2nd hand

jenbrads

jenbrads

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Just wondering what peoples views are on buying second hand equipment from ebay etc? Has anyone brought stuff this way? any good/bad experiences etc. Im looking at buying a lens this way, I've only just got into photography and am not the richest person but am looking to expand my kit already. Please can I have any advice and buying tips you all may have
Many thanks :help:
 
You do need to be careful on ebay but there is some good members out there......i have just bought a 100-400L off a guy ive never meet on this forum and everything went very smooth......and he delivered it for me......just double check everything including the full description and there feedback.
Could alway if you find something post the link and ask for members to check it out for you.
 
I bought a step down ring for my lens, because I couldn't find the size anywhere in Britain. It came from Hong Kong and took about 10 days. It only cost me a fiver and was exactly as described. I wouldn't worry too much about buying something this price but I don't think I would like to spend a lot of money. Also with second hand goods I would be worried if there was something wrong with them, and also whether they might be stolen property. I always feell it's like buying shares - if you can't afford to lose the money, then don't do it.
 
Same as Whitewash- I have bought lenses and other accessories from e-bay.

However never would I buy anything expensive. Most of the bargains re lenses, also have old 35mm cameras included in the sale.

Ask the seller questions- its essential to identify the condition of each item.
 
thanks guys! Its such a pain living on guernsey, we have only two shops here that sell SLRs so its hard to find stuff. Although I can order off the net, its not the same as wlking into a shop, trying then buying!! Also the prices here can be quite high because there isnt the competition, so finding a bargin on ebay is always nice!! however I will read up on the sellers like you say and if im not happy, save my pennys and buy new!!
 
If you buy on ebay make sure you ask lots of questions regarding the condition and quality. Ask for sample images and if unsure ask if you can see the item. Also pay via a secure method. If the seller is genuine they will be happy to help. If they refuse it might be best to steer clear as they may be trying to hide something. I have bought two lenses 2nd hand on ebay. Both times great sellers and I was very happy.
 
On ebay, the trick is to look at what is NOT said, rather than what is...

Chances are, if something isn't mentioned (like on a lens, the front and rear caps) and the photos don't show it, then they probably aren't included. Silly stuff like that can turn a bargain into something else...

Don't let this put you off though, I am a keen ebayer and I pride myself on treating others how I would expect to be treated myself, and there are many more like me!

Cheers,
James
 
I've had 2 bad experiences on ebay.

Firstly, I got flogged a fake Sandisk 2gb CF ex3 for £10. Tried to contact the buyer, made a dispute with eBay, and I still have the card sat on my desk. It cost too little and was too much hassle to send it back, especially since it came from Hong Kong.

Secondly, I saw an auction for a brand new 400d for £240 + £25 p+p body only (this was last summer). I spent days upon days looking at the auction, and decided to buy it. It turns out about 20 other people bought one as well. The funds cleared, but no sign of the camera. A week later, I emailed the seller asking what was going on, and saw negative feedback from several people questioning the seller. I was told by the seller that he was a drop shipper, and that the cameras were coming from a warehouse but the warehouse didn't have them in stock. I was told to wait for a week, so I did. I waited for a week, and no reply. I asked him again, and told him I'd open a dispute with ebay and paypal if he didn't tell me what was going on. I got no reply, and opened the dispute. There was no money in his paypal account to repay me, but luckily paypal gives you up to £250 protection. The seller's paypal account was cancelled, and he was banned from ebay. The seller left me some very snotty negative feedback saying I didn't understand the process of drop shipping and that I was very impatient. Apparently he was ********* around about 20 other people at the same time.

Sorry for the essay!
 
Ive bought loads from Ebay - I had to, I couldnt afford to replace it all new after my kit got stolen. The only problem I have ever had was when a flash gun took four months to find me! But then I was hiding out in the South Atlantic!

One thing I would recommend is to make sure you check that the product is exactly what your looking for - down to the letter! (Anyone wanna swap a Speedlite 430ez for an ex? Doh!)

Other than that check the feedback, ask questions and if it is something expensive consider going to collect or just using one of the ebay shops. Ebay are pretty tight on who they allow to continue selling so if the seller is one you have seen about for a while I suspect it would be pretty kosher.

Above all, remember, if it looks too good to be true - it probably is!
 
The best advice is to shop around and research what you are buying. I have noticed a lot of goods being sold second hand here that are cheaper brand new in shops.

It seems people just want what they paid for a lot of stuff even if its no longer new.

ohh and ebay is pretty good for photography stuff, but i wouldnt buy an L lens from them for example, too much dosh.
 
foodpoison said:
I was told by the seller that he was a drop shipper, and that the cameras were coming from a warehouse
Click to expand...
Lucky escape

What he won't have told you is the warehouse is in Hong Kong so you'll get a nice duty, vat and collection charge bill when it did come.

Almost all sellers on ebay are like you and I, there are very few bad apples i've bought loads of stuff without a problem, the only time I got ripped off was on a gamecube game.

after a week it hadn't arrived so I emailed the seller asking for proof of purchase, he got arsey about it and eventually emailed me a copy of one.

there were about 5 names on it with my name added on the bottom, the post stamp was dated a day before I won the auction:bonk:

Nothing I could do about it as he was 300 miles away
 
Ebay's not as good as it used to be - too many delboys on there now, and tools for removing negative feedback make a mockery of seller histories. I use it for small value stuff, but use forums such as ours for camera gear.
 
I've used ebay once in a while buying small stuffs that you can't find regularly online stores and forums.

The rest, I would rather buy it here in the forum or reputable online store.
 
I have only bought used camera equipment once and never again, it was a sigma lens described as new but was actually 4 years old and it was broken, I managed to get my money back but it took a while.
I would only buy secondhand stuff off of this and another forum I use now.
 
thanks everyone. I've decided that for now im just gona save up and buy new until I know exactly what i'm looking for and understand the subject a bit more, at least then I will know prices of items a bit better and will realy know if im getting a good deal or not!!
 
I like to think I'm careful with money, not tight :D Therefore I've no qualms about buying second hand here or on the bay.

Ironically the two big ticket lenses I've bought new have both given me problems, one still is.
 
dunno what I was gonna buy realy, just looking at lenses, havent got much knowledge yet though. It was a canon 70-300 I think or after somthing similar. .. . . .
 
When I first started out in digital photography I bought my 350D from e-bay. Worked perfectly well and used it solidly for about two years, right up till I bought my 40D (from parkcameras). I also bought my 35-350L from ebay as you couldn't get these anymore. Again purchase went through well and the lens is great, pretty much always on my camera :D

Best advice is as mentioned above, research. So many people will try to get top dollar for their gear second hand and quite often with a bit of searching you can get cheaper new! So know what you are buying and ensure you know the deals on offer for new before buying off the bay.
 
JEN, I WOULD RECOMMEND ASKING HERE FOR THE LENS AND PRICE YOU LOOKING AT FIRST, *** EVERYONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHERE TO GET THEM CHEAPER:p
 
Well if you look at the moment, there's a 75-300 f4-5.6 IS going for cheap...I know because it's mine!

Cheers,
James :D
 
Cool, god you lot are soooo helpful!!!!xxxxx
 
one of the reasons I a) found this place and b) joined was because I wanted to get some second hand gear - I'm a poor student so want the kit, but cant quite afford anything new.

The advice given here has been invaluable and the couple fo things I've bought from the FS forum have been great too. I decided that here was a better place to buy because the regulars here are all enthusiasts so will invariably look after the kit and if nothing else be honest about condition etc.

Ebay is great for smaller items but alot of the bargains come out of HK so more expensive items will attract duty and, of course, there are alot of fakes around too both products and sellers.

Do your research and alot of the mainland retailers (I use Bristol Cameras alot for mail order comparisons) will ship to the Channel Islands and often for not much more than the second hand prices.
 
Bought a 30D from ebay, perfect condition, arrived next day, can't fault the deal. When shopping on ebay though, I am very picky to the point where any obvious spelling mistakes in the advert turns me away. If you can't be bothered to spell check your advert you probably can't be bothered to send me my stuff.
 
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