Shipping

SHIPPING & TRANSIT PROTECTION POLICY

1. TRANSIT PROTECTION (MANDATORY SELECTION)

Because Australia Post and other carriers only provide a default coverage of $100—which is insufficient for precision optical equipment—we provide a Transit Protection service.

How it works:

  • You must purchase sufficient units of Transit Protection to cover the full replacement value of your order.

  • Protected Shipments: In the event of loss or damage, Astro Dog provides Priority Resolution. We will arrange a replacement or repair immediately upon verification of the damage and handle the entire claim process with the carrier ourselves.

  • Unprotected Shipments: If you choose not to fully protect your shipment, you acknowledge that in the event of loss or damage, our liability is limited to the $100 carrier default. Furthermore, you will be required to wait for the carrier to complete their internal investigation (which typically takes 30–90 days) before any resolution can be reached.

2. FREIGHT ESTIMATES & ADJUSTMENTS

Astro Dog specializes in “Bulky Goods” (oversized and heavy items). Due to the complexity of calculating freight for items like 8″–12″ Dobsonians to varied Australian postcodes, the shipping cost shown at checkout is a Guesstimate/Estimate only.

  • The Adjustment Clause: We reserve the right to adjust the shipping rate after an order is placed to reflect the actual quote provided by our carriers (TNT, FedEx, AusPost, etc.).

  • Process: If the actual freight cost exceeds the checkout estimate, we will contact you with a “Freight Adjustment Invoice.”

  • Your Right to Cancel: If you find the adjusted freight cost unacceptable, you may cancel your order for a 100% full refund before the item is dispatched.

3. VIABILITY & PRICING ERRORS

We reserve the right to cancel any order and provide a full refund under the following “Non-Viability” circumstances:

  • The “NT/Remote” Clause: If the shipping destination is so remote that the carrier charges are disproportionate to the sale, or if the carrier refuses to deliver the specific item to that zone.

  • Website Errors: If a technical glitch or “website screw-up” results in an obviously incorrect shipping rate (e.g., $50 to ship a massive telescope to the Northern Territory or remote WA).

  • Stock Unavailability: If the item is no longer available from the manufacturer.

Astro Dog is a sole-trader specialist; we cannot absorb $300+ freight losses due to automated checkout errors. In these cases, we will contact you immediately to discuss or refund.

4. DELIVERY & REDELIVERY FEES

  • Signature Required: All telescopes and high-value accessories require a signature upon delivery. Do not request “Authority to Leave” (ATL); if you do, all Transit Protection is voided.

  • Redelivery: If you are not home to sign for the delivery and the carrier charges a redelivery fee, this cost must be paid by the customer before the second delivery attempt is made.

  • Collection: If an item is returned to the depot and you fail to collect it within the carrier’s timeframe, you will be liable for the return-to-sender fees and the cost of re-shipping the item.

5. INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT

For international orders placed via the website (USA, UK, NZ, Japan), shipping is quoted manually or adjusted after purchase. The recipient is responsible for all local duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees. We are not liable for delays caused by international customs authorities.