[helenol]

Am I likely to pay more for a pair of bins at say, WWT Barnes (I believe there is a shop there?), or some other similar place than I would at Warehouse Express or other online store?

Thanks

[tom mckinney]

These gift type shops are normally more expensive than the smaller specialist retailers. They have a captive market and usually charge at rrp. The smaller shops usually sell below.

My advice is not to buy from these places like Barnes as you will receive little if any "expert" help.

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Originally Posted by tom mckinney

These gift type shops are normally more expensive than the smaller specialist retailers. They have a captive market and usually charge at rrp. The smaller shops usually sell below.

My advice is not to buy from these places like Barnes as you will receive little if any "expert" help.

Helen - if you have one or two that you are considering, you could always give them a ring to find their price.

[pduxon]

H - the shop at WWT Barnes is in-focus so should be fairly competitive although you will get a cheaper price from W/E. I ought to add you can sometimes get a better price from in-focus' own website. e.g the price of a Nikon HG 8x32 is £599 in an in-focus shop but £549 on the web and is postage free.

Also in-focus don't stock every bin whereas W/Express can afford to carry more stock.

I'd say Tom's comment is slightly erroneous in this instance. The price would be dearer at an RSPB reserve. My local Wildlife Trust also charge RRP but in-focus don't.

The problem is that if you buy from the web you can't compare the products - I'm a bit of a broken record on the subject as regular readers will notice.

I've bought from both so no axe to grind!!

[tom mckinney]

You are quite right Pete.

I didn't know In-Focus were at Barnes.

Don't buy from RSPB shops!!!

[Darren Oakley-Martin]

But if you buy from RSPB, then your money, (their profits) goes towards conservation, not lining the pockets of some capitalist's opportunistic 'let's cash in on the birding boom' attitude.

An extra 50 quid, but as has been said, you get to try out the optics first.

And no- I am not a Marxist!

[tom mckinney]

Originally Posted by Darrenom

But if you buy from RSPB, then your money, (their profits) goes towards conservation, not lining the pockets of some capitalist's opportunistic 'let's cash in on the birding boom' attitude.

An extra 50 quid, but as has been said, you get to try out the optics first.

And no- I am not a Marxist!

Fight the Power!

[pduxon]

Originally Posted by Darrenom

But if you buy from RSPB, then your money, (their profits) goes towards conservation, not lining the pockets of some capitalist's opportunistic 'let's cash in on the birding boom' attitude.

An extra 50 quid, but as has been said, you get to try out the optics first.

And no- I am not a Marxist!

I believe that if you buy at Barnes then i-f donate a % of sales to the WWT

[Grousemore]

The RSPB shops used to be fairly competitive on price,but I haven't checked for a while.
I've always had good service at them, along with the opportunity to take outside and try and unlike InFocus,you can try ALL major brand bins/scopes.

[helenol]

not lining the pockets of some capitalist's opportunistic 'let's cash in on the birding boom' attitude

That's a different thread.....and, no, I'm not starting one.

[scampo]

Originally Posted by helenol

Am I likely to pay more for a pair of bins at say, WWT Barnes (I believe there is a shop there?), or some other similar place than I would at Warehouse Express or other online store?

Thanks

I think all of the optics sold through wildlife centres are on a franchise from other major retailers and the prices are, therefore, competitive. I bought my bins from RSPB Minsmere and the price was as good as anywhere else and the service second to none.

I have to say that In Focus are very friendly and - important stuuf! - allow you fourteen days (or more - I can't remember) to test out and return if you don't like! That must be a good deal.

[rogerk]

Originally Posted by Grousemore

..........along with the opportunity to take outside and try and unlike InFocus,you can try ALL major brand bins/scopes.

I took my missus to In-Focus in Titchwell the other week and the chap there, although a bit patronising in his tone, was only too happy to let her try out all the major brands.

[Grousemore]

Originally Posted by rogerk

I took my missus to In-Focus in Titchwell the other week and the chap there, although a bit patronising in his tone, was only too happy to let her try out all the major brands.

Apologies,they used not to sell Leica products at In-Focus.

[pduxon]

Originally Posted by Grousemore

Apologies,they used not to sell Leica products at In-Focus.

still don't

[Karl J]

Warehouse express was the cheapest place i found & have only good things to say about them.

Got my bin's, scope & tripod through them, came by courier promptly next day. Now thinking about an astro scope and surprise surprise, guess who's cheapest ?

[Grousemore]

Originally Posted by pduxon

still don't

Then Roger's missus must have caught them on a good day!

[Grousemore]

Originally Posted by Carlos GY

Warehouse express was the cheapest place i found & have only good things to say about them.

Got my bin's, scope & tripod through them, came by courier promptly next day. Now thinking about an astro scope and surprise surprise, guess who's cheapest ?

Are there any facilities for trying before buying,Carlos?

[Leif]

Originally Posted by helenol

Am I likely to pay more for a pair of bins at say, WWT Barnes (I believe there is a shop there?), or some other similar place than I would at Warehouse Express or other online store?

Thanks

Warehouse Express is usually cheaper than elsewhere due to lower overheads. IMO it really is important to try out an item otherwise you are taking a gamble. Some people try in a shop and then buy online but I don't agree with that: I think a shop deserves a sale if they are helpful! You can usually find a shop woith viewing facilities that does brands X and Y cheap.

Here's a few places near Bucks:

RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy Beds. The staff are not knowledgeable, but they are very friendly and helpful. They let me take instruments outside to try and compare. Some prices are excellent, some are overpriced. They will get an item in to try if they don't have one to demo. Profits go to the RSPB hence an excellent place to buy IMO.

Kay Optical: Easy to get to place in South West London. You can try equipment on site, looking out of a window. He's very competitive price wise. They also do field days at reserves which IMO is one of the best ways to try. Very pro-Swarovski.

London Camera Exchange: Reading and elsewhere. You can try outside the shop which is not really adequate. They also do field days at reserves.

WWT Barnes: Do not stock Leica. Some prices are excellent, some are a bit high. The shop has a viewing platform where you can try stuff looking out over countryside. Generally excellent and the staff and helpful and non-pushy. (Even told me not to buy the more expensive item!)

Focus Optics, near Coventry: a huge range and good viewing facilities. They tried to take me for a ride for £75, but most people seem to like them.

Doubtless someone will mention some fantastic place nearby that I have missed!

[Grousemore]

A very informative summary,Leif and I agree with your point about proper retailers deserving a sale.You have to be pretty hardfaced to spend an afternoon trying all the products whilst knowing that you'll ultimately buy online.Lower overheads obviously give the online dealers a price edge.
The only point with which I'd disagree is the pro-Swarovski bias of Kay Optical;I've always found them neutral.

[Karl J]

Originally Posted by Grousemore

Are there any facilities for trying before buying,Carlos?

No, as has been pointed out in other replies, but the rights & wrongs are surely for another thread. There is an 'ethics' type thread somewhere that covers this.

To answer, succinctly, the orig question - Yes i believe you are likely to pay more.

[helenol]

Thanks for all the excellent advice chaps. Leif, a great summary. I don't mind paying a little over the odds in a shop, as long as the service is good.

I shall let you know what I decide to purchase......those leicas keep coming to mind..... ah well, we shall see.

[scampo]

I reckon the Ultravids were designed with a rather feminine touch (if you put them against a pair of Nikon HGs for example).

[helenol]

Weight isn't really an issue with me...doesn't bother me so much, so we shall see :)

[rogerk]

Originally Posted by Grousemore

Apologies,they used not to sell Leica products at In-Focus.

Perhaps they don't stock Leica, but they did let her have a go at a pair of Trinovids going second hand, when I said 'all the major brands' I meant that he didn't hold back on what she could have a look through. At one point during the demo she had about six pairs of bins balanced on the wall outside and none of them cheap I can tell you!

[scampo]

Originally Posted by helenol

Weight isn't really an issue with me...doesn't bother me so much, so we shall see :)

I was more thinking about the styling of the new Leicas - and Swarovski, too, for that matter.