Page 1 of 1

three vendors same apparent scope

Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2019 11:47 pm
by notFritzArgelander
What's up? Is there an arbitrage opportunity here? :)

https://www.altairastro.com/Starwave-AS ... cuser.html

599 GBP converts to $748.90

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... cuser.html

545.38 EUR converts to $612.65

https://www.landseaskyco.com/altair-asc ... cuser.html

versus $775.

What am I missing?

Re: three vendors same apparent scope

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 1:53 am
by Lady Fraktor
The Altair version have always been slightly higher than the TS versions of the same telescope.
Possibly a bit more tweaking from Altair? I have never understood why.
Import fees?

Re: three vendors same apparent scope

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 1:57 am
by notFritzArgelander
Either that or transportation costs. The UK hasn’t Brexited yet. Of course the buyer needs to consider shipping and other costs.

Re: three vendors same apparent scope

Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2019 7:28 pm
by dghent
Rebranding of the same production models of telescopes and other items in the astronomy world is exceedingly common. Chinese telescopes are made by a few companies, and these companies will brand the telescopes they make for TS, William Optics, Altair, Orion, and so-on. Differences between one brand of the same telescope with another's may be just what name and logo is silkscreened onto the side of the dew shield. Some might include some extra accessories or different mounting option. Colors may be different. Some might spec reduced or stricter quality controls on what comes off the assembly line. But underneath, they are the same telescope.

This happens with cameras as well. Cameras made by ToupTek are marketed directly by them, as well as Altair and MaillinCam. QHY's cameras used to be rebranded and sold under the CCD-Labs name. Again, here we can find just cosmetic differences, as well as differences in quality control. These aspects inform the prices you see in the end.