From: jfbn@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (james.f.burnell)
Subject: Re: Experiences with telescope mail order
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 18:21:20 GMT
Summary: Mail Order Experiences: Try Wholesale Optics of PA


    I and most of the people in the two astronomy clubs that I belong to really
like dealing with Wholesale Optics of Pennsylvania, not to be confused with
Pauli's Wholesale Optical in Danbury CT.
Glenn Jacobs is the name of the owner, he comes to most of the astronomy
get-togethers in the NY-NJ-PA-CT area. His prices are some of the best around
and you get real personal service. I've never had a problem returning something
I was dissatisfied with, and he is quite often willing to cut a package deal,
especially when you're buying big-ticket items. He usually sends the stuff out
the same day, and if he doesn't have it in stock he'll tell you (unlike the NYC
outfits that charge your credit card immediately and then put the item on back-
order for a couple of months!). In addition to his stock of Celestron, Meade,
TeleVue and other name-brand stuff, he has an amazing stock of small lots of
unusual stuff. His shop over is Moscow, PA is a real hole-in-the-wall kind of
place that is a real kick to visit. You never know what you might find there.
If you're trying to find something unusual in the way of astronomy-related
equipment it's worth giving him a call.
    Another good dealer is Roger Tuthill. He's not the least expensive, but
his service is top-notch. He is also a heck of a nice guy. He has been selling
scopes out of his home in Mountainside, NJ for years and is one of the first
independent Celestron dealers. He also sells Meade, TeleVue and other name-brand
stuff. He also used to be an avid ATM. His ads in Sky&Tel are a bit corny, but
he is really serious when he offers to help you out over the phone with
telescope optical stuff. He unpacks, inspects and collimates every scope he
sells (he tries to steer you away from Meade SCTs because he has seen soo many
quality problems over the years) He is also really good about refunding your
money if you are dissatisfied.
    A funny story related to that is when somebody ordered a Coulter 17.5"
scope from Roger and had a lot of custom work done on it (replacement of the
focusser and spider). They guy who bought it did not realize how big the scope
really is and when it was delivered his wife took one look at it and told him
that if the scope comes in she'd go out. The poor guy called Roger and asked
him if he could get his money back. Roger gave him a refund and ended up with
this scope sitting in his garage for a year until he finally sold it at a loss
because he needed the room for stock. Not something you'd ever see happen with
one of those money-grabbing NYC camera stores.
    I have no affiliation with either Glenn Jacobs or Roger Tuthill, except for
being a satisfied customer. I just dislike subsidizing these big-name places 
who offer no service and frequently deliver damaged, shoddy or misrepresented
products.

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Jim Burnell    | The opinions expressed here are solely my own and
AT&T Bell Labs | do not represent those of AT&T.
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