Photography Timaru

WARNING: Do not deal with Robert McTague!! I purchased a Nikon D850 camera from him back on the 7th of December, paid $4318 via bank transfer, and never received the item. The item was "lost by the couriers", and the tracking number lead to nothing. On the 28th of December, he claims to have received an insurance payout from NZI for the "lost" item and sent me screen shots. He must refund me, however the money still hasn't been received. He made the following excuses (without showing me any proof or evidence) between the 12th of January and 28th of January: 1) His sister died and needs to arrange the funeral. 2) He got cancer and needs to be treated at the hospital 3) He had a slip/fall and damaged his ribs 4) He suddenly had a stroke I have sent him my final warning, and notified that I will be reporting him to the police, and he will very likely be charged with obtains by deception and fraud. He has done this to multiple people. I will also be submitting a claim in the Disputes Tribunal if my funds are not received. I will also be forwarding his details onto the entire Insurance Council of NZ and NZI Insurance, to investigate for suspected insurance fraud. Edit: As of the 15th of June, Robert McTague has been arrested by Timaru Police, and will be charged and trialed in court for Obtaining by Deception.
May 14th, 2018

Warning - Do not buy off NZ Telescopes or any website run by Robert McTague I purchased a Celestron CPC 1100 telescope in October 2017, paid $4090 via bank transfer. I have never received the telescope, but have received numerous excuses. 1) Not all the parts received from overseas 2) items lost by the fright company. The freight company did not recognize any of the track and trace numbers provided by Robert McTague. 3) His sister died and was clearing her place out. 4) He claimed to have lodged a claim for insurance. Promised a refund, that was early January, so far nothing. Received an email early Feb advising I would be paid on the 28th Feb. It is now the 13th March still no refund. Lies upon Lies. They are not responding to emails, phone calls or texts. 28th April - The Disputes Tribunal has awarded in my favor and McTague has 6 days to pay my refund before I instigate enforcement action. I will also be visiting the police again to lodge a further complaint. Fair Go would be interested in hearing from anyone else who is having issues with this guy. They are doing a story on him.
May 2nd, 2018

I wouldn't buy off this guy, he is a crook. Sadly I read these reviews after I gave him $3125 for a telescope that plainly doesn't exist, probably the same one as Trout Catcher refers to below. Lies, lies and more lies. Robert Mctague and "Mike"(pretty sure they are one and the same) have had all sorts of excuses, including a family tragedy and working in an area where there is no internet. Finally got sent a bogus tracking number which had been doctored (crudely) to look like it was legit, the dates and the destination didn't stack up. Have lodged a complaint with the police. DONT BUY ANYTHING FROM THIS GUY
Feb 1st, 2018

FRAUD WARNING Dont buy a telescope or anything from Robert McTague at NZ TELESCOPEs also known as KIWI OBSERVATORY both based in TIMARU . Purchased a 12 inch LX 90 Meade Telescope in mid October 2017. Still no scope (have attempted on a number of occasions to pick up scope). Ongoing continuous excuses: not home this weekend TXT from Robert On way home just in mobile range won't be in Timaru tomorrow we helping a friend move home very sorry have family coming around tonight Im behind in work TXT from Robert 26/03/18 My wife and I off to Oamaru my son been in car accident he in Hospital (this conveniently happened to be one of the days I was going down to pick up the scope) TXT from Robert 26/03/18 Son ok but requires surgery neck issue from whiplash car is a right off chassis damage TXT From Robert 27/03/18 Still in Dunedin just got my ph charged our son in surgery at the moment This was the last time I ever heard from him. I sent Robert on 11/04/18: Hi Robert As of the 11/04/18, there is still no response from you to my emails or TXTs, nor any money has been transferred into my account. After obtaining legal advice as of today 11/04/18, if the total sum of $4,295.00 has not been paid in full to my account by the 15/04/18, the following will happen A complaint will be lodged with the TIMARU POLICE on the grounds of FRAUD. Furthermore, as of 17/04/18, that complaint has been lodged with the NZ POLICE at CHCH Central on the Grounds of FRAUD I see that a number of people have been deceived and have encountered the same stressful situation and have become a victim of FRAUD . PLEASE put a complaint into the police on the grounds of FRAUD, ASAP.
Jul 15th, 2017

I would not recommend NZ Telescopes Online shop/Robert McTague after the very disappointing experience I had following a 4+K purchase. I purchased goods from Robert McTague/NZ Telescopes Online who also operates Langwoods Photography Timaru back in May 2017. They sent the items to a wrong address where they sat for 6 weeks before they "located" them [after I had told them NZ post said the tracking number did not correlate with my address]. These were sensitive electronic goods specifically imported for my telescope. After this saga, no apology or acknowledgement they had made the error, I asked for a refund as I was no longer confident NZ Telescopes were able to provide evidence these items had not been tampered with and they were now deemed to be 2nd hand. At that point their terms and conditions had a clause that stated I could ask for a refund if the items had not been freighted to my address- which they hadnt- note -this clause has since been removed from their website terms and conditions]. Initially they agreed to a refund and I sent my bank details for an electronic transfer, it never occurred and Robert McTague/NZ Telescopes stopped responding to any communication [phone/email] from me. I had to take Robert McTague/NZ Telescopes Online to Court via the Disputes Tribunal in an endeavour to get my money refunded. NZ Telescopes failed to turn up at the court hearing which went ahead with out them and ruled in my favour- they were given a month to complete the refund. I again sent my bank details to them requesting them to complete an electronic bank transfer for the refund. I heard nothing from them until 28/12/17 -one day before the deadline of 5pm 29/12/17 - I received an email from Robert McTague saying, bank cheque is in the mail. As if it would get from Timaru to Auckland by the deadline! I waited 14 days [stat days and reduced postal days] the cheque NEVER arrived. I contacted Robert McTague. Again, no apology. He eventually agreed to cancel the cheque and I asked again for the refund to be completed via an electronic bank transfer- he advised I would have to wait for 3 days while the bank refunded the cheque to NZ Telescopes so they had the $ to refund me. It eventually occurred, the refund was completed electronically, but what a saga and throughout this not one word of apology from NZ Telescopes/Robert McTague even though the initial error was completely and unreservedly their fault. I would not recommend anyone doing business with this company.
Jun 6th, 2017