Ebay: Esquire services?

[berrywise]

There is a camera on Ebay right now that I'm interested in. Only problem is the seller doesn't have any feedback and the camera is fairly pricey. Has anyone used an esquire service to handle a transaction that you are not sure of?

I do have some friends who live in that area that maybe I could convince to take a money order to the guys house or business and pick up the thing but who knows.

Any advice? Don't feel like losing that kind of money ;o)

scott

[Cowgirl]

That would be bugging me too. I've bought several things on Ebay, without no problems. BUT the sellers always had some feedback. I usually look for 96% and better feedback.

Since it is a pricey camera, I think I would stay away. I can't afford to get scammed. But that's just me.

Good Luck!

Kathy

[another view]

Think you mean "escrow" service. I've never used it - but I know there's an additional fee of some sort. Basically, they're a trusted independant party - you give them the money and the seller gives them the camera. When they've got both, you get the camera and the seller gets the money.

Like I say, I've never used it but bought and sold a lot of stuff on ebay and never had a problem (maybe delayed shipping, etc - but nothing worth worrying about). I look for feedback ratings above anything else. One or two negatives are usually no big deal, check out the person that left them and you might find that their feedback rating is terrible. I wouldn't worry about the opinion of someone like that.

If you have a bad feeling about it, maybe it's best to wait until someone else has one for sale that you feel more comfortable with. If it's rare, doesn't come up for sale often or just have to have this one, I'd start sending emails to the seller to see how they respond. Ask specific questions about that camera (that they would probably only be able to answer if they're holding it in their hands - hint). Good emails replied to quickly is a good sign.

[Gerry Widen]

I've bought a lot of stuff on ebay. These decisions are tough. You have received good advice so far. Try to figure out why the seller is selling.Does he have other items for sale? I bought an enlarger from someone with no feedback, and to make it worse the MO was sent to a PO box. But I contacted the seller via email. he had his entire darkroom for sale because he was raising money for a divorce and didn't want mail sent to his girlfriend. I got nervous when the enlarger didn't arrive for a couple of weeks. But it eventually showed up. Probably took a few months off my life. My latest motto on ebay "if in doubt go without". As suggested the same item will show up later, and possibly at a better price.

[berrywise]

Think you mean "escrow" service.

I can read Esquire and I can use an Escrow ;o)

Thanks for the help everyone. I sent an email to the person to see how they respond. If the price stays low enough I may just bid and drive down there in person (six hour drive). Dare I mention to you that I'm contemplating dropping Nikon for Canon...I may not get anymore good advice ;)

Thanks again,
scott

[Sebastian]

I can read Esquire and I can use an Escrow ;o)

Thanks for the help everyone. I sent an email to the person to see how they respond. If the price stays low enough I may just bid and drive down there in person (six hour drive). Dare I mention to you that I'm contemplating dropping Nikon for Canon...I may not get anymore good advice ;)

Thanks again,
scott

Here's some good advice for ya...SWITCH TO CANON!! I think I'll change my name to Flamebait...

[berrywise]

Yeah I'm looking at selling my D1h and buying a slightly used 1D. Then hopefully I can do a fairly good switch on selling my glass and picking up the equivolent in Canon lenses. Hoping that I don't lost more than a grand on the whole thing....did I just say that? Hah.

scott (anyone want to donate money for a Mark II instead?)