Convince me to buy used

[SmileThere]

I would love to have the confidence in buying used equipment. I can get a lot more bang for my buck. But I'm afraid of doing so. What if I end up with an issue that can cost me a nice penny?

Are there any situations you can share from this site, that ended badly? I want to know percentagewise, how often one ends up with a bad deal.

Thanks

[Perry Ge]

I buy almost everything used. My policy is meet up locally in a public place (usually a cafe), inspect the equipment in person, test it thoroughly - also gauge the character of the person selling it. Then I buy. Exercise some common sense and you should be fine, as well as saving yourself a buck.

I got a 1DMKIIN for about USD$1200 yesterday. Tested it and talked to the guy at a cafe for about 45 minutes. Works flawlessly, and the guy's a CPS member so I can send it in for repairs under his name if anything ever goes wrong. But so far it's perfect. I've bought a 28 1.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.8 (from this forum, the only thing I bought online, but the member was trusted), 200 2.8L II, 5D, 1D, 20D, 1DMKIIN, and 17-40L used, and a bunch of other stuff. I've had zero problems, but I've saved a bunch of money in the process - selling a lot of the stuff I don't have anymore at the same price, or in some cases higher, than what I bought it for.

[SmileThere]

Ah, but when you live in smalltown USA, you rarely get the option of meeting up.

[Perry Ge]

Ahh yeah. Well in that case - buy from members of this forum who have good feedback, or whom you can trust (maybe stay a member for a little longer to get a feel for things). There's a market feedback thread in the market watch subforum, and lots of people list their feedback in their gear lists or sigs. You can also ask if anybody has feedback if they're selling something that interests you.

Again it's all about common sense. I wouldn't buy from someone who's only been a member here for a little while and who only has 5 posts unless someone I knew vouched for them, but I'd buy without hesitation from some of the more senior members here who I'm more familiar with.

[FocalPrincess]

I'm also one who's hesitant. I doubt I'd purchase off fleabay, but I did just purchase a body here and it arrived in like new condition, just as described. There isn't a mark or smudge on the thing and it too works flawlessly. Communicate with the seller, get a feeling for them. If you have a bad feeling, don't buy.

[stathunter]

I run a business with my gear so I need to purchase at a good price. Early last year I bought a few things-- because of projects I had-- new. But typically I try to purchase used. If you know what you are looking for an communicate with the seller -- and have a good feeling -- then it is typically a risk worth taking.
I have a hard time spending tons of money on new pro bodies -- just for them to loose value immediately. I typically wait for someone to sell them used and pick them up for a deal. Than if you should ever wish to sell them-- you should not loose any money-- many times you make money.

[jgrussell]

I would love to have the confidence in buying used equipment. I can get a lot more bang for my buck. But I'm afraid of doing so. What if I end up with an issue that can cost me a nice penny? Are there any situations you can share from this site, that ended badly? I want to know percentagewise, how often one ends up with a bad deal. With the exception of my 50mm f1.8 (less than $100), every lens I own was purchased used from another POTN member. In general, my experiences have been very good. If you buy through PayPal with a credit card, you will have the double protection of PayPal's own dispute resolution system and your credit card company's chargeback system.

[SmileThere]

With the exception of my 50mm f1.8 (less than $100), every lens I own was purchased used from another POTN member. In general, my experiences have been very good. If you buy through PayPal with a credit card, you will have the double protection of PayPal's own dispute resolution system and your credit card company's chargeback system.

I don't put much hope on Paypal or my bank. I've had 900 lost like that with a transaction (not photo related) because both shirked responsibility.

[jgrussell]

I don't put much hope on Paypal or my bank. I've had 900 lost like that with a transaction (not photo related) because both shirked responsibility.All I can say is that, with the very good records I kept and provided as documentation, my bank (Wachovia, or Wells Fargo, whatever it's called these days) handled the chargeback without problems.

[Perry Ge]

By far a better idea to link paypal to a credit card, rather than a bank account. You don't get the buyer protection with the latter.

[AngryCorgi]

I would love to have the confidence in buying used equipment. I can get a lot more bang for my buck. But I'm afraid of doing so. What if I end up with an issue that can cost me a nice penny?

Are there any situations you can share from this site, that ended badly? I want to know percentagewise, how often one ends up with a bad deal.

Thanks

I have bought/sold over $15k in equipment through POTN in the past 3-4 years. I can say that I have never had a bad experience. That does not mean that a bad experience can't happen, but I also shy away from people that do not use paypal or seem shady. I have had 4 or 5 transactions in person and all of those have been friendly occasions and a good experiences as well.

BTW, I'm selling a good bit of photo equipment right now... ;)

[nprdavid]

I too was burned by paypal once. everything now goes through credit card

[SmileThere]

I too was burned by paypal once. everything now goes through credit card
Meaning, you do cc via Paypal?

[Dbmk]

With the exception of my 50mm f1.8 (less than $100), every lens I own was purchased used from another POTN member. In general, my experiences have been very good. If you buy through PayPal with a credit card, you will have the double protection of PayPal's own dispute resolution system and your credit card company's chargeback system.

In Denmark, the banks have just gotten the courts word that their chargeback reponsibility ends then money reaches paypal. From there its between you and paypal.

[SmileThere]

In Denmark, the banks have just gotten the courts word that their chargeback reponsibility ends then money reaches paypal. From there its between you and paypal.

And in my personal experience, paypal is worthless.

[elysium]

I would love to have the confidence in buying used equipment. I can get a lot more bang for my buck. But I'm afraid of doing so. What if I end up with an issue that can cost me a nice penny?

Are there any situations you can share from this site, that ended badly? I want to know percentagewise, how often one ends up with a bad deal.

Thanks
I have made a few purchases/swaps on 2nd gear especially on here.

Lenses I acquired second hand on here
- 50 1.8
- 24-70L
- 300L

ALL of them were in great condition as advertised, good quality and sharp during everyday use. Only thing that ended badly, I want more. I do understand where you are coming from but it is a leap of faith worth taking once you have settled down.

Not all the best gear is readily available or could be discontinued. You never know.

[Li_Photo]

I've bought a lot of my gear used, mostly from Craigslist were I can meet up in person. I have not had a bad purchase!