First Time Seller... Want to do it right!

Hello! And thanks in advance for any advice.

I have a 40D and a 10-22 (both in excellent condition) that I want to sell. However, I have never sold my gear before. I have seen tons of warnings about scams, PayPal payment issues, etc. I believe the vast majority of people on this site are honest - that's one of my favorite things about POTN. How do I make sure my first sale is good, and preferably without any issues? And how do I let people know my gear is like I say it is (other than pics) and that they can trust me?

I hope you don't mind the guidance in this, but I need a news lens for my 5DII, so it is time to part with my other gear.

Thanks!

Take well exposed images with your user name in them so they know the gears are actually in your possession. If you can show any type of feedback from anywhere else would help. If someone from this forum can vouch for you will help too. Provide a phone number via pm, so they know they can contact you. You have a website...include that too.

As far making sure it is a smooth transaction with the buyer, make sure he/she has good feedbacks. Though it is not necessary because they are paying you, but that will help ease your concern.

Good luck!!

Buckeye1 gives good advice.

A nice thing, is you have over 550 posts... most scammers here, either have a very small number of posts, or enough bad feedback to warn people off. While post count along does not buy you credibility, it sure does help.

I sold 2 camera bodies and 6 lenses so far. I've always, without exception, sold at a much better price via Craigslist. People buying locally are typically novices just getting into photography, they aren't yet equipment snobs, they are comparing your prices to stores and online listings, not discounted forum stuff. Typical CL ads are so out of touch with reality that any item listed at a realistic price, even at the higher end of the bracket by POTN standard, will get attention. You just need some patience. Make sure that you only sell locally, in a face to face meeting, in a public place, for cash.

If you do want to sell or buy on the forum, I'd say reputation (thread count, prior sales) is the most important thing to watch for.

You might want to peruse this...it's got a good list of things to watch for in online sales.

http://www.ytmag.com/s​cams.htm

Amamba wrote in post #13909884
I sold 2 camera bodies and 6 lenses so far. I've always, without exception, sold at a much better price via Craigslist. People buying locally are typically novices just getting into photography, they aren't yet equipment snobs, they are comparing your prices to stores and online listings, not discounted forum stuff. Typical CL ads are so out of touch with reality that any item listed at a realistic price, even at the higher end of the bracket by POTN standard, will get attention. You just need some patience. Make sure that you only sell locally, in a face to face meeting, in a public place, for cash.

If you do want to sell or buy on the forum, I'd say reputation (thread count, prior sales) is the most important thing to watch for.

+1. I've sold a few camera lenses on Craigslist and made more money than selling them here. Good luck.

Buckeye's advice is definitely good. I would add that you should be sure your ad is crystal clear and that all details of transaction are defined. I just passed on a deal because the seller's ad was a bit vague and then communication through PM didn't get much better. It doesn't help to create uncertainty.

I'm over cautious when buying I just bought a 50mm 1.2 from someone that had no feedback (over on FM) but had a decent post count....he sent me his ebay user name (which was different than his forum user name so I sent him an email on ebay to make sure it was him) before sending the money I had his phone number his work number and was able to do a search on google with his user name and actual name. His work phone number is a Air Force Base. I felt 100% confident before sending the $$

In addition, if you decide to sell here, make sure to use the For Sale templates!

Amamba wrote in post #13909884
I sold 2 camera bodies and 6 lenses so far. I've always, without exception, sold at a much better price via Craigslist. People buying locally are typically novices just getting into photography, they aren't yet equipment snobs, they are comparing your prices to stores and online listings, not discounted forum stuff. Typical CL ads are so out of touch with reality that any item listed at a realistic price, even at the higher end of the bracket by POTN standard, will get attention. You just need some patience. Make sure that you only sell locally, in a face to face meeting, in a public place, for cash.

If you do want to sell or buy on the forum, I'd say reputation (thread count, prior sales) is the most important thing to watch for.

I have had the exact opposite experience with craigslist, nothing but crazy low ball offers, low as in under 50% of what I listed it at. I have had great luck here on the forums.

duane0524 wrote in post #13919325
I have had the exact opposite experience with craigslist, nothing but crazy low ball offers, low as in under 50% of what I listed it at. I have had great luck here on the forums.

I much prefer transactions here as well. Craigslist = hassle for me.

duane0524 wrote in post #13919325
I have had the exact opposite experience with craigslist, nothing but crazy low ball offers, low as in under 50% of what I listed it at. I have had great luck here on the forums.

Again, you just need to be patient (i.e. don't expect to sell it the first week or even the first month), price it realistically (whatever you think you'd get at POTN + a bit more), and wait.

Amamba wrote in post #13919802
Again, you just need to be patient (i.e. don't expect to sell it the first week or even the first month), price it realistically (whatever you think you'd get at POTN + a bit more), and wait.

I can see a week, but I fully expect it to sell within a few weeks or I priced it wrong. I have no interest in working for months to sell something for a few bucks more. But, then again things work for some people that don't work for others.

I have bought most of my gear here, so when I sell it I am not losing a lot of money or any at all. That works great for me as I have a chance to try different lenses without taking a bath on it if I found out I want something else. I would not have been able to do that without the marketplace here.

I've had both experiences with Craigslist .... the low ballers and the ones willing to pay more. I think the key is to be patient when selling.