Telescope Reviews: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!!

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Equipment Discussions >> Observatories

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WayneJ
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/20/09

Loc: West Chester, PA

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: Galaxyhunter]
#4707555 - 07/22/11 09:14 PM

Thanks for the advice, guys. I went back and read the thread and I hope everything worked-out for you Scott. Scott from BYO will be supplying the pier (and most likely the structure) and I spoke to him today about the slab/footer to make sure we covered everything. He sent us some information to ensure the correct placement of the data and power conduits, too.

My contractor seems fairly experienced and suggested that the footer would need to be very well isolated from the foundation even before I mentioned it. He's never done an observatory before, but he's done isolated footers before for other applications (mostly industrial). I've watched his crew do meticulous stone work for the last couple of weeks, so I'm feeling about as confident as I can (I think!)

Regards,

Wayne

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csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: WayneJ]
#4707639 - 07/22/11 10:16 PM

Wayne, glad things are getting better for you! Sounds as though you have a great contractor.

Please keep us posted!

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jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: WayneJ]
#4707881 - 07/23/11 01:38 AM

Wayne, Is this going to result in even better pictures from you? Give us some time to catch up will ya.

Glad you got something worked out. I'm still parallelized researching and not starting my observatory. Joe

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raf1
sage

Reged: 11/18/05

Loc: central Texas

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: WayneJ]
#4708132 - 07/23/11 08:23 AM

Quote:

Scott from BYO will be supplying the pier (and most likely the structure) and I spoke to him today about the slab/footer to make sure we covered everything. He sent us some information to ensure the correct placement of the data and power conduits, too.

Hey Wayne - you chose wisely. Scott and his team are first class. My recommendation of buying one of their piers should have been followed up with a stronger recommendation to have them build your observatory. My experience with BYO has been terrific before and after the build. Besides that, they are a great team and I really enjoyed getting to know them. I recently posted an update on my observatory which has a link to the BYO construction video. you can view the thread here: http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4694661/page/1/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

Continued good luck with your observatory and clear skies.

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WayneJ
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/20/09

Loc: West Chester, PA

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: raf1]
#4708696 - 07/23/11 02:06 PM

Hey Joe

I hope it helps. I plan to image mars at around f/44, or so, for this apparition. That's 15,600mm on a 1/4" chip. Micro-oscillations are a problem, even at high framerates, at that focal length. So, I spent a lot of time making sure that we'd be able to isolate the footer from the road vibrations (about 1/2 mile away).

Thanks, Ron. Your observatory came out beautifully! I'm looking forward to working with Scott and his team! I forwarded a link to my wife, as she's already planning a similar exterior finish and I wanted her to see yours

Also, thanks again Carol! I can't use the excuse of not having a camera, around here

So there will be plenty of pictures!

Regards,

Wayne

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csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: WayneJ]
#4709570 - 07/23/11 11:40 PM

Wayne; you will never have one regret if Scott builds your observatory. He's a master, unbelievably quick; but never cuts corners & is very thorough. Plus you will really enjoy being around them. So I hope it works out for you to have him build it for you.

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Gargoyle
sage

Reged: 03/13/08

Loc: Long Island, New York

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: csa/montana]
#4709625 - 07/24/11 12:25 AM

Wayne,

Following your thread with great interest. Had to comment on your contacting Scott from BYO, you chose wisely. A consummate professional with a great partner (Don). Two great guys who build great observatories.

Hope for your sake he's building the whole observatory for you. If so, I'm sure you'll be quite pleased with the outcome. I certainly was with mine!

Jerry

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jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: WayneJ]
#4709642 - 07/24/11 12:58 AM

I hoping to do the same Wayne if I can get my Paramount ME perm pier mounted before then. That's what it will take to get the required image scale. Good Luck with the pour.. Joe

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ptmyers
journeyman

Reged: 06/06/05

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: WayneJ]
#4714583 - 07/26/11 08:28 PM

I purchased a PT2, Caddy and TeleStation 2. The TS2 was missing hardware, the instructions were poorly done and Vito assured me that he would replace the missing hardware. That was last year, still waiting. I've tried to get other information and he either puts you off or with in the mail promises or does not respond. Last time I tried to get something from him only got the answer machine. He just appears to be one of those Venders, once he has your money he's not interested. I wonder if he treated NASA like that?

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raf1
sage

Reged: 11/18/05

Loc: central Texas

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: Gargoyle]
#4714781 - 07/26/11 10:54 PM

Quote:

A consummate professional with a great partner (Don). Two great guys who build great observatories.

Whoa there - let's not forget Jeff. He's a hard working member of the team too! CS,

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Gargoyle
sage

Reged: 03/13/08

Loc: Long Island, New York

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: raf1]
#4716681 - 07/27/11 10:43 PM

Never met Jeff. He wasn't with Don and Scott on my build. But if he's part of the team, he's most certainly a good guy!

Jerry

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Scott Horstman
Vendor - Backyard Observatories

Reged: 03/11/04

Loc: Too Far North, USA

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: Gargoyle]
#4716885 - 07/28/11 12:32 AM

Quote:

Never met Jeff. He wasn't with Don and Scott on my build. But if he's part of the team, he's most certainly a good guy!

Jerry

Jeffrey's on the road with us on long hauls and when we need big biceps.

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aspur
newbie

Reged: 06/18/12

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: WayneJ]
#5278614 - 06/19/12 11:04 AM

I put a down payment on a roll off the roof. 3 months ago. They just cant deliver it and they appear not to care. Say their supplier is on holiday. My whole build is now gone out the window. I really wish I hadnt sent the down payment.

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Calypte
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 03/20/07

Loc: Anza, California

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: aspur]
#5278872 - 06/19/12 01:19 PM

I recently asked for a quote on a 10x10 Pier-Tech observatory. With automation, it totals to almost $14K!!! Not competitive with other options, in my book. The posts in this thread from last July weighed heavily on whether I should even bother with the inquiry.

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Mary B
Vendor - Echo Astronomy and Electronics

Reged: 05/21/10

Loc: Minnesota

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: aspur]
#5279146 - 06/19/12 04:03 PM

Cancel it and get a refund. If you paid via credit card get them for non-delivery

Quote:

I put a down payment on a roll off the roof. 3 months ago. They just cant deliver it and they appear not to care. Say their supplier is on holiday. My whole build is now gone out the window. I really wish I hadnt sent the down payment.

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aspur
newbie

Reged: 06/18/12

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: Mary B]
#5279565 - 06/19/12 08:27 PM

I oredered this unit beginning of April, and was told that it might not get here till end of July if then. It is only a 10x10. When I ordered it he insisted I put down a down payment by check. I said I would rather do credit card, he said no way. So basically I am screwed and will never get the money back. He said there was no cancellations. This company is real bad to deal with.

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Chris Erickson
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/08/06

Loc: Waikoloa Village, Hawaii

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: aspur]
#5279721 - 06/19/12 10:06 PM

Quote:

I oredered this unit beginning of April, and was told that it might not get here till end of July if then. It is only a 10x10. When I ordered it he insisted I put down a down payment by check. I said I would rather do credit card, he said no way. So basically I am screwed and will never get the money back. He said there was no cancellations. This company is real bad to deal with.

Just to be clear, you are talking about Pier-Tech?

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Chris Erickson
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 05/08/06

Loc: Waikoloa Village, Hawaii

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: aspur]
#5279940 - 06/20/12 12:18 AM

Quote:

I oredered this unit beginning of April, and was told that it might not get here till end of July if then. It is only a 10x10. When I ordered it he insisted I put down a down payment by check. I said I would rather do credit card, he said no way. So basically I am screwed and will never get the money back. He said there was no cancellations. This company is real bad to deal with.

If you mailed them the check (as opposed to handing it to them in person) then this falls under the definition of mail fraud, which makes it a federal felony. You have the option of contacting the Postal Inspection Service and filing a fraud report.

Or maybe the threat of reporting him will get the guy to respond positively to you.

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EddWen
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 04/26/08

Loc: Here or There

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: Chris Erickson]
#5280814 - 06/20/12 02:24 PM

"....I oredered this unit beginning of April, and was told that it might not get here till end of July if then...."

Well, if that is the case, you do not have a basis for a complaint yet.

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aspur
newbie

Reged: 06/18/12

Re: Pier-Tech -- Absolutely TERRIBLE service!!!!! new

[Re: EddWen]
#5280978 - 06/20/12 04:26 PM

yes, but I was consistently told, 2 months. Was guranteed 1st week of june

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