First scope in 5 years

Bought a Vixen 110, porta mount. Mount is perfect, but the tube was wrecked from the start. I took it out of the box, and the rear cell fell off the back of the tube, and scratched the mirror. I put it back on, but its not machined correct, and will not tighten, just sits and wobbles on the rear cell. I just put it back in its box very disappointed. While I was dealing with this company I bought it from they responded to every email quickly. Now that I have a problem I cant get a response back. Free shipping is about to turn into (I could have bought two scopes). Is this common now a days with scopes, or just my luck? Wont say who I bought it from but I may before its over. $500 not a lot for people in this hobby, but thats why I been out so long. Have a friend just bought his daughter a wal mart meade. It functions for $150.
T.

Tony Grigsby said:

Bought a Vixen 110, porta mount. Mount is perfect, but the tube was wrecked from the start. I took it out of the box, and the rear cell fell off the back of the tube, and scratched the mirror. I put it back on, but its not machined correct, and will not tighten, just sits and wobbles on the rear cell. I just put it back in its box very disappointed. While I was dealing with this company I bought it from they responded to every email quickly. Now that I have a problem I cant get a response back. Free shipping is about to turn into (I could have bought two scopes). Is this common now a days with scopes, or just my luck? Wont say who I bought it from but I may before its over. $500 not a lot for people in this hobby, but thats why I been out so long. Have a friend just bought his daughter a wal mart meade. It functions for $150.
T.

Tony:

$500 is a lot for me... If the vendor doesn't provide you with a satisfactory solution, I would contact Vixen directly. I believe Mike Fowler who managed OPT for many years is now one of the principles at Vixen and he is a standup guy.

In the mean time, you might look at the Vixen 130ST that Darren Drake is offering on AM for about $95.

Jon

Tony

I only have three guesses:

1. You didnt buy this scope on the advice of your fellow astronomers

2. You didnt buy from a reputable dealer

3. You havent read [COLOR="Blue"]The Light-Hearted Astronomer[/COLOR], [COLOR="Red"]Starware[/COLOR], or [COLOR="Green"]Backyard Astronomer's Guide[/COLOR]

I wish you the best,
John