Buying stuff off ebay?

Has anyone bought a camera body off ebay? I'm sorta worried about buying one

Heya,

I buy used stuff on ebay all the time. Especially old M42 mount lenses.

There's a great 6D bundle deal on ebay today.

Very best,

I bought an old contax lens once. (Described as like new) I attached it to my camera and the blades stuck closed. I sent it back the same day. Last time I did that. So, my advice is to stay away from ebay.
I used to buy and sell a lot of items on ebay. It seems as of late, the qc of the people has gone south.

I've made 40 photography related purchases on E-bay. Cheapest was a $10 film body. Most expensive was a 135 f/2L for $820. I've never had a problem. I won't buy from non-US vendors. I won't buy from anyone with less than 100 sales and at least 99% satisfied customers. All of E-bay's/Paypal's protection favor the buyer. I think it is really hard to get burned on E-bay, if you do it right.

I have bought a camera body and a nice white lens through ebay, as well as my last 3 PCs, 4 laptops, my ipad, TVs, HDD recorders, more USB hard drives than I care to count and loads, loads more.

I buy through ebay all the time, there isn't a week goes by without me ordering at least one thing through it, and usually more. I have had one or two minor issues over the years (I have been using it for 14 years now) but these were all sorted out quickly and painlessly.

As Frodge pointed out, you can get an item that doesn't work as you expect, but you just do as he did and send it back for a refund. Let's face it, that can happen buying goods from a major retailer or amazon as well, it is hardly something unique to ebay. Indeed, if buying from an individual, they are usually keen to make sure that the item is described as accurately as possible, with any flaws mentioned, as it costs them time and money if the buyer rejects it and sends it back.

Obviously, beware of scammers but they are almost always blatantly obvious, and prey on gullible idiots who really do believe that you can get a brand new 1Dx for a grand, and let their greed overrule common sense.

Just to be on the safe side, pay through paypal with your credit card, then you have double protection. Paypal and ebay should keep your money safe, but if they don't you can just get it back through your CC company.

Obviously my experience is with ebay UK, and ebay Australia may be slightly different, but the protection should be similar I would think.

Bought my 5D II off ebay 6 years ago and my 20D 10 years ago. I've never had a problem with purchasing on ebay.

I bought a 28-70 f2.8 Nikon lens from Pantherphoto on ebay. Close to $900 but it came with a warranty along with it being in mint condition as described. Wouldn't hesitate to buy a body or lens from that person.

Just do your homework and check what they primarily deal in and their feedback as a buyer and seller.

I have sold 6 used lenses on Ebay and I have never had an issue either, as a seller.

Frodge wrote in post #16882864
I bought an old contax lens once. (Described as like new) I attached it to my camera and the blades stuck closed. I sent it back the same day. Last time I did that. So, my advice is to stay away from ebay.
I used to buy and sell a lot of items on ebay. It seems as of late, the qc of the people has gone south.

I will most likely have a 70D on there soon, Don't buy it

CollegeKid wrote in post #16882873
I've made 40 photography related purchases on E-bay. Cheapest was a $10 film body. Most expensive was a 135 f/2L for $820. I've never had a problem. I won't buy from non-US vendors. I won't buy from anyone with less than 100 sales and at least 99% satisfied customers. All of E-bay's/Paypal's protection favor the buyer. I think it is really hard to get burned on E-bay, if you do it right.

Pretty much this.

The deck is stacked in favor of the buyers, but don't be stupid about it; look at seller ratings and even the quality of the posting itself - it should give you a good idea of how reputable and knowledgeable the seller is (I don't have reservations buying from non-NA sellers provided everything else [Including shipping rates/delivery time frame] is right).

Side note: everything that makes me fairly confident in purchasing from ebay also makes me a little leery of selling on ebay - I'll try CL first (if I can avoid selling fees and the shipping process, I will), message boards second and ebay as a last resort for items that a) ship fairly easily and b) are a bit specialty/niche and may not sell for a fair price unless a wider net is cast.

It's a roll of the dice. Anyone can sell on eBay. With one exception, everyone I have dealt with as a buyer or seller has been fine. However, there is nothing to stop someone posting a dishonest post, selling stolen goods, etc.

Africanphoto wrote in post #16882842
Has anyone bought a camera body off ebay? I'm sorta worried about buying one

I think you have to be careful on E Bay, I normally only buy If I can inspect the item first - in other words meet up.
I have bought quite a few photographic items on E Bay with only one problem - which was resolved to my satisfaction. I have bought the following items from E Bay: Canon 1DX, Canon EF 400 F2.8 L, Canon 300 F2.8 L IS, Canon 800 F5.6 L IS + lots of other bits and bobs. I could never have afforded them otherwise!

No problems really. Just be smart.

CollegeKid wrote in post #16882873
I won't buy from non-US vendors. I won't buy from anyone with less than 100 sales and at least 99% satisfied customers. All of E-bay's/Paypal's protection favor the buyer. I think it is really hard to get burned on E-bay, if you do it right.

I pretty much agree with this. I've had a couple of items which were not satisfactory but managed to get refunds each time. I have also bought a few things from non-US sellers, but they were new items (such as my YN speedlight) from well established sellers.

The other thing to watch out for is pricing. Sometimes people get so wrapped up in bidding that they pay too much (of course I don't mind that happening when I'm the one selling).

Also, I don't sell outside the US anymore. I once had a camera which sold to someone in Brazil, after he won the auction he had the nerve to ask me to under-value the camera on the customs forms (sorry, I'm not gonna' risk legal penalties so someone else can save a few dollars). I sent him a refund, reported it to ebay, and made the decision that it's not worth the hassle to sell across borders. That's unfortunate, but for me it's just too much hassle to sell outside the US.

Ebay is usually fine. Just don't do a gift payment... Paypal gift sounds good to the seller, but you'll have little recourse if there is a problem.
I use paypal funded by a CC, so double the protection on my part. Pay