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Equipment Discussions >> Binoculars

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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
*****

Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 15021
Loc: Kuiper Belt
The perils of not researching auction binos.
      #1090618 - 08/12/06 09:30 AM

I ran across a funny (to me) auction listing a couple of days ago and thought I would share my amusement.

A well-used Barska 12-36x70mm zoom binocular was auctioned, and the final price was $126.00 before shipping/handling.

A simple Google search would have revealed that these binoculars sell NEW for about $70.00 ...

I guess some people are just determined to rip themselves off. I would like to see the look on this person's face when the package arrives and they open it to discover a dusty Chinese zoom binocular of dubious value. Or better yet, I'd like to see the look when a friend points them to an Amazon vendor selling the same bino for $69 new.

Do your homework folks...

MikeG

--------------------
Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.



Galactic Stone & Ironworks - Specializing in exotic and rare meteorite falls.


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edwincjones
Post Laureate
*****

Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 4561
Re: The perils of not researching auction binos. new [Re: Glassthrower]
      #1090843 - 08/12/06 12:24 PM

auctions-bargins and ripoffs are there for the bidding.

edj

--------------------

n w arkansas
Binocular, Solar, General Amateur Astronomy



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grbrown
professor emeritus


Reged: 07/09/05
Posts: 643
Loc: Ampthill, UK, 52:02N 0:30W
Re: The perils of not researching auction binos. new [Re: Glassthrower]
      #1090849 - 08/12/06 12:26 PM

Mike,

It is a feature of all auctions!

On the other hand by watching carefully I was the only bidder on a certain popular website for a beautiful pair of commemorative Leica bins recently - got them at about a third of what they normally go for.

Keep that between just you and me, while we watch in awe and wonder at the silly things auctions can do to otherwise sensible people!

--------------------
Graham

"one eye good, two eyes better...the more I look, the more I see"

BT100-45 degrees, plus 35,24,17,13,9mm Sieberts
15x80, 7x50 Steiners
12x50, 10x42, 8x20 Leica Trinovids
7x35 Minolta



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patter1
professor emeritus


Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 597
Loc: Canada
Re: The perils of not researching auction binos. new [Re: grbrown]
      #1090924 - 08/12/06 01:05 PM

"Why is the view at 36x dark and not sharp, why do I see two images?..."

--------------------
Patrick

8" f/6 NewStar dobsonian
Orion Starblast 4.5" f/4 mini dobsonian
42mm SuperView, 17mm Nagler T4, some other cheapies
Omcon 7x50, Oberwerk 11x56, Olympus DPS-R 7x35, Olympus Magellan 8x25
homemade 50mm right-angle bino-scope prototype


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johnno
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 807
Re: The perils of not researching auction binos. new [Re: Glassthrower]
      #1091012 - 08/12/06 02:01 PM

Quote:


Do your homework folks...

MikeG




A Very wise piece of advice Mike,
I hope all the newcomers read this.

Regards.
John


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Littlegreenman
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 05/09/05
Posts: 1056
Loc: Southern California
Re: The perils of not researching auction binos. new [Re: johnno]
      #1091065 - 08/12/06 02:56 PM

"As long as some people remain intentional ignorant, some people will be intentional unscrupulpous."

I don't know who said that.

I will also assert that ebay is proof that theorey of efficient markets does not apply to quantized situations, it only applies when there is a critical threshold of buying and selling is reached.

In English: unless there is a lot of activity, selling priced will vary widely.


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ChrisR
professor emeritus


Reged: 02/11/05
Posts: 518
Loc: Washington
Re: The perils of not researching auction binos. new [Re: Littlegreenman]
      #1091074 - 08/12/06 03:05 PM

That Barska was funny.

Peace,
Chris

--------------------
Journeyman Optical Technician
Amateur Astronomer.
All around good guy
Orion, StarMax 127
Canon, 12x36 IS
Minolta, 8x25 WR
Halco, 7x50
Nippon Kogaku, Micron 7x35


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XT10Guy
super member


Reged: 05/28/06
Posts: 199
Loc: USA
Re: The perils of not researching auction binos. new [Re: patter1]
      #1091078 - 08/12/06 03:08 PM

Quote:

"Why is the view at 36x dark and not sharp, why do I see two images?..."




Two images for the price of one? That is what I call "getting your money's worth." Where can I sign up for those?


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Don25
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 10/20/03
Posts: 701
Loc: Delaware, U.S.A.
Re: The perils of not researching auction binos. new [Re: Littlegreenman]
      #1091081 - 08/12/06 03:09 PM

Yep, I agree....

I've seen everyday items that can be purchased at your local Grocery store/ shopping Mall/etc. that were cheaper than what people paid on "that online shopping site"

I've also gotten some wonderful buys because nobody else bid on an item I bid on.

I have a friend that does a lot of *bay sales, and he tells me that it's common for people to overpay on items online, I guess it's laziness, or people don't want to leave the house.


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shiv
journeyman


Reged: 05/05/06
Posts: 9
Re: The perils of not researching auction binos. new [Re: Don25]
      #1092007 - 08/13/06 02:56 AM

I actually own a pair of Barska 12-36x70mm zoom binoculars. I am not going to bash them or anything but I like my Oberwerk 45 bt100's a lot better.

Edited by shiv (08/13/06 03:19 AM)


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grbrown
professor emeritus


Reged: 07/09/05
Posts: 643
Loc: Ampthill, UK, 52:02N 0:30W
Re: The perils of not researching auction binos. new [Re: shiv]
      #1092142 - 08/13/06 07:32 AM

Quote:

...I like my Oberwerk 45 bt100's a lot better.




A man of great taste! Although we didn't buy ours on ebay I did find our seller that way. We are delighted with our BTs too.

Got my Leica 12x50 Trinovids from ebay too. It can be a great place to get your fingers burned - or find a bargain!

--------------------
Graham

"one eye good, two eyes better...the more I look, the more I see"

BT100-45 degrees, plus 35,24,17,13,9mm Sieberts
15x80, 7x50 Steiners
12x50, 10x42, 8x20 Leica Trinovids
7x35 Minolta



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