Buying lens on eBay [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

Digivaler

12th of March 2007 (Mon), 04:26

TMc

12th of March 2007 (Mon), 06:00

You can find good deals on eBAy. You have to watch out for the scamers though. Avoid one day auctions. Always check the sellers feedback and take notice to where they are from. I have seen really good deals where it appears the items are coming from the US but the seller is actually registered in the UK. Check the sellers other items. If they have an unusually large selection of new gear for sale at a really low price and it's a 1 or 3 day auction, I would run away.

That being said I just picked up a 70-200 f/4 L for $425.00

Heatseeker99

12th of March 2007 (Mon), 07:07

runninmann

12th of March 2007 (Mon), 11:25

I noticed lens on eBay were selling for $200-$600 less than advertised on Amazon...

I saw a "Brand New" Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Autofocus Len selling for $1,130.00...

Is this legit or a scam?Did it actually sell for $1130, or was that the current bid at that time?

EDIT: In checking recent completed listings, the cheapest one I saw that sold was a used one for $1400.00

troutbreath

12th of March 2007 (Mon), 16:04

I have purchased on Ebay before, and I have been pleased. However, I wonder why someone would part with such a great lens, and at such a loss. Perhaps they have a bad copy, and now want you to have the same bad copy . . .

rwong2k

12th of March 2007 (Mon), 16:42

Just watch out for negative feedbacks, and if the prices are too good to be true then just be careful.
www.bhphotovideo.com is usually cheaper than amazon also.

on the other note, I did purchased my 70-200/2.8 for $1000 CND which nornmally sell for $1300 CND, but the lister forgot to put a minimum reserve (it was a store that was trying out ebay). The week after I purchased this lens I tried to see if i can get any better deals but unfortuantly they put reserves on all their lens afterwards =(

oh well
Raymond

steved110

12th of March 2007 (Mon), 17:59

Be careful of scammers, and be careful of gear shipped form overseas - if there are any warranty problems, you generally have to ship back to the supplier which can be really expensive and a major hassle. and you might have to pay customs duties as well. That can erode any apparent cost savings.

Check feedback carefully, take time to look at the comments left, including by people who left postitive as well as negative feedback. also check the feedback left by the seller. check that the seller is a bona fide camera gear seller by looking at previous sales in the feedback history.

also take time to read ALL the seller's terms and conditions regarding shipping, insurance and payment . and double and triple check that the thing you are buying or bidding for is what you think it is.

You can always ask questions on POTN - post a link to what you are interested in and we will fall over ourselves to give advice and opinions. That's what we do best!