
The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
- lionsden
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Main Sequence
-
- Posts: 275
- Thank you received: 8
The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!...... was created by lionsden
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!...
Perhap because light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- ctr
- Offline
- Red Giant
-
- Posts: 575
- Thank you received: 2
Replied by ctr on topic Re: The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
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
Each of us is here on earth for a reason, and each of us has a special mission to carry out - Maria Shriver
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- dave_lillis
-
- Offline
- Super Giant
-
Replied by dave_lillis on topic Re: The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
If true, man am I in the wrong business, I should be in haulage !!!
Chairman. Shannonside Astronomy Club (Limerick)
Carrying around my 20" obsession is going to kill me,
but what a way to go.

+ 12"LX200, MK67, Meade2045, 4"refractor
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- lionsden
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Main Sequence
-
- Posts: 275
- Thank you received: 8
Replied by lionsden on topic Re: The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
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!
Perhap because light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Seanie_Morris
-
- Offline
- Administrator
-
- Posts: 9637
- Thank you received: 544
Replied by Seanie_Morris on topic Re: The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
I don't think you'll be getting a Christmas card from someone this year!

Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- spculleton
- Offline
- Super-Nova
-
- Posts: 567
- Thank you received: 0
Replied by spculleton on topic Re: The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
Leo; you're on holidays this week. Are you a teacher? It has its moments, doesn't it?
Dozo Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- lionsden
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Main Sequence
-
- Posts: 275
- Thank you received: 8
Replied by lionsden on topic Re: The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
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!)


Perhap because light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- fguihen
-
- Offline
- Main Sequence
-
- Posts: 499
- Thank you received: 0
Replied by fguihen on topic Re: The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Perseus
- Offline
- Proto Star
-
- Posts: 96
- Thank you received: 0
Replied by Perseus on topic Re: The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
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
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- fguihen
-
- Offline
- Main Sequence
-
- Posts: 499
- Thank you received: 0
Replied by fguihen on topic Re: The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- DaveGrennan
-
- Offline
- IFAS Astronomer of the Year 2010
-
- Posts: 2707
- Thank you received: 32
Replied by DaveGrennan on topic Re: The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
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.
Dave.
J41 - Raheny Observatory.
www.webtreatz.com
Equipment List here
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- albertw
-
- Offline
- IFAS Secretary
-
- Posts: 4173
- Thank you received: 181
Replied by albertw on topic Re: The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
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

Chairperson, International Dark Sky Association - Irish Section
www.darksky.ie/
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Seanie_Morris
-
- Offline
- Administrator
-
- Posts: 9637
- Thank you received: 544
Replied by Seanie_Morris on topic Re: The scariest thing you'll see this halloween!!!......
To fguihen, if tht is the scope you want, then by all means get in touch and strike the best deal you can!
Seanie.
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.