Telescope Reviews: Emotional Roller Coaster

I had always thought that I would add a Questar 3-1/2 to my collection should I ever run across one at a "good" price. One came up on Craigslist recently, with a full compliment of Brandons and a bunch of other stuff for $2350. I had sort of overdone it at Christmas, with a new TV, Sony Playstation, a sapphire ring for She Who Must Be Obeyed, and a new fridge for one of my tenants, so it wasn't as if the money was lying around in piles.

I thought about it for a week, and when I checked Craigslist again, it was still listed, so I sent an e-mail and the guy said it was still for sale. I sent him a reply asking for the serial number, thinking that I wouldn't get it if the thing was stolen. The seller replied with the S/N, which indicated a 1975 vintage unit with broad band coatings.

After rationalizing that I could probably raid Petty Cash to supplement my depleted personal stash, I e-mailed the guy back (Thursday, I think) and committed to driving to the city on the weekend (1 hour) prepared to pay the asked for price, (which my research told me was fair, assuming the Q was in good shape) if it passed inspection. I asked if he wanted a deposit via Paypal to hold it, and he got back to me that he would, indeed, hold it for me, and no deposit was necessary.

Friday I phoned Questar to check if it was stolen. (it wasn't) then I phoned Mike, (the seller) Friday night and told him I would see him early Saturday afternoon. He told me there was a fellow coming around Saturday morning to buy it. I told him I thought we had a deal, and he said he wasn't sure because I hadn't got back to him to confirm the deal.

I was devastated. Actually, the depth of my disappointment surprised the hell out of me. It was like grief. I kid you not!

So I began the healing process, thinking of finally getting the mirror of my 16" LB re-coated, and maybe picking up a LX80......

I check my e-mail at 3:45 this aft, and there is a message from Mike: "The other guy never showed, thought you might like to know."

To paraphrase a famous line from "The Goon Show": I did not wish to know that! I had finished my "grieving" and resigned myself to a "Q-less" existance. Now I had to do it all again.

After a long session of soul searching, I decided to take another run at it, so I phoned Mike back to re-do the deal. he was contrite, and assured me that the Q was mine if I still wanted it after inspecting it. I told him we could do the deal tomorrow. (Sunday)

I'll report back here with photos after the deal is done.