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  1. #1
    Erstwhile Vagabond armed with camera Lionheart's Avatar
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    Any experiences buying gear on E-bay?

    I just made my first purchase on ebay, won the bid, paid 175 for the original canon ef 50mm f1.8 (the metal mount 50 f1.8) through paypal. Then on advice from one of the more seasoned ebayers at work, I tried to email the seller just to fyi them that the goods had been paid for and thank you very much i look forward to getting the lens, etc. None of the emails got through, all were returned. So now I'm worried. Am I just paranoid? Everyone I know at the office with ebay buying experience has gotten their goods, but I'm just a little worried.
    Seek the Son and the shadows fall behind you.

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  2. #2
    Learning more with every "click" mjs1973's Avatar
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    Re: Any experiences buying gear on E-bay?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lionheart
    I just made my first purchase on ebay, won the bid, paid 175 for the original canon ef 50mm f1.8 (the metal mount 50 f1.8) through paypal. Then on advice from one of the more seasoned ebayers at work, I tried to email the seller just to fyi them that the goods had been paid for and thank you very much i look forward to getting the lens, etc. None of the emails got through, all were returned. So now I'm worried. Am I just paranoid? Everyone I know at the office with ebay buying experience has gotten their goods, but I'm just a little worried.

    I have had only positive expieriances with eBay so far. The emails not going thru may be a red flag, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Read the sellers feed back on eBay to see what others have said about them. That may help to reasure you about your purchase. Congratulations on your winning bid also.

    Good luck.
    Michael
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  3. #3
    Sitting in a Leaky Dingy Michael Fanelli's Avatar
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    Re: Any experiences buying gear on E-bay?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lionheart
    I just made my first purchase on ebay, won the bid, paid 175 for the original canon ef 50mm f1.8 (the metal mount 50 f1.8) through paypal. Then on advice from one of the more seasoned ebayers at work, I tried to email the seller just to fyi them that the goods had been paid for and thank you very much i look forward to getting the lens, etc. None of the emails got through, all were returned. So now I'm worried. Am I just paranoid? Everyone I know at the office with ebay buying experience has gotten their goods, but I'm just a little worried.
    It may or may not be a trouble sign. I personally don't use eBay as too many people I know have been ripped off, all of them buyers. eBay is not for the weak of heart, you takes your chances! I'd wait a while to see if the lens gets to you before worrying too much.
    "Every great decision creates ripples--like a huge boulder dropped in a lake. The ripples merge and rebound off the banks in unforseeable ways.

  4. #4
    Obsessive-compulsive... Steph_B's Avatar
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    Re: Any experiences buying gear on E-bay?

    I only bought a flash unit and a release cable on Ebay. Got everything without any problem, however, I only bought from power sellers (i.e. large photo stores trying to get rid of some outdated stocks). I also bid on a number of items (light meters, backpack, eye piece, etc...). I am waiting for the really good deals and am not in a hurry to buy. Therefore I put a max price and let it fly. I loose quite often !

    Personally, I would never buy a big expensive telephoto lens on Ebay.

    I would also never buy a used glass on Ebay. I need to see it first.... but then that's probably because my photo budget does not allow me ANY mistake. Here is why: my local photostore was selling a used 80-200mm F2.8 ED from Nikon. I think that the lens was used by photojournalists to cover war events and non-peaceful demonstrations ... and probably to hammer nails on the weekend! I've never seen something in such a poor shape. It was scratched, and the attachement ring was seriously dented. There was lots of dust inside the lens too. But the guy at the store told me it's a great lens, works really well, and that this is just cosmetics! As for the dust inside, it is a detail which does not reduce the performance/quality of the lens..... Yeah, right! .... He was selling this lens 20% less than its new equivalent! From that time onward, I believe that my standards are much higher than that of other people, in particular sellers! So I stay away from buying used lens I do not first see.....

    Otherwise, for all the small stuff... why not? But always look for the feedback rate.... If your guy has a positive rate, I would be surprised he would risk damaging his reputation for a 175$ lens. Now, if he does not have any feedback and it's the first time he is selling something.... that's another story!

    Finally, I think it is better to get in touch with the seller first and see if it's legit. Ask a question ... something like you are in town and would like to meet with him... You can always 'change' your plans later on! People that are willing to meet are probably OK. ... Or you can ask the serial number of the lens too....

    Good luck!

    Steph.

  5. #5
    Erstwhile Vagabond armed with camera Lionheart's Avatar
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    Thank you all for your encouragement.

    I feel better now. Plus, it wasn't that big an expense. I was a little worried because I had a max bid placed on another lens (300 f4) that was a substantial investment, but I got outbid in the last few minutes of the bid, so I'm off the hook and can breathe a sigh of relief that I don't have to worry about getting ripped off on a big expense. I like that idea of contacting by asking a question about the goods to see if the seller is legit. Thanks, I'll remember that for the future, but first I'll wait to see if I get my $175 lens.
    Seek the Son and the shadows fall behind you.

    slowly inching to 2000

    Mac's Rule, Windblows drools
    Friends don't let Friends use WindBlows XPee
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  6. #6
    has-been... another view's Avatar
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    Re: Any experiences buying gear on E-bay?

    Very good idea to contact the seller about something. You'll see if and how soon they reply, and how good their answer is. Probably best to ask a question that you already know the answer to for this.

    I've had very good luck, but every seller is different. Watch the feedback rating - my rule is that there can be negatives but they have to be understandable (like the other person is new and doesn't understand how ebay works, etc). Find out what something is worth and what you're willing to spend. If it sells for more, wait for another one because sooner or later you'll find it again. Some things sell for ridiculous amounts (this benefits sellers, btw! ). I'd be worried about something with alot of electronics but OTOH had great luck with lenses. A top of the line DSLR would be something I'd either buy new or from someone I knew, too many chances for problems that would be expensive to fix.

  7. #7
    Around the Ocean... Ryguyinlj's Avatar
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    Re: Any experiences buying gear on E-bay?

    I buy only new things on ebay, and usually from power sellers or people that have at least 50 feedback and at least 98% positive

    I recently bought a digital rebel. I eventually went through an established dealer (BnH). I decided that I would rather pay the extra 100 or so just to insure that its the real deal, in good condition. You never know how it is until you have it in your hand.

  8. #8
    Viewfinder and Off-Topic Co-Mod walterick's Avatar
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    Re: Any experiences buying gear on E-bay?

    I have a theory about Ebay that the prices go down on major US holidays. Namely - Thanksgiving and Christmas. I currently plan to get to holiday dinner especially late on Dec 25 so I can sit in front of my computer and win my 35mm f2 for under $100

    It seemed to happen on Thanksgiving. Everyone's at dinner, so there's no one online to bid!

    Rick
    Walter Rick Long
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  9. #9
    Erstwhile Vagabond armed with camera Lionheart's Avatar
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    Good tip

    Quote Originally Posted by walterick
    I have a theory about Ebay that the prices go down on major US holidays. Namely - Thanksgiving and Christmas. I currently plan to get to holiday dinner especially late on Dec 25 so I can sit in front of my computer and win my 35mm f2 for under $100

    It seemed to happen on Thanksgiving. Everyone's at dinner, so there's no one online to bid!

    Rick
    Unfortunately, I've spent all I plan on spending this month on ebay. Actually, I've spent more than I ever planned on spending, but I couldn't resist it when the bid for a 400 f5.6L and 1.4x II, 28-80 tamron, and an EOS-3 came up with less than 2 hours left and the bid was 1250. So I bid with 9 min left at 1275 and it held up. Seller has contacted me and is sending the goods tomorrow. Hopefully gets here this week. Maybe I'll try Superbowl Sunday as a possible slow day on ebay.
    Seek the Son and the shadows fall behind you.

    slowly inching to 2000

    Mac's Rule, Windblows drools
    Friends don't let Friends use WindBlows XPee
    <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/schrackman/clover.jpg">Lionheart O'Canon Feel Free to Help

  10. #10
    Viewfinder and Off-Topic Co-Mod walterick's Avatar
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    Re: Good tip

    Hey, that sounds like an incredible deal! I find that the high-cost items go by sometimes without a bid on Ebay, while it's the no reserve items that get bid up. I've seen fabulous deals go by on stuff that's over $1000 - I think people think it's too expensive no matter what you're getting for that price!

    I think you've got a heck of a steal. One thing I found buying something over $1000 - in order for the buyer to accept a Paypal payment over $1000 they have to be an "upgraded" member of Paypal which costs $30 to do. I ran into a problem where I bought something and the seller was new to Ebay and didn't know she had to upgrade - it took a long time to get it figured out and she ended up billing me for $999.99 to save herself the $30 upgrade charge You can always check to see if they've accepted your payment yet in either My Ebay or in your Paypal account.

    I really do think you've gotten a steal - one technique I've learned from an Ebay master is to bid with less than one minute left (one lady I know times it down to 3 seconds!) to make sure no one has time to outbid you. Dirty, but it works

    Rick
    Walter Rick Long
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  11. #11
    has-been... another view's Avatar
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    Re: Any experiences buying gear on E-bay?

    Quote Originally Posted by walterick
    I currently plan to get to holiday dinner especially late on Dec 25 so I can sit in front of my computer and win my 35mm f2 for under $100
    Arrgh - well there goes that great idea! And yes, it does work. Buying a "lot" of cameras and lenses can be pretty good too - I ended up getting my Nikon 20-35 f2.8 and carbon fiber tripod for nothing by the time I sold the F4 body, other lens and accessories from one group I bought.

  12. #12
    Analog Photographer, Digital World Axle's Avatar
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    Re: Any experiences buying gear on E-bay?

    I have just purhased a Vivtar 85mm-205mm zoom lens for my SRT-102, it's coming from California, but I'll let you know what it's like when it arrives. From the images on ebay it looks like a good unit, and only cost me 52.00 cdn.
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