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-   -   SkyTec rockets (link) (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=16945)

blackshire 11-12-2017 11:05 PM

SkyTec rockets (link)
 
Hello All,

I just came across--via an entry on Hans "Chris" Michielssen's blog [see: http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot...-argentina.html ], which came up on Google--an Argentinian model rocket manufacturer called SkyTec (see: http://www.cohetes-skytec.com.ar/index.htm ), whose kits are refreshingly different. I like the "old school-esque" configurations and decor schemes of their 'straight' sport kits, and they even make scale kits, and a counterpart to the Estes Interceptor...

frognbuff 11-13-2017 06:17 AM

I've known about these guys for years but have never figured out how to potentially buy their stuff. Obviously, speaking Spanish would help! There is a hobby store in Buenos Aires called "Hobby Mundo" (Hobby World - possibly a chain like HobbyTown USA??) that sells these kits (which used to be called CondorTec, I believe). If anybody ever cracks the code, please do tell!

neil_w 11-13-2017 09:00 PM

Hey, those are some nice-looking kits. Cool.

blackshire 11-14-2017 03:37 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by frognbuff
I've known about these guys for years but have never figured out how to potentially buy their stuff. Obviously, speaking Spanish would help! There is a hobby store in Buenos Aires called "Hobby Mundo" (Hobby World - possibly a chain like HobbyTown USA??) that sells these kits (which used to be called CondorTec, I believe). If anybody ever cracks the code, please do tell!
I've ordered hobby items (model rocketry and other products) in such situations by using FreeTranslation.com (see: www.freetranslation.com ). To avoid any potential misunderstandings, I explain in the e-mail inquiry that I'm using that website and include its URL, so that the seller(s) can use it as well (for their reference--in case anyone on their staff understands English--I also include my original message, below the translated version). Also:

As a further safeguard, I use only Basic English (the ~800 word, simplified [but not "pidgin"] version of English that is used as a second language worldwide), and avoid any idioms, as they could be unfathomable to the message recipients. I've had 100% success so far, and sometimes I get a reply in English. It takes a little longer to work the transactions than with "Anglosphere" vendors, but not by much. In addition:

The only time I ever had a problem making a payment (it wasn't a barrier; it just took longer because of a mistake I made) was when--several years ago, for a German immigrant friend of mine--I ordered a bettwäsche (she called it a "bettbezug," see: http://www.quelle.at/heimtextilien/...ue&sview=extern ) from the German department store chain called Quelle. At that time, they (their German chain) wouldn't sell to the U.S., but their division in Estonia would, so I wrote to them and explained the situation (they understood English, which made things easier). They were somewhat intrigued and definitely surprised, but they were happy to fill the order, but they would only accept a U.S. Postal Money Order for payment. Unfortunately, there were two types, and I--like Colonel Klink in that bomb-defusing scene in an episode of "Hogan's Heroes"--sent them the wrong type! Some weeks later (after receiving their letter regarding the wrong money order), I'd sent the one they would honor, and the much-anticipated bettbezug arrived. All of the other times when I ordered items from international vendors, PayPal or a credit card worked just fine (so did [well-hidden] mailed cash, when I ordered several Esbit tablet-fueled mini-hot air balloons from a one-man company run by a former East German fellow).

blackshire 11-14-2017 06:24 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by neil_w
Hey, those are some nice-looking kits. Cool.
I'm sure they would say, "Gracias!" :-) I do like their somewhat different takes on configurations and decor schemes, and they also offer scale models of Argentinian missiles (as well as the V-2).

MarkB. 11-14-2017 11:59 AM

Kinda pricey unless I'm missing something . . . .

1 Argentine peso is .57 cents

The V-2 is slightly smaller than BT-70 making it about 18" tall. but at the exchange rate, it's $212.92 U.S.. The Condor is even worse at $266 U.S. Ooch!

I'd love to build the V-2 and the Condor. I've got Spanish skillz. I don't have $500 for two smallish scale rockets.

Am I missing something?

MarkB. 11-14-2017 12:48 PM

Well, I figured it out . . . .

Its not 1 peso = .57 US, its 1 AP = .057 cents.

Decimal place is important as are zeros AND checking a different browser result.

So its $23 and $27 for the kits (+ shipping). I could live with that. Let me see how tough it is to order them.

the mole 11-14-2017 05:06 PM

MarkB, Please keep us informed of your ordering progress.
I would like to order one of there Raptor II.

Gus 11-14-2017 07:31 PM

It is very difficult to order items in South America, and from Argentina in particular. It has nothing to do with not speaking Spanish. The Argentine government has taken big steps to try to limit foreign transactions (see https://qz.com/121829/this-is-the-l...reign-currency/ )

For that reason you can't use Paypal. And unless you can contact a company directly, you can't use your U.S. credit card online for Argentine (or most other South American) purchases. To use your credit card online in South America you also have to include your national ID number, (DNI) which as a foreigner you don't have.

There is a South American PayPal pseudo-equivalent called Mercado Pago but, again, you can't register a U.S. credit card with them because of the lack of a DNI number. Extremely frustrating.

For a time there were folks available on eBay under the title "I'll buy your items in Argentina" who would add a 20% surcharge, but I haven't seen any of them for a while.

I have attempted to contact SkyTec several times without success. If any of you get through to them I'd love to know how.

Steve

blackshire 11-15-2017 03:38 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkB.
Well, I figured it out . . . .

Its not 1 peso = .57 US, its 1 AP = .057 cents.

Decimal place is important as are zeros AND checking a different browser result.

So its $23 and $27 for the kits (+ shipping). I could live with that. Let me see how tough it is to order them.
When I saw those huge dollar figures, I suspected that the prices were actually denominated in Argentinian pesos, but that the dollar symbol $ was just "carried over" from 'our side,' so to speak. The actual dollar prices that you computed using the dollar/peso exchange rate sound eminently reasonable (the shipping charges, however, may not be...).


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