The AstroBin Marketplace
A cutting-edge platform built specifically for the astrophotography community. Designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing AstroBin experience, the AstroBin Marketplace provides a modern, fast, and scalable solution for buying and selling used telescopes, cameras, mounts, filters, and accessories.
Features
Deep integration with AstroBin
Benefit from the deep integration with the entire AstroBin ecosystem. Your marketplace listings will be linked to your AstroBin profile and images, adding credibility and trustworthiness.
Enhanced visibility for listings
Leverage AstroBin's features to maximize the visibility of your listings. Items for sale will be shown on pages featuring your images captured with the equipment, in the equipment database, and in relevant search results, ensuring a seamless browsing experience for potential buyers.
Authenticity and trust
Our marketplace displays when an equipment item was first associated with an image on AstroBin by the seller. This feature provides buyers with confidence that the seller genuinely used the equipment, adding authenticity to the transaction.
Seller and buyer ratings
Trust is paramount in any marketplace. The AstroBin Marketplace supports rating sellers and buyers, helping you make informed decisions based on feedback about users' reliability and service quality.
Price stability
We ensure a fair and transparent transaction process by preventing sellers from changing the price of an item if there are accepted offers. This policy gives buyers peace of mind when purchasing equipment.
Multiple items per listing
Simplify the selling process with support for multiple items per listing. Create bundle sales and avoid repeating information across multiple listings, making it easier for both sellers and buyers.
Stay in the loop
A rich notification system will keep you informed about what's happening with a listing you follow, you have asked questions about, or you have made offers for.
Advanced search and filtering
Find the perfect piece of equipment with our advanced search and filtering options. Filter items by distance from your location and other criteria to quickly locate exactly what you need.
Multiregional
You can see and interact with listings from a country of your choosing (your country by default, or the European Union if you are in EU), your continent, or worldwide if you don't mind buying from abroad.
Comprehensive event log
In case of disputes, AstroBin can provide detailed logs of everything that happened in the Marketplace for 10 years.
Start buying and selling today
Join us in exploring the AstroBin Marketplace. Whether you are upgrading your gear or looking for a great deal on used equipment, the AstroBin Marketplace is your go-to destination for all things astrophotography. Start buying and selling with confidence today!
Tutorial
On the front page of the Marketplace, you can identify the following elements:
The Region Switcher (top-right): it defaults to your country, but you can select “Worldwide” or any country. AstroBin will only show listings being sold in the region you select.
The Sell button: click it if you want to sell something
The Seek button: click it if you want to post a “wanted” ad
The navigation menu (on the left):
Browse: you can see all active listings or the archive of sold items.
My listings: you can see your items for sale, sold, or expired.
My interactions: you can see listings that you have interacted with.
The main area, with the listings for sale and a search bar.
Seller tutorial
When you click on the Sell button you are presented with this choice.
Select Just one if you want to sell a single item. Select Multiple items if you want to post multiple items at once. AstroBin will ask you if you want to sell them as an bundle (i.e. all at once to one buyer) or if you want to split them up automatically into multiple listings.
Next you are presented with the form to input the information about your item or items for sale. The form is on the left side, and the preview of your listing is on the right side.
Scroll down the page to fill in the required information, and add at least one image, then click on the Create button at the bottom.
Your listing will be reviewed by a moderator and will appear in the marketplace once approved.
On the page of your listing you can find all the information you inputted.
On the left side of the page you will see:
Your item for sale (or multiple items if you created a bundle sale).
The approximate location that you indicated, as well as your shipping options.
A section where prospective buyers can ask you questions publicly.
A section that shows your other listings for sale.
On the right side of your page you will see:
Your information such as avatar, name, and your Marketplace feedback.
Buttons to interact with your listing:
Edit: you can modify your listing but some information cannot be edited while there are accepted offers.
Mark as sold: after you've accepted an offer, or if you've sold this item outside of AstroBin, you can mark the listing as such.
Delete: remove the listing from the Marketplace.
As you will see below, when you receiver offers or private messages concerning your listing, they will also be on the right side of the page.
When you receive an offer, it will appear on the right side of the page. You can Accept it, Reject it, or use the Message button to start a private conversation with the prospective buyer.
Once you Accept an offer, AstroBin will mark your item(s) as Reserved. You may still reject the offer if you accepted it by mistake, but you might receive a negative feedback as accepting an offer is considered a binding agreement on the AstroBin Marketplace.
At this point, you should use the Exchange payment/delivery info button to message the prospective buyer privately and coordinate the payment and the delivery.
After you have been paid and you have delivered your item(s), you should mark the items in your listing as sold. You can specify the buyer if you sold it on the AstroBin Marketplace, or select Someone else if you sold it outside of AstroBin.
At this point, the item(s) will be marked as Sold and you will be able to leave feedback for the buyer. Congrats on your sale!
Buyer tutorial
The AstroBin Marketplace has a very specific workflow:
A seller publishes a listing.
Prospective buyers make offers.
The seller and the prospective buyers may message each other both publicly (in the Public questions sections) or privately, to discuss details and negotiate.
The seller eventually officially accepts an offer, which is a binding promise to make the deal.
The seller and the buyer exchange payment and delivery information.
The seller marks the listing as sold.
The seller and the buyer rate each other by leaving feedback.
As a buyer, on the right side of a listing page, you see three buttons:
Make an offer: this opens a window where you can specify how much you'd like to offer.
Subscribe to updates: AstroBin will send you notifications when the listing is updated, deleted, or sold.
Message seller privately: start a private conversation with the seller.
This is the form to make an offer. Edit the amounts that you want to offer. Remember that making an offer is binding! If the seller accepts it and you walk away, you may incur in negative feedback.
Once you've made an offer, it will appear on the right side of the page. You can modify it or retract it, and the seller will be notified.
Once your offer is accepted you cannot modify or retract it anymore. You can click the Exchange payment/delivery info button to message the seller privately and exchange details.
When you've received your item, you can leave feedback to the seller. Contrats on your purchase!
FAQs
What is the AstroBin Marketplace?
The AstroBin Marketplace is a modern, integrated platform where astrophotographers can buy and sell used telescopes, cameras, mounts, filters, and other astrophotography equipment. It is built to offer a seamless and enhanced experience within the AstroBin ecosystem.
Is the AstroBin Marketplace free to use?
The AstroBin Marketplace is free if you are acting as a buyer, meaning that you can browse listings, ask questions, message the seller privately, make an offer, and close the deals, incurring in no costs. You only need a free account.
If you want to sell, any AstroBin subscription will do. Not only you'll get access as a seller on the Marketplace, but you can enjoy the vast featureset that AstroBin offers!
If you're already a member, this is great news for you: AstroBin is even more valuable than before. If you're considering membership, the monthly plans are very inexpensive!
How do I list an item for sale?
To list an item for sale, log in to your AstroBin account and navigate to the Marketplace section via the Explore menu. Click on "Create Listing," fill in the required details about your equipment, upload high-resolution images, and set your price. Your listing will be integrated with your AstroBin profile and gallery for added credibility. If you have trouble, checkout the Tutorial section above!
What types of equipment can I sell on the AstroBin Marketplace?
You can sell a wide range of astrophotography equipment on the AstroBin Marketplace, including telescopes, cameras, mounts, filters, and various accessories. Ensure that the items are relevant to astrophotography and in good working condition. You may not sell anything that does not pertain astrophotography or astronomy.
I'm a vendor. Can I sell on the AstroBin Marketplace?
Unfortunately, no. The AstroBin Marketplace is for individual astrophotographers selling their secondhand equipment. If you represent an online store that sells astronomy/astrophotography equipment, please get in touch to discuss commercial integrations.
However, if you happen to be a vendor in your professional life, but would like to use the AstroBin Marketplace acting as a private individual to sell your used astrophotography equipment, you may do so.
Can I edit my listing after it's posted?
You can edit most aspects of your listing, such as the description and images. However, if your listing has accepted offers, you will not be able to change the price to ensure a fair and transparent transaction process.
Can I cancel a listing?
You can cancel a listing at any time before an offer is made. If an offer has been made but not yet accepted, you can still withdraw the listing. For transactions in progress, it is best to communicate directly with the buyer or seller to agree on a cancellation and any necessary refunds.
How do I search for items to buy?
The AstroBin Marketplace offers advanced search and filtering options. You can filter items by type, distance to your location, price range, and other criteria to find exactly what you need. Additionally, you can perform text based searches.
How does the integration with AstroBin work?
Listings on the AstroBin Marketplace are linked to your AstroBin profile. This means that if you already have an AstroBin gallery, your listings will benefit from added credibility. Additionally, your listings can appear on pages featuring your images taken with the equipment you're selling, in AstroBin's equipment database, as well as in relevant search results.
How are ratings handled?
Buyers and sellers can rate each other based on their transaction experience. These ratings help build trust within the community by providing feedback on the reliability and service quality of users. You can view a seller's rating on their listing before making a purchase, and a buyer's rating on their offer before accepting it.
How do I leave feedback for a transaction?
After purchasing something on the AstroBin Marketplace, you can leave feedback for the seller by visiting the listing again and selecting the option to leave feedback. After accepting an offer as a seller, you can leave feedback to the buyer again on the listing page. Provide honest feedback to help maintain a trustworthy marketplace.
I received unfair feedback, will you remove it?
AstroBin will remove feedback that contains that is offensive (hate speech, harassment, violence, bullying, or mocking) or otherwise violates the general terms of service, acceptable use policy, or community guidelines.
AstroBin will not be able to conduct investigations to determine who is right and who is wrong in case of disputes.
However, you can respond to feedback to tell your side of the story and all feedback instances and comments are publicly available.
If I delete a listing, are the ratings deleted too?
No, ratings (or feedback, to use another word) are not deleted when listings are deleted.
How are payments and deliveries handled?
AstroBin serves as a facilitator to connect buyers and sellers. However, AstroBin does not handle payments or shipping. Once buyers and sellers have agreed on terms using the AstroBin interface, they will need to coordinate payments and deliveries independently. We recommend using secure and reliable payment methods and shipping services to ensure a smooth transaction.
How do I handle shipping for sold items?
Once a sale is agreed upon, you and the buyer must coordinate the shipping details independently. It’s advisable to use reputable shipping services that offer tracking and insurance. Communicate clearly with the buyer about shipping costs, expected delivery times, and provide tracking information once the item has been dispatched.
What should I do if I receive a damaged or incorrect item?
If you receive a damaged or incorrect item, contact the seller immediately to resolve the issue. Provide photos and detailed descriptions of the problem. If a resolution cannot be reached, consider filing a dispute with the payment service used and report the issue to AstroBin if necessary. Please note that AstroBin is not responsible for scams or dishonestly presented listings. We recommend exercising caution and thoroughly verifying the seller's credibility before making a purchase.
How can I ensure the authenticity of the equipment?
Each listing shows when the item was first associated with an image by the seller, lending credibility to the claim that the seller has used the equipment. We recommend purchasing from users with a proven track record of astrophotography, which can be verified by checking their AstroBin profile. Additionally, you can review the seller's feedback rating to further confirm their credibility.
What if I have a problem with a transaction?
If you encounter any issues with a transaction, AstroBin is committed to maintaining a trustworthy marketplace. In cases of suspected fraud, AstroBin will take disciplinary action against scammers only if a police report is provided. We believe that investigations and determinations of fraud should be conducted by the competent judicial authorities. While AstroBin facilitates connections between buyers and sellers, we do not have the capacity to guarantee the legitimacy of all transactions. We encourage users to exercise caution and use secure payment methods to ensure a safe and reliable transaction experience.
AstroBin will be able to provide details logs of all activity concerning a marketplace listing for 10 years.
Can I bundle multiple items in one listing?
Yes, the AstroBin Marketplace supports multiple items per listing. However, if you want to sell multiple items independently, you should create separate listings.
How can I contact a seller?
You can contact a seller through the messaging system integrated within the AstroBin Marketplace. You have the option to ask public questions or engage in private conversations. We recommend that all communication take place through AstroBin to ensure a record of all interactions and to prevent conversations from being scattered across multiple platforms. This helps maintain transparency and provides a clear reference in case of any disputes or misunderstandings.
Are there any safety tips for transactions?
Since AstroBin does not provide a payment infrastructure, we recommend the following best practices to ensure safe transactions:
Use secure payment methods: Opt for payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as PayPal, credit cards, or other reputable services.
Communicate through AstroBin: Keep all communication within AstroBin's messaging system to ensure a record of all interactions and avoid scattering conversations across multiple platforms. Off-platform communications pose several risks to AstroBin marketplace users:
No oversight: AstroBin can't monitor or intervene in external communications.
No evidence: Disputes lack verifiable communication records if conducted off-platform.
Reduced accountability: Users may act dishonestly when not bound by AstroBin's rules.
Scam vulnerability: Phishing attempts or fraudulent activities are more likely off-site.
Incomplete reputation management: Off-platform behavior can't influence your ability to leave user feedback.
For your safety and the integrity of our marketplace, always keep communications within AstroBin.
Verify seller credentials: Check the seller's AstroBin profile and feedback rating to ensure they have a credible track record.
Request detailed photos: Ask for high-resolution images of the equipment from multiple angles to verify its condition.
Meet in public places: If arranging an in-person exchange, choose a safe, public location.
Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true: Exercise caution with prices significantly lower than the market rate.
Avoid sharing personal information: Do not share sensitive personal information, such as your home address, unless absolutely necessary.
Request a bill of sale: For high-value transactions, consider requesting a bill of sale to document the transaction details.
By following these safety tips, you can help ensure a secure and reliable transaction experience.