Buying from eBay: Is it reasonable to ask for an image?

Tulipone

Tulipone

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Chris
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i have been away from photography for a while, but as retirement looms, looking to rekindle interests.

If I were to buy a second user lens from here - and I have - I'd think it reasonable to request an image from it. Does that change if buying from eBay? I just asked for an image and got a snarky reply saying that was the first time that sort of request had been made in his 10 years selling in eBay and it would prove anything.

Now I'd understand it he was a business, he'd just allow returns, but this is a private seller.

It's not an expensive lens but what do you do? Take that chance or wait for the next?
 
If you are not happy with the response I would wait for the next one to come along.

The amount of stuff that goes though Ebay it is unlikely to be long before another lens of the same model comes up.
 
If that was there snarky reply then I would give it a very wide birth

I have sold camera equipment on eBay in the past and have been asked for images quite often and I have never had a problem in providing them

I tend to give eBay a wide birth as a whole these days
 
He's right that it would prove very little, and it does probably count as an unusual request on eBay. I've bought many lenses on eBay, and sold a few, and never asked for or provided an image taken *with* the lens.
 
I'd buy it if I wanted it, and if I wasn't happy with it, I'd sell it on.
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
I'd buy it if I wanted it, and if I wasn't happy with it, I'd sell it on.
Click to expand...
With photo's I hope! :D
Personally, If the seller cant be bothered with giving a proper description, including images, I would not even consider buying.
 
Given the reason most here avoid selling on ebay is the almost complete power of the buyer with recent policy changes you probably are not risking much, if not as described you will almost certainly get refunded if you pay paypal.
Suppose it is as always a risk benefit scenario, was it a bargain or a rare ish lens?
 
As your ratio is less than 50% why not just stick a post in the wanted section?
 
I'd see it as being a little dodgy if he isn't willing to give you a photo taken with the lens...Surely he would have some on his computer...not like you are asking him to go on a shoot just to take you a photo. Like someone else said though if there was something wrong with the lens and you pay with paypal you wouldn't have a problem getting your money back.
 
I'd agree that photos prove nothing, and if they sell commercially they probably don't have the time or inclination to add them. Still if somebody can't be arsed to give me a civil answer I'd assume they definitely won't be arsed to deal with any issues post sale and I'd avoid them.
 
Thank you for all your replies. So to recap all your thoughts, maybe not a standard request but civility is more likely to result in a sale. I guess buying from a forum is a safer route to buy and by its nature folk are motivated to sell. Perhaps my request was unusual.

I have two options open to me and I guess i need to decide. Either stick with M4/3 and buy that macro lens and hope it does what I want or go back to Nikon and macro and know it'll work.

Think I'll go with it and try it out. Thankfully fairly cheap for its type.

Thanks for helping me to decide.
 
I'd see what you can get via this forum and avoid ebay if you're not getting the service you want. I did buy all 3 of my canons on ebay, but having been on this forum a few months now - I'd prefer to put out a 'wanted' on here as it seems a better process.

p.s. love your user pic.
 
I would give it a miss. I have requested images a few times when the seller has used the stock photo and always got an image back via their updated listing. You'll soon pick one up after giving this a miss.
 
to be fair, I have sold plenty of lens on ebay and never been asked for any images.. I have asked for some though.. some say yes, some don't.. I would continue to wait for another.
 
I think it's reasonable. As is asking for any details to help you decide if you want to buy.

A few years ago I asked a seller for the internal measurements of a set of large format camera bellows - something which would have taken less than thirty seconds with a ruler. I received the response "sorry, don't have the time".


That was a missed sale because if they were the size I thought they were, I would have bought them.


Steve.
 
Definitely walk away. You're the potential buyer and well within your rights to ask for an image.
 
Nowt wrong with asking for images, I always do, even a link to flickr images is helpful!
 
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