Anyone buy Canon 30D on Ebay?

[aquamanlou566]

Hey All,

First of all...>GREAT FORUM!!! What a resource.

So I am in the market for a new Canon 30D. I am no stranger to photography, or shopping on Ebay for that matter. I am considering buying a 30D package from an Ebay seller, but am reluctant. The packages being offered on Ebay for the 30D seem like phenomenal compared to other internet vendors. Matter of fact, they cannot even compare to the stuff being offered elsewhere. The Ebay sellers/dealers are offering loads of stuff for what seems to be a great price.

Has anyone seen this, or has anyone purchased one of the incredible 30D packages from an Ebay seller? Obviously the seller's rating is very important in choosing who to do business with.

Any help would be appreciated!!!!

[mjs1973]

Welcome to the site. The ebay packages come up for discussion every once in a while. Here are a couple of links to threads where people have given their thoughts on them.

Anyone Buy the EBay Packages?

Buying new cameras on E-bay

As far as the 30D goes, be sure to check out the Rebel XTi too. I'm thinking of upgrading, and after compairing sample photos from the 30D, and XTi, the clear choice for image quality at higher ISO's is the XTi. The 30D has a few more features than the XTi, but the XTi has newer technology. Just something to think about.

[rovowen]

I bought a Canon 20D on E-bay. I feel I got what I paid for. Being new, and reading some of stories, I feel very lucky.
The Kit had the 20D body, 18-55 Canon and 70-300 Tamron lenses.Bowen Flash, Tri-pod, canvas camera bag, Hard case camera bag and all the other trinkets. This kit was purchased in September of 06.
Since that time, bought a new bag, since the canvas bag that came with it would not hold the camera and two lenses.
Put the 18-55 lense in the closet and replaced with a Sigma f/2.8 50-150 lense, because I shoot a lot of in-door sports.
Replaced the Bowen $25 Flash, with a Canon 430 Flash. Needed to be able to reach out farther then the $25 would allow.
When I mounted the Canon on the tri-pod, I figured that the street lights looked funny moving up and down. So, have already replaced the Tri-pod and Head.
The one other thing was I got a 4 Gig memory card with the kit and love it. But still am going to buy another. Just for a spare.
Do I feel I got ripped off, "NO" But with only the knowledge I have gained in the last few months. I feel I could have done better.

You may want to look at buying the, "Body Only" or with the kit lense and hunt for each of the other items seperately.
Oh,I have already found out. That with this hobby, there is always something you want or need.
Like that new Sigma f/2.8 200-500 lenses. "smiles"

Newbie here
rovowen

[mjs1973]

I think rovowen's post really summs up what happens with the ebay packages. Yes, it seems like a great deal, and for some, it is. But for most, everything that you get with the kit, is going to be replaced. I know I have replaced all of my stuff from my kit. You will spend a little more $ up front if you buy better quality gear up front, but you will be further ahead in the long run.

[Tel]

eBay's a touchy subject. It all really depends on who your buying from on eBay.

One thing to never do, is buy from someone who doesn't have any pictures of the item up. I did that with an MP3 Player (Sandisk 2gb), They sent me some cheap 1GB China thing.

[Frog]

I bought my Nikon D80 on ebay and was quite happy. I did a LOT of research first.
My first suggestion would be to make sure that whoever you buy from is an authorized USA dealer unless you don't care if you get a manufacturers warranty.
Second, I would buy the body and maybe a kit lens but not a package. The package items are usually not high quality and you can get the quality and exact items you want separatly and maybe even cheaper on ebay.
I had a list of authorized dealers on ebay but lost it when I got new computer.
I know J&K sells heavily and are not authorized dealers.
If you type authorized dealers into their search box and check search in tittle and description you'll get only the authorized dealers. If their names don't show up, go to customize display and click to show dealer names.
Happy Bidding.

[Vic13]

Sorry, guys - I just bought a (too good to be true?) kit from digitalgoodys on Ebay, why am only reading this forum now? call me stupid. everything looks fine, camera (Canon 40D EOS) looks (and even smells like new), but somehow I feel it's not. I am really new to photography, other than point and shoot type of equipment.

So, my question is this - how do I know that my camera is new and not "refurbished"? I called Canon Service Center and they told me they dont track by Serial number or anything, but that if I have a Canon USA 1 yr limited warranty (that is blank/new), it's probably a sign that my camera is new. The problem is that I bought a 5 yr extended warranty (under $1,000) provided by Consumer Priority Service (best buy and such), but there was no 1 yr original warranty in the box. I will call them tomorrow to inquire, but do you have any comforting (or not) thoughts in the meantime?

thanks

[mjs1973]

If you already have the camera and can't send it back, then I wouldn't worry about it. If they place you bought it from has a return policy, I would consider sending it back. To find out if it's refurbished, I would call or email the company you bought it from and see what they say.

The camera may be refurbished, or it may be gray market. Either way, I would say use it and enjoy it. The only difference between a US and gray market camera is the way that it was imported into the country, and the warranty. Since you have a 5 year warranty, I wouldn't worry about it.

[EOSThree]

Sorry, guys - I just bought a (too good to be true?) kit from digitalgoodys on Ebay, why am only reading this forum now? call me stupid. everything looks fine, camera (Canon 40D EOS) looks (and even smells like new), but somehow I feel it's not. I am really new to photography, other than point and shoot type of equipment.

So, my question is this - how do I know that my camera is new and not "refurbished"? I called Canon Service Center and they told me they dont track by Serial number or anything, but that if I have a Canon USA 1 yr limited warranty (that is blank/new), it's probably a sign that my camera is new. The problem is that I bought a 5 yr extended warranty (under $1,000) provided by Consumer Priority Service (best buy and such), but there was no 1 yr original warranty in the box. I will call them tomorrow to inquire, but do you have any comforting (or not) thoughts in the meantime?

thanks

Official Canon refurbished cameras come in a mostly plain white box. The camera is packed in expandable foam surrounded by plastic. Full manuals, Canon warranty card(90 days), software, and all accessories are packaged too. I have purchased 2 Canon refurbs in the last year and have been more than satisfied.