On April 7, I eMailed EZTelescope.com to see if they offered a 2" replacement focuser for my telescope. I received the following response (cut and pasted from the eMail):
"I do still make them occasionally. I pretty much just sell three items through Digitec Optical. I can get you a focuser in just a few days with no problem. You can still use the electric focuser but I really think you'll
find that you won't want to. The electric tends to overshoot focus and once you get the feel of the new unit you'll understand why. You might also like
the 2' model. It is just a slip on knob but it really gives a nice option and a better feel too. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks,
Chad LaFever
2713 Harper St.
Lawrence, KS 66046
PS. Check or mo is fine. $106 for the small knobbed one including shipping
and $126 for the larger."
The same day, I asked Chad what forms of payment he accepted. He replied the same day:
"Scott, Check or mo would work best if that is ok:) I'm just not using paypal much anymore.
Chad"
I advised him that it would be a few days but that I would send him a money order. He acknowleged my reply and thanked me.
On Monday, April 25, I sent him an eMail to see if he had receivied my money order. His response (which turned out to be my final communication with him) is as follows:
"Hey Scott, I did get it saturday. I was gone quite a bit over the weekend and hadn't gotten to it yet. Thank you! I expect to send it out tomorrow."
After a week had gone by, I eMailed Chad to see if he had sent the item for which I had paid. I received no response via eMail. I followed up with several phone calls to his published telephone number, but received only an answering machine.
I kept my money order receipt, and confirmed that the money order had been cashed.
It has now been over a year since Chad told me he would send out my focuser "tomorrow." I have been in touch with one other person who has sent an item back to Chad for repair, and never received it back.
I have considered filing a small claim against Chad, but the small claims court in Lawrence require the plaintiff to appear personally in court. For me, the cost to personally appear would be several times the amount I am claiming.
The amount I have lost to Chad, $126.00, may seem small, but I saved up for the part, and it continues to bother me that Chad has not only ripped me off, but at least one other person as well.
I know that EZTelescope products are still offered through at least one reputable firm selling photo and astronomical equipment, nevertheless, EZTelescope.com not only does not ship items paid to them directly; they keep products sent back to them for repair, so I cannot stress enough to avoid purchasing products from EZTelescope.com if you are an astronomy enthusiast.
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