They also said that their high end Celestron prices are all negotiable and (for members of any Irish astronomy club) they can match the UK sterling prices.

Well presumably they will sell anything once they can make some profit off of it, so that stands to reason.

Curious that a distinction is made for high end scopes. Does that imply its ok to rip off by 100% beginners looking for a first telescope? All of the complaints I have heard are from people who bought beginner scopes from them and only later found out the prices in UK magazines. Presumably people wanting the high end scopes have researched the scope and prices so will either buy elsewhere or bargain A&S to a reasonable price.

To be fair, if people are willing to part with EURx00 without looking for prices elsewhere then thats their own fault. harsh but true.

Anyway, arcing back on topic, with Coronado now owned by Meade its unlikley that A&S will be selling them at all. That would make North Down and Andromeda optics the distrubitors here.

Cheers,
~Al

Hi all,

With the conversation (on another thread) coming back to the price of telescopes in "that Dublin shop", and the fact that I'm on holidays this week (not gloating!...) and have a little time on my hands, I decided to do a little research. I did a little comparison on prices between A&S Astronomy shop (aka Astronomy Ireland) and David Hinds Ltd in the UK. Both are dealers of Celestron telescope so I could make a direct comparison. Many of the "old hands" here, will be aware of the vast difference in prices to be found by shopping around so this is mainly for the beginners.

All prices were all taken from each suppliers web-site today (27th Oct. 2004) and to even the playing field, I have converted the prices to exclude VAT. (as you may be aware, the VAT rate in the UK is 17.5% as opposed to 21% in Ireland so this helps A&S more). I have also converted the UK prices to euros so that we can see a direct comparison (1 euro = 0.69 sterling). The figures speak for themselves.....SHOP AROUND!!!..

I think A&S have alot of price dropping to do to match the UK prices.....

http://www.irishastronomy.org/user_resources/files/1098905609-Prices.bmp

SCARY OR WHAT!...

Well done Lionsden

Truth will out, reminds me to do my annual posts on the shopping sites advising the parents thinking of getting a scope for their little son or daughter of this discrepancy in prices.

I might link here if you don't mind.


Conor

I'd imagine the guys in dublin would quote extra shipping costs as the reason for the increase in price.

If true, man am I in the wrong business, I should be in haulage !!!

Well done Lionsden

Truth will out, reminds me to do my annual posts on the shopping sites advising the parents thinking of getting a scope for their little son or daughter of this discrepancy in prices.

I might link here if you don't mind.


Conor

Knock yourself out (not literally!.... )
The more poeple who know about this , the better!

Well done Leo!

I don't think you'll be getting a Christmas card from someone this year!

Old news Leo, old news, but still shocking. There are plenty of other things to complain about A&S ltd as well, while ignoring "Astronomy Ireland". I think it's incredible that "your National astronomy shop" only stocks one astronomy magazine. Isn't that just incredible? Your average Easons, or whatever, has a bigger selection of astronomy magazines than an astronomy shop. David Moore, in my humble and non-litigious opinion, has a very short-sighted approach to making a short term profit which jeopardises long-term profits. I would love to have an independent astronomy shop which is reasonably priced. I'd certainly shop there. David's prices mean that I won't be taking any trips to Artane.

Leo; you're on holidays this week. Are you a teacher? It has its moments, doesn't it?

Well Shane,

Can't disagree with anything there. Our beloved Mr. Moore is in a great position to do wonderful things for astronomy in Ireland, he just seems hell bent on making a quick buck. He seems to have no understanding of the concept of "repeat business"
It would be wonderful to have a full astronomy shop in Ireland where you could go, browse and talk to people with similar interests. I'm sure nobody here would begrudge the man a profit either, we understand that a shop has costs and overheads.
But geez...... come on, his margins are'nt "a profit", they're "rip off Ireland" at it's finest! Perhaps his turnover of telescopes is'nt much and he needs to make a large margin to cover costs. Does he realise that he would sell alot more if if his margins weren't so high?

David Moore, if you read this, WAKE UP! You are alienating a huge part of what should be your customer base! Give us reasonable prices! Open up and let your "club" join with the other clubs in the country who share our love of the skies.
Up till recently, you've been the public face of astronomy in Ireland, but it's changing. The other clubs are coming out of the darkness. You can't pretend to be the only club anymore!
It's time for change David. We'd all rather buy at home,....... if only we could!
David, it's up to you.

There's so much more I could say, but I'm running out of steam. (Nothing like a good rant now and again is there?)


By the way Shane, I'm not a teacher, just thought this would be a good time to use up the last of my holidays, what with the kids being at home...
........ and of course, the eclipse (arggggh!) .

i havnt bought a scope yet but while talking to astronomy ireland, they say they will match any price found elsewhere, taking into regard shipping and import tax costs. this seems pretty reasonable. the only thing i dont like about this arrangement is that they are trying to charge higher prices and only if you question it will you get the price lowered. they should be aiming to start off with the lowest prices, so you dont have to trawl through the web looking for prices that they will equal. but they are decent. think it was 950 euros they are asking for the celestron C6s with xlt coatings on an equoratial mount, which seems ok from what i see on the web. they do have ok prices, but you have to make a case to get them which is not good

If you are thinking of spending 950euro on 6" celestron scope you might like to consider the 8" celestron I am selling for 400 euro.......... See Link

www.irishastronomy.org/boards/viewtopic....amp;highlight=#34688

It is not a go-to scope however it does have nearly double the light gathering power

i saw that , but i really want the SCT. i dont have much room at all, so i need something a bit more compact. thanks all the same

Anyone reading this post should please note that this is a thread from 2004.

I think in the interests of fairness, I should point out that AI have removed all of their prices from their website and are now in a position to be much more competitive on price.

Anyone reading this post should please note that this is a thread from 2004.

And folks, please don't drag up two year old posts in future. Especially ones that quote me

Thread locked - it served its purpose back then, the message was clearly sent out! As pointed out, A&S's trading standards have changed, so this 2 year old thread bears little relevance to the current norm of things.

To fguihen, if tht is the scope you want, then by all means get in touch and strike the best deal you can!

Seanie.