[SJAAboard] Low-end scopes

[Gary Mitchell]

Mark Wagner wrote:

>>>Yes exactly!  When I say we should not be discouraging folks from
>>
>>buying it at the auction, this is the sort of thing that could be
>>mentioned... that has limitations for folks starting out, but
>>would be good for someone with experience.
> 
> 
> OK, so some noob comes along, and you tell some noob that its probably not a scope for them
> (gingerly dancing around the fact that its a PoS).  But they still decide that $25 is exactly what
> they want to spend on a scope, and they buy it.  How are you going to feel when no matter what you
> told them, they are disappointed and think the hobby stinks?

If you tell someone not to stick their finger in the cage
because the critter will bite, and they do anyway... and get
bit.  How do you feel?  Me?  I'd just smile and say "told ya."

Look, we're NOT people's mother.  The annual auction is our main
fund raiser for the club.  The goal of an auction is to sell
stuff at whatever price the market will bear.  If we're going
take it upon ourselves to be Big Brother and regulate who should
buy what, then we should stop doing the auction right now!

As long as we're honest and up-front about each item, that's all
we can or should do.  Beyond that, we should be promoting the
auction AND each item.

>>We're trying to run an auction here.  That means selling stuff.  The
>>last thing we should do is bad-mouth our own offerings.  It's easy
>>enough to warn off beginners and be honest without saying "this is
>>a PoS."
> 
> 
> Its a matter of how the club is perceived.  Yes, it is an auction.  Sotheby runs auctions too, but
> I bet they don't put PoS merchandise up... they have a reputation to uphold.  Is the $25 worth it?

Yes, it's worth it... well worth it.

Our reputation is NOT at stake.  This is where that 'honest
disclosure' comes into play.  We've never been bashful about
describing the plusses and minuses of each item.  That more
than covers us.  In fact, that's part of the appeal.  Many
people really seem to enjoy the descriptions and on-the-spot
evaluations of the auctioneer.  I remember a pair of binoculars
was described by Jay as being an excellent doorstop. :)  It
sold anyway.  Great!  :)

If we're going to take the stance you're suggesting, then the
board should establish some minimum quality requirement for the
auction.  Basically:  No item will be accepted at the auction
unless it meets the SJAA minimum standards.

Are you sure that's the path you want the club to take?

My point is that practically any item is a good deal for some
purpose.  It depends on what you're going to do with it.

Suppose a cheap scope has a cracked objective.   You and Rob
apparently would advertise: "This scope is just junk!"  But me,
I'd try to talk it up, pointing out its good aspects:  "The
objective is cracked, so what you're getting here is a great
little OTA for those who want to work on their own scope, but
not work too hard on it. ;)  Put in a good objective and you'll
really have something here!"

See?  Honest disclosure, but talk it up.  Now what they're
buying isn't a scope, but a tube.

If some idiot buys that scope thinking they can take it outside
later that night and see detail on Pluto... well, I feel no
guilt whatsoever.  (told ya it'd bite)

And here's where SJAA's reputation shines:  I'd invite the idiot
to our beginner class and Houge star parties, hoping we might be
able to drill some sense through that thick scull.  If not, at
least we tried... can't save 'em all.

Gary