FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Meade Dealers

["Stars" <stars@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Stan, this is typical of a lot of dealer that sell electronics and related
items.  Some dealers at least put stickers on the boxes (Fry's Electronics).
Many others do not, IE Radio Shacks.  I would purchase my astronomy items
through internet stores such as www.optcorp.com or in Tucson at Starizona,
if you are unhappy with the local dealers.  I have purchased at least $10K
worth of stuff from these two places and have been completely satisfied with
each and every purchase.  Dean at Starizona is very professional and so are
the people at OPT.  OPT has the advantage of no sales tax, while Starizona
is only about 2 hours from me.  

Tom Hilton  

-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Stan Gorodenski
Sent: 09/01/2005 10:59 AM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Meade Dealers

Without saying which Meade dealer, since this message is not intended to 
pass ill will against a dealer, I would like to relate my recent 
experience with one and see if this is just the norm with most dealers, 
whether Meade or Celestron.

Yesterday I picked up the DSI Pro. When I gave my credit card number to 
purchase the last one the store had, I asked if the box had been opened. 
He said no. However, it had been. I closely inspected everything to make 
sure nothing had been scratched or damaged from use and so I took 
possession of it. However, I do not like buying things that have been 
previously opened because it leaves open the possibilty for things to 
not only get damaged from being manhandled but also for things to get 
lost. The latter happened with regard to a slide scanner I purchased 
from Tempe Camera about 3 years ago. A part was missing and I had to 
exchange it for another one they had. It also amazed me how 
uninhibitedly the employee I was working with would open boxes of slide 
scanners and rip open plastic bags to answer a question I had.

I also purchased the Meade QX wide angle 26mm 2" barrel eyepiece when I 
was at the Meade dealer. Here again, there were none in a box. Two were 
on display and so I picked one from the two and he repackaged it. The 
problem was that during the repackaging he was not careful and deformed 
the rubber eye guard. Luckily it did not rip from the twisting of the 
two halves of the plastic container and it will straighten out.

How typical are these experiences of mine? I do not like to buy things 
that have been previously opened but it seems this is a problem with 
having to go through dealers. Maybe buying through internet dealers is 
the only way to avoid this.
Stan

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