Purchased 17-55, Am I being too critical on it's condition?

KirkS518 wrote in post #16639753
If you did buy it outside of the ebay system, who initiated that? If the seller did, and you have emails reflecting it, ebay will work with you, and probably ban the seller.

Agreed.

To other posters. The condition of the lens likely normal for a well used 17-55. That is not the issue. The problem is that the seller represented it as "looks and works like new" in his E-Bay posting. I've purchased stuff in less than stellar condition on e-bay. The difference is that the deficiencies were fully noted and described in the sale ad. That is not the case here.

ejrj6586 wrote in post #16639743
Is all that behind the element? If so, that's quite a bit. I ended up selling mine for 550. Search my threads started through my profile to see the for sale thread with all the pictures if you are interested.

That's all behind the element.

Paid with paypal via merchandise using my credit card.

I emailed the seller asking if they had a Buy It Now price. He told me $600 + 7.99 for shipping. Set up paypal payment.

Did you contact the seller after receiving the lens? If you did, what he said?

That's definitely not like new condition then, with all that dust. I'm sure it won't affect image quality, but that is not like new like the seller described it as. You could start a claim via PayPal, saying the item was not like described, but try to contact the seller first to see if he will compensate for that.

hang your cross wrote in post #16639719

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1755lens by crxgator, on Flickr

Are all those dust particles behind the front element? If so I would sure not call that like new, and would very much consider sending it back.

The seller is trying to scam the ebay system. Guess what - ebay No likey. Contact ebay right now (or tomorrow), tell them you contacted the seller asking about a BIN option, and he had you complete the transaction outside of the ebay system. Then contact Paypal, tell them the item you received is not as it was described in the original ebay listing, letting them also know that the seller instructed you to buy it from him outside of the ebay system. You will get to see first hand how well the ebay/paypal system protects buyers, especially when there is a seller trying to scam the system. Also contact your cerdit card company.

I could only get one of the scratches to come up. It's circled in white.

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Unrelated, I know, but there are several videos on the web showing how to remove the front element and properly clean that dust out of there. I'd never try it, but it doesn't look too difficult if you are familiar with such things.

I emailed him 10 hours ago with this:

Brad,

I got a chance to look at it today (wife just had a baby). While it got here fast and the packaging was great; and I do consider the lens in very good condition. I wouldn't call it "like new" as you described in eBay. There is a bunch of dust underneath the front element, two or three faint scratches on the element and it does have zoom creep from 28-45mm.

Kind regards,

Garrett

See what he says. Definitely keep that professional tone, because that will always help.

The seller saved $60 by not selling it through the ebay system, and IMO, he's intentionally being slow to respond to you. 10 hours is typically long enough for someone to get and respond to an email nowadays. He's hoping you'll go away.

This really "Frosts my 'nards" as my father in law used to say. Go get him Garrett!

I guess he is a user on FM - username is bradc2755

I'll be emailing him once more and see what he says in this regards. If not, I will be filing a dispute.

The seller is definitely abusing the eBay system.
But, congratulations on the baby!

hang your cross wrote in post #16639856
I guess he is a user on FM - username is bradc2755

I'll be emailing him once more and see what he says in this regards. If not, I will be filing a dispute.

Once he's had 24 hours to respond, open the dispute. Just keep in mind that he may be out of town, or sick or visiting his mom in prison. Not answering in 24 hours is not hard to fathom. Don't lose your recourse by waiting too long.

I consider the scratch ON THE GLASS to be a deal breaker on this sale. I'd want all my money back; you expected like new. You may have to pay to ship it back, and show proof, before E-Pal/PayBay will refund your money.

That's way too many dust inside, not that it matters to this lens anyway as it's a dust magnet, but that's certainly not 'like new'.

I'd return it and ask for a full refund.