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Posts Made By: Thomas Little

August 18, 2012 11:24 AM Forum: Star Parties

Stellafane 2012

Posted By Thomas Little

I'm at this year's Stellafane. We were rained out last night, but excellent talks at the Flander's pavilion.

This morning I went to the swap tables to check out the action. A member of the Westport, CT club had a wide assortment of Televue equiptment, and other high end scopes and eyepieces. A well-known national wholesaler of astronomy equiptment, who was set up and moving his "junk" as he put it swooped in and bought him out! Virtually everything Martin had to sell was bought by a wholesaler for resale! Is this what Stellafane is about folks???

August 19, 2012 12:25 AM Forum: Star Parties

Sales and use taxes applicable at star parties

Posted By Thomas Little

What are the sales taxes relevant to buying and selling in Vermont and star parties in particular? I was speaking with one of Stellafane's members who said that sales at the star party likely fit into the tag sale rule and were exempt from sales taxes. Here is the state's site on taxation: http://www.state.vt.us/tax/index.shtml

It looks like all real sales are hit with a 6% tax. Does anyone know the law on this, the requirement for invoicing, etc.?

October 10, 2012 02:20 PM Forum: Reflectors

Retrieving images on ads

Posted By Thomas Little

Retrieving images on ads?

How do I do this? I bought an item and would like to retrieve the ad.

Thanks, Tom

December 8, 2012 01:31 PM Forum: Reflectors

Updating ads

Posted By Thomas Little

I ran an ad but it disappeared after a couple weeks. I paid for the ad and renewed my subscription. How do I re-run the ad???

December 22, 2012 09:41 PM Forum: Reflectors

EQUIPMENT DAMAGED IN SHIPMENT PROCEDURE

Posted By Thomas Little

I shipped a telescope sold here via FedEx that got damaged in shipment. I had a local shipping company do the packaging, two boxes supposedly expert, professional methods on this job. I got a disturbing email today from the recipient that the telescope had been badly damaged in shipment.

What is the usual procedure in cases like this? I have already emailed the the shipping company and my insurance company. FedEx will need to document the damage as well as the recipient if they do not do their job. When should the paypal transaction be refunded to the customer?

I'm surprised that there is not a section dedicated specifically to getting shipping done right and prevention of problems on this site!!

November 11, 2013 01:10 AM Forum: Reflectors

Shipping telescopes, etc..

Posted By Thomas Little

I recently shipped an average sized reflector telescope with equatorial mount. A tough unit to properly ship, two others had been damaged in shipment, including the last one that I had paid a shipping company to pack and ship. I contacted Westport Astronomical to see if anyone there could help me get the job done. They said, no, they let ups store do their packaging and shipping.

I got the boxes at Home Depot with a roll of bubble wrap, probably their prices are as close to wholesale as anyone. Next I got a bundle of styrofoam nuggets at Claytons, a huge bundle that barely fit in the middle seats of my station wagon. Then I went to FedEx where they let me work and get the item properly wrapped and boxed up, etc.. This took a good hour and a half. There should be a shipping section there with recommendations with all the concerns and options to prevent loss and damage. I would be glad to field questions on the issue. Experience is a hard teacher, better get pointers from others.

March 3, 2011 04:18 PM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

Ad message system working?

Posted By Thomas Little

I listed an ad yesterday and did not see it today on my 100MM binoculars. Plus it looks like someone was trying to spam me on an advertising deal elsewhere.

Does anyone here have a recommendation for an alternate astronomy ad site to this one?

August 18, 2012 11:49 AM Forum: Star Parties

Stellafane 2012

Posted By Thomas Little

Here are the swap tables rules as stated on the Stellafane site:

POLICY OF THE SPRINGFIELD TELESCOPE MAKERS REGARDING COMMERCIALISM
AND THE SWAP TABLES AT THE CONVENTION

The Springfield Telescope Makers, Inc. has clarified its policy regarding commercialism and Swap Table sales at the Stellafane convention. For the sake of historical continuity, to preserve the uniqueness of the Stellafane convention and to encourage conventioneers to build their own instruments, the Springfield Telescope Makers, Inc. do not allow commercial sales, of any kind, at the Stellafane convention. All swap table sales must comply, in concept, with the above objective but are also specifically subject to the following criteria:
1. Only surplus astronomical, telescope and telescope making related items may be sold.
2. Each person will be allowed 16 square feet of table or ground space.
3. Items which have the appearance of being specifically purchased or manufactured for sale at the Swap Tables may not be sold.
4. All sales must take place within the designated Swap Table area only between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., the Saturday of the Stellafane convention.

http://stellafane.org/convention/2012/2012-schedule.html#SatSwap