As a final note to this sorry story, I have, as I said earlier, turned my back on ebay. I like to know the price! Engineers and their love of precision eh?
I have found a dealer with an equivalent, re-conditioned ex-demo telescope of much higher quality and from a more highly esteemed manufacturer than the one I bidded for, and have now ordered it. I know the price up front and although it is a little higher than I had hoped, I sold a laptop computer last night which sorted that very nicely
Arrives tomorrow :wink:
Thanks for all the help, much appreciated