"I wanted a Meade telescope and had to cancel because Anacortes for some reason could not get scope. They pushed me into a Celestron product that I didn't like. I found a Celestron I was ok with, but then found the Meade scope for sale on Meade's website abd cancelled Anacortes order. The finance Company that Anacortes uses was threatening me with having to pay the loan despite cancelled contract. Anacortes refused to help beyond that point and has made it clear that they provide no customer service if you run into issues with product. This industry right now has growing pains and Anacortes worries about is if they think you are playing games "as they put it" then they don't want anything to do with you. I regret placing my order with Anacortes. The fact that they would have been ok with me getting no scope and pay a loan for 3 years at 78% apr and have NO PRODUCT. "
"Do yourself a favor, save the aggravation and shop elsewhere. Look at the reviews and maybe a little research into what kind of person you'll be dealing with. "
"I am quite surprised by the previous reviews, as my experience here was GREAT! I had a list of questions about firearms, and was helped by a very knowledgeable staff. I wasnt pressured into any purchase and I liked that. The inventory was decent, and I was able to order in my choice of firearm in a color i preferred right then and there. Paperwork was easy and the FBI check was quick. Thank you guys! I highly recommend your store and will be back."
"A few years ago I placed an order on Anacortes' website for an eyepiece on sale (over $140). I waited a couple weeks and it did not arrive so I called to ask its status and I was eventually told it was out of stock and they were not going to get any more in. Why offer it if you are not going to even re-stock it? And why did they not bother to contact me? They told me they would issue a store credit, but I asked for a complete refund. They refused. It is not my fault they offered something for sale that they do not have in stock nor will re-stock. CROOKS!!"
"I purchased a used Takahashi Mewlon 300 from Herb York (owner of Anacortes Telescope) on the Astromart website he owns and runs. The scope was represented as "never been used", but has dew and dust marks on the mirror and general signs of wear indicate it has been used (likely extensively). After the purchase they attempted to hide an undocumented charge of $100 to pack it (not mentioned in the ad). Upon arrival I discovered the the primary mirror was loose (meaning it must be collimated) and Takahashi America is telling me to return it to them (several hundred dollars and several weeks). I called Gary (who's favorite line is "I only work here and I need a job") basically told me it was "buyer beware". What should have been the purchase of my "dream scope" has become a nightmare for frustration. There are a lot of good options such as OPT, Astronomics, Woodland Hills and many others to supply telescope equipment. Easy to avoid these guys."
"Bought a $2300 telescope from them. It was defective and the manufacturer and Anacortes agreed to take it back and refund my money. The manufacturer even sent UPS call tags to ship it back to them. They have had the scope for over a month and still have not issued a refund. I filed a complaint with the BBB and Anacortes just ignored them. I have called and e-mailed to find out the status and get very rude replies stating that I am the one to blame and that it is my fault that there is a delay in getting the refund. Huh???? BUYER BEWARE! Very sketchy and unprofessional. Not sure how they stay in business. Google them and checkout all the other complaints."
"Wow. Read the reviews and had to post. Been birding and hunting for years. Shopped there for years and I've never had a bad experience...the only time I saw a problem was when a freaky guy came in to look at guns and when he was told there was a 3 day wait when you buy a gun he went ballistic! I can tell you right now that the owner took things in control- got the guy out and called the police. I can't imagine what it's like to put up with wacko customers every day!? I have ordered parts and had questions answered with no problems there. In fact i have always been impressed with their service- to me and other customers. Kind of makes me wonder about the truth behind the negative reviews. ..what really did go on. I'd recommend Anacortes Telescope to anyone looking for quality and knowledgeable service -and good common sense!"
"High prices. Good service until you have a disagreement then the professionalism goes out the window. No integrity. I would never buy from them again."
"Paula should divorce Herb. He is an astronomy geek not a gun seller. There prices suck compared to any local stores. Also if you go to there website they claim to have a huge selection of guns that they dont really have. Pretty misleading when on there site they have hundreds and hundreds of guns and when you actually go there in person they barely have any. In fact i probably got more guns in my safe then there sorry excuse for a gun store does! There selection is pathetic to say the least. Also make sure to compare there prices with other stores close by because they over charge badly.
Dont shop there unless you like getting ripped off."
"I ordered some simple parts - all of which showed green prices (we are all used to the standard of green pricing meaning in stock) but they didn't actually have them in stock. They contacted me a day or so later and let me know that.. I changed one part for one that they had.. but it gets worse..
It took a coulple more days for them to contact me telling me they hadn't ordered the other part, and they asked me a stupid question - "Which UA 2" astro-physics mount adapter do you need? There's two types, one for the 400 mount..." But I had clearly told them it was an Astro-Physics AWT000 tripod, a tripod they sell! Yet, for 4 more days they still couldn't figure it out so it continued - until we were way past a holiday weekend. Finally, after the 4th of July I call them - now on Wednesday, and am told by the sales rep, "Yeah, we got it ordered." But then the truth comes out.. they didn't order it until that very day. And all of this over the inability to read the very product description of an item they sell? Or call the manufacturer of the tripod - a relationship they should have as a reseller - to get the absolute correct answer?
If you don't know the simplest questions about a tripod you sell.. and can't ask the manufacturer if there really is confusion... how do you justify selling that part?
My request for some intervention by the owner has him call me on my phone number for the order... and START YELLING AT ME. Saying it's my fault, and I did not spend enough money with his company over the years!
I am astonished - as he went down a list of grievances, which included unprofessional information like how hard him and his wife work, blaming me for all of it.. I said, "Herb let me get this right? You called me to yell at me and blame me for your bungling my order?"
I had to hang up on him. Here we are, twenty days later, the day of the phone call, I still have not received the parts, and the owner has called to YELL AT ME????
I won't ever shop there again.
I should have known better - a few years ago I ordered the 2" dialectric eyepiece turret - a very expensive item - but an item that ultimately turned out to have been a return, that they repacked in peanuts. My complaint call was responded to on that one with an offer to return it and wait for a new one.. possibly months."
"I attempted to order a telescope case from the Anacortes buytelescopes.com web site. They sent an email a week later saying they could not honor the free shipping that was listed with the item and asked me to approve a new invoice. The note didn't say it, but the attached invoice also listed a higher price for the item. It was a 28% increase in total. I responded in email asking them to honor the posted price but they did not respond. Three days later I called and they laughed it off, saying they didn't have time to update the prices on their web site."
"I bought Orion SkyView AZ Mount with Anacortes Telescope and Wild Bird of the United States the other day.
When the Box was opened the Dovetail holder thumbscrews for fixation was found to be curved.
http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~dtpdf/
The box had torn considerably.
There was not a statement of delivery either.
There is no reply at all though the exchange of parts was requested.
It is completely ignored.
It is regretted to have bought it from such a shop.
When the manual is seen, parts different from the specification are installed.
Parts might be put up without permission and this shop be substituted.
Anyway, there is no difference in an unexpected shop.
"
"Worst experience ever. My order was canceled with no explanation. I had to send them 7 emails over a couple of weeks to have the order finally shipped to me, 17 days after the initial order date. No tracking number, no order showing on my online account, and no receipt either."
"Excellent service! Had a camera in stock that was sold out everywhere else. Shipped quickly and got tracking info. I was able to specify an alternate shipping provider (UPS), and it was no problem."
"Very very excited to some good and honest pricing and customer service! Here's an email I got from them hour or so after I ordered.....
Hi Christopher,
Your order is in and will ship today.
Thanks for ordering from Anacortes Telescope and Wild Bird
Jim Bielaga
Anacortes Telescope and Wild Bird
www.buytelescopes.com
***-***-****
***-***-**** orders
Great e-biz here!"