Ebay lens not as described.

Keeby

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Keith
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I bought a Canon EF-S 18-135mm lens from a well known online auction site which was advertised as being the STM version. The lens arrived promptly and in excellent condition. However, yesterday some three weeks later I realised that the lens didn't have the STM letters anywhere on it, so it appears to be the standard lens supplied in kits. The seller did state that it was a kit lens he no longer needed but the advert header and description referred to it being the STM version on more than one occasion.

I did get the lens a lot cheaper than buying new from a shop, but wouldn't have paid what I did for the non STM lens, so my questions are:

a) Is it reasonable that I ask the seller for a partial refund?
b) Is there any difference between the standard and STM versions of the lens other than the noise from the focussing motor?

Just after some thoughts and opinions please.
 
I would think it reasonable to raise the question on arrival of the lens, however after three weeks I don't fancy your chances.
Try it though. You might be pleasantly surprised.
 
Worth a try to arrange something with the seller, you might get lucky. With it being three weeks later though I wouldn't get your hopes up.
 
The letters STM would be on the front ring inside the filter thread.
 
Email the seller, if he doesn't play ball open a dispute, you get 45 days from purchase to open a case.
Being a buyer 99% of the time ebay will side with you.
I sold an iphone a month a go on ebay, sold as handset only, the guy complained there was no box or leads with it and after opening a case ebay gave him a refund and made me take the item back, even though he was entirely in the wrong.
 
I think you can return the item as not as described. This can happen unfortunately as a result of ebay not the seller as such. When you list some items, ebay volunteers the standard info for what it thinks is the item you are describing. The seller may not have noticed the slight difference in description. (Or chose to ignore it)

If you still want to keep it then contact the seller as see if you can come to some arrangement, otherwise I think you could could return it.
As mentioned ebay usually side with the buyer so you should at least be able to return the item and get a refund - I presume you paid with Paypal.
 
:agree:
Always contact the seller in the first instance (He should know the rules too). In some cases people stupidly ( in my view ) copy other peoples advertising or press the sell one like this button. This can pick up the advert header and if your not savvie enough to update it (ie Remove the STM bit) you can get caught out. Not that i'm defending the seller! After all some sellers will try and purposely dupe you, some its an accident and some dont even know what there selling.
If you want to keep it, it would be reasonable to contact the seller and negotiate a reduction and get him to refund the agreed amount via PayPal. I have done this when i purchased a camera and the number of shutter releases was not as advertised.
If the seller is non responsive, as Jake says open a Dispute. If you paid by Paypal you are fairly well protected and as stated above there is a great bias toward the buyer nowadays. The seller can argue the toss but Ebay/Paypal have the power to deduct the money direct from the sellers account.
If the guy is genuine enough he will see sense and come to an arrangement with you.
Try and get the ball rolling asap.
Hope this Helps and good luck!
Cheers

Steve
 
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