etx 90 goto, new, $275? Huh?

Anyone know what's up with that meade factory outlet? I see two interesting things there, in particular an etx90 on a one arm autostar mount with tripod and accessories... for $275 SHIPPED (!)

There's also a 4.5" f8 newtonian OTA for $50 shipped (including tube rings, 2" focuser, and finder!) which is crying out to be turned into a cheap homebuilt version of Orion's $200 4.5 Dob, maybe for my daughter and/or nephew. Sure would make a nice finder at that price, too.

Hell, just the finder and focuser off the newt tube are worth more than $50 if you were to buy them new.

Is this legit? Is the stuff OK quality?

I just bought a scope from them, some crappy Meade Quasar DS-60 for a secondary travel-type scope. So far, I have a tracking number for UPS ground and no shipping to pay for (not to mention it was less than 50 bucks). As far as I can tell it is run by different people than the ones who answer the phones at Meade, but it's all still the same company. Make sense? I have stopped going to their Ebay site though because I am afraid I won't be able to stop buying stuff. Hope this helps.

Clear Skies!

>>>Hell, just the finder and focuser off the newt tube are worth more than $50 if you were to buy them new. --
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The 4.5 inch Meade Newts I have seen have a plastic focuser... The whole OTA is a decent deal for $50 I think.

Jon