37 replies to this topic

[kopite]

I’ve bought lots of astronomy related stuff from Amazon. Just a month ago I bought a 12” Sky-Watcher Flextube SynScan with GOTO Dob for $2300 which was $500 cheaper than most of the  traditional astronomy vendors were selling it, although I did see after I had ordered it that Adorama had it for the same price. I’m a Prime member so always get free shipping and usually it’s delivered in one to two days, even the same day on small orders over $25. I also charge all my purchases to my Amazon credit card and get an additional 5% off and pay the card off every month so there is no interest charges.

 

Never had any problem with returns, they email you a return shipping label and you just take it to your local UPS and they box it and ship it back to Amazon for free. In fact, when I bought the Sky Watcher there was a problem with the hand controller and I emailed Sky-Watcher via my Amazon account. Someone from Sky-Watcher in CA called me within a couple of hours, went through the issue with me and I ended up returning it and they sent me another one in a couple of days. 
 

The trick is just to buy items that are sold and shipped by Amazon but are supplied by the original manufacturer (Sky-Watcher, Celestron, etc). I have also bought from many of the traditional vendors directly (Highpoint Scientific, Astronomics, Agena etc.) as well and have also had some problems and returns, so nothing is guaranteed regardless of who you buy from.

 

I made my first purchase yesterday from Adorama and it was shipped the same day and I got free 2 day air shipping and it’s scheduled to be delivered tomorrow (Televue Delite 5 mm eyepiece). I thought that was pretty impressive and their prices are usually competitive. I usually buy based on price and the quality of the vendor. 
 

Good luck with your purchase.

[rdjamieson]

My family has purchased enough stuff from Amazon to float the sovereign debt of a small country.  Only had a product issue a couple times, and Amazon was extremely helpful with the return.  All of that said, I purposely do not purchase astronomy gear from Amazon, because I want to support vendors who actually are in the hobby.  That means Astronomics first, and if they don’t have what I need, then one of the several other reputable vendors in the hobby.

[BlueMoon]

 

Is it safe to buy an expensive telescope from Amazon?

I buy plenty of stuff from Amazon (if I can't find and buy it locally) ... a telescope, expensive or otherwise, isn't among it.

 

I buy telescopes from established reputable dealers who know their products and have excellent customer service reputations. Amazon doesn't cut it in either regard.   

Edited by BlueMoon, 26 June 2025 - 08:24 AM.

[maniack]

I don't get the hesitancy to buy from Amazon due to "support". When it comes to returns and support they are hard to match, with maybe Walmart being in the same conversation due to the ease of in-store returns and generally longer return policies.

 

Some of the other stores that folks use have pretty bad return policies, for example Adorama (even for defective equipment!). Some of those stores also sell open box items as new.

 

I don't expect the retailer to support the relatively generic telescopes I buy, unless it's someone like Astronomics (who are great by the way). I don't care for Amazon as a company, but in the current world of basically no brick and mortar options for anything other than cheap junk scopes it's hard to buy sight unseen with a poor return policy. Then again all of my current scopes are bought used largely without return options, but then the price is discounted accordingly.

[Paul Sweeney]

I buy from dealers with a good return policy. Only an astronomy shop can give you good advice, and that is worth a lot more than the couple of bucks that you saved on Amazon.

[rfcooley]

Is it safe to buy an expensive telescope from Amazon?

Most of my OTAs were bought used. When I purchase high dollar items (new OTAs or mounts) I have purchased them from Mike at Astronomics or Scott Losmandy. I own and use Losmandy mounts. Both vendors have given me excellent customer service and both of them can answer any questions or advice I may have or need. How many vendors out there that the owner will return your call. I have talked with both Mike and Scott in regards to issues or advice on several occasions.  While Amazon return policy are pretty strait forward and I have had no serious issues with inexpensive purchases. I have never had Jeff Bezos call me to answer a question or offer me advice on a purchase.

 

That being said, expensive items I prefer dealing with a reputable vendor and recommend the same. It is not worth trying to save a couple of bucks that a mass marketer may save you and sacrifice after purchase service should you have questions or need advice as to the products they sold you.

 

Clear Skies, Never Lose the Wonder

 

RF

[Bearcub]

It doesnt really matter much where from if telescope is good, whats really not sure is packaging and how delivery people drop the box.. The boxes dont even sustain visible damage even if dropped, but just how securely telescopes are packaged through amazon?

[VNA]

Hello, did buy an SCT 10", but I wanted to see it. Fortunately it was only 50 miles away.

One should make sure to see it prior, or send someone close to the item to check it out. Good luck.

[maniack]

It doesnt really matter much where from if telescope is good, whats really not sure is packaging and how delivery people drop the box.. The boxes dont even sustain visible damage even if dropped, but just how securely telescopes are packaged through amazon?

Not really any different from other places, which can be hit or miss. I bought solar telescopes from Svbony (not through Amazon), and they put some plastic wrap on the original boxes and shipped them. The C5 I bought used from Amazon Resale on the other hand was inside it's soft padded case, within the original Celestron box, nested in an Amazon box.

[12BH7]

I once dealt with a vendor buying a VERY expensive telescope that turned out to be a nightmare.

 

I personally don't buy expensive electronics or astronomy gear from amazon. I buy my expensive electronics from reputable dealers as I do with my expensive astronomy equipment. 

 

Bottom line is amazon or vendor, know who you're dealing with. 

[mwhite3]

Amazon returns things, nearly no questions asked. Never had an issue, and I wish MORE was sold here. SVBony for the win! They are amazing

 

I'm the one that got almost screwed over by Adorama, as someone already linked.

 

Some other reputable vendors really dont compare to Amazon personally. Then if a seller gives you a hassle, you have the option, (if you have good mental karma you believe), to open a claim against them and you get will refunded regardless.

[BSeward]

A couple of years ago I bought a 70mm Mak from Amazon for $149.00... Worth every penny. A couple days later, the price dropped to $99.00. I contacted Amazon to see if they would maybe refund me the fifty bucks. After a bit of conversation they offered me a refund on the whole price of the scope. I told the guy thatI list wanted the fifty dollars and didn't want to return the scope. He told me that they'd refund my $149.00 +tax, and keep the telescope. I thanked him profusely, and hung up, amazed.

[JoeFaz]

Most of the astro suppliers seem to be doing their best to be decent companies that try to take care of their customers and keep the hobby going in a very difficult business and economic climate. Just support decent businesses... Amazon can do what they do because they exploit and abuse their employees, get special (hard-to-imagine-how-it's-legal) tax benefits, and are able to make special (also-hard-to-imagine-how-it's-legal) deals with the postal service.