[/B]
I'm sure that this has already been discussed at length but do most birders (experienced or beginners) now use the internet and mail order for buying their bins/telescopes or is it the seemingly increasing practice to go to a shop or retailer to find out if they have them, then try them, compare with the other usual suspects and when chosen which one is best trawl the telephone numbers and websites for the best deal? I'm sure we all read the good advice on how to choose some bins; and then visit the shops to get our hands on a pair of Zeiss "FL" 8 X 32 - say "Very nice, I'll think about it," out comes the credit card at home in front of the P.C. or phone and happily talk to someone who just wants your security code (and doesn't know a porro from a roof: or thinks chromatic abberration can be cleared by a course of anti-biotics) just to save a few pounds!
In essence - warehouses with untrained/unknowledgeable staff or shops with staff who know a bit ( also occassionally able to id birds)? Are they worth it!
hello, welcome to bird forum!
my advice if you are thinking about buying on the net, would be to do some homework about the company you are after goods from. i recently bought a night vision scope from a company in scotland and have never bought anything over the phone/PC before, so i done loads of checks for weeks beforehand.
i didnt want to spend my £2,000 on something that didnt exsist! - so it pays to ring the shop a few times to see if they know there stuff and are genuine before buying. as a result im over the moon with my purchase, and couldnt be happier.
Don't know about "expensive"equipment but when I bought my Swift Audobons many years ago there was a marked difference between different pairs of the same model.So my advice is, try 'em before you buy 'em!
Phil