Buying a camera safely

jonbeeza

jonbeeza

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If you had the following short conversation with a seller, say on some place like Gumtree / Preloved / ebay. Would you have an inkling it may be stolen?

Advert
Brand new Camera unused, no box or charger.

Me
Hi there, you say Camera is brand new. But No box or charger. Is the history known about this camera?

Seller
It is a display model never touched perfect condition. There is no box or charger.

Me
Sorry forgot to ask, does it have an original retailers receipt for it?

Seller
No it does not have original receipt.
 
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Surely they would explain why there is no box or charger, in their advert :thinking:
 
Ask for a photograph of the serial number. That should probably get you a quick answer.
 
even gumtree say to meet in person - with cash - and 2 big mates....:(

:exit:
 
frod said:
Ask for a photograph of the serial number. That should probably get you a quick answer.
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Their answers are very short, so I don't think they would tell me. Last time I asked a seller lots of similar questions, they took offence and basically told me to go away..


Oh well, give it a miss I suppose. :)
 
Still ask for the serial anyway, then IF he gives it you can go to stolencamerafinder and put the serial in to see if it's stolen. Even if you don't buy it, you could help someone who has had theirs stolen (like I have).
 
jonbeeza said:
Their answers are very short, so I don't think they would tell me. Last time I asked a seller lots of similar questions, they took offence and basically told me to go away..


Oh well, give it a miss I suppose. :)
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Sure that's what I mean. It takes 30 seconds with a smartphone to photograph a serial number and email it. No effort at all to make a sale. Sounds illicit.
 
Last time I asked a seller a few questions, such as where was it bought and was it a UK spec item, I was told it was non of my business. I stopped bidding on the item, I think the seller must have have been the same with others also, as the item was removed not long after. Maybe reported as stolen ..
 
Certainly doesn't sound right, I wouldn't touch it or anything where the seller was being vague or even evading questions, let alone being rude and telling me it's non of my business...
 
If it's been nicked from a shop at least the seller is being honest about it being a display model.
 
Being honest though, how many of us check serial numbers on stuff we buy?
 
Even if you had the serial number it probably wouldn't be registered anywhere if it was stolen from a retailer.
You could ask if it comes with all the accessories ie. Manual, neck strap, Software CD, charger etc as these wouldn't be on display with the camera.
 
ecoleman said:
Even if you had the serial number it probably wouldn't be registered anywhere if it was stolen from a retailer.
You could ask if it comes with all the accessories ie. Manual, neck strap, Software CD, charger etc as these wouldn't be on display with the camera.
Click to expand...

It was advertised as brand new and never used, Camera and Battery only. Probably stolen from display, or other. More than likely a stolen display unit.
 
Its worth asking for the number I did and Canon told me everything about the lens.
 
I'm wondering how he knows about being brand new camera unused. Even the display ones gets a sort of abuse from potential buyers or members of staff. Something doesn't sound quite right.
 
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