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Meade auction discussion thread

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#51 RLS Astronomy

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 01:34 AM

I went and visited today - The auction company was given only 5 days to put this together, and that is why the lots are so messed up. There are a few lots that are just foam packaging to ship telescopes (they slapped a label on most everything) large boxes basically filled with air, Guaranteed someone is going to read a description wrong, think they are buying scopes, and end up with a box of styrofoam. Other than the stuff that was in the store, it is not incredibly organized. 

 

There are a number of lots where they really don't know what is in it other than listing a few things they could read on the pallet. One listed as "ACF Parts" was a pallet of Solar Batteries, with two small Meade Boxes on top (that you couldn't get to or read as it was 30' up.) It felt like I was in a "Storage Wars" episode.

 

Someone above was worried about scopes that were in for repair - they have those segregated off to the side and they will not be a part of the auction. If you sent your scope to Meade/Orion to get fixed it will likely come back to you - it just won't be fixed.

 

Also - they have a short window to get everything out (1 week?)- I was told people who miss the transportation deadline (by appointment only) will just forfeit their purchases (read the small print). Truly a bank fire sale and even walking around I could not tell what a lot of things were (except for the store lots - like the first 100 or so). One lot listed as "parts" was basically a bin of lens caps. There was a top rack pallet labeled "Solarmax Kits" on the box - but the box was not the size of Solarmax boxes. Is this a scope and a tripod and drive? just a tripod and drive? Accessories for a Solarmax? It is tough to tell without a Meade SKU list which they don't have. 

 

I was hoping to have more clarity after visiting - now I just have more questions. Found a few things I will take a risk on, but also a lot I will avoid that I had on my "maybe" or "if this doesn't pan out" list before going. My recommendation is only clear identifiable photos can you be confident about.


 

#52 cavedweller

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 02:06 AM

I went and visited today - The auction company was given only 5 days to put this together, and that is why the lots are so messed up. There are a few lots that are just foam packaging to ship telescopes (they slapped a label on most everything) large boxes basically filled with air, Guaranteed someone is going to read a description wrong, think they are buying scopes, and end up with a box of styrofoam. Other than the stuff that was in the store, it is not incredibly organized. 

 

There are a number of lots where they really don't know what is in it other than listing a few things they could read on the pallet. One listed as "ACF Parts" was a pallet of Solar Batteries, with two small Meade Boxes on top (that you couldn't get to or read as it was 30' up.) It felt like I was in a "Storage Wars" episode.

 

Someone above was worried about scopes that were in for repair - they have those segregated off to the side and they will not be a part of the auction. If you sent your scope to Meade/Orion to get fixed it will likely come back to you - it just won't be fixed.

 

Also - they have a short window to get everything out (1 week?)- I was told people who miss the transportation deadline (by appointment only) will just forfeit their purchases (read the small print). Truly a bank fire sale and even walking around I could not tell what a lot of things were (except for the store lots - like the first 100 or so). One lot listed as "parts" was basically a bin of lens caps. There was a top rack pallet labeled "Solarmax Kits" on the box - but the box was not the size of Solarmax boxes. Is this a scope and a tripod and drive? just a tripod and drive? Accessories for a Solarmax? It is tough to tell without a Meade SKU list which they don't have. 

 

I was hoping to have more clarity after visiting - now I just have more questions. Found a few things I will take a risk on, but also a lot I will avoid that I had on my "maybe" or "if this doesn't pan out" list before going. My recommendation is only clear identifiable photos can you be confident about.

I had already decided to avoid this auction for the same reason, uncertainty.


 

#53 Steve_M_M

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 08:58 AM

More reasons why this stuff "should" go cheap.  Unfortunately, there will be winners and losers who end up with a goat...  https://www.youtube....h?v=_asNhzXq72w


Edited by Steve_M_M, 08 January 2025 - 08:58 AM.

 

#54 geovermont

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 09:28 AM

Fees, fees, fees! You can lose your shirt by winning an auction bid.....


 

#55 starman876

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 09:30 AM

There are a few lots that state they are APO telescopes.  One even had a picture of the scope in the case.  Did anyone see these lots that have been there to inspect?  There are also a bunch of lots that claim to be Dob OTA's.   Was the description accurate.  Feel sorry for those who bid and get a pile of junk.


 

#56 Cavs56

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 10:04 AM

Huge advantage to those who are local and can inspect. Should be some great deals
 

#57 Terra Nova

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 11:35 AM

Huge advantage to those who are local and can inspect. Should be some great deals

Not necessarily. Did you read post #51?


 

#58 Terra Nova

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 11:41 AM

With so much inventory it’s a mystery why Orion couldn’t have made a go of it, even if they have just scaled way back or even just become their own liquidator? They must have been in hock up to their necks with their creditors who finally just said something like ‘no more excuses, you’re done’ and called in their markers. No doubt a trail of massive mismanagement going back years.


 

#59 bigbangbaby

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 12:04 PM

With so much inventory it’s a mystery why Orion couldn’t have made a go of it, even if they have just scaled way back or even just become their own liquidator? They must have been in hock up to their necks with their creditors who finally just said something like ‘no more excuses, you’re done’ and called in their markers. No doubt a trail of massive mismanagement going back years.

A contributing factor is the market shift away from visual to imaging. Askar, Zwo, William Optics and others have capitalized on it, while Orion and Meade lagged behind. In any event, it's sad to see. Perhaps a re-imagined Orion/Meade company will emerge from the ashes.


 

#60 cavedweller

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 12:12 PM

A contributing factor is the market shift away from visual to imaging. Askar, Zwo, William Optics and others have capitalized on it, while Orion and Meade lagged behind. In any event, it's sad to see. Perhaps a re-imagined Orion/Meade company will emerge from the ashes.

In the auction description there was contact information to place a bid on the companies’ IP (trademarks, patents, etc.?). The deadline for those bids was Monday.


 

#61 John Rogers

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 12:42 PM

The term "Pig in a poke" comes to mind.  


 

#62 Cavs56

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 12:45 PM

Not necessarily. Did you read post #51?

Absolutely I did. So you could mitigate risk.


 

#63 deSitter

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 01:33 PM

A contributing factor is the market shift away from visual to imaging. Askar, Zwo, William Optics and others have capitalized on it, while Orion and Meade lagged behind. In any event, it's sad to see. Perhaps a re-imagined Orion/Meade company will emerge from the ashes.

Meade practically invented modern imaging and imaging system integration in the mid 90s.

 

-drl


 

#64 bigbangbaby

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 01:53 PM

Meade practically invented modern imaging and imaging system integration in the mid 90s.

 

-drl

 

That may be so, but relative upstarts have drunk their milkshake.


 

#65 CharLakeAstro

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 02:15 PM

That was SBIG. Meade tried to play catch-up. Results below

 

post-9937-0-17617300-1598761490.jpg

 

Meade practically invented modern imaging and imaging system integration in the mid 90s.

 

-drl


 

#66 Steve_M_M

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 05:23 PM

I just took a look in more detail.  I mean what do you do if there are 15 minutes left and say, just as an example, any lot 336-338, 340-341  is at $1500?  Start bidding?  Geez

Check out the bids after just 2 hours on these guys.  Let's see if something like this lot gets to maybe 50% retail...about $25k I think. https://www.bidspott...fe-b25401755f6b


Edited by Steve_M_M, 09 January 2025 - 08:51 AM.

 

#67 cavedweller

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 06:14 PM

Says “with storage cases” but what if it is only the storage cases?
 

#68 CHASLX200

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 07:05 PM

Just nothing i want and with my luck i would get a box of rocks.  Now if they had 1970's thru 90's stuff Then i would be all over it and get a new 826 and another shot at a Meade 7" ED.


 

#69 Lucas.Maguire

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 07:47 PM

THESE PRICES ARE WILD. end rant


 

#70 CHASLX200

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 08:01 PM

THESE PRICES ARE WILD. end rant

Good or bad wild?


 

#71 Lucas.Maguire

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 08:05 PM

Good or bad wild?

even for a lot of 5, 6k sounds steep on some items haha


 

#72 scout

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 08:10 PM

Just nothing i want and with my luck i would get a box of rocks.  Now if they had 1970's thru 90's stuff Then i would be all over it and get a new 826 and another shot at a Meade 7" ED.

You'd actually drive from Florida to California to buy those?


 

#73 CHASLX200

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Posted 08 January 2025 - 08:13 PM

You'd actually drive from Florida to California to buy those?

Not with my EV as range was cut back to 80 % gent.  I would pay someone to bring em to me.


 

#74 Terra Nova

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Posted 09 January 2025 - 11:49 AM

A contributing factor is the market shift away from visual to imaging. Askar, Zwo, William Optics and others have capitalized on it, while Orion and Meade lagged behind. In any event, it's sad to see. Perhaps a re-imagined Orion/Meade company will emerge from the ashes.

Maybe a re-imagined Meade/Coronado focused on SCTs, H-alpha solar, eyepieces, and maybe mounts and imaging? Those were things they did best and that people miss. I can see no need to re-imagine Orion? They didn’t really make or innovate anything, particularly in the last ten years. Agena, Astronomics, HighPoint, and Oberwerk fill their niche and do a much better job IMO.


Edited by Terra Nova, 09 January 2025 - 11:51 AM.

 

#75 starman876

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Posted 09 January 2025 - 12:48 PM

Rumors are the auction got canceled


 


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