114 replies to this topic

[Battlestamps]

First let's all play nice, please.

 

I've been looking at the changes at AliExpress and at this point it's no longer a viable market of astronomy gear for U.S. based buyers.

 

SvBony's prices there have increases for many items from the Redline eyepieces, UFF types and other gear. They seem to be the least affected and I suspect it's because they moved a lot of stock to the U.S. before the hammer fell.

 

Other brands of gear like that branded by Sky Rover, Explore Scientific, Celestron, Angeleyes and others? A few things:

 

1. Prices have escalated.

 

2. Item is "unavailable in for shipping to your country".

 

3. Just gone - dead links.

 

4. It's still there, price looks normal, still ships to the U.S., but look at the additional charges when you try to buy it. I'm going to leave an example link so you can see for yourself. You'll see the final price if you try to buy it.

 

Sky Watcher 9mm XWA:

 

https://www.aliexpre...N78fknsFCMJjZZA

 

Oof! It is what it is. No need to theoretically discuss tariffs and economic theory, etc. Just a FYI post.  

[Battlestamps]

For giggles, the most expensive eyepiece I've ever seen:

 

https://www.aliexpre...N78fknsFCMJjZZA

[RLK1]

I've noticed a number of my preferred vendors on Aliexpress have no products listed when you click on the appropriate links whereas they were full of offerings pre-tariffs.

 

I had also previously posted in another thread on this forum that prices would go up on Aliexpress because of the tariffs but that was dismissed by some posters, i.e. "that's not how tariffs work" etc.

 

Uh huh....

Edited by RLK1, 26 April 2025 - 03:19 PM.

[PirateMike]

And it appears that things are running out at our usual US astro sites.

 

I just bought a AM5N before the price shot through the roof once the new stock hits the ports.

 

 

Pirate

[Dulcimore]

...this too shall pass.

[Inkie]

Used it once for primary mirror springs, lots of notices to see messages, product never showed up.  A cheap lesson to me.

[RLK1]

My hope is that the de minimis exception will be reinstated as some products are still available but we'll have to wait and see. I'm guessing if it's a mess at customs and other points of entry on May 2nd or shortly thereafter, then there may be some backtracking on it.  Still, however, it's obvious the tariff situation has taken its toll on Aliexpress. Having ordered a number of items from their vendors without significant issues, I'd certainly like the option of being able to do so...

[geekay]

Zero problems getting rock-bottom prices from AliExpress when ordering from here in Japan.

Edited by geekay, 27 April 2025 - 10:50 AM.

[laurent the french (sorry)]

Zero problems from AliExpress when ordering from  France.

Edited by laurent the french (sorry), 27 April 2025 - 08:22 AM.

[maniack]

I've bought diagonals, mounts, eyepieces, adapters, and other odds and ends through AliExpress. Looking through my order history either items are no longer available from sellers (listing removed or not shipping to the US), or the price is at least 2x with tariffs included.

 

The last thing I just received was a Sky Rover mount from their official store. This is the same as the Astro-tech Voyager III, just sold under KUO's own brand for a bit less and actually in stock until recently. Now it shows that it can't be shipped to the US.

[GrassLakeRon]

First let's all play nice, please.

I've been looking at the changes at AliExpress and at this point it's no longer a viable market of astronomy gear for U.S. based buyers.

SvBony's prices there have increases for many items from the Redline eyepieces, UFF types and other gear. They seem to be the least affected and I suspect it's because they moved a lot of stock to the U.S. before the hammer fell.

Other brands of gear like that branded by Sky Rover, Explore Scientific, Celestron, Angeleyes and others? A few things:

1. Prices have escalated.

2. Item is "unavailable in for shipping to your country".

3. Just gone - dead links.

4. It's still there, price looks normal, still ships to the U.S., but look at the additional charges when you try to buy it. I'm going to leave an example link so you can see for yourself. You'll see the final price if you try to buy it.

Sky Watcher 9mm XWA:

https://www.aliexpre...N78fknsFCMJjZZA

Oof! It is what it is. No need to theoretically discuss tariffs and economic theory, etc. Just a FYI post.

If you really wanted one, our good friends at astronomic has the same eyepiece....cheaper. As long as US supplies of these hold out, it won't be so bad.

[Battlestamps]

If you really wanted one, our good friends at astronomic has the same eyepiece....cheaper. As long as US supplies of these hold out, it won't be so bad.

I don't need one. I was just using that as an example. I have the APM version that I bought a few years ago.

[RLK1]

"As long as US supplies of these hold out, it won't be so bad."

 

Er, ah, with all of the "out of stock" and the proverbial "more on the way" notifications on the various astro vendor sites, excuse me if I have my doubts! Afterall, most of this stuff is sourced from China anyway.

[GrassLakeRon]

"As long as US supplies of these hold out, it won't be so bad."

Er, ah, with all of the "out of stock" and the proverbial "more on the way" notifications on the various astro vendor sites, excuse me if I have my doubts! Afterall, most of this stuff is sourced from China anyway.

I know

[geekay]

I just did a price comparison on the Svbony 6mm "redline."

Purchased from AliExpress using an address in Japan: $18.50.

Purchased from AliExpress using an address in the United States: $49.27

 

The other eyepieces in the "redline" lineup had similar eye-watering markups.

 

[cmdr_disco]

So I had an experience there that I should probably share.  I bought a 2inch slow speed focuser for my DOB and what I received was different.  On the plus side, it was an upgraded unit.  On the negative side, it was completely broken.

 

I'm thinking whatever supply chain issues this particular seller was having, they resorted to reselling broken equipment in hopes that it will stick with someone.  That person was almost me until the folks on here helpfully confirmed that it was totally borked.  I even messaged the seller video of it and they said it looked fine to them.  Thankfully AliExpress got involved and issued the refund.  They aren't really a single entity so its luck of the draw as to what kind of seller you get.  And hard times have probably made them more desperate.

 

Anyhow more on point of the topic, focusers are hard to find anywhere, from our local resellers to online, so I think again its just hard times.

[jrussell]

I just did a price comparison on the Svbony 6mm "redline."

Purchased from AliExpress using an address in Japan: $18.50.

Purchased from AliExpress using an address in the United States: $49.27

 

The other eyepieces in the "redline" lineup had similar eye-watering markups.

 

Zoinks. I'm glad I bought the set a couple of years ago when they were available for $30.

[russell23]

I've always bought from US vendors like Astronomics, Agena, Eyepiecesetc (when Don was still in business), and a few others.   The tariffs may cause equipment shortages and price increases for a period of time.  But it is something that will get worked out.  We live in such an instant gratification culture these days.  I remember waiting about 6 months for my 10.1" Coulter dob to arrive when Don Yeier ordered it for me in 1984.  We've gotten used to being able to order most things and have them arrive within a few days - even when shipped directly from overseas. 

 

Dave

[Astro-Goat]

Zero problems from AliExpress when ordering from  France.

Same here. Zero problems ordering from AliExpress to Canada.

 

This seems like an American issue only at the moment

Edited by Astro-Goat, 28 April 2025 - 02:21 PM.

[OzViking]

One other thing to chew over, too.

 

The tariffs have effectively stopped all (or most of) the China -> USA shipping. So what's arriving in the stores now happened to be on the boats when the tariff war started.

 

Even if the USA and China sorted things out today, and China's factories were able to immediately start back at full production and there were containers and boats waiting to ship those goods, there would still be a period of at least a month where goods are not arriving in your stores. Simply because the transportation "pipeline" is empty.

 

V.

[geekay]

One other thing to chew over, too.

 

The tariffs have effectively stopped all (or most of) the China -> USA shipping. So what's arriving in the stores now happened to be on the boats when the tariff war started.

 

Even if the USA and China sorted things out today, and China's factories were able to immediately start back at full production and there were containers and boats waiting to ship those goods, there would still be a period of at least a month where goods are not arriving in your stores. Simply because the transportation "pipeline" is empty.

 

V.

When (if?) the issues are resolved, I'd wager it would be closer to six months — and perhaps much longer — for stock levels of astronomy gear in the United States to return to pre-tariff levels. I certainly wouldn't plan on giving or receiving astro gifts this coming Christmas.

As for prices of the gear, well, those aren't likely to ever return to what folks paid before this situation arose.

[tocster]

When (if?) the issues are resolved, I'd wager it would be closer to six months — and perhaps much longer — for stock levels of astronomy gear in the United States to return to pre-tariff levels. I certainly wouldn't plan on giving or receiving astro gifts this coming Christmas.

As for prices of the gear, well, those aren't likely to ever return to what folks paid before this situation arose.

Yes even if the tarrifs get removed in a month or so I am expecting the prices will probably go up a bit across the board.  Real question is if non US customers will see price increases?  For the moment Aliexpress prices seem to be stable for folks outside the US.   

 

I guess even in that case it could be an chance for newer Chinese players to undercut prices - seems like there is a new harmonic drive mount manufacturer coming out every week.  

[Astro-Goat]

As for prices of the gear, well, those aren't likely to ever return to what folks paid before this situation arose.

That's exactly what I said before and 100% agree. 
Vendors will never go back down to prices before. Once vendors know WE are going to pay a higher cost, they'll keep it there. 

[waso29]

Prices from Takahashi have been stable for over two decades from Astronomics.  Support Astronomics.  Avoid Ali.

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[Astro-Goat]

Prices from Takahashi have been stable for over two decades from Astronomics.  Support Astronomics.  Avoid Ali.

  stable huh? ya, paying a premium for what they are worth.