Central Otago Astronomical Society treasurer and secretary Barrie Wills, of Alexandra, said the group ordered a computerised telescope for educating night sky viewing groups, costing $4000, last December through the NZ Telescopes company website.
Despite much back and forth, the telescope never arrived in Alexandra.
"[It] appears to be a grand rip-off. We just wonder why a small club like ours should have to go through this carry-on?" Dr Wills said.
However, NZ Telescopes proprietor Robert McTague, of Timaru, said the Astronomical Society was informed it would receive a refund.
"Since the publicity with the supplier issues was made public, the business has been forced to close. Steps to raise funds to complete the refund are progressing but [it] takes time."
Dr Wills said Mr McTague asked the society to make the full payment before he ordered the telescope in December.
In February, after no word from Mr McTague, Dr Wills contacted him but was told the telescope’s optics were faulty so it had to be returned to the US.
Then Mr McTague said there were problems with the supplier so another telescope would be ordered from Sydney. In early April, the society was told the telescope had arrived, it would be night-sky tested and prepared for delivery.
Dr Wills made two trips to Timaru to pick up the telescope and both times Mr McTague made excuses.
Finally, Mr McTague told Dr Wills he would send the telescope freight-free via courier on April 24, but nothing arrived.
Eventually, after several failed attempts, Dr Wills got hold of Mr McTague and was told Summerland Transport was carrying the goods. Dr Wills called Summerland and the company had no record of the delivery.
"At that stage we gave him an ultimatum," Dr Wills said.
"Goods delivery within four days or a full refund."
The society heard nothing, so Dr Wills said a complaint was made to the Disputes Tribunal.
Most of the $4000 used to pay for the telescope came from a bequest by a member which "made the loss all the more galling", Dr Wills said.
The Astronomical Society is one of several New Zealand groups that claim they were deceived by NZ Telescopes. Other stories of people who had problems with the company were shared on TVNZ’s Fair Go last month.
