Zoom - Questions Canon 70-200 2.8

I sold a lens last week, 70-200 2.8 IS. Not to anyone here. The guy I sold it to lives out of state and says that the zoom is "3-4 x tighter" than his other 70-200's.

While in my care the lens was never dropped or abused in any way. It shot beautifully, btw. I used it for sports, birding, closeup, etc. As far as the zoom goes, I never had anything to compare it to besides an old 28-105 which is in a whole different class.

What could be the problem here? Could there be 70-200's that vary in zoom tightness and this one happens to be tighter than most? Date code is 2004.

I don't know if I'm being scammed, but he now wants something done about it. Refund? Allowance for repair? If I take it back and now something's wrong with it, what then?

S&H + insurance cost me $31. PP was another $30 that we agreed to split.

What would you do?

Thanks for any advice.

He is probably exaggerating, and probably hasn't held the larger 2.8 version in his hands before. It is possible that his 70-200 could be too loose, or even worn out.

Tell him to take it to a camera store and compare with a new 70-200 2.8 and ask to speak someone at the camera store to confirm just how tight it is.

Then if all else fails I would reluctantly let him ship it back at his cost for a refund.

Tell him your lens was not abused and not a loosy goosie what makes him think his other 70-200's were not defective? If you decide to take it back it should be at his expense and I would not refund until I got the lens back. I have had many of these over the years some were a little tight others not so

Another thought maybe he did something to it? How was it when you had it?

I believe, if I were to allow him to ship it back, at his cost, I'd stipulate that I'd refund his payment only if the lens comes back in the same condition in which it left.

Tanglefoot, It was in great shape, no exaggeration. Shot beautiful crisp images, as seen in my ad. The ring was a bit stiff, but I never gave a thought to it. I'm not the strongest guy in the world, but this would never leave me feeling like I had a workout. I could easily shoot birds or sports for a couple hours and never have a thought.

Runninman,I just spoke with PP and they said the same and wouldn't release the $$, to him, until I confirmed that it was in the same shape it was in when I sent it. And yes, they say that it's all at his cost to send it back. I told him that it was never abused as it is the truth. I simply think he made his purchase hastily. It was up for less than two hours, when I got his reply.

I'm about to email him with what I've picked up here (camera store, etc.) and we'll see how things go.

Links supporting a stiff barrel:

http://photo.net …gital-camera-forum/00Fx43

http://forums.dpreview​.com/forums/post/13077​546 (The same forum which I sold it through and he belongs)

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/81452​3

http://www.fredmiranda​.com …cpage=3&perpage​=16&cat=37

Another thing you could do is go to a camera store yourself, try a new 70-200 and see how the zoom ring compares.

I'll have to do that next time in LA. Thanks

Ynot wrote in post #15206591
Tanglefoot, It was in great shape, no exaggeration. Shot beautiful crisp images, as seen in my ad. The ring was a bit stiff, but I never gave a thought to it. I'm not the strongest guy in the world, but this would never leave me feeling like I had a workout. I could easily shoot birds or sports for a couple hours and never have a thought.

Runninman,I just spoke with PP and they said the same and wouldn't release the $$, to him, until I confirmed that it was in the same shape it was in when I sent it. And yes, they say that it's all at his cost to send it back. I told him that it was never abused as it is the truth. I simply think he made his purchase hastily. It was up for less than two hours, when I got his reply.

I'm about to email him with what I've picked up here (camera store, etc.) and we'll see how things go.

I think your right buyer remorse, I would say no deal