astronomy, and you may return to it later on. There are plenty of reputable dealers out there.

Best of luck.

CW

[JamesM]

Hi Ian and welcome to the forum. Very sorry to hear about this experience and trust that you will able to find a positive outcome to this problem. The fact that this can occur at all is something we must all be aware of and thank you Ian for sharing your negative experience with us.

Clearer skies soon

James

[Astro Imp]

Hi Ian,

Welcome to the forum.

[glowjet]

Ian, that is one sad tale you have written, rogue traders do a lot of harm to unsuspecting newcomers to what should be an enjoyable hobby, and it only goes to warn others to deal with well respected outlets that have a history of customer satisfaction. there must be a number of options open to you to help recover you money, whatever route you take, sit on the side lines for a while before making any permanent decision to abandon Astronomy altogether

John.

[Helen]

Hi Ian,

You should be able to start a new post in the supplier review section. What happens is that you post, we check it, and if it meets the rules then we approve it, everyone can then see it. After a little while we'll amalgamate your post into the thread which covers the particular supplier (just to keep the section easy to use).

I hope you get it all sorted out though, going through your credit card company/bank would seem a good place to start.

Helen

[Tinker1947]

Hope its all sorted out soon.

[Flying Eye]

Thank you one and all for your kind comments and thoughtful suggestions.

It's still a bit raw for me, so I will just take some time out to review and further consider the situation.

It's not exactly a disaster, but it does rather annoy nonetheless.

I went back to what I know last night and have posted a time lapse of last nights snow falling in the lounge. Felt much more like I was on solid ground with doing that. Just my way of moving forward I expect.

[Steve]

I've now been stung by an astro retailer, they have the goods (back on the shelf already, the day I cancelled) and the money, and they don't appear to want me having either of them.

Are you sure it is an 'Astro' retailer? Not all Astro retailers are equal but we are not aware of any authorised Astro dealers who behave the way you describe.

[Orion_the_Hunter]

Hi & welcome!

[Flying Eye]

Are you sure it is an 'Astro' retailer? Not all Astro retailers are equal but we are not aware of any authorised Astro dealers who behave the way you describe.

Could you define 'Astro' retailer in the context you are using the term please Steve? It may be that there is, and you are using, another context of which I am not yet aware, a position a newb could easily be in. For clarity I'm using it to describe a business which seeks to make a living substantially by selling equipment for use in visual astronomical observation. In at least one of their 4 business aliases (or perhaps even more for all anyone can know) they use the word in its full or contracted forms.

As a point of record, what I said did happen and I am in a position to totally substantiate it, beyond any and all reasonable doubt. I am fairly cautious by nature, and so make sure that any online transactions are fully recorded as a matter of course.

[Steve]

Could you define 'Astro' retailer in the context you are using the term please Steve?

A retailer who specialises in the supply of astronomy equipment and is authorised to do so by the manufacturer or the manufacturer's UK distributer.

As a point of record, what I said did happen and I am in a position to totally substantiate it, beyond any and all reasonable doubt. I am fairly cautious by nature, and so make sure that any online transactions are fully recorded as a matter of course.

I am not doubting what you say

You mentioned you cancelled your order the same day your telescope arrived at the retailer. How long ago was that? If you paid by debit or credit card and they arrange a refund same day it can still take up to a week for the funds to arrive at your account.

I hope you soon have your refund.