GreenToe - Reverse Auction Photography Site

I was asking questions in the Gopro thread and then saw this thread, I started to put in a bid on a Gopro Hero 3+ black edition because I saw a few others had. But then when I was trying to put in my bid I came to a part that wants all of my credit card info in advance to put in the bid. I can not see why they would need a credit card to put in a bid, if the bid is accepted then yes they need the info but if it is not accepted they still have all of your credit card info. Can anyone tell me a good reason for having to provide credit card info in advance instead of after they accept the bid? Not trying to be rude or anything, I just do not get that kind of practice is all.

BDDigitalImages wrote in post #16743887
I was asking questions in the Gopro thread and then saw this thread, I started to put in a bid on a Gopro Hero 3+ black edition because I saw a few others had. But then when I was trying to put in my bid I came to a part that wants all of my credit card info in advance to put in the bid. I can not see why they would need a credit card to put in a bid, if the bid is accepted then yes they need the info but if it is not accepted they still have all of your credit card info. Can anyone tell me a good reason for having to provide credit card info in advance instead of after they accept the bid? Not trying to be rude or anything, I just do not get that kind of practice is all.

Howdy BDDigitalImages,

You are putting in a bid to Greentoe but they are closing the deal with the supplier for that bid amount and paying for it as soon as it is accepted by the seller. There is no back and forth messing around . These deals need to close quickly for Greentoe to make the business attractive to the supplier. This also shows the commitment level of you, the buyer, by supplying that credit card info.

Bid: 250
Won: 275
Internet price: 350

Item: Ona bag in chestnut

Item:canon 5D Mark III (body)
Bid:2450 (Black Friday price from BVI)
Response:2975
Date: 3/10/2014

I think I'll wait for another eBay deal (BVI or 6ave). Worst case scenario, 1 trip to CPS is still cheaper than minimum non-advertised price through authorized reseller.

couple of thoughts.

I recently put in a bid for a Tokina 16-28, which has been retailing for $699 but was being offered at $650 after an instant rebate. I bid 280.

Received an email from greentoe stating that $651 was the best counter offer. There was obviously no reason to accept the offer.

The next day the lens was being offered with a hundred dollar discount for $599 at standard retailers. Rather than going through Greentoe, I just bought the lens.

It made me think about the fact that Greentoe is acting of a go between. IMO that completely defeats the purpose of the site, at least from the point of the consumer. I'm sure the retailers are getting savvy to this, and are not offering such steep discounts as they were in the beginning.

I tend to be able to plan my purchases and wait for good discounts. This makes greentoe much less useful to me, especially if they are going to continue to help negotiate on behalf of the retailer.

Someone who needs a product immediately might have a better experience. But I see this action causing the bargains found to be less and less substantial in the long run.

I think you are drawing a rather general conclusion from your one experience with the Tokina. My experience has been otherwise. I have purchased 2 items via GreenToe and both were substantially less expensive than any options available at the time I bought them. So my conclusion is, every purchase should be evaluated on a case by case basis. Sometimes GreenToe is the best, sometimes not.

In my experience they are phenomenal. I have bought a number of lens and accessories from them for less than anywhere else online. They even beat prices after including instant rebates.

I ordered a lens from GreenToe that retailed for $899 at Adorama and BH. I put in a bid, then got a counter offer @ 15% less than retail. Turns out Adorama is the one that sold me the item thru GreenToe. Lens should be here tomorrow.

Alot of people talked about how quick shipping was with GreenToe, but my order was put in on 03/04 and I don't get it till tomorrow. I can complain for the price, but other's have had more luck with faster shipping.

Wait... you went through the bid process and you will have your lens in your hands within a week and that's not fast enough?

dbraga wrote in post #16749623
I ordered a lens from GreenToe that retailed for $899 at Adorama and BH. I put in a bid, then got a counter offer @ 15% less than retail. Turns out Adorama is the one that sold me the item thru GreenToe. Lens should be here tomorrow.

Alot of people talked about how quick shipping was with GreenToe, but my order was put in on 03/04 and I don't get it till tomorrow. I can complain for the price, but other's have had more luck with faster shipping.

5 days to go cross country via UPS is pretty standard. You can always have it shipped faster. I always have my lenses shipped overnight. For the additional $20, it's still cheaper than buying local and it get the goods in my hands and out of the mailing system.

dbraga wrote in post #16749623
I ordered a lens from GreenToe that retailed for $899 at Adorama and BH. I put in a bid, then got a counter offer @ 15% less than retail. Turns out Adorama is the one that sold me the item thru GreenToe. Lens should be here tomorrow.

Alot of people talked about how quick shipping was with GreenToe, but my order was put in on 03/04 and I don't get it till tomorrow. I can complain for the price, but other's have had more luck with faster shipping.

You got a great deal receiving 15% off the normal price of a lens! As for shipping, that's how long it takes to go coast-to-coast when shipping ground. And you can't expect the retailer to ship it any other way for the price you received. If someone wants ultra-fast shipping, then their best bet is to pay full price and then pay even more for overnight shipping.

Bryan

bps wrote in post #16750918
If someone wants ultra-fast shipping, then their best bet is to pay full price and then pay even more for overnight shipping.

Bryan

Not true. When you place your bid, email Andrew and tell him you want expedited shipping. Once he gets the item confirmed and agreed on, he'll get you a quote. Adora MA overnighted my 35/85 for $20 more than bid price.

huntersdad wrote in post #16751153
Not true. When you place your bid, email Andrew and tell him you want expedited shipping. Once he gets the item confirmed and agreed on, he'll get you a quote. Adora MA overnighted my 35/85 for $20 more than bid price.

Cool -- thanks for pointing that out!

Bryan

GoPro Hero 3+ Black Edition
Offered $315.00 on 3/7/14
Accepted less than 2 hours later.
Tracking number received an hour or so after acceptance.
Delivered on 3/11/14

OUTSTANDING transaction!

that's a good deal!