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Post by Mike on Jul 27, 2011 12:38:36 GMT -5
Hello All, Wanted to let you know as of May of this year Istar Optical has opened an office/shop/distribution center in Southwest Florida - Fort Myers. The majority of scopes will be assembled at this location. Orders will be filled and shipped from here including international sales. This move will increase productivity and decrease shipping times especially in the US. Some have felt there is limited recourse when dealing with a company based overseas. We hope this will alleviate any of those worries. US customers, please feel free to contact me via email for order inquires, inventory, pricing or customer service. Some have said they have a hard time getting through on the phone. This is due to an overwhelming interest in our products. Please leave a message and I promise your call will be returned. However, the best and most efficient method of correspondence is via email.
For the time being, Ales will continue from the Czech Republic. He is busy overseeing production (manufacturing) and designing new scopes that will be released in the next few months.
Thank you, Mike Harden Istar Optical North America
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Post by borispider on Jul 27, 2011 14:47:46 GMT -5
Cool. Close to home  Now you have an office and maybe a lil' showroom? |
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Post by istarmullet on Jul 27, 2011 14:59:02 GMT -5
Will the prior $400 or so in shipping charges from Europe to USA be added to the prices of the OTAs or will the scopes be sold for the prices as reflected on the website?
For warranty or scope issues, should scopes in the USA be sent to the US facility should something ever arise?
Lastly, are you able to provide touch-up paint?
Thanks in advance for replies.
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Post by Mike on Jul 27, 2011 15:28:28 GMT -5
There will always be some shipping incorporated in scopes and accessories as this is just part of the cost. However, shipping multiple tubes, lenses etc unassembled to the US is far less expensive. That is one of the reasons for this move. So the answer is no to adding $400 to the price of scopes. We have also sourced several parts here in the US and this will save on shipping. Warranty and scope issues will most times be shipped to me in Florida. I will then determine if it has to go back to the factory. This will take the burden off the customer to ship oversees. Our scopes are powder coated. So I don't think touch up will look good. I'll have to run that one by Ales. Maybe there is an alternate fix. Or, just don't drop your scope on the concrete.
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Post by Mike on Jul 27, 2011 15:42:34 GMT -5
Mr. Spider, when you are ready to buy a new scope from Istar just let me know and I will arrange a personal tour, refreshments and all. Purchase a Fluorite and I'll throw a pool party and barbecue.  |
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Post by istarmullet on Jul 27, 2011 15:43:10 GMT -5
Great, that 400 for shipping, although extremely acceptable and understandable, hurt. I always prefer speding money on a thing (or beer) rather than a service. Glad to hear that rate is coming down.
I scratched the scope using some old Parralax rings (now replaced with ISTAR rings), I was hoping to at least match the color.
Let us know.
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Post by jamesling1000 on Jul 28, 2011 19:10:44 GMT -5
Mr. Spider, when you are ready to buy a new scope from Istar just let me know and I will arrange a personal tour, refreshments and all. Purchase a Fluorite and I'll throw a pool party and barbecue. Hi Mike..... Are you extending the personal tour, refreshments , as well as pool party and barbecue, to the rest of us as well....Even other part of the world....Haha....... REgards James Ling |
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Post by Mike on Jul 28, 2011 22:48:56 GMT -5
James, you come all the way to South Florida from Malaysia and I'll extend every courtesy I have access to. Of course, you have to bring that giant telescope with you |
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Post by Mike on Jul 31, 2011 0:03:28 GMT -5
Ales says use a "good quality" matte black spray paint. They have tested this themselves and said it worked very well. The new paint blended right in. But he was specific about buying a quality paint. I guess something like Krylon...
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Post by Mike on Aug 5, 2011 13:43:40 GMT -5
I can't tell you why yet but Istar scope sales are about to get a big kick in the pants. ;D
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Post by borispider on Aug 5, 2011 15:38:19 GMT -5
Oooooooooooooo.................. Do tell!!!   |
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Post by mikey cee on Aug 5, 2011 16:23:46 GMT -5
Now what.....Obama's not giving away free telescopes along with free internet service to the "needy" too??  |
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Post by Watcher3 on Aug 5, 2011 19:52:59 GMT -5
HMMMMM. Anything to do with Astronomics or OPT? Just thinking. That would qualify as a "kick in the pants".
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Post by Mike on Aug 9, 2011 22:21:29 GMT -5
Will you, ISTAR, be setting up your own show room in USA or still use retailers to market your product?
We will setup a show room in the US eventually. Just don't know if it will be here in Florida or out west, Arizona?
The other question I would like to know: Is the price from the USA retailer(s) going to be the same price as the one that I placed directly through Istar?
US dealers will charge the same price as available directly from Istar. Prices must be the same to protect the dealers. It will be easier to buy from our dealer(s) in the US if you live in the US. Or, if it's easier to deal with a US dealer than with the Czech Republic (less tax or cheaper shipping?).
Is / are the retailer(s) in USA, displaying your ISTAR products?
Not yet but soon! We did have a Perseus 160 F12 on display at OPT's Southern California Astronomical Expo (SCAE). We also have a scope that will be displayed at Starizona. The wheels are turning. It's all out from now on.
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Post by Watcher3 on Aug 10, 2011 6:44:59 GMT -5
Has any provision been made for retailers to give the ICS 5% members discount?
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