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01/12/2011 08:24:26 PM · #1 |
You see the blank spot under my name? I do, and I need to change it.
I am wanting a buy a used Canon 30D, but the pickings are slim where I'm currently living (Tyler, TX). I have checked craigslist in a couple towns a few hours away, but I'm still coming up short.
My question is for people who have purchased a camera on ebay. Would you recommend it? Is it a safe way to go, or is it something I absolutely need to avoid and stick to a human to human exchange?
I know it's not totally black and white, I just am looking for input re: personal experiences, whether good or bad. |
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01/12/2011 08:33:32 PM · #2 |
If you do everything right you can still get burned sometimes. As in anything in life.
Check the seller's feedback. If there is an issue, it will usually be consistent.
Check the shipping price and restrictions.
If you aren't sure about something, ask before bidding.
You might be better off looking at a Canon board for something used if you are worried. They tend to be smaller communities and the people usually know each other, so the odds of being cheated are lower.
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01/12/2011 08:51:20 PM · #3 |
| I'd say 2/3 good luck, 1/3 bad luck in my eBay experience. For complicated machinery like DSLR bodies and lenses I buy new now. I don't want to take the chance on an expensive piece of equipment. I bought a 50-200 Oly lens in good used condition on eBay after my due diligence but it fell apart after a year of occasional use. As mentioned, try the Canon forums for better luck or check Canon for refurbished equipment. Any way you go, I don't think you can beat the secure feeling of a manufactures warranty. |
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01/12/2011 09:24:44 PM · #4 |
Used equipment is always a risk. I bought a 20D from another member here on DPC and it failed after 2 1/2 months. It was sold in good faith for a fair price, but you never know. My approach to buying used is I want a good discount for the risk I am taking. A price somewhere on the lower end of reasonable will get me to purchase without haggling.
If a Rebel XT would do the job, I believe  nshapiro still has one he has not sold yet. You can't see the buy/sell forum with a free membership, so you will have to PM him for details.
Message edited by author 2011-01-12 21:27:18.
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01/12/2011 10:22:01 PM · #5 |
As a former ebay seller, and I've bought tons of stuff on the thing as well... it has changed in a BAD way! There are a LOT of sellers from overseas, that show a USA address... and even though ebay has changed in favor of the buyer having most of the rights, if a crooked seller gets ya, it's all over.. My advice on ebay is don't pay any money that you wouldn't worry about loosing...
You might check B&D Photo, I've purchased some used lenses there and the ones I've bought have come with a years warranty. Some of the other Big Photo stores might have a used section as well. |
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01/12/2011 10:36:27 PM · #6 |
The majority of my experiences on Ebay were good. I have only had one bad transaction, and that was for an item that was $15. If the item you purchase is less than $1000, and you pay for it with Paypal, then it is protected by Ebay from fraud. I just make sure the seller has a high rating.
I agree with littlemav about the seller address thing, though. I've bought items that I thought were coming from a USA address, but it was actually coming from China. :( Other than a longer wait time, the product worked as expected. Now, though, I can kind of tell if the seller is from overseas. |
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01/13/2011 07:21:07 AM · #7 |
| Don't forget about FredMiranda I have had good experiences with them in the past. |
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01/13/2011 11:30:06 AM · #8 |
| Thanks for all the input! |
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01/13/2011 11:58:23 AM · #9 |
You might check out B & H used department. Their stock waxes and wanes, but their reputation is pretty good. however, used is used. You pay your dime, you take your chances.
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01/13/2011 03:17:18 PM · #10 |
Ive bought all 3 of my DSLRs on ebay...
2 great experiences... one was rough.
The good news is the one that was rough.... eBay protected me and actually refunded me my money after opening a case with them....
that's why I like eBay... they want you to be happy.
Check the sellers ratings...
Read the feedback-- don't just see that they have a 100% happy clientele.... people will vote 5 stars and then go back and follow up down the road... its amazing what you can learn about someone.
Ive bought 90% of my electronics on eBay from monitors to xbox/playstations, lens, etc. etc. and have only had a very small amount of frustration... in the end... eBay backed me on the few frustrations... so I ended up happy.
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01/14/2011 03:15:23 PM · #11 |
There's nothing under my name either because I concentrate mainly on software, but if I were to spring for a DLSR purchase, I would probably avoid taking chances with strangers on Craigslist or ebay (and I am a currently inactive ebay seller with 10 years experience and 100% feedback rating, so I have nothing against ebay!).
I don't have a problem purchasing smaller items from ebay or Amazon (laptop batteries, laser toner and such), and one could argue that even certain (though of course not all) NY camera stores are borderline shady, so you can run a risk there too. B&H seems to be among the more reputable. I recently ordered some 20x80 binoculars from them, no problem.
Speaking of Tyler, TX, back in the mid-'80s and again in the '90s I used to live in Big Sandy and frequented the Longview camera store (may or may not still be there). So I understand your predicament, being out in the Piney Woods!
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01/14/2011 03:36:53 PM · #12 |
| This year I have switched almost completely to buying all photo equipment on eBay either from Hong Kong or South Korea (not China). I only buy new. Here in Australia the price difference is 30 to 50% cheaper than retail stores. I got 550D body and 3 lenses in the last few months. No problems so far (touch wood!) I check them intensively in the first 7 days as that's the standard time to return a faulty item. They all carry shop warranty (not manufacturer's). I have not yet tried how that works. I hope I will not need to! I have now favorite sellers with lots of good feedback that I trust more than others. The only problem I had so far is a hood for 15-85mm lens that does not fit. But it cost $4 delivered and they are sending a free replacement. |
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01/14/2011 03:45:19 PM · #13 |
| I've spent about £300 on ebay on bits and bobs (not all camera related) and have never had a problem so far. I think it is more trustworthy than people think. A seller that offers returns and have a lot of good feedback (500+), I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them. |
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01/14/2011 05:36:35 PM · #14 |
I've purchased a lot of stuff on eBay. I check everyone's feedback. I also look at whether their feedback is only from buying, and if they normally sell what I'm buying. If they have good feedback, and are used to selling what I'm buying, then I am comfortable. I've had good luck over the time I've been there. Also, watch out for impossibly low prices. Anything too good to be true, particularly it is from a new seller, or one who has been inactive for some time, is something I avoid. I also do not buy anything not elgible for eBay purchase protection.
Lastly, whenever it says condition unknown, or unable to test, that means it's broken.
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01/24/2011 08:20:34 PM · #15 |
ambaker, if I were to come up with a new find and pop it on ebay right now, I would be considered one of those "inactive for some time" sellers, even though I've sold on ebay starting Jul-11-00. This does not make me a bad seller or person, it just indicates I have been doing other things and perhaps didn't find ebay profits worth the effort to continue steady throughout.
Funny story:
I went to a garage sale outside of LA a few years ago because they were advertising an old camera among other items of interest. I got there, asked the guy about the camera, and he went inside to get it. It was a vintage 4x5 view camera with large brass lens. He said he had sold it but the buyer never paid for it, so off I went with it. I cleaned it up, put it on ebay, and shortly thereafter got a flaming angry email from a guy in Canada saying it was HIS camera, etc. etc. Long story short, he sent me copies of an ebay auction showing he had indeed purchased that same camera from the same guy! This put me in quite a dilemma, since my auction was moving and I had an unhappy person aware of it who could stir up some grief for me.
So I ended up paying the Canadian back what he had paid for the camera, and proceeded with my auction. Turns out the original buyer made a few bucks (since he had been partially reimbursed by ebay) and so did I since the auction ended at a decent price, so all turned out well. Upon further investigation, it seems that the garage sale guy had other items which I had seen in person that he also sold on ebay and never mailed off. I tried to reach those buyers online and let them know.
And you wonder why I have been "inactive for some time" on ebay-! Too much drama.
I should add that we still occasionally buy from ebay (as described in my earlier post), but no longer sell. Now, if I discover an apparition on a piece of toast, that might change!
Message edited by author 2011-01-24 20:24:07.
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01/24/2011 10:14:46 PM · #16 |
| If you would consider a 40D, there are three of them for sale on the Dallas Craig's list and for good prices! |
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