Do COD's make Ebay safe?

[clkgtr37]

I was thinking about buying an EOS 1D from an ebay member who has no feedback, but has the camera for 2550AU (1500 US). However they accept COD's. Is it safe to do this deal?
Thank you,
Blair

[JR92]

Everyone has their own thoughts, some have come from sour experiences, but I don't see how you can go wrong with a COD. It is a win-win situation in my book, unless the 1D is destroyed, which I doubt. It only takes a few people to gibe eBay a bad wrap anyway.

[Bing]

If you think about it, a COD gives you no protection. There can be a brick in a box and you will not be able to tell until you open it...in which case you have already paid for it. Escrow is a much safer way to go.

[jadams]

Well, I think you need to consider leaving cookies for your UPS/FedEx man or something. :)

I've never met a UPS/FedEx driver that wouldn't wait while you inspected the contents (within reason) of a package with a COD/Insurance of that amount.

In my experience they would at least wait and let you open the box to make sure a camera is in there. Just refuse to pay for the package until you've opened it -- plain and simple. They aren't going anywhere until you pay them.

But going back to the topic -- $1500 USD for a EOS 1D is a scam. Plain and simple. One way or the other, you won't be getting the camera. It's just not going to happen. Email the seller and ask them to explain what they mean by COD -- they might mean "oh... Western Union it to me with a security question. Don't send me the answer until delivery. i.e. -- COD."

Good luck, I wish you well.

Jasper

P.S. -- Oh, but if you do get it for $1500 US... I want two more. :D

[mjordan]

There have been a number of reported scams in the newsgroups and other message forums. One in paticular was about a 1D sent COD from Australia.

On the flip side, there is a Calf. scam going on where someone buys an expensive camera COD. He gives t he Fed-Ex driver a chashiers check. When the seller gets it and tries to cash it, he finds out it's a forgery. It evidently didn't have the watermark but looked legit until the bank checked it.

I've bought a lot of stuff over the internet and e-bay and I've only "almost" had a problem once, but the guy finally sent the lens when I back traced his address and got his phone number and called. Plus he was only a couple of hundred miles away and I told him I went near there all the time. One other case the lens I bought was not in the excellent condition the seller said it was but he gave me no quibble about refunding my money as soon as I got the lens back to him.

So you have to be careful, but even being careful might not be enough in some cases. And not all the warnings you hear out there are sour grapes either. There are people out there that are making a good living off other people like this... or it would be a good living if they weren't using the goods to buy drugs and other things.

Mike