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OPT Edu Testimonials |
"Between Summer 2007 and Summer 2008 I purchased from OPT an LX-200R 14" for personal use, and twelve CG-5 GT mounts for Cuyamaca College. Owner Craig Weatherwax cut me the best possible deal on the scope, and he got Cuyamaca a huge discount from Celestron on the mounts. I have been very pleased with the purchases, and OPT's follow up service. They've kept me happy, and coming back. Scope City is twenty minutes from my house, but for my astronomy needs I make the fifty minute drive to OPT. Glenn Thurman, Ph.D., Professor of Astronomy, Cuyamaca College"
Dr. Glenn Thurman
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"As a college administrator and a professor of astronomy, when I need to purchase equipment and supplies I need to be able to depend on a company for quick service and fair pricing. OPT has been just that company for us, even to the point that when I need to personally purchase an item I always check with OPT first! I also know that you can depend on the fact that the OPT staff is quite knowledgeable and will recommend the right item to you for your needs. Dr. Mike D. Reynolds, Dean of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Florida Community College at Jacksonville"
Dr. Mike Reynolds
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"I have had the pleasure over the years of dealing with Craig and his staff at Oceanside Photo and Telescope. As part of the publically funded Community College system in California, Palomar College is often in need of purchasing new equipment, or replacing aging equipment, at the cheapest price possible. Unfortunately this often means using vendors that offer low prices but without quality customer service. This has never been the case with OPT. Whenever we have had the need to purchase equipment for our astronomy program at Palomar College – large or small – I have turned to OPT for guidance. We have found that their selection of astronomical equipment is vast and their prices are highly competitive. But they are more than just a retailer of astronomical goods, their staff is composed of astronomy enthusiasts that are knowledgeable about the equipment they sell and are willing to give realistic advice.
Recently when our College administration approached us and informed me that we had a one-time windfall of funds to purchase equipment for our department, we took the opportunity to replace our aging fleet of telescopes. I immediately approached Eric Blackhurst at OPT with our request to purchase 10 new Meade 8-inch SCT telescopes and one Meade 14-inch SCT telescope. I told him that we needed to act quickly but were forced to stick within a strict budget. Eric was able to quickly come back with a price quote that was complete and was competitive in price that ultimately allowed us to include a few more needed items and stay within budget. When the telescopes arrived, OPT delivered them to campus right away and we were able to move forward with our program without missing a step.
Because of our history of positive purchasing experiences with OPT and the quality service we have had from its staff, we at Palomar College will continue to seek out OPT whenever we have the need to make an astronomy equipment purchase - large or small. ---Mark Lane, Professor of Astronomy, Planetarium Director, Palomar College, San Diego, California"
Dr. Mark Lane
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"We really enjoy working with OPT. Their sales staff is prompt and helpful and their support staff is the best in the business. There is always a knowledgeable person available on the phone for help troubleshooting equipment and giving advice on purchases. Most of them are amateur astronomers themselves, and they are usually more helpful than the manufacturers’ support staff! They’re friendly and professional, and if they don’t know the answer they’ll find it for you.---Meg Lysaght Thacher, Laboratory Instructor, Five College Astronomy Dept., Smith College, Northampton, MA"
Instructor Meg Lysaght Thacher
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"I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for hiring so many excellent people. All the ones I've had the pleasure to deal with were pleasent, responsive, helpful, professional and extremely knowledgeable. I've ordered a good deal of items from your store and it's not only because of the great prices but because of the great people. My last purchase went so well, I'm compelled to write.
I received my Celestron C80ED on Friday (7 Mar 08) and it was so well-packed, that the train derailment it was in on the way over here didn't so much as phase it. I also appreciate your staff taking the time to answer all my inquiries to my total satisfaction.
I hope I don't leave anyone out but I'd like to recognize and thank Mike, Pete, Stew and Vince. If I forgot anyone, please forgive me. Again, thank you for everything and everyone making OPT my favorite Telescope store. Sincerely, Robert"
Robert R.
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"I want to extend a tremendous thank you for your cooperation and attitude in getting these parts to us quickly. I have called 4 different companies yesterday trying to get these units shipped overnight and everyone I spoke with either had to have a 24 hour processing time period or they could not ship to a Hotel. It makes no sense why they would turn down sales for this but nevertheless I just wanted to express a Big Thank you to you and your company. Keep up the good work…"
Brent E.
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"I just wanted to take a moment and send you a letter about customer service and why I have been buying from your store and will continue to. I am a beginner astronomer and an amateur photographer, but really, I am, and have been a banker for 20 years. I have been in sales for 29 years, I have had many sales people work for me and the one thing I know is customer service is rule #1.
When I called…a guy named Vince Giordano answered and…he started asking me questions, not just taking the order. He asked how long have I been into telescopes and what did I know about them; I of course said not long and not much. He took the time to find out what my needs and wants were, what I was trying to do. I already had the Celestron Nexstar 5SE and a Neximage and I ended up getting a focal reducer for my 5SE, 12v battery power tank and the Meade DSI III color camera. I wanted the pro and thank goodness he sold me the color, because I am a amateur he thought it would be easier to use.
The point of my long winded email is this; you have a great sales person in Vince, because the greatest sales people are not salesman. Sure you have to always be closing, but you always have to be educating your client as well.
In your business, I can go anywhere on the internet and buy anything you sell somewhere else. The only niche we have in the world to be better than everyone else is SERVICE. Just to let you know, I have a telescope company 25 minutes from me and they have higher prices than OPT. I would go to them if they had as good of service as Vince has, but instead I order from you guys and pay for shipping.
I thank you for your time and look forward to figuring out how to do this crazy hobby of astrophotography the right way. Sincerely, Todd"
Todd P.
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"A big thanks to your staff, especially Eric Blackhurst, Chris Hendren and Chris Hoffman. Last Friday night (5/16) I went out for a night of viewing. It took me my normal time…to set up my TOA130 and G-11 equipment. When I was completed, I tried to turn on my Gemini. The handbox had no display and the buzzer stayed on and on until I killed the power.
Thanks to the 3 hour time difference, OPT was open. I talked with Chris Hendren. He was very kind and listened to my situation…and said it looks like a bad "Eprom" on the mother board…Sure enough the Eprom rocked a little with gentle pressure on the left and right edges of the female pin inserts. I placed slight pressure…a few times. To my HAPPINESS, when I hooked up the handbox, cables, battery etc, I turned the Gemini on with the cover still off and bang, things came up just great.
The BIG POINT of me going on and on is the satisfaction, joy and confidence I have with these guys as well as others in your store. From the best of John Downs’ days when I came on board in 2004/2005 the quality has remained the same. Also Craig, give your self some credit here, the BIG fact you have very little turn over of your staff says a lot to me...You must be doing something right!
What a great feeling with my $12,000 equipment, ALL purchased from OPT, that I can have a super relationship with you. All I can do is just pass my story(s) on to my astro friends about OPT, as I have many times... I wish I could do more. Sincerely, Tom"
Tom K
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