Help Needed: KISS X4/550D via eBay

H

Hilly_2011

Suspended / Banned
Messages
19
Name
Stephen
Edit My Images
No
Hi all,

New to the forums, and new to photography.

I'm thinking of purchasing a 550D (branded as KISS X4) via eBay and I would like your opinions if that's ok? Firstly I know the potential issues regarding warrantys etc... but with the potential savings to be had (and with me being a beginner) I think this is the best way to go.

Firstly these are the two I am considering:

1. Canon EOS KISS X4/550D EF-S 18-55mm IS Lens KIT - £549.99

2. Canon EOS KISS X4/550D 4 LENS KIT (includes EF-S 18-55mm IS Lens, 0.45mm Pro Wide Angle Lens, 2x Pro Telephoto Lens, 4 Piece Close-Up Macro Lens Kit) + 8GB SD Card - £555.00

Now, I know Lens Kit bundles are suppose to be terrible, but for £5 extra surely this is worth going for no matter how poor some people say they are?

Any opinions?
 
In the second link they arent extra lenses, they are adapters and filters that fit onto the end of the 18-55 lens. They really arent worth 2p, yet alone £5. Personally, I'd buy the first one and use the extra £5 to buy a decent branded SD card.
 
TCR4x4 said:
In the second link they arent extra lenses, they are adapters and filters that fit onto the end of the 18-55 lens. They really arent worth 2p, yet alone £5. Personally, I'd buy the first one and use the extra £5 to buy a decent branded SD card.
Click to expand...

Ah right! Thanks for that.

I've actually found the first link cheaper off the same bloke (Canon EOS KISS X4/550D EF-S 18-55mm IS Lens KIT - £519.99). Cheeky little blighter!

On a seperate note, although I'm happy to get the kit lens I'll be on the lookout for a lens for some cricket photography, now I realise this question is like asking 'how long is a piece of string?' but do you know of any cheap, decent quality lenses that might do that job?
 
For cricket you will want a long telephoto lens. Your low cost option would be the Canon 55-250mm IS. This lens costs about £110 used and £150 new.

However the best lens you could buy would be something like the Canon 400mm F2.8, but at £6k new it ain't cheap!!!

Something in the middle of these two would be the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 with a 2x tele converter, I'd imagine this would cost around £1,000 new.
 
The 'Canon 55-250mm IS' sounds appealing, especially to a beginner, what are the results in terms of quality? The sort of cricket shots I'll be doing will be on an amateur scale e.g. village greens etc..., so I won't need a pin-point lens because I will be able to get pretty close to the action.
 
Last i heard Canon don't warranty grey market camera bodies (yet will warranty grey market lenses) So the Kiss X4 you'd have to send back to Japan if something were to fail in the warranty period.

That said the cameras tend to be very reliable, its pretty rare to hear stories about failed new cameras on forums where the effect can be magnified. Also there are companies in the UK who service/repair cameras if it really came down to it

Just one thing to make sure of is that the items are in the UK already, the ones you linked to seem to be but other ebay deals may not so you'd have to cover VAT and import duty as well.
 
nano said:
Last i heard Canon don't warranty grey market camera bodies (yet will warranty grey market lenses) So the Kiss X4 you'd have to send back to Japan if something were to fail in the warranty period.

That said the cameras tend to be very reliable, its pretty rare to hear stories about failed new cameras on forums where the effect can be magnified. Also there are companies in the UK who service/repair cameras if it really came down to it

Just one thing to make sure of is that the items are in the UK already, the ones you linked to seem to be but other ebay deals may not so you'd have to cover VAT and import duty as well.
Click to expand...

Yeah I noticed that - I actually looked at buying it over on digitalrev.com, but after the import tax etc... I thought otherwise.

I've since bought it via eBay for £549.99 (the earlier eBay link seems to have dissapeared - probably a mistake by the vendor).

I've bought it knowing the potential problems regarding warranty etc..., so I've only got myself to blame if something does go wrong, but it's nice to save a bit of money!
 
Check out uk prices including the cash back. Amazon aren't much more expensive.
 
Buy it from Park Cameras or Warehouse Express. Solid, reliable retailers with great customer service, non-grey legitimate UK equipment, and £30 cashback makes the prices pretty much the same as from that dodgy eBay seller.
 
And considering they are not evading vat, just consider you are giving those eBay importers a lot of extra money actually. With the deal available in the uk, including stuff like quidco etc I found my local jessops actually cheaper then an import.
 
Typical - just after I ordered it!

I'm coming up with a plan. I'm going to refuse delivery from the courier so that it get's sent back to the eBayer and then get my money back through eBay through the Distance Selling Regulations.

Completely forgot about the £30 cashback. Bit more hassle but definitely worth saving a bit more cash.
 
Hilly_2011 said:
Typical - just after I ordered it!

I'm coming up with a plan. I'm going to refuse delivery from the courier so that it get's sent back to the eBayer and then get my money back through eBay through the Distance Selling Regulations.

Completely forgot about the £30 cashback. Bit more hassle but definitely worth saving a bit more cash.
Click to expand...

Just make sure by doing ^ you don't get stung for the cost of sending back or some restocking fee. Has the seller already dispatched the camera?
 
Hilly_2011 said:
Typical - just after I ordered it!

I'm coming up with a plan. I'm going to refuse delivery from the courier so that it get's sent back to the eBayer and then get my money back through eBay through the Distance Selling Regulations.

Completely forgot about the £30 cashback. Bit more hassle but definitely worth saving a bit more cash.
Click to expand...

I'd be pretty annoyed if you did that when I was selling something. I'd make sure that you paid the return postage as that's a joke. Not a nice thing to do to anyone.
 
Hilly_2011 said:
Typical - just after I ordered it!

I'm coming up with a plan. I'm going to refuse delivery from the courier so that it get's sent back to the eBayer and then get my money back through eBay through the Distance Selling Regulations.
Click to expand...

You might want to check that DSR covers items purchased from business sellers not located in the EU/UK.
 
hzv5wk said:
You might want to check that DSR covers items purchased from business sellers not located in the EU/UK.
Click to expand...

I assumed he bought this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-CANON-EOS...k_rvr_id=237784924207&afsrc=1#ht_11449wt_1008

And according to that the camera is in UK.

To OP: I still think it's a lousy thing to do. When you buy something on ebay the only reason you should return it is if it's faulty or not as described. You clearly still want this camera, but you think it's okay to have the seller out of pocket because you didn't do your research. :thumbsdown: Not cool
 
rssmrry said:
I assumed he bought this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-CANON-EOS...k_rvr_id=237784924207&afsrc=1#ht_11449wt_1008

And according to that the camera is in UK.

To OP: I still think it's a lousy thing to do. When you buy something on ebay the only reason you should return it is if it's faulty or not as described. You clearly still want this camera, but you think it's okay to have the seller out of pocket because you didn't do your research. :thumbsdown: Not cool
Click to expand...

Camera is drop shipped from the UK but the seller is in USA according to their details

Pace Am.
21 Holman Blv.
11801 Hicksville, NY
United States
Click to expand...

If you use ebay "buy it now" from a BUSINESS seller then you are covered by the Distance Selling Regulations. This means you have the legal right to cancel the purchase for whatever reason within 7 days of receipt, return the item and the seller is must give you a full refund. Not sure if it is just for UK-based sellers or if it covers EU-sellers as well. Also not sure if non-EU sellers selling in the UK are covered.

The same applies to any mail order transaction. The item does not have to be faulty or not as described to be returned under DSR.
 
rssmrry said:
I assumed he bought this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-CANON-EOS-KISS-X4-550D-DSLR-CAMERA-18-55mm-KIT-/300563493332?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item45fafaf1d4&clk_rvr_id=237784924207&afsrc=1#ht_11449wt_1008

And according to that the camera is in UK.

To OP: I still think it's a lousy thing to do. When you buy something on ebay the only reason you should return it is if it's faulty or not as described. You clearly still want this camera, but you think it's okay to have the seller out of pocket because you didn't do your research. :thumbsdown: Not cool
Click to expand...

Sorry to sound harsh, but that's life. I'm not doing anything wrong by doing so. I could do exactly the same whether it was from Adidas or from Joe Bloggs down the street. The DSR's are there for a reason - whether I made a poorly researched decision or not.
 
Hilly_2011 said:
Sorry to sound harsh, but that's life. I'm not doing anything wrong by doing so. I could do exactly the same whether it was from Adidas or from Joe Bloggs down the street. The DSR's are there for a reason - whether I made a poorly researched decision or not.
Click to expand...

I still think it's a lousy thing to do, why should the seller be out of pocket because you couldn't be assed to research properly before buying? It's one thing to return an item to a shop as you found it elsewhere cheaper. There's no postage to worry about there.

I've been screwed over by a buyer who obviously found the item elsewhere cheaper. So he got his money back, including the postage to him, plus return postage. So I was out of pocket because of his selfishness.

I'm sorry, while legally it's all okay, morally it absolutely is not. I just hope I never have the misfortune to accidentally sell something to you.
 
****** thing to do, and the blasé, unconcerned way you announce it, speaks volumes
 
rssmrry said:
I still think it's a lousy thing to do, why should the seller be out of pocket because you couldn't be assed to research properly before buying? It's one thing to return an item to a shop as you found it elsewhere cheaper. There's no postage to worry about there.

I've been screwed over by a buyer who obviously found the item elsewhere cheaper. So he got his money back, including the postage to him, plus return postage. So I was out of pocket because of his selfishness.

I'm sorry, while legally it's all okay, morally it absolutely is not. I just hope I never have the misfortune to accidentally sell something to you.
Click to expand...

Firstly, it wasn't a case of I couldn't be arsed to research it properly. On the contary, I've been researching purchasing a 550D for about a month (maybe longer) now, I merely forgot about the £30 Cashback that Canon were offering (I thought it was initially up until the end of May). Poor judgement, yes. Badly researched, no.

However, looking at the Canon Cashback site (http://www.canon.co.uk/eosspringcashback/) I can only see the EOS 500D and EOS 50D models being extended - no mention of the 550D. So I think talk of me being able to receive cashback anyway might be wide of the mark.

As for the moral aspect, I agree, it's not how I would usually do business (this would be a first for me to refuse a parcel). Given the price of the item I might actually prefer to send it back myself anyway for piece of mind rather than anything else (I have some free credit with a courier service).

EDIT: Found the below link which does indeed say that the 'Spring Cashback' deal has been extended: http://www.canon.co.uk/springcashback/

EDIT (Part 2): You'll be happy to know that the package is currently sat on my desk at work waiting to be sent back to the eBayer.
 
Last edited:
rssmrry said:
Not a nice thing to do to anyone.
Click to expand...

malo50 said:
****** thing to do, and the blasé, unconcerned way you announce it, speaks volumes
Click to expand...

Hey guys, before you get on your high horses, why not take into account that the seller (main non-eBay web site here) is:
  • illegally importing items into the UK
  • illegally not charging VAT
  • illegally not complying with Distance Selling Regulations by demanding a restocking fee
  • illegally not complying with DSRs by not providing a physical address

Still feel so sorry for them? I don't.
 
You knew all that before you agreed to buy off them, you still committed to the deal, and now you're using it to excuse you piking him. As for the high horse comment, I don't need one to look down on you.
 
malo50 said:
You knew all that before you agreed to buy off them, you still committed to the deal, and now you're using it to excuse you piking him. As for the high horse comment, I don't need one to look down on you.
Click to expand...

You might want to look at who posted that.
 
StewartR said:
Hey guys, before you get on your high horses, why not take into account that the seller (main non-eBay web site here) is:
  • illegally importing items into the UK
  • illegally not charging VAT
  • illegally not complying with Distance Selling Regulations by demanding a restocking fee
  • illegally not complying with DSRs by not providing a physical address

Still feel so sorry for them? I don't.
Click to expand...

They're a registered UK company:
DIGI GOODS MARKETING LIMITED
245 CALEDONIAN ROAD
ISLINGTON
LONDON
UNITED KINGDOM
N1 1ED

And they're VAT registered
DIGI GOODS MARKETING LIMITED VAT number: GB 977563462

I'm not aware of anyone saying they are demanding a restocking fee...

Whether the imports are illegal? I don't see how anyone could import any number of electrical products without being noticed so they probably paid import duties.

Like Martin, I don't need a high horse to look down on what OP is doing. He's taking advantage of DSRs because he didn't research the sale thoroughly before handing over his money.

What if someone hired a lens from you, you sent out the lens then they discovered another company do it for cheaper, so refused to accept it, sent it back to you and you had to cover the cost of the muppet not doing his research?

I maintain it's a lousy thing to do.
 
rssmrry said:
They're a registered UK company:
DIGI GOODS MARKETING LIMITED
245 CALEDONIAN ROAD
ISLINGTON
LONDON
UNITED KINGDOM
N1 1ED

And they're VAT registered
DIGI GOODS MARKETING LIMITED VAT number: GB 977563462

I'm not aware of anyone saying they are demanding a restocking fee...

Whether the imports are illegal? I don't see how anyone could import any number of electrical products without being noticed so they probably paid import duties.

Like Martin, I don't need a high horse to look down on what OP is doing. He's taking advantage of DSRs because he didn't research the sale thoroughly before handing over his money.

What if someone hired a lens from you, you sent out the lens then they discovered another company do it for cheaper, so refused to accept it, sent it back to you and you had to cover the cost of the muppet not doing his research?

I maintain it's a lousy thing to do.
Click to expand...
Ok, ok, ok... Let's nip this in the bud before it goes any further than petty put downs from various posters.

I have received the camera this morning and I DIDN'T refuse delivery. If I had, I would have been well within my rights of doing so, although I agree morally it wouldn't have been the best thing to do. With this in mind, and also the fact that I wanted the security of sending it back myself I have arranged a next-day delivery slot with TNT for tomorrow.
 
I like many others that have posted think that the OP is taking advantage of DSR for something that the Reg's were not designed for originally but he is able to benefit from poorly worded regulations.

Much the same as people thinking S95 of the CCA can always get there money back with credit cards :nono:

Very poor form on the OP's part IMO
 
rssmrry said:
What if someone hired a lens from you, you sent out the lens then they discovered another company do it for cheaper, so refused to accept it, sent it back to you and you had to cover the cost of the muppet not doing his research?
Click to expand...
It wouldn't happen.

Services, as opposed to the sale of goods, are not covered by the DSRs in quite the same way. Customers have the unequivocal right to cancel within 7 days of ordering, so long as the hired items have not been dispatched. Once the items have been dispatched, provision of the service is deemed to have commenced and the right to cancel is nullified.

(And if you think about it, that makes perfect sense, because otherwise it would be impossible to operate any hire business.)
 
MWHCVT said:
I like many others that have posted think that the OP is taking advantage of DSR for something that the Reg's were not designed for originally but he is able to benefit from poorly worded regulations.

Much the same as people thinking S95 of the CCA can always get there money back with credit cards :nono:

Very poor form on the OP's part IMO
Click to expand...

Sorry....for the last time I haven't took advantage of anyone. Please see my latest post.
 
Hilly_2011 said:
Sorry....for the last time I haven't took advantage of anyone. Please see my latest post.
Click to expand...

I would argue that you have, the trader offered you a price that you were happy with so you placed the order, you later realised that you could have gotten a better deal, from the way that you have worded things you had this realisation very shortly after purchase, indicating that you could have possibly contacted the vendor to cancel the order, instead you first muted the idea of refusing delivery, now you have taken delivery but are going to send it back

I also appears from you posts that you expect to get all of your money back, I would suggest that since this is an issue entirely of your creation that you should get a refund but not of any P&P costs and I would also imagine there will be a small return be that is fully justifiable as the returned package will need to be fully inspected and things like serial numbers matched this takes time and is a cost that if being reasonable you should absorb, not to mention the costs of processing a refund to your account..

A of this is ofcourse IMO and argue may not be the best word
 
StewartR said:
Hey guys, before you get on your high horses, why not take into account that the seller (main non-eBay web site here) is:
  • illegally importing items into the UK
  • illegally not charging VAT
  • illegally not complying with Distance Selling Regulations by demanding a restocking fee
  • illegally not complying with DSRs by not providing a physical address

Still feel so sorry for them? I don't.
Click to expand...

I'd be very careful StuartR (Advertiser) as that could be seen as slander. Out of interest I would love to now how a legal entity can illegally not charge VAT, and even more interesting how you know what is on their VAT return?

The OP is within his right, morally perhaps questionable but hey ho stuff happens. Before I start throwing bricks I better confess that I am not always whiter than white.
 
MWHCVT said:
I would argue that you have, the trader offered you a price that you were happy with so you placed the order, you later realised that you could have gotten a better deal, from the way that you have worded things you had this realisation very shortly after purchase, indicating that you could have possibly contacted the vendor to cancel the order, instead you first muted the idea of refusing delivery, now you have taken delivery but are going to send it back
Click to expand...

Incorrect. If I realised I could have got it cheaper elsewhere before he posted it out, I would have certainly have cancelled the order. After all, why would I cause myself more hassle of refusing the order and having to wait a week or so for possible reimbursement....it doesn't make sense.

Instead I got a confirmation email that it had been dispatched on the 3 June 2011 at 16:05pm, Stewart then posted on 4th June 2011 at 10:54am that I could get it cheaper elsewhere. Therefore any chance of me contacting the sender would have been fruitless.

MWHCVT said:
I also appears from you posts that you expect to get all of your money back, I would suggest that since this is an issue entirely of your creation that you should get a refund but not of any P&P costs and I would also imagine there will be a small return be that is fully justifiable as the returned package will need to be fully inspected and things like serial numbers matched this takes time and is a cost that if being reasonable you should absorb, not to mention the costs of processing a refund to your account..

A of this is ofcourse IMO and argue may not be the best word
Click to expand...

Again, incorrect. As I have stated in my previous posts I am sending the camera back at expense to myself (today I booked a next day delivery slot via Parcel2Go.com with TNT for tomorrow to the sum of £10.62), therefore how I can attempt to claim back any P&P is beyond me.

Thankfully I had some free credit in my Parcel2Go.com account due to a problem with a previous collection late last year, therefore it really hasn't cost me anything to send the camera back to the eBayer. So I can only say what I've previously said....In this situation I haven't took advantage of anyone. The camera is being sent back to the seller unopened and I will get my refund.

The point I, and others have mentioned, is that had I refused the order I would be well within my right of doing so under the DSR's. You can argue that it is morally wrong (you won't hear me disagreeing with you), but in this situation I thought better of it i.e. given the price of the purchase I preferred the luxury of knowing exactly where the return was and that I was covered if it was misplaced.

Done. Finito. Kaput.
 
Last edited:
Welcome to to Tp Hilly ;)

I have to say the dsr's are there for a reason and it allows you 7 days FOR WHATEVER REASON to change your mind. You haven't opened, played with or made the product anymore unsaleable as when it was shipped.

You haven't done a damn thing wrong.
 
Davie said:
Welcome to to Tp Hilly ;)

I have to say the dsr's are there for a reason and it allows you 7 days FOR WHATEVER REASON to change your mind. You haven't opened, played with or made the product anymore unsaleable as when it was shipped.

You haven't done a damn thing wrong.
Click to expand...

Thank you! :)
 
Bit of an update for you...

I received a full refund from the eBayer last night no questions asked (even including delivery). Just waiting for it to clear in Paypal before I can withdraw it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top