Discussion on buying a C8 from overseas

[mrngbss]

We could have got one from our local distributor for Celestron at higher price, and before purchase that would include testing, asking. After sales, we could have support, advice, help, assistance (not repairs) in all aspects and FOC.

Getting it shipped meant, no local support and the risk of damage.

Personally I feel, it is like what you pay is what you get.

Anyway, I learnt a lot from this topic.

[neoterryjoe]

clittle, you must understand that there are some substantial number of people in this community who are still students. Hence, you can say its quite a big deal here..
yes, i think you can start getting stuff from astromart and selling it 'cheap' here. Good source of income dealing with us, who are less clever!
Of course im not saying that there isnt a possibility that there are people who might earn through such transactions here, but i felt that it isnt v bad here. At the v least its a friendly forum in here.

[clittle]

Yes precisely, mrngbss..
furthermore, not many people here are accustomed to purchasing online. There is much more risk.
clittle, you must understand that there are some substantial number of people in this community who are still students. Hence, you can say its quite a big deal here..

Alright. If you guys say so, please PM me with whatever scopes you need I will source for you in Astromart and assume all shipping risk. I will give you the quote, and I will make SGD$100-$200 for each item. How about that? Trust me, after adding in my profits, you guys will still think it is cheap.

[jermng]

As a matter of fact, there ARE people who are willing to pay $800-$1100 for C8s depending on the quality, age and accesories thrown in. Sounds like a good idea, why don't you start a business? I'm sure you'll be able to do it.

Before you start your little business, let's do some calculations, a typical C8 OTA would cost around $400 that I can remember. You might be able to find some at about $350 but not as often ...
You add shipping of around $120 via EMS, that would bring your total to $520.
You convert to SGD, it'll be around $858. Add 5% GST, you'll get $900.90. Round down to $900.
Alot of people will be saying Thank you for helping them do all the liaising with sellers and administrative procedures for free!
And remember, you will not be able to inspect the OTA before you pay for it, much less return it if there are any faults, unless you wanna pay return shipping for it too. You also run the risk of the item being damaged during shipping. Even if you insure, you know how difficult it is to claim shipping insurance.

Over here, at least you'll be able to see and inspect the OTA before purchase. And yes, it's true, used C8s were going for even $1200+ a couple of years back.

Are you sure you wanna go through so much trouble to sell an OTA for a profit of between close to nothing and what you say is $100?

[wucheeyiun]

The singapore community for astrowork very small, so no price competition. that was the reason why most c8's were price @ about $1000, lots of singaporean are still adverse to buying overseas through credit. We want to buy what we see...

I think i sold my c8 for 1K last year...which is a fair price. i also think most singastroian did that last year.

So , this a really a good price, + must ask chee chien to teach a simple course for collimation of C8 for newbie.

From my experience, lack of collimation by newbie ( due too fear of spoiling the scope ) is the major contributer of bad seeing (IMHO)....and then thet accept the scope as it is. it is a pity...

[clittle]

Before you start your little business, let's do some calculations, a typical C8 OTA would cost around $400 that I can remember. You might be able to find some at about $350 but not as often ...
You add shipping of around $120 via EMS, that would bring your total to $520.

You don't need to pay so much for shipping a C8 to Singapore. If you use Vpost, it is about SGD100 tops. And for tax, come on....there are ways to escape that. These are used items from Astromart, they will declare it under SGD$400 to escape taxes.

So you get the scope at around SGD$648 or worse, SGD$700

Anyway, if anyone is willing to pay $900 for a C8 thinking it's a good price, please PM me. I will assume all shipping risk and I will teach you how to collimate them.

[clittle]

"No wonder there are vendors here who are "overcharging", for example in the recent case where the Astrobargains was reprimanded for selling his WO diagonal at a high price. Newbies here seem to be an easy profit target for them."


clittle: Astrobargain prices are usually good and their price for the WO diagonal is an anomaly as they were caught off-guard by a WO price cut.

[weixing]

Hi,
To clittle: If you are interested in offering your service, please create a new thread. If you want to discuss the pricing issue, please also create another thread.

To the rest: Please stay on topics!!!

To All: I think this thread is getting a bit unhealthy. So I'll ask the moderator on the buy and sell section to do some cut and paste and move the unrelated post out of this thread or close it.

Hope all of you cooperate!!

Thanks and Have a nice day.

[acc]

cLittle maybe next time there are buyers for C8 we will refer them to you so you can help them get a
C8 in excellent condition +
2" Celestron diagonal +
Dovetail +
8x50 Celestron Finder +
TV 2" compression-ring visual back
for SGD$800!!! And cut the price to SGD760 and throw in a 32mm plossl ep if they happen to be a student.

[Airconvent]

cittle,
Most astromart sellers are not willing to sell to Singapore if you have no ratings. I've tried it many times already.
If you have a good offer to share with fellow members or is willing to help them purchase any astro items at a good price, do make an announcement in the buy-sell corner, stating item and description, price, warranty, etc.
Singastro can do with any offers available especially for the newbies. Your help would be a boon for them as well as other members here as astromart prices are usually much lower.
Thanks