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04/25/2007 01:07:00 PM · #1 |
I looked back about a year or so for a thread about buying off of eBay and found nothing, so I'll start a thread here.
I've never bought anything through eBay. When I search for anything camera-related, it looks like most of the sellers are basically companies with a bunch of stock in each item.
My question is, should I buy something this way? Is there much risk of getting a gray market product? Are there certain "companies" I should use or avoid?
Basically, post your good/bad experiences here. |
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04/25/2007 01:19:45 PM · #2 |
I've not had too many bad experiences, only three, really.
a. Bought a memory card which was fake. Seller refunded cost of item, postage and cost of postage back to him.
b. Bought a firewire card reader. A USB one was delivered. Seller eventually answered my emails and reluctantly took back the item. I left neutral feedback, because seller obviously didn't keep a suitable stock, check on items going out properly or check on his emails. In return he left a negative for me, with the reason being that I left him a neutral. That, I think, did more to show him up than me.
c. Sold a lens which buyer claimed didn't work properly. Took it back and refunded, just to maintain good relations. Lens worked perfectly. Lent it to bro-in-law for a couple of months before selling it to an eBay buyer who was more than satisfied with it.
If you're buying, the best advice, I feel, is to check the feedback of the seller and make sure that this is for items of the same calibre that you are buying. For instance, I was recently looking at Canon 35-350 lenses. Saw one from a buyer with 100% feedback and at a good price. Checking the items to which the feedback appertained and almost all were something like knitting patterns or stuffed toys. I kept clear of that one.
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04/25/2007 01:22:20 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
If you're buying, the best advice, I feel, is to check the feedback of the seller and make sure that this is for items of the same calibre that you are buying. |
Hmmm... Very good advice. Something I hadn't thought of.
Thanks. |
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04/25/2007 01:23:29 PM · #4 |
Sorry but I don't remember the name. But here's the story. I bought a lens adapter that was to let me use Olympus OM lenses with my E-500. The adapter didn't work. I emailed the guy and he said send it back for a refund. So I sent it back and waited. 2 weeks had gone by. After asking where my refund was, he said he never received the item. By the third week I filed a claim with Paypal and they sided in his favor because I did not have a shipping number. After that I was unable to leave any negative feedback for this member. When trying to, it kept timing out. Basically I was unable to let others know that this guy was selling junk and then not refunding money. I think ebay was in cahoots with this guy. But I did go to my credit card and disputed that charge. And then paypal locks your account. I still got my money back, but what a hassle. Since then, I've only bought a couple of low dollar items.
I wouldn't buy any high dollar camera equipment off of ebay. There are too many frauds on there. Even the ones with high feedback will rip you off. |
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04/25/2007 01:27:12 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by Marc923:
I wouldn't buy any high dollar camera equipment off of ebay. There are too many frauds on there. Even the ones with high feedback will rip you off. |
I must say that I haven't had any trouble that totally floored me and none at all with higher-value items ( I sound like some eBay-supporting troll here, but it's just my thoughts, you know). Always check the feedback and, if necessary, buy through some of the ebay stores. Living in the UK, it's much cheaper to buy from one of the ebay stores in Hong Kong, for example. The saving on my last camera was too good to pass up on.
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04/25/2007 01:31:56 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
...it's much cheaper to buy from one of the ebay stores in Hong Kong, for example. |
I actually bought stuff (non-camera related) from some Hong Kong sellers. Never had a problem. |
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04/25/2007 01:35:47 PM · #7 |
| I bought my 50mm 1.4 off ebay, it came as described and has work great for me. |
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04/25/2007 01:42:00 PM · #8 |
I have been using eBay for personal stuff since 2000. I have purchased about 50 things in that time and sold maybe 100 or more. I have had a few bad experiences, mostly while selling, but not enough to push me away. Here are my views and advise concerning eBay
1) eBay can be a very handy place to find new and used items. Many new items are priced at MSRP or higher, so never look at eBay like a place to always find the cheapest stuff. The best things to buy are used items and hard-to-find items.
2) When buying an item look for a well designed auction. I personally don't like the "Store Front" looking auctions. I prefer simple basic style auction pages. Make sure there are a few pictures of the actual item. I refuse to buy anything off eBay that I can not look at in at least one picture. Make sure to ask the seller a question on more expensive auctions. This will not only get a question answered but also tell you how well the seller communicates. Feel free to buy odd items from China and such. They will usually have them at decent prices and the shipping is usually faster than buying it in the states. I am not sure I would buy expensive items that way but for things like wired remotes and straps and other cheaper items, it works great.
3) Look at the seller's (or buyer's if you are selling something) feedback. Find the negatives if there are any and see what the problem was. Be very careful buying from a "0" feedback person.
4) Learn how to search for items. The ebay search engine is a little odd sometimes and the more you use it, the better you will get. Always search from the main page and then refine it from there. Start more simple and slowly refine your search once you see what and how many items are coming up. Use the "*" to get more items. For example some people will list a pair of speakers using the word "Speakers" and others will list them using the word "Speaker". To solve this problem, search for "Speaker*".
Anyhow, I could write for an hour on this subject but I will stop here. Hope this helps.
Message edited by author 2007-04-25 13:43:27. |
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04/25/2007 01:45:15 PM · #9 |
I sell and buy camera equipment on eBay and have never had an issue. I have 100% positive feedback for 478 feedback left. That includes selling three cars and a $15k camper and oodles of camera equipment! (I sell for an old gentleman that used to own a camera store before he retired). It's very simple...buyer beware.
Keep these in mind:
1) If it seems too good to be true...it probably is!
2) Look at the sellers feedback closely...I mean read it (especially for large ticket items). If they have a lot of neutrals, stear clear. Those people are afraid to leave negative feedback, since the seller will probably retaliate. Also, check the comments left by the Seller...you can find some interesting things about your Seller that way.
3) I always google the item I am looking for...a lot of times, I can get the same item off of eBay for the same or a little more brand new.
4) Always make sure you know how much shipping is going to be before you bid! The item might only cost you a dollar...but, if it's shipping from Hong Kong and it's going to cost $50 it's usually not worth it!
There are many very honest Seller's out there...people only tell you about their bad experiences...and that can happen at any market place!
Hope this helps...
Oh...I did have one bad experience buying a Coach bag...but, it worked itself out. So, one out of 478...not bad! I don't do that well at Best Buy!
Message edited by author 2007-04-25 13:46:43.
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04/25/2007 01:48:20 PM · #10 |
Member since: Nov-07-99
55 purchases since that date, over $10,000 spent on eBay and not one problem.
(keep in mind most of those purchases were automotive shop equipment bought when setting up my shop)
Be smart about the seller's ratings, never use money orders or checks and use your instincts: If the rest of the world is selling an item for $100, why is that seller's price $50 - the old "if it's too good to be true" saying. |
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04/25/2007 02:11:15 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by geoffb:
Basically, post your good/bad experiences here. |
About 80 good transactions and one ripoff since 2000. I only buy on eBay what I can afford to lose. I believe my largest transaction was about 125 bucks. That's about the limit for me. Only spend on eBay that what you can afford to lose. Buy a 1300 dollar camera on eBay? hahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Message edited by karmat - space bars are our friends. :). |
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04/25/2007 02:12:15 PM · #12 |
| I have bought things off of e-bay for quite a long time and I haven't had bad experiences. I love my new camera, and my new lighting set. However, before I started buying photography equipment from e-bay I bought everything else imaginable. We hate malls and overly crowded areas so almost all our christmas shopping is done through e-bay. |
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04/25/2007 03:09:59 PM · #13 |
| I bought my camera, light stands, background stand, a reflector and a number of other photography related items off of eBay with no problems. |
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04/25/2007 03:19:52 PM · #14 |
I have brought a bunch of items from ebay, I even brought my rebel 350xt from ebay and no problems at all, its just selling on ebay that I dont like... anymore
Like mentioned above just check out their feedback. I dont buy from anybody on ebay that has bad/negative feedback.
Oh yeah if the price is too good to be true make sure.. again MAKE SURE you read the fine print.... some times you will see something and bid on it and what you get is instructions on how to get the item free or I have even heard of people getting just a jpeg/picture of the item that was supposedly for sale. Sometimes I would have to read the description 3 times or more before I found out what exactly you are bidding on. My old boss feel for it on a memory card for his camera, he recieved instructions on how to get it for free.
Message edited by author 2007-04-25 15:24:14.
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04/25/2007 03:31:40 PM · #15 |
| I have bought several items - from a few dollars up to my Canon 1DMkII (used - fewer than 8500 clicks). Only had one problem - with a damaged printer and got that resolved. |
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04/25/2007 05:27:06 PM · #16 |
I've bought and sold quite a few items on EBay, as has a friend of mine and it's really just common sense. The more expensive the item is, the more cautious you should be.
1. Check their feedback. But, don't just check THEIR feedback, check the feedback of the person leaving them theirs. Sometimes 'friends' leave each other feedback.
2. Pay with SOME type of secure payment. NEVER, by check or money order. PayPal has always worked best for me. I even used PayPal to get my money back when the item was never shipped to me.
Those 2 are the most important things I would recommend. If at all possible, try and get the sellers real email address or, if you can, their phone number (even more so on high dollar items).
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04/25/2007 08:03:35 PM · #17 |
Thanks to everyone who responded.
Originally posted by imagesbytlp:
Keep these in mind:
1) If it seems too good to be true...it probably is! |
The reason I posted this thread in the first place was after reading this thread, where  pgirish007 got a tripod and tripod head for less than $20. After going in to my local camera store and seeing tripods for $400, I found this extremely surprising. (Obviously there are differences in quality and weight, but who can argue with 1/20 of the price?!). |
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04/25/2007 09:32:27 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by geoffb:
but who can argue with 1/20 of the price?!). |
A blurry 15 second night shot?
Message edited by author 2007-04-25 21:32:47.
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04/25/2007 11:26:06 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by MrEd:
Originally posted by geoffb:
but who can argue with 1/20 of the price?!). |
A blurry 15 second night shot? |
I get your point, but why would this tripod create a blurry image? The OP said it was a heavy tripod, so shouldn't it be sturdier? |
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04/25/2007 11:42:08 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by geoffb:
Thanks to everyone who responded.
Originally posted by imagesbytlp:
Keep these in mind:
1) If it seems too good to be true...it probably is! |
The reason I posted this thread in the first place was after reading this thread, where pgirish007 got a tripod and tripod head for less than $20. After going in to my local camera store and seeing tripods for $400, I found this extremely surprising. (Obviously there are differences in quality and weight, but who can argue with 1/20 of the price?!). |
I see what you are say well I actually have this tripod dynatran AT-877BL that link is an ebay store I actually brought from fredmiranda.com some one was selling it that brought from that exact store on ebay, I love the tripod I got it for $75 bucks and its an awesome tripod really well built tough and sturdy now it does get heavy after hours of carrying around.
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04/25/2007 11:54:06 PM · #21 |
Ebay is ok. Paypal will rob you blind.
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04/26/2007 12:12:23 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by geoffb:
Thanks to everyone who responded.
Originally posted by imagesbytlp:
Keep these in mind:
1) If it seems too good to be true...it probably is! |
The reason I posted this thread in the first place was after reading this thread, where pgirish007 got a tripod and tripod head for less than $20. After going in to my local camera store and seeing tripods for $400, I found this extremely surprising. (Obviously there are differences in quality and weight, but who can argue with 1/20 of the price?!). |
Well, there ARE bargains in there, for sure! As an experiment I bought this watch for my hubby;
blackhawks
It was from a Japanese company and the winning bid was ONE CENT. With shipping and exchange it came to less than $10CAD.
I emailed before bidding and asked if they'd accept money order, as Paypal and credit card were all listed, heard back promptly that they would.
The watch arrived about within two weeks of mailing a money order, brand new in gift box, LOVELY watch, and the battery is still going after a year and a half.
I figured that if it didn't pan out $10 wasn't much of a loss, but I couldn't have been happier, even if I'd been paying 3 times that.
eta; They also had excellent feedback from thousands of buyers.
Message edited by author 2007-04-26 00:16:56. |
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04/26/2007 12:22:27 AM · #23 |
There are a lot of replies already but I will try and offer some information.
I buy and sell on eBay a lot... I've have a couple snags here and there but mostly have been in the clear..
First things first--- LEARN ABOUT YOUR SELLER.. Check their feedback.. take a look at the other items they have sold and check the feedback fro those items... are the other customers happy about them? Look at all their negative feedback.. what were the problems?
ASK QUESTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AVOID THE HUGE PACKAGE SELLERS...YOU CAN PROBABLY GET A BETTER DEAL ELSEWHERE....(and do you really need all that little junk? e.g. mini tripod)
ASK MORE QUESTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SAVE/DOCUMENT ALL CONVERSATIONS/SHIPPING NUMBERS/TRANSACTION NUMBERS FOR FUTURE USE!!!!!!! (You'll never know when you will need them)
Always get a tracking number!
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When selling-
Make STRICT buyer requirements and decline any bids that do no meet your requirement!! TRUST ME!!
Document everything!
Report users that don't play by the rules..
AND FINALLY, WITH ALL TRANSACTION, PLAY IT SMART! USE COMMON SENSE!
P.S. I am sure all this has been said before.. I just like ranting.. |
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04/26/2007 12:30:14 AM · #24 |
I have been using eBay since about 1998 and have no complaints.
I have had very little trouble using eBay. Only twice so far have I had a problem, one for a wired remote, and the other for a 70/300 D ED Nikon lens. The remote was a cheapie, and the plug does not fit well into one of my S3's and not at all in the other. It isn't worth sending back. The ( used ) lens had a tiny piece broken on the aperture ring, and the seller promptly sent me a brand new lens, in the box when I returned it.
A couple of my better buys have been due to a new seller not posting good pics, like a like new Bogen 9 ft tall tripod with Bogen pan head for $76. The pic was fuzzy, but I could tell what it was. I find things like that by putting the listings in "ending soonest" order, then look a couple of days ahead.
Look at recently completed sales, and see what the thing you are wanting to bid on have sold for in the past, is one of the things that I do when I get excited about clicking the "Place Bid" button. I have skipped this step, and kicked myself later a time or two.
Read the whole ad before bidding.
Check the shipping cost.
The more that you know about what you are looking for, the better chance that you will get it at a good price, so study before you buy.
If you bid, make your mind up about how much you are willing to pay, and bid that much the first bid. This will make it easier for you, and eBay will bid up for you as the bids rise. You may get what you want for much less than you expect. This works very well with items that are 24 hours out or more.
Except for 3 pawn shop lenses, all of my lenses, a pro camera body and several other things have been located thru the "Bay".
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04/26/2007 12:35:32 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
Read the whole ad before bidding.
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Yesyesyesyess... pleeeease do! |
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