What are my risks? - DPChallenge Forums

01/28/2010 03:16:57 PM · #1

So, I've had a certain something on my Amazon "wish list" for a several months now. That certain something is well over $2,000 regularly, but this morning a seller is listing a brand new one for $1,200 and has 54 positive reviews, but it looks like they were mainly books. It's not one of the "featured" Amazon merchants, so I guess they haven't proven themselves to qualify for that ranking yet.

What are my risks with these other sellers? My gut is scared mainly because that's a lot of money for me either way, but Amazon does say it protects the buyer. I'm curious what other guts are saying...

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

01/28/2010 03:28:10 PM · #2

Suspicious that the feedback is mostly on books and now they are selling a "brand new" item for almost 50% off the market value. This is one of the signs that a seller's account was hijacked. Maybe contact Amazon and see what they think or contact the seller with questions that could provide answers that may give them away. Hope that's helpful.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

01/28/2010 03:29:41 PM · #3

My experience with Amazon has been that they keep an eye out for their customers, as bad behavior on the part of a merchant reflects on them. I ordered an item and after a few weeks when the vendor did not ship it, Amazon refunded my money. This was only a $5 item in my case. I would think that if they watch the little stuff like this, they would certainly watch the big stuff. I trust Amazon, but have no feel on the seller. Your mileage may vary.

Message edited by author 2010-01-28 15:30:40.

01/28/2010 03:33:02 PM · #4

Thats a whole lot of money and a great difference to be trusted on a regular seller..

I am a seller at Amazon, but I would not list anything that has a market price of $2k at $1200 (minus the amazon commission which in some cases can be as high as 15%).. simply because even if I list it for $1900 chances are people are going to buy it from me - it will take a little longer but I would have made 700 more.

So it sounds like one of those too good to be true deals imo - i wouldn't spend that kind of money online without seeing a seller with 5000+ ratings!

01/28/2010 03:36:31 PM · #5

Originally posted by vikas:

i wouldn't spend that kind of money online without seeing a seller with 5000+ ratings!

Ratings don't mean much if an account has been stolen by someone else. If you're talking about anything over $100 or so, due diligence is always in your best interest.

01/28/2010 03:38:18 PM · #6

I am going to buy a Nikon D700, I checked Amazon, their price is higher than the camera dealers I usually deal with, so I will buy it from my usual source and I know I can trust them.

When I see any item on any site nearly 50% discounted alarm bells start ringing. When it is ebay or Amazon or similar sites, I let it go. I am sure specialist sellers are as competitive as they can be, but distance buying from just a name, albeit on Amazon, is chancy.

01/28/2010 03:39:02 PM · #7

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Originally posted by vikas:
i wouldn't spend that kind of money online without seeing a seller with 5000+ ratings!

Ratings don't mean much if an account has been stolen by someone else. If you're talking about anything over $100 or so, due diligence is always in your best interest.

thats true .. never looked at it from that perspective!

01/28/2010 03:43:28 PM · #8

It's quite interesting how loud the kid inside us can scream when it really wants something. Everything in my being knows it can't be true, but the kid inside is coming up with every reason it could be true. I'm not going to do it, but now the "what if" will haunt me...

Kid inside, "I want it!!!!!"
Rest of my being, "Shut up, dumbass."

Nikon 70-200mm VRII for only $1,200!

01/28/2010 03:45:32 PM · #9

Originally posted by aliqui:

Woohoo! I snagged that baby!

edit: heehee, just kidding. I don't think you should completely abandon it, just proceed with extreme caution and cover all bases.

Message edited by author 2010-01-28 15:46:37.

01/28/2010 03:49:17 PM · #10

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Originally posted by aliqui:
It's quite interesting how loud the kid inside us can scream when it really wants something. Everything in my being knows it can't be true, but the kid inside is coming up with every reason it could be true. I'm not going to do it, but now the "what if" will haunt me...

Kid inside, "I want it!!!!!"
Rest of my being, "Shut up, dumbass."

Nikon 70-200mm VRII for only $1,200!

Woohoo! I snagged that baby!

edit: heehee, just kidding. I don't think you should completely abandon it, just proceed with extreme caution and cover all bases.

It'll be gone (either removed or bought) by the time I would get any answers. It's just too new of a lens for that to stay up for more than a day.

...but I want it!!!

Message edited by author 2010-01-28 15:49:31.

01/28/2010 03:49:29 PM · #11

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

I agree with the village vandal here! Get in touch with Amazon and ask for more details about the seller and what they will cover? Is it new or as new?? Possibly a used lens?

01/28/2010 03:50:28 PM · #12

Originally posted by SteveJ:

I agree with the village vandal here! Get in touch with Amazon and ask for more details about the seller and what they will cover? Is it new or as new?? Possibly a used lens?

You can't get a used version of the old lens for under $1,500. This version just came out.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

01/28/2010 03:50:43 PM · #13

Same seller has a brand new 7D for $1k
//www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NEGTU6?ie=UTF8&seller=A3KXPQO39QCFND&sn=scavines5

edit: he has THREE of them. Hmmm.....

Message edited by author 2010-01-28 15:51:13.

bassbone

Nikon Z8

01/28/2010 03:51:46 PM · #14

Michelle -
Go for the 80-200mm 2.8 and be done with it. It isn't VR but it is sharp as a tack and is just over $1K.

01/28/2010 03:52:22 PM · #15

Originally posted by aliqui:

Originally posted by SteveJ:
I agree with the village vandal here! Get in touch with Amazon and ask for more details about the seller and what they will cover? Is it new or as new?? Possibly a used lens?

You can't get a used version of the old lens for under $1,500. This version just came out.

I think you may have just answered your original question then:) You can't buy used for under $1500, but you can buy a brand new one for $1200??

01/28/2010 03:58:27 PM · #16

Originally posted by SteveJ:

Originally posted by aliqui:

Originally posted by SteveJ:
I agree with the village vandal here! Get in touch with Amazon and ask for more details about the seller and what they will cover? Is it new or as new?? Possibly a used lens?

You can't get a used version of the old lens for under $1,500. This version just came out.

I think you may have just answered your original question then:) You can't buy used for under $1500, but you can buy a brand new one for $1200??

The kid inside me is a very stubborn dumbass. "What if?!"

01/28/2010 04:00:42 PM · #17

Originally posted by aliqui:

Great now you have got me thinking if I should buy this before you decide to buy it.. or someone else here at DPC does!
I am only kidding, it is definitely a scam of some sort.. BTW amazon does not pay the seller till the item has been shipped, but that only means as a seller once I mark the item shipped and give the details of shipping (just the carrier name, no tracking information required).. At this point it takes about 5 business days and I have the money in my account.. as for you as a buyer you don't report it because your shinny lens is still traveling through a shipping truck... I don't know what will happen after that - amazon might be able to answer you on that.

01/28/2010 04:02:28 PM · #18

Okay dumbass! Keep us posted on what you decide to do, but remember its homework night and early to bed with no TV if it all goes tits up!:)

Message edited by author 2010-01-28 16:03:23.

01/28/2010 04:06:29 PM · #19

Originally posted by SteveJ:

Okay dumbass! Keep us posted on what you decide to do, but remember its homework night and early to bed with no TV if it all goes tits up!:)

I'm going to distract myself with trying to convince the kid that the 80-200mm would be just as cool, but it's like trying to tell a kid that Tycos are the same as Legos.

I'm going to go pout now.