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dVnt
member
Reged: 08/31/09
Posts: 29
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Just to be clear: I'm in no way affiliated with telescopes.com, if I was I wouldn't be telling you about this...
About 2 months ago I got a 15% off coupon code either mailed to me or included in a shipment. The coupon is from hayneedle.com who I guess "owns" telescopes.com or at least provides their front end. Anyways, 15% off? Sweet! I was elated.
The only fine print was:
"Not valid for previous purchases. Promotional Code cannot be paired with any other promotional code. Offer can be used one time only per household. Not valid with gift certificate purchase."
About a week later I got a 20% off code emailed to me with the same fine print, no other exclusions.
I'm sure I'm not the only one that does this, but if I'm bored I'll frequently go to telescopes.com (or other vendors) and look around, adding things to my cart and applying promotional codes. I dunno I just like to fantasize about all the gear that I can't afford. Like I said, I get bored!
I had been holding off to order a Celestron CG-5 GT mount because of some of the shipping problems I've read about here. On their site, they say it ships in 15 days, but if you use their shipping estimator it estimates delivery on Dec 3rd, almost a month away.
Today, I finally called them to inquire about this. It turns out that they actually did have two in inventory that could ship immediately. I said, "Great!" and asked if I could place an order with him right then and there. He said yes but that the promo-codes wouldn't work because they don't apply to optics. I told him that I'm sure it works, I've seen it applied in my cart several times. He suggested I hang up and place the order on line. I did just that and sure enough neither the 15% or 20% codes worked anymore. So, I called Hayneedle.com's main number and explained the situation to them. The said, "I'm sorry but those promotional codes don't apply to these items." to which I replied as cordially as I could, "I'm sorry but that's not my problem, maybe you folks should mention that next time your sending out special offers to your customers."
After a bit of back and forth and approval from a manager they agreed to apply the code.
I like telescopes.com but they certainly don't always have their stuff together. I have a feeling their affiliation with hayneedle.com causes most of these problems. The people on the phone are always helpful though.
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Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector
Zhumell 9mm 1.25" EP, Zhumell 30mm WV 2" EP
GSO 2X Barlow
Zhumell 2" Filter Kit (Skyglow, UHC, O-III, Variable Polarity)
Baader Planetarium 2" to 1.25" EP Adapter
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ChipBee
member
Reged: 09/08/08
Posts: 18
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Telescopes.com as been part of what is now hayneedle for a long time, from what I can tell netstore became hayneedle this year and let everyone know there was one owner of over 250 online stores, when you call them, it is all the same people, we buy from many of their stores and do the same thing you did also, fill up a cart but don't check out, can be fun and costs nothing. I have had some minor problems with them but every time they provide good service. I would invest in them but they are still in start-up funding mode, I have returned items, canceled orders, got repair parts, and most of the time exactly what a ordered a day or more early. I have used the codes across stores without a problem, but I must say I have not ordered a full scope with a discount code yet 
I have nothing to do with them other than being a customer, I have recommended them to friends and family, some have used them to get discounts at other online stores and one even at real brick and mortar store. YMMD
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hfjacinto
Almost got me
Reged: 01/12/09
Posts: 2068
Loc: Union,NJ
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I spent several thousand of dollars with Telescopes.com and most times the coupons work, sometimes they don't but I will recommend them as there customer service is excellent. From speaking to several astro retailers, the mark up on most items is 10-13% so for netshops.com to sell you that mount for 20% off means that they took a loss on your sale. I never give them a hard time, I want them to stay in business so that I can keep buying from them as long as the coupons are around.
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C9.25 ASGT 9*50 MM Finder,FT Focuser & 2" Diagonal
Meade LXD 75 6 Inch SNT w 9*50 MM Finder
5,6,9,14.5 MM Zhummel Planetary EPs
13,17,21,24,31,36 MM Baader Hyperion
6.7,8.8 MM Meade UWA & 11 MM Nagler T6
Planetary, OIII and Narrowband Filters
Thousand Oaks Dew Control w Kendrick Heaters
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letimotif
No Complaints
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 2000
Loc: Far Flung Isles of Langerhans
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Tried my first order with them this week. Using a coupon code and the sale price I ordered two eyepieces and saved a solid 33% off the price anywhere else. Free shipping on top of $183 in savings is worth giving them a try.
They're due to arive tomorrow, and--wonder of wonders--clear skies are forecast from now until Sunday night. OK, there's quite a bit of moon, but after the last six weeks let's not quibble.
I'm interested to see the EPs' condition upon arrival. If all is at it should be, I'd have to say this was a great deal.
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Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a Heaven for?
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Arizona-Ken
sage
Reged: 08/31/08
Posts: 304
Loc: Scottsdale, Arizona
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I also used some coupons to get some eyepieces that are a little more premium than I am used to; shipping was prompt, and everything arrived in good order. There are a few astro-houses I will give my business to, and Telescopes.com is certainly one of them.
Arizona Ken
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"Considered as a collector of rare and precious things, the amateur astronomer has a great advantage over amateurs in other fields ... the amateur astronomer has access at all times to the original objects of his study; the masterworks of the heavens belong to him as much as to the great observatories of the world. And there is no privilege like that of being allowed to stand in the presence of the original."
--Robert Burnham Jr, Burnham's Celestial Handbook
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mjtripper
member
Reged: 04/08/09
Posts: 60
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I've purchased a couple things from them as well and have been happy. I was able to use a 20% coupon on a closeout item and get free shipping. It's still one of the better deals I've been able to take advantage off and put the price below the normal used price.
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starcam
sage
Reged: 09/24/07
Posts: 316
Loc: MD
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It seems something has changed, I just tried using my promo code good till 11/30/09 and it said it was not valid. It worked when I first got it, adding items in the cart. It was never used to my knowledge.
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Celestron 9.25 SCT f/10 fl/2350
Stellarvue SV102ED2 F/7 fl/710
William Optics Megrez 72mm F/6 fl/432mm
Coronado PST
CG-5
UWAN 28mm
Panoptic 22mm
Televue 7T6,13T6,15wf,11
Pentax XW 7,10,20,40 / XO 5 / Zoom 8-24
RKE 8,12,15,21,28
Hyperion 5,8,17/13
TMB 2.5,4,6II,7,9
Brandon 6,8,12,16
UO HD 7mm
Oberwerk bino 15x70
Burgess 8x42 bino
WO binoviewer
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mikey cee
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/18/07
Posts: 3507
Loc: bellevue ne.
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You guys can pose questions to the manager of Telescopes.com directly at their new website http://starparty.telescopes.com/ I personally know Jason Mulek and he is a member of our Omaha club. He's definitely a straight shooter and will bend over backwards to win your trust and business.  Mike
Edited by mikey cee (11/06/09 11:24 AM)
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4555
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Quote:
You guys can pose questions to the manager of Telescopes.com directly at their new website at www.starparty.telescopes.com. I personally know Jason Mulek and he is a member of our Omaha club. He's definitely a straight shooter and will bend over backwards to win your trust and business. Mike
Even with that errant period removed,
"Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage"...
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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hfjacinto
Almost got me
Reged: 01/12/09
Posts: 2068
Loc: Union,NJ
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The secret to coupons codes is to use them QUIETLY. I've been using codes for a long time, once you post them and talk about them the codes disappaer.
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C9.25 ASGT 9*50 MM Finder,FT Focuser & 2" Diagonal
Meade LXD 75 6 Inch SNT w 9*50 MM Finder
5,6,9,14.5 MM Zhummel Planetary EPs
13,17,21,24,31,36 MM Baader Hyperion
6.7,8.8 MM Meade UWA & 11 MM Nagler T6
Planetary, OIII and Narrowband Filters
Thousand Oaks Dew Control w Kendrick Heaters
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helpwanted
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/04/07
Posts: 2638
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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i noticed yesterday that the 15% off coupon now has a $200 restriction... something it didn't have before 
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mikey cee
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/18/07
Posts: 3507
Loc: bellevue ne.
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Rod and folks: I got the correct web address posted now! Sorry  Mike
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7x35 and 10x50 sears tower binocs, 3" f/10 edmunds reflector, 2.4" f/11.7 manon refractor, 6" f/8 jaegers refractor, "The 8 Ball" 8" f/13.3 brandt refractor, 3" f/15.8 sans&streiffe refractor, 3.1" f/15 selsi refractor(towa 339), 2.4" f/15 sears refractor, selsi 30x30mm spyglass, criterion 5-draw 25x45x75x spyglass(1957), 4.25" f/14.8 tasco 20te.
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Lane
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/19/07
Posts: 1494
Loc: Frisco, Texas
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I used one of the codes posted out here to buy my C11 and 22nagler for some incredibly low prices.
But right now I have one of the 15% off coupons they mailed along with the H-Beta filter I got a few weeks ago. I tried to use the coupon several times online and it just tells me the promo code is not valid.
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CGEM, ORION SIRIUS, AT Voyager
OTAs: C6, C8, C9.25, C11, Pronto, ED80
Orion 9x63, Fujinon 10x50 & 16x70
Ethos 13, 17 Nagler 9t1,12t4,16t2,22t4 Panoptic 27,35
Antares 1.6x, TV Powermates 2x & 4x, TV Barlow 3x, TV Plossl 8,11,13
Baader Hyperion 21, 8-24 Zoom, UO HD Ortho 6,7,9,12,18
TMB Planetaries 3.2,4,5,6,7,8, Pentax XW 10,14,40
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dVnt
member
Reged: 08/31/09
Posts: 29
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Quote:
The secret to coupons codes is to use them QUIETLY. I've been using codes for a long time, once you post them and talk about them the codes disappaer.
I don't think they need to search astro forums and promo-code websites and to realize they're giving people 20% off purchases that are only marked up "10-13%". They corrected the problem before I told them about it. I knew they were making a mistake when I got the promotions.
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Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector
Zhumell 9mm 1.25" EP, Zhumell 30mm WV 2" EP
GSO 2X Barlow
Zhumell 2" Filter Kit (Skyglow, UHC, O-III, Variable Polarity)
Baader Planetarium 2" to 1.25" EP Adapter
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hfjacinto
Almost got me
Reged: 01/12/09
Posts: 2068
Loc: Union,NJ
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DVnt,
Telescopes.com has been making that mistake for over a year as I have been using the codes for at least that long. I have used 10, 15 and 20% off codes. As soon as people talk about the codes they disappear. If you want them around for a while use them and don't tell anyone you used them. Like Lane I used the codes for discount on both my scopes and all my EP's.
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C9.25 ASGT 9*50 MM Finder,FT Focuser & 2" Diagonal
Meade LXD 75 6 Inch SNT w 9*50 MM Finder
5,6,9,14.5 MM Zhummel Planetary EPs
13,17,21,24,31,36 MM Baader Hyperion
6.7,8.8 MM Meade UWA & 11 MM Nagler T6
Planetary, OIII and Narrowband Filters
Thousand Oaks Dew Control w Kendrick Heaters
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