Shutan Camera & Video

Ratings:Top:Astronomy:Places To Buy:Shutan Camera & Video

 Info  Votes  Messages  More Stats  Up One Level
Vote
Page 1 of 2 Next

Shutan Camera & Video
The staff at Shutan knows something about telescopes, but they are not exceeding knowledgeable. You probably don't want to go to Shutan if you are new to astronomy. They have lots of scopes on display, but few seem to be in stock. Their catalog lists a huge assortment of scopes and accessories, but it appears that they only stock about 25% of what's listed in the catalog. Prices in catalogs don't always match in store prices (higher on the two items that I purchased, however the catalog did warn that prices are subject to change). The prices advertised in S&T and Astronomy must be from the older catalog as well since the in store prices are higher. The staff doesn't really seem to care one way or another if you buy something from them (which isn't necessarily bad). They also don't seem that enthusiastic about helping you. This may stem from the fact that they sell telescopes as a sideline. I returned one eyepiece that I wasn't satisfied with its performance. They fully refunded my money without any hassles, but they also didn't seem interested in knowing why I was dissatisfied or offerer any assistance in trying to help me with purchasing of another eyepiece. A friend of mine has been pleased with the service he received when purchasing used camera lens.

Overall Rating: 5
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45064

Shutan Camera & Video
Inventory is limited. Know what you want before ordering from Shutan. Check prices carefully and make sure item is IN STOCK before giving your credit info.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45066

Shutan Camera & Video
Why anybody would give Shutan a rating of 8 or above is beyond me. I own a Meade ETX. On Shutan's web site they rave on about all of the acessories they stock for the ETX. I was intrigued by the wide field adapter. So, I called the Highland Park store since I work only 15 minutes away. The first person I spoke with new zero about telescopes and kept putting me on hold. After sitting on hold for 10 minutes, I hung up. I called back later in the day and spoke with Larry(their telescope expert). He knew what I wanted, but didn't have it in stock in the Highland Park store. He didn't volunteer to check the downtown store (in Chicago), I had to ask him if he would do it. He said he would and took my name and phone number. That was ten days ago, I've not heard back from him.

The day after I spoke with Larry, I unexpectedly had to go to Chicago, so I thought I pay Shutan a visit. After standing in front of the telescope counter for about ten minutes, a clerk asked if I needed any help. I asked about the ETX wide field adapter, he checked and said they were out. He didn't seem very interested in helping me, or asked if I would like to placed on a waiting list for the product, so I left.

After visiting the Chicago store and looking at the Televue refractors on display, I started wondering about getting some additional information about them from Shutan (this day three since I spoke with Larry at Highland Park). So, (silly me) I called the Highland Park store and asked about Televue telescopse and was quickly told that Shutan doesn't sell Televue telescopses, and was again offered know additional information about the products they do carry.

All in all, I've been repeatedly disappointed with the way Shutan conducts business. I called Televue about this and they said to talk to Bob Shutan about, but at this point I don't care.
I've been also toying with idea of buying a Televue refractor. Again

Overall Rating: 1
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45069

Shutan Camera & Video
Placed my first order last week for a Meade ETX tripod. The clerk stated the were out of stock on this item but were scheduled to receive a shipment is a few days. You have probably heard this before. Anyway, against my better judgment I placed an order thinking I would received delivery in a month or so. To my surprise the tripod arrivede 6 days after placing my order and 7 days before Christmas. Based upon this initial experience I will have no reservation in placing s second order.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45070

Shutan Camera & Video
Tried to buy telescope, various others items on different occasions. Told my telephone number didn't match my credit card!? I've spent tens of thousands of dollars mail order and never heard that before or since.

Overall Rating: 0
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45072

Shutan Camera & Video
Last year (98) I was on business one week in Chicago (arriving from The Netherlands). I 'pre-ordered' some stuff for my LX 10 (FR, telrad, Magellan I, solar filter). Two items waiting for me, and the other two were priority mailed to the shop within two days directly from the manufacturer - after asking my 'go'!
Top class real 'worldwide' service !!

Abel van Weerd
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45073

Shutan Camera & Video
Every negative comment on the previous vote applied to all my experience with Shutan. I wonder how they could keep on selling telescope with limited knowledge and condescending attitude. If you are thinking of buying from them, I suggest you to look somewhere else first. Shutan do not have most in stock, charge more and poor support and service. What do you have to lose to look somewhere first?

Overall Rating: 3
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45074

Shutan Camera & Video
The products were above standard, as were the prices, but the one thing that
really bothered me is that they didn't have an order form in their catalog.
since I don't have a credit card, I'll have to drive 200 miles to the store.
If they had put an order form in their catalog, I would have given them a 10.

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45075

Shutan Camera & Video
I'm surprised by some of the negative comments pursuant to this firm on the survey. I have purchased many Meade accessories and Televue eyepieces from Shutan with little or no problem. On occasion items were backordered, but generally arrived within the time frame indicated. Like most folks in the hobby, I shop around for price and availability; this firm is not unlike others in the industry when it comes to stock and ordering. Generally, if they have an item backordered, so does everyone else; this reflects more on the manufacturer than the retailer.
The only negative comment I have is that if an item is backordered, they'll charge your credit card at time of purchase, not at time of shipment. Certainly they do this to protect the sale, but I don't care for this practice, especially if the wait is several weeks or more.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45076

Shutan Camera & Video
I don't think the problem with Shutan is whether or not an item is in stock, but their sales folks attitude. They don't seem to really care if you have a satisfying experience or not. I'm not looking for someone to grovel over me, but I expect prompt, courteous, and professional advice and assistance. Don't count on getting it from Shutan. I posted the very first comment about Shutan on this review page. Since then I've bought three telescopes and a variety of accessories. I could have bought all of my telescopes and accessories (approx. $5,000 worth) at Shutan, but I didn't becuase of their poor service. Oh well, they don't seem to care. I've bought from Eagle Optics in Wisconsin, and Orion, and I'm extremely pleased with the service I've gotten from both.

The other thing that bothers me about Shutan, is this lack of price consistency between their ad in astronomy magazines, their catalog, and the store. I understand that prices can go up after a printing, but I've never seen so many discrepencies between so many items. I would say their pricing borders on being misleading.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: <none>
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45077

Shutan Camera & Video
Once again I try to support the local dealer, and I get treated poorly. I was interested in purchasing a Televue Tripod, and I called Shutan, the supposed premier dealer for the Chicago land area.

First, I'm put on hold for well over ten minutes.

Second, I speak with three less than interested sales persons before I get to the "telescope" expert.

Third, the telescope expert seemed annoyed to have to answer the phone.

Fourth, (a surprise) the catalog price matched the phone price. He said that they always stock the tripod.

Fifth, since I was going into Chicago that afternoon, I asked if would check to see if they actually had any in stock. With a big reluctant sigh, he said hold on.

Sixth, he came back on the phone and said that they didn't have any and wouldn't be getting any anytime soon. That was it. He didn't offer to order one or anything. Goodbye.

How Shutan stays in business is a mystery to me. I promptly called Eagle Optics about the same tripod. They too didn't have the product in stock, but offered to order on for me. I asked about the price, and they quoted a much better price than Shutan. The person I spoke with, had used all of Televue's current tripods. He shared his experiences and gave me his opinion. I ordered from Eagle Optics.

From this day forward, I will not waste anytime with Shutan.

Overall Rating: 0
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45078

Shutan Camera & Video
Called to order ETX Wide Field Adapter, right angle finder, and some caps and plugs. Got transferred on phone twice in maybe 2 minutes before someone took order (not a problem). Sales clerked cheerfully checked availability while I was on phone. Some items out of stock, but everything arrived five days later. I would say it was a very smooth transaction, and would do business again.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45079

Shutan Camera & Video
Everyone I talk to there is always angry sounding. I have ordered three things. One they sent was totally wrong. A telescope I received from them was defective, and the Magellan system had a two year old version on it. A Celestron motor drive was bad out of the box. It was hard to get return authorization and they never knew the answer.

Overall Rating: 3
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45080

Shutan Camera & Video
The best !!!!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45081

Shutan Camera & Video
whatever you do, don't go into the Shutan Camera showroom, it's going to have a tramatic effect on you life.

TRUE STORY: One day I walked into the Shutan showroom in Vernon Hills, IL. I was planning on buying a nebula filter, before buying I checked out the telescopes. after spending a hour checking out the telescopes, the guy said to me "Why do you play with all the telescopes?" and told me to get out. I was shocked and didn't know what to say. So I just walked out of the store. I am not buying from Shutan, ever, over-the-counter or online.

don't give your money to salespeople like this

Overall Rating: 0
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45082

Shutan Camera & Video
The Worst!

Overall Rating: 0
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45084

Shutan Camera & Video
The worst customer service I have ever been involved with!

Overall Rating: 0
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45085

Shutan Camera & Video
My rating may be a bit biased because Shutan is only a ten minute drive from where I live, so I have no idea what they're like for internet or mail order. But in person, their employee Neil has been exceptionally helpful to me, never pushing for a purchase and steering me away in a few cases. I have been to the shop at least a dozen times in the last half year and I expect this will continue to be the case.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45086

Shutan Camera & Video
When I purchased a Meade LX-50 from them a couple years back, the obviously
sold me a scope which someone else had returned (their lame attempts to
repackage it and make it look like new were pitiful). The also shipped the
wrong finderscope with it and it took me several weeks to finally get them to
ship the right one (the only thing which seemed to get their attention was when
I had to resort to report them to the BBB in their area). Sad way to run a
company when you have to resort to this type of petty dishonesty...

Overall Rating: 5
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45087

Shutan Camera & Video
Around Chicago there is not a whole lot of choice on where one can shop in person. I will agree with other comments that what they stock and what they advertise/list is at best creative writing.

Their salesman, Neil, in the Vernon Hills shop is polite, and constantly doing trial closes on anything and everything you look at. If he doesn't have exactly what you want, he will display similar products and/or offer to order what you desire.

I believe in trying to support your local retailers. It makes no sense for me to have Shutan order things when I can find the merchandise I want on-line and at a lower cost plus get it more quickly.

I give them an 8.5 for service, in person, yet the overall rating drops to 4 because of the lack of inventory. It sure would be nice to have a "full service" astronomy house in this area that actually carries inventory.

Overall Rating: 4
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=45088

Page 1 of 2 Next

[Click Here to Login]
Don't have a login? Register!

Starting out in Amateur Astronomy
 
How to use This Site
Why Register?
Voting Guide