[SJAAboard] Thoughts on requirements for scopes larger than 10"

[Gary Mitchell]

Mark Wagner wrote:

> On Wed, May 14, 2008 11:43 pm, Gary Mitchell wrote:
> 
> 
>>The point was pimping scopes is a very short step away from
>>defining the loaner program as a try-before-you-buy program.
>>At least you're apparently not willing to go that far.
> 
> 
> I think JVN gave some other good reasons for the loaner program, aside from "try before you buy". 
> And I am not saying that is the only reason, I am saying it is *a* reason, and a very good one.

People have all sorts of different reasons for borrowing a
scope.  The question is: why do we have them to loan?

>>>   I think part of the
>>>program's purpose is precisely to allow would be buyers to try scopes out, before plunking down
>>>their money.  I've suggested to numerous people I've met that they do exactly that, join the
>>>SJAA
>>>for a meager $20, and use the loaner scope program in order to determine what type of scope best
>>>fits their needs, in order to not buy something they might later regret.  Is there a problem
>>>serving the astronomy community that way?  I think it is a great value and service.
>>
>>That's different!  I'm surprise you don't seem to be aware of that.
> 
> 
> Again, you're making me laugh.  How is it possible I'd write that if I wasn't aware of it? :-)

Aware that's it's different from what I was saying, not that
you aren't aware of what you write.

> 
>>Using the loaner program to education one's self about the various
>>types of scopes is one thing, but requiring the loaner program to
>>only have scopes that are in the stores is something else.  That's
>>getting close to pimping scopes.
> 
> 
> You are misunderstanding me, or have an immovable misperception.

There appears to be a lot of that going around.


>>>And, BTW, Albert is a commercial manufacturer, ask him.  Wouldn't that scope also fall under the
>>>"try before you buy" criterion as well?  Would you like to ask Albert for a cut? ;-)
>>
>>I don't believe you seriously mean that as an honest question.
> 
> 
> The entire paragraph, or, which part?  The last sentence does have a wink....

The wink is just about asking Albert for a cut, right?

As for the rest... You're comparing apples to oranges.  On the
one hand, we're making a deal with Albert to build a scope for
us.  It's just like buying one.  It's of no consequence that
he's a commercial operation.  On the other hand, the "try
before you buy" point has to do with the purpose of the loaner
program.  Just because we have commercially available scopes
in the program is not a "try it before you buy it" scheme.

Gary