Hello Friend,

                             Everybody loves to get a bargain.   No question about it

And sometimes what appears to be  a really good deal, can turn out to be a really bad deal.

Lately, we've had a few customers buying telescopes on Kijiji, and then finding out they don't work,
and then bringing them in to find out why.

In one instance, the telescope was a newtonian reflector, a 4.5" size which retails for about $200 brand new.

    Now this fellow had thought he had gotten a really good deal, paying only 50 bucks for it.

Only problem is, the telescope had a secondary mirror missing  (In reflector type telescopes, which use mirrors,
you generally have two mirrors....the larger one at the bottom of the tube which collects the light, and the
smaller "secondary" at the top which reflects the light from the main mirror to the eyepiece.

    So, if the secondary mirror is not there, guess what? You will see nothing in the eyepiece.

So, after ordering a secondary mirror to replace the missing one,  and paying for the technician to collimate
it as well, this so called bargain turned out to be no bargain at all.

  He could have purchased a new one, with full warranty for about the same amount of money.

In another instance, a young fellow and his dad, had purchased a telescope for about $250 used, and the
issue with this instrument is that the mirrors were totally out of alignment, as the scope had been dissasembled
and reassembled by the previous owner, who probably wondered why he could not get an image in the first place.

He obviously wasn't thrilled to learn this.

The stripped screw on the main  mirror holder was a bit of a giveaway in this instance.

The retail price of that telescope new, was $289.

Not much of a savings after all the hassle involved, is it?

But that's how it goes sometimes.

Just be real careful and be sure that you get a demonstration of the
instrument, before you consider purchasing an unknown quantity.

And that is why, whenever a telescope is traded in, our technician gives it a full going over, just to ensure that
all parts are intact, and all electronics are functioning properly, and collimation of the optics is spot on,
before it goes out on the sales floor for resale.

      Clear Skies,

Ray Khan

PS We accept trade in's of all kinds, and all makes and brands.  If you are looking to upgrade or even downgrade
      then give us all call, or just drop by the store.  You can reach us at 416 783 4140 or Toll Free 1 800 580 7160
      or email info@khanscope.com