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Where to buy equipment in Northern Ireland

GibbyNI

By GibbyNI
in The Astro Lounge

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GibbyNI

GibbyNI

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I have been having a good look around the net and a lot of suppliers look to either not ship or charge big amounts for shipping to Northern Ireland.

So anyone in Northern Ireland, where do you get your equipment from?

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Belfastman1958

Belfastman1958

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Hi. If you Google "Telescopes in Belfast" you will get a list of dealers in the surrounding area. I've been to a couple of these shops and their prces seem reasonable. You might also want to try Gumtree.Belfast for some 2nd hand stuff. That's where I got my latest scope at a very good price.

Alan.

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GibbyNI

GibbyNI

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Hi. If you Google "Telescopes in Belfast" you will get a list of dealers in the surrounding area

Did that, not much comes up, I know camera shops like to sell the etc but looking for a good specialest that can give advice. What about Black & Lizars, anyone used them?

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GibbyNI

GibbyNI

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Don't FLO ship to Northern Ireland? (Not sure if that is actually any help, but they are just at then end of the phone for queries!)

Sent them an Email asking for there charge (Dont have it on there website). Sometimes businesses can charge an arm and a leg to send stuff over here :)

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AndyH

AndyH

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Are the extra/higher shipping prices to NI the same as those to the Highlands and Islands, I wonder?

Are there any good old fashioned camera shops in NI ? Often they have a good knowledge of some asto kit. I always found Quiggs in Glasgow to be good in that regard.

Cheers,

Andy.

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AndyH

AndyH

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Sent them an Email asking for there charge (Dont have it on there website). Sometimes businesses can charge an arm and a leg to send stuff over here :)

Considering the amount of traffic that to's and fro's from Belfast etc, AND considering NI is in the UK, that's dissapointing.

Andy.

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IvanT

IvanT

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I've recently used FLO and was more than happy to pay a little extra on the shipping for the peace of mind that SGL recommendations give. They shipped my new shiny skywatcher explorer 200P with EQ5 mount yesterday at 1530, Fed Ex tracking has it as "out for delivery" so hoping it'll be here soon. FLO have been gr8 especially as I changed my mind on my initial order of a 200 dob. I did have a little trouble with communication but I put that down to them being away at one of the viewing weekends and the fact that I changed my mind on my initial order.

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GibbyNI

GibbyNI

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I've recently used FLO and was more than happy to pay a little extra on the shipping for the peace of mind that SGL recommendations give. They shipped my new shiny skywatcher explorer 200P with EQ5 mount yesterday at 1530, Fed Ex tracking has it as "out for delivery" so hoping it'll be here soon. FLO have been gr8 especially as I changed my mind on my initial order of a 200 dob. I did have a little trouble with communication but I put that down to them being away at one of the viewing weekends and the fact that I changed my mind on my initial order.

How much extra did they charge? they look to get good reviews on here so happy to give them my money as long as they dont go overboard with the P&P

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Belfastman1958

Belfastman1958

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AJM Photocentre, Newtownards road.

North Down Telescopes, 4 Ailsa Park, Bangor.

Based in Belfast, John Gould & Son specialise in the retail of binoculars and telescopes.

There are some dealers in and around the Belfast/North Down area.

As for surcharges, If the company ships by Royal Mail, or Parcelforce then it's the same charge throughout the UK - that includes the Highlands and Islands. If you think that the surcharges are too high then why not request that the company ship by Royal Mail.

Alan.

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AndyH

AndyH

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As for surcharges, If the company ships by Royal Mail, or Parcelforce then it's the same charge throughout the UK - that includes the Highlands and Islands. If you think that the surcharges are too high then why not request that the company ship by Royal Mail.

Alan.

Just been on to Royal Mails website and read that. So is it private shipping companies that add the H&I/NI surcharge then?

Mmm, I've heard of North Down Telescopes. Wonder if they've advertised in astro mags?

Cheers,

Andy.

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GibbyNI

GibbyNI

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As far as I know Parcel Force charges extra to send over here but not NI to Mainland. Royal mail have no extra charge, but only send up to a certain weight. Most shipping companies DHL etc etc do charge extra when shipping over here but I think businesses add a little extra into the price :) My business sends about a dozen parcels a day mainly over to the mainland at no extra cost but only cos we use royal mail, others were much more expensive.

North Down Telescopes was one I had heard of but when goggle mapping it, its run from someones house.

AJM Photometry again was one i found on yell but on goggle maps cant find it so may take a drive up next week for a look.

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IvanT

IvanT

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How much extra did they charge? they look to get good reviews on here so happy to give them my money as long as they dont go overboard with the P&P

It was an extra £21 but that was for FedEx next day, and it's two packages (mount & scope). Still waiting for the knock on the door though.

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James

James

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Just been on to Royal Mails website and read that. So is it private shipping companies that add the H&I/NI surcharge then?

The Royal Mail are legally obligated to provide postage at the same cost throughout the UK - it's one of the reasons why their competitors can often only be found dealing with mail within England. Most courier firms charge extra for Scotland north of a line from just north of Glasgow across to Stirling/Perth and up the east coast to Aberdeen. They also charge more for Northern Ireland and even more for Eire.

Most shipping companies DHL etc etc do charge extra when shipping over here but I think businesses add a little extra into the price

We don't - usually our shipping costs are actually somewhat greater than what we charge.

James :)

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AndyH

AndyH

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The Royal Mail are legally obligated to provide postage at the same cost throughout the UK - it's one of the reasons why their competitors can often only be found dealing with mail within England. Most courier firms charge extra for Scotland north of a line from just north of Glasgow across to Stirling/Perth and up the east coast to Aberdeen. They also charge more for Northern Ireland and even more for Eire.........

James :)

Very interesting and good to know.

Cheers,

Andy

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IvanT

IvanT

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According to FedEx yours is currently out for delivery today.

James

Yeah, was surprised to see that to be honest. Been sitting at that since 1130 this morning but nothing as yet, I'm still optimistic though :-)

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