Please tell me if this a scam...

Yep it's a scam. If you hesitate and say you don't have a Western Union near you, the seller will gradually get more aggressive and demand that you send the money.

I was in one of these--nearly identical but different lens type thing. Got suspicious quickly and began hedging. The seller was really aggressive and I just backed away and saved some valuable money to use on a legitimate vendor.

Hopefully you will do the same without all of the aggravation.

luvlight wrote in post #16470193
Hey guys,
I'm the OP, and I just joined this forum for the very purpose of checking this out. I'm an amateur photographer considering going pro and in the market for a pro camera system to start out with. I have never encountered this kind of deal or language before, it sounded too good to be true, so I thought I'd run it by you guys. I don't know why that should make me suspicious. Naive, yes, but nothing more than that. I was caught off-guard by seeing this deal on Facebook, which I thought was a scam-free zone. Anyway, thanks for pointing out all the signs indicating that a scam is in the making. I'll know for next time. You've all been very helpful and I appreciate it!

luvlight,

Welcome to the forums! Folks are actually very helpful here and I hope all of these responses don't turn you away. You are only receiving some sarcasm because now-a-days most people are very aware of internet scams, but apparently, as you've indicated, not everyone is. When it comes to camera equipment, if the price is significantly below the top retailers such as Adorama, B&H Photo, or Amazon, then something is wrong. Also, anytime someone wants you to buy something through Western Union, they are a Nigerian Prince, or their written communications have numerous spelling and grammar errors...then it is a scam.

It's great to hear that you love photography and I hope you hang out on POTN often. There's a wealth of information here.

Welcome again,
Bryan

Too good to be true, then it's not true. Never bother to deal with them.

luvlight wrote in post #16470193
I was caught off-guard by seeing this deal on Facebook, which I thought was a scam-free zone.

Those words in bold do not belong in the same sentence.

luvlight wrote in post #16470220
I think it's sad that you're rolling your eyes. The post was a request for help from people more knowledgeable about these kinds of offers. If you consider it beneath you, then stay out of it. No need for snide remarks. Others may find this thread useful and learn from it.

Well like they say, there's a sucker born every minute.

there is the possibility that you are all likely inadevertantly doing his (the scammers) market research for him if the Op is a scammer, although the grammar and spelling indicate that he is not. If he was, his potential clients (yourselves) are illustrating exactly where he is falling down in his credibility stakes and likely his next advertising campaign will have corrections based on your reponses.
'
And yes, it could well be that an OP is the scammer "testing the market" although in this case, I doubt it, and I'm not inferring that he is, just that the trick has been used before and that sometimes advice given in the best faith is used to "refine" scams

luvlight wrote in post #16468813
...-----------
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Body Only
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM EF Zoom Lens
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM EF Telephoto Zoom Lens
...

Do you see the contradicting statement of what's included? Look really hard.

Body only, then lists lenses

bidkev wrote in post #16470531
there is the possibility that you are all likely inadevertantly doing his (the scammers) market research for him if the Op is a scammer, although the grammar and spelling indicate that he is not. If he was, his potential clients (yourselves) are illustrating exactly where he is falling down in his credibility stakes and likely his next advertising campaign will have corrections based on your reponses.
'
And yes, it could well be that an OP is the scammer "testing the market" although in this case, I doubt it, and I'm not inferring that he is, just that the trick has been used before and that sometimes advice given in the best faith is used to "refine" scams

True, but I will never, ever, ever be taken by a scam because I don't buy gear from sketchy no-name places or unknown "dealers". Adorama gets my business, and while I pretty much only shop at Adorama, there's always B&H, BuyDig, or a few others if they have better deals.

Also, these spammers can't even use spell check, so I'm not too worried about them phishing here on POTN so they can refine their scams.

Bryan

Why do people post asking if its legit or real when they damn know that its a scam. Common sense is all it takes. 1 of those lenses alone costs almost the asking price. All that gear is worth 2-3x what he's asking for. It doesn't take much to know its a scam or even find out the price of the gear.

If the deal is damn too good to be true and its shipping from overseas, 98% its a scam.

1KIND wrote in post #16470798
Why do people post asking if its legit or real when they damn know that its a scam. Common sense is all it takes. 1 of those lenses alone costs almost the asking price. All that gear is worth 2-3x what he's asking for. It doesn't take much to know its a scam or even find out the price of the gear.

If the deal is damn too good to be true and its shipping from overseas, 98% its a scam.

EXACTLY!
I didnt even have to read anything; just assumed by looking at the title its a scam.
IF THE DEAL IS TOO GOOD...no good

bidkev wrote in post #16470646
Body only, then lists lenses

Yep. My 1st thought was which is it?

luvlight wrote in post #16470193
I was caught off-guard by seeing this deal on Facebook, which I thought was a scam-free zone.

Great googly moogly!

There is no barrier to entry to be on Facebook. Anybody can get on there and lie about who they are.

Facebook is not a scam free zone by any stretch of the imagination. I don't even trust the people who RUN Facebook, let alone those who use it!

bidkev wrote in post #16470646
Body only, then lists lenses

The 5D3 comes in two flavors -- either "body only" or as a kit with the 24-105L. Neither of the two lenses listed are kit lenses, so that in itself was not enough to make this a scam.

However, everything else -- price, Western Union, Nigeria, etc. -- all scream SCAM!

1KIND wrote in post #16470798
Why do people post asking if its legit or real when they damn know that its a scam. Common sense is all it takes. 1 of those lenses alone costs almost the asking price. All that gear is worth 2-3x what he's asking for. It doesn't take much to know its a scam or even find out the price of the gear.

If the deal is damn too good to be true and its shipping from overseas, 98% its a scam.

masberg24 wrote in post #16471239
EXACTLY!
I didnt even have to read anything; just assumed by looking at the title its a scam.
IF THE DEAL IS TOO GOOD...no good

The only dumb question is the one not asked.

Scott M wrote in post #16471939
The 5D3 comes in two flavors -- either "body only" or as a kit with the 24-105L. Neither of the two lenses listed are kit lenses, so that in itself was not enough to make this a scam...

The poster was answering the question I posed just above the post. I was pointing the discrepancy in the listing - either it's a body only or a kit and they have it listed both ways. The discrepancy is something that makes one think, something isn't quite right here. Plus, that, in conjunction with all the other things pointed out here makes it a scam.