[SJAAboard] Low-end scopes

[Gary Mitchell]

Mark Wagner wrote:

>>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?
> 
> 
> That's exactly what I've been saying.  I would rather people have a good experience with equipment
> they purchase through the SJAA.  The idea that we'll sell anything to make a buck is repugnant to
> me.

Evidently you didn't see what we were selling at the back of
the room at the last swap!  ;)

I'm not suggesting we pawn off junk to any beginner we can talk
into it.  If that were the case, I'd agree with you.

It boils down to how we handle it, what we say.  At the auction,
and especially at the swap, we're in a position to give good
advice.  So long as we don't misrepresent anything or talk
them into something they really wouldn't like just for a buck,
there's nothing wrong with selling whatever folks are willing
to buy.

At the swap, we had some "junk" scopes.  There were a few people
who were looking for something to start out.

If they're interested in just fooling around or cobbling something
together from parts--and some first timers do--there was a lot to
choose from at the SJAA table.  It depends on the person and what
they're after.  For a first time scope that was good to go, I'd
steered them away from what we had (and what a couple of others
had too) and made some specific suggestions about what to look for.

*THAT* is where the SJAA shines!  A few even came back to consult
some more--one even joined the club on the spot, deciding to take
me up on the offer of using our loaner program before buying a
scope.  And he bought a couple of "junk" trinkets too, just for
fun!  :)

That junk we had sometimes turned out to be a good conversation
starter.  I tried to make it sound good--but wasn't bashful about
its true worth either.  That'd usually get a smile and loosen
folks up to talk more about what they're really after.

If someone felt they got screwed or bought a scope from us and
was turned off to astronomy, that would be repugnant.  But I
have yet to hear of even one instance of that.

There is a higher chance of that at the auction since it's more
formal, we aren't just standing around talking.  That's where our
auctioneer comes in.  I'm not aware of even one case where he
said "this is a great scope for beginners" when it really wasn't.

On the other hand, if we turn a seller away just because we don't
think their scope is good enough for our wonderful auction, that
can very effectively turn people off too, you know.

Now, if you want to have the board formally establish some sort
of honest disclosure policy, I'd be with you on that.

Gary