Where and how to buy...

Folks - I'd appreciate any advice on where to purchase my next 'scope. Here is what I'm intending to do...

I'm looking to buy a high end refractor (TAK, AP, preferably 5") and high end mount (EM200, NJP, 900AP or 1200AP).

Having done the research, it seems a purchase from the US seems to be the best way to go (for both availability and base price). The problem I'm having though is figuring out taxes. I understand from Customs that an import tax of about 4 to 4.5% is payable and then 21% VAT on top. These taxes apply to second-hand equipment also.

I'm going over to the US soon for a vacation and am thinking of pre-purchasing said equipment and picking it up.

If anyone has done this before and is prepared to offer advice, I'd really appreciate it.

Many thanks

Dave McDonald

If your going to get a scope in a shop in the US, there is no real need to actually visit the shop.
There is probabily a big lead time of highly sought after scopes like a takahashi, they might not have one in stock when you walk in the door, ring the shop well in advance if your going over there to get one.
I get alot of bits and pieces from the US, and they're very happy to take a credit card number.

There is a customs tax as you mention on equipment imported, short of carring it in your suitcase on the way back, theres no way around it.
Some places like Florida dn NewYork have extra taxes, just be aware of it.

You'll find that shipping heavy large pieces like mounts is going to be expensive. I know someone who actually managed to bring back a LX90 as hand luggage!, this was pre 9/11 of course.

Dave,
Welcome to the IFAS site! I hope you enjoy your time here!

As for your telescope, I'd contact various dealers across the US before heading over there. Some of the AP scopes have waiting lists of several years. As a result, second-hand versions can often sell for more than the original price!

As for Tak, they should be easier to get your hands on. Some dealers will usually have these in stock - such as Astronomics for example.

As for the mount, again you're looking at only a handful of dealers in the entire US who may actually have these in stock. If it were me I'd contact the following three dealers:
OPT www.optcorp.com
Astronomics www.astronomics.com
Anacortes www.buytelescopes.com/
If these three don't have what your looking for, then you will most likely have to go on a waiting list with the manufacturer.

On the other hand, have you looked at Astromart www.astromart.com It's a buy-and-sell website of astro gear. Although I'm the type that would normally NEVER buy second-hand stuff, I have found Astromart surprisingly good. For my next telescope purchase, that's the first place I'd turn to as you can get some excellent deals on astro gear in immaculate condition. Traders have a star rating which allows a level of comform when purchasing equipment.

short of carring it in your suitcase on the way back, theres no way around it.

And Customs are getting very annoying about checking what you bring back also...

Folks - thanks for all the feedback - very much appreciated.

I guess to clarify, I've done the research and have highlighted available taks (few and far between but not impossible to get) and I'm still on the list for a AP Starfire155EDFS/1200. (soon to be 160 EDFS I understand)

I saw a post a few days ago from a guy who was 'called up' by AP - he first went on the list at the start of 1999! I went on the list at the start of 2003 so I guess I still have four years to wait at least!

Anyway, its still a hard choice - I can't quite figure out what will give me my biggest bang for the buck

- buy from the US, have it shipped and pay the taxes
- buy from the UK, have it shipped and pay the taxes
- buy from A&S (yes, I've seen the posts on this site...)

Astromart is a great site - there's quality scopes/mounts with seemingly very genuine sellers who have good star ratings. So that's always an option. Having never owned a 4" or 5" Tak, I'd assume that at least the OTA would fit in hand luggage - though I haven't flown international since 9/11...

And there are of course some European sellers on Astromart too which could be a blessing assuming the right scope came up. Though there's more availability in the US.

Is it cheaper to buy from the US or UK? Anyone had that experience?

Astroguy - will follow up with you...

So, what a conundrum... I'm at the point now where I might consider getting another high end apo from eg Televue - more research (groan) - but more availabilty and cheaper but possibly less quality (and by the way, I'm not a 'label' person but this investment is a one-off - buy cheap, buy twice...)

Alternatively, take all this cash burning a hole in my pocket, invest it in AIB and wait for AP to come up trumps in 2008...

Dave
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- buy from the US, have it shipped and pay the taxes
- buy from the UK, have it shipped and pay the taxes
- buy from A&S (yes, I've seen the posts on this site...)

A couple of years back I bought a Meade LXD55 and was lookng at those options (well the first two anyway!).

I came to the conclusion that I was not spending enough money to benefit from the extra hassle of buying from the US, so ended up getting it from the UK. {and if anyone from celestron is reading this I own a meade because I couldnt get a celestron at a decent price here since you wont allow your UK dealers to sell in the republic}.

The problem for me was warranty. And since you are talking about better manufacturers this may not be such a big issue. Meade warranty is only good in the country it was bought basically, so if I had a problem with a US scope I would have to ship it back. The best way around this is to have the scope shipped to an intermediarry, and have them check the parts, test the scope, and then ship it on. For the LXD55 the cost of this made the US price about the same as the UK.

I cant imagine that you would get better value here or in the UK for a scope even taking insured shipping, taxes, testing etc. into account.

The best advice would be to contact suppliers here, in the UK, and the US and just do the sums.

Cheers,
~Al

p.s. I have taken a 4" Mak on as handluggage since 9/11 to Italy and back and had no problems. Provided you have some documentation, with pictures, showing that it is actually a telescope you'll be fine (advice from the Airport Police at Dublin). The insited that my Manfrotto mount go in the hold though, so pack things well. a 4" refractor would of course be a differnt matter since they are longer, you'd need to check with the airport and the carrier before bringing that.