US SALES ONLY Due to the franchise agreements we have signed with most manufacturers we cannot accept orders for telescopes and many other products (such as CCD cameras) to be shipped outside the United States and its possessions (with the sole exception of Meade and Takahashi products, which we can ship to Canada, in addition to the U. S.) Also, because of size and weight restrictions and the significant chance of loss or damage in the Postal Service, we cannot ship large telescopes to APO addresses.
SALES TAX You pay no sales tax when you buy from us, except that we are required to collect 8% Oklahoma sales tax on all merchandise shipped to an address within Oklahoma or picked up at our Norman facility. We are also required to collect 7.875% California sales tax on certain large Celestron and Meade telescopes that are shipped from the Celestron and Meade factories in California to addresses within California.
The only Celestron and Meade telescopes normally subject to California sales tax (and then only if shipped to an address within California) are the Celestron CGE series of go-to scopes and 20" Dall-Kirkhams, and the Meade 14" and 16" LX200 GPS Schmidt-Cassegrains and RCX400 Ritchey-Chrétiens. California sales tax applies to 12" LX200 and RCX400 scopes and all LXD75 scopes shipped to a California address if the customer requests factory shipping. California sales tax does not apply to these scopes if they are shipped to an address outside California, even if ordered by a California resident. Unless factory shipment is requested, all other Celestron and Meade scopes are shipped from our facility in Norman and no California sales tax applies if they are shipped to a California address.
SPECIAL ORDERS On special orders or drop-shipments, a 10% down payment is required when ordering, with the balance due in full before shipping. 50% of the down payment is non-refundable if the order is canceled prior to shipping.
SHIPPING We normally ship by insured FedEx ground. Air freight charges are in addition to our normal freight charges if you request expedited Federal Express air or UPS air delivery. Air freight or air parcel post charges are extra on Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and APO orders. Shipment is normally from stock, although special orders and products shipped from the manufacturer may have a 4 to 24 week delivery schedule.
RETURNS No returns will be accepted without prior authorization and none will be accepted more than 30 days after receipt of the merchandise. Factory defects are covered by the terms of the manufacturers' warranties and can only be exchanged for identical equipment. We do not accept returns on books, star charts, closeouts, opened software, or special orders.
All returns must be accompanied by an authorization number and a detailed description of the reason for the return. Returns without such description may be subject to additional time and labor fees if we have to set up and operate the product to determine the reason for the return.
All returns are less freight. Since all opened returned items (whether used or not) must legally be resold as used or demo merchandise, any return for a cash refund or credit against another purchase will be subject to a minimum 15% restocking and refurbishing charge or whatever cost is involved to restore the returned merchandise to salable condition, whichever is greater, in addition to the freight costs.
PRODUCT COMPATIBILITY Determining the compatibility of components or their fitness for their intended use is the responsibility of the buyer. If you have questions about the usability of any accessories with your telescope, we strongly urge you to e-mail or call us to confirm their compatibility before ordering. Items ordered in error will be subject to the return policy outlined above.
SCHOOL AND GOVERNMENT PURCHASES Schools and government agencies may order on open account with a written PO. Minimum billing is $25. Terms are net 30 days, FOB Norman. Only schools and government agencies may order on open account.
MANUFACTURERS' REBATES Compliance with consumer eligibility rules required by manufacturers to qualify for factory rebates or other similar promotional programs shall be the responsibility of the purchaser and not the responsibility of Astronomics and/or Christophers, Ltd. Any consumer complaint or special compensation requests resulting from such manufacturers' promotional programs shall be resolved between the purchaser and the manufacturer and shall not involve Astronomics and/or Christophers, Ltd.