how did you get on with your problem have they resolved it?hope you got / get a pleasing outcome
2 Likes
Got a couple of emails . Still waiting to see actual outcome . I’ll update as soon as things happen .
1 Like
I was going to order something from the store. This is making me have second thoughts.
3 Likes
Back issues and other publications weren’t a problem and showed up I perfect condition . My problems was T shirts in the wrong size and the Messier Flash Cards are 1/3 of a set which makes no sense to me and I didn’t know until I got them but the kicker is that the both of the other 2/3 of the set are NLA so these things should be given away to the local pubs for throw away drink coasters instead being pawed off to unsuspecting customers . I didn’t even realize it was only 1/3 of a set until I opened the box and stated going through them . It says set one on the box but even with it in my hand they sure didn’t bother to make it very clear . Why would anyone want to get 1:3 of a set ? And I ordered 2 sets thinking I’d give one away as a gift . Well now two of us are out of luck . Oh and of course the lack of customer service regarding the situation and the need to drag it out on open forum before anything started to break was concerning . Hopefully everyone else’s experience will be better than my first two tries .
1 Like
Okay , I promised you guys an update so here it is . So far at least I received a package yesterday and The Space Store shipped me out replacements for the T shirts in the correct size . They didn’t even require me to ship the wrong sized ones back to them so I guess I’ve got a few I can give away to the good kids in the neighborhood . Size small is really small . Maybe a petite woman could fit in it . So far they’ve made everything right . If you guys order shirts I would suggest going one size larger . Better a little bit big than too small . I’m still wondering what happened and why Becky James halted all communications with me and it’s bothersome that the only way I could get any attention on this problem was to bring it up on public forum . They really should have a phone contact for things other than taking magazine subscriptions as that department is unable to help with anything pertaining to The Space Store . Bottom line is they made things right and now my only question is what to do with this thread . I’m thinking of taking it down but haven’t tried it nor do I know if I can do it or if I need to request a moderator to do it . I’ll leave it be for now so those that have been following have a chance to see this update .
1 Like
great outcome mate hope the new one don’t shrink
1 Like
@Starrancher glad to hear you finally got stuff resolved. I am baffled why all communication stopped, that makes no sense at all. I can’t help but wonder how much longer this might have drug on if Nick Torres had not seen the thread.
1 Like
Already washed them . No shrinkage . If it fits out of the package , it’ll fit once washed .
1 Like
Yeah , well Nick would have never seen the thread if I didn’t post it . Believe me , I really didn’t fancy having to post such a thread but I gave things at least a good month trying not to .
At this point I’m completely satisfied . I didn’t even bother with the Messier Flash Cards but I got an email saying I’d see a refund for something . I don’t know what but if it covers the cost of those cards I’m happy . . I just got my bank statement and it’s not yet come through so if it doesn’t show up on my statement that I’ll get in 30 days , I’ll let ya know .
1 Like
So I just got my bank statement for 5/9/25 through 6/11/25 and the refund I was supposed to get within 10 days of my email notification has not shown up . Here’s a screenshot of that email dated 5/9/25 .
@Starrancher maybe its time to tag nick in this post
1 Like
He’s tagged . I responded directly to his last post on this thread . Waited an entire month for my statement and there’s no credit issued on my account . So I went back through my emails and posted a screenshot of it from 5/9 .
1 Like
oh no that’s a bummer its been dragging on,hate it when they wont refund your money as quick as when they take it off you
1 Like
Yep . I waited all month to see if it would be refunded . It’s rare for things to take the full ten days that this email stated and I wasn’t gonna call my bank to find out , but my statement came today in the mail and they’ve had a full month .
Then there’s a gift card award that I was supposed to receive and the online coupon never showed up so I emailed to ask where it was . I received an email back saying it was a mistake but they’d issue a gift card for 50% of what they said I’d get for the mistake that they made . I mean , this stuff is just silly . I’ve gotta wonder what is going on with this organization at this point . It seemed it was far better when it was “Kalbalch” publishing . Now it’s “Firecrown” but when you send notifications that you earned a coupon out then back out on it , there’s no confidence left as a consumer for that product anymore . I put time into trying to get this forum off the ground and hopes in bringing it back to the level it was before they shut it down back around 2010 . This reward points thing telling you one thing then going back on it is pretty irritating . I’m about ready to just not even participate in it anymore and just go back to “Stargazers Lounge” . Astronomy Magazine had the best forum on the internet at one time . This is really a disappointment now .
1 Like
@nicktorres … Nick are you seeing this. Thanks
1 Like
Hi everyone — I was tagged a while back and just catching up on everything since my last interaction here.
From what I’ve gathered:
- The correct T-shirts have been received
- The small T-shirts will be gifted to kids in the neighborhood (love that, by the way)
- The remaining issue is that the refund is not showing on the statement
I’ll reach out to the team — as I did last time — and get this moving in the right direction.
That said, I want to reiterate: while this situation is clearly frustrating and not what we want anyone to experience, I don’t believe it reflects the quality of our overall operation, the dedication of our customer service team, or this forum itself — which, in fact, is demonstrating its value by helping surface and resolve these kinds of issues.
We’ve fulfilled hundreds of orders and gifted plenty of cards without issue, but we still take this kind of feedback seriously.
Astronomy, both in print and digital, has gone through several evolutions — and now that it’s under the Firecrown umbrella, it’s getting the resources it’s long needed. We’re upgrading to faster site hosting, improving the print product, hiring more journalists, and getting back to the heart of what makes this brand special: sharing the awe and wonder of space.
Bottom line — I hear you. I’ll get this looked into immediately, and as you saw last time I stepped in, I expect things to start moving quickly.
1 Like
Alright - spoke with the team and the issue stems from the original purchase used a mixture of a gift card and debit/credit card:
- The total purchase was $124.20
- $100 was paid using a gift card
- The remaining $24.20 was paid via debit/credit card
- Since the majority of the payment was on the gift card, the system defaulted to refund the gift card — and that refund has been completed
I’m working with the customer service team on why this wasn’t clearly communicated earlier. So I can continue improving our team/processes, how did you reach out to customer service previously? Was it only email? Phone? Mixture of both?
This email was sent to me over a month ago .
Yes, I saw that you posted that screenshot before.
I agree this is a confusing situation since it says ‘account’ which typically would mean ‘bank account’. In this case, it meant gift card balance which should have been noted in that original email and in the customer support communication.
In the future, I’ll work to ensure the communication is clear regarding where the refund is going.