RSPB discount?

[MacGee]

My wife is buying me a pair of binoculars for my birthday in November. She's also looking to become a volunteer for the RSPB, having recently acquired more free time. Since I recall reading that RSPB volunteers qualify for a discount on binoculars, I thought these two things might come together to our advantage. Does anyone know how much the discount is (or if there really is one)?

Michael.

[tom24]

It's basically cost price plus vat.There's not much in the discount with the likes of Leica etc,but it's significant with rspb/viking makes.It's 20% for other goods.Think i'm right in saying that.
Tom.

[MacGee]

It's basically cost price plus vat.There's not much in the discount with the likes of Leica etc,but it's significant with rspb/viking makes.
Tom.Thanks, Tom. That sounds good. It's the BG.PC 8x32 I'm interested in. I had been thinking of the Zeiss Conquest, but then I noticed that the RSPB pair had better field of view, close focus and eye relief. As long as the optical performance is okay, they should do me.

[PaulK]

Go for the RSPB optics - i get on fine with them and I got them really cheap with my discount!! I think you have to be a volunteer for a certain amount of time befor you qualify for a discount card but when you have it - it sure comes in handy. As tom said it is cost price plus VAT on optics (can only use this once per financial year) and 20% off other goods.

The higher priced optics are very nice but I've been told that Swarovski, Leica and Zeiss optics are going up - some binoculars to more that £1000!!!!

[MacGee]

I think you have to be a volunteer for a certain amount of time befor you qualify for a discount card but when you have it - it sure comes in handy. Probably not going to work for this birthday then.

Michael.