Why I do not use Astromart

Astromart is the biggest classified ad web site for amateur astronomers in the United States. It is sponsored by a major telescope dealer near Seattle.

In the past, I have found Astromart reliable and useful. Bargains are abundant and most of the sellers are very reliable. I do not hesitate to recommend it.

Unfortunately, I am no longer able to use Astromart. Here's why.

In a move that I do not consider wise, the management of Astromart has decided to classify book authors as "dealers" and require us to buy commercial advertising on their site if we want to use it. We are not eligible for the free service that others receive. Even if we don't want to place any ads of our own, we have to pay the fee in order to read other people's ads and respond to them.

These fees would be reasonable if we wanted to advertise and sell our own books, which is not the case. Most authors do not manufacture, distribute, or sell their own books. I do not sell my books and have made it quite clear to the management of Astromart that I do not wish to advertise my books there; I just want to use Astromart as a private individual.

During 2005, we worked out a compromise so that I did some writing for Astromart in lieu of fees. However, I no longer have time to do that, nor do I feel that I should have to contribute substantial labor to receive a service that is free to everyone else.

Further, my publisher flatly forbids me to pay any kind of gratuity (in money or labor) to a retailer who sells my books, since it's not fair to the other retailers. That includes providing money or labor to obtain a service that would normally be free.

So I have simply opted not to participate in Astromart. I know of at least one other book author who has done the same.

I remain puzzled by Astromart's decision; you'd think the telescope dealer who operates Astromart would want to cultivate the good will of book authors who might recommend his company to their readers.

Michael A. Covington
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
2006

Update, January 2007: Although still describing itself as "free to the amateur community," Astromart is now charging ordinary users $12 for new accounts. It is no longer actually a free service.