Buying from Market Place

Hi Friends,
I don't know if this is the right place to post this .. I wanted to know how safe is buying from MarketPlace? I mean how do we know that the lens is working well. I have been checking for couple of lens and the pics of the lens seems good.. I don't know but sometimes my instinct doesn't allow me to go forward in purchasing ... what do you think?

Thanks

I think it all depends on the individual selling an item.
I would not buy a lens or any gear from a 'new member' for my own paranoid reasons.
Look for active members that offer links to other sites such as their Ebay accounts for credibility.
Paying a 3% Paypal fee could save you from a huge headache with either a malicious seller or gear damaged during shipping.

InfiniteDivide wrote in post #16898089
I think it all depends on the individual selling an item.
I would not buy a lens or any gear from a 'new member' for my own paranoid reasons.
Look for active members that offer links to other sites such as their Ebay accounts for credibility.
Paying a 3% Paypal fee could save you from a huge headache with either a malicious seller or gear damaged during shipping.

How would 3% Paypal fees save the headache? I didn't follow that...

robienyshe wrote in post #16898106
How would 3% Paypal fees save the headache? I didn't follow that...

I think he is referring to the two types of Paypal payments: gifting (With no extra cost), or paying the fees (The 3%). If I am correct, if someone screws you over when you paid in Paypal gifting, there is pretty much nothing you can do, whereas paying the fees protects the transaction. Do I have that right, Infinite?

^ Correct. I should have elaborated on that. Yes, as already stated. If it was a gift and 'something' went wrong, it has nothing to do with buying an item.
If I 'gifted' you $2,000 'for a lens' that never came... I have no recourse. That could me a massive headache.
Or if you sent me a perfect condition lens and during shipping the box got dropped and crushed, etc.
I have no recourse for compensation, because I just 'gifted' the money as if it was free cash.
Personally I would never 'gift' money for a transaction as a buyer. The 3% fee is basically your own insurance.
I would also not accept a 'gift' as a seller. Standard fees, standard transactions.
I have a couple items in my signature listed for sale. If anyone is interested.

It's more then paying the PP fees. If you transfer money from your bank account using PP you pay the fees but only have PP as your security. If PP can't recover the money you get nothing plus you're at PP's mercy. Sure they almost always side with the buyer but I don't trust PP. Visit paypalsucks.com.

Pay for everything using a credit card ONLY!!!! I'd much rather rely on my CC company then PP to resolve a problem.

I'm not sure if the OP is more worried about getting scammed or getting a sub-standard lens. Seems like the latter. If that is the case, and if you are concerned with pixel level IQ, I'd definitely recommend only buying from established members who have used the lens in question extensively and can speak to the technical details, or buy new from a retailer with a generous return policy.

Be careful of sellers who "flip" gear and might not have used or tested a lens much at all, and be wary of sellers like me, who don't have the wherewithal to evaluate every nuance of a lens.

sounds like you should just buy new or refurb from canon if you're that worried.

mpix345 wrote in post #16898745
I'm not sure if the OP is more worried about getting scammed or getting a sub-standard lens. Seems like the latter. If that is the case, and if you are concerned with pixel level IQ, I'd definitely recommend only buying from established members who have used the lens in question extensively and can speak to the technical details, or buy new from a retailer with a generous return policy.

Be careful of sellers who "flip" gear and might not have used or tested a lens much at all, and be wary of sellers like me, who don't have the wherewithal to evaluate every nuance of a lens.

Established as in people with prior selling history and feedback. Ask for links whether its for POTN, FredMiranda or eBay.

kanadary wrote in post #16898870
sounds like you should just buy new or refurb from canon if you're that worried.

I second this. If price is not an issue, buy new from a reputable store. If it is an issue, buy refurbished from Canon, B&H Photo or Adorama. Same condition as new and with warranty. The price you pay for refurbished can be a lot less than what you would pay for a used lens on the used market.

I have purchased two lens used, one from ebay and one here. Both have been as described and both function as advertised, one was a cheap 18-55 stm from here and the other was a 300 non-is, ebay. Used a cc for both incase something messed up in the transaction.

I have had very good luck both buying and selling here. I always use regular Paypal, using a credit card for Paypal so I have two layers of folks that may be willing to go to bat for me if something goes wrong. I am happy to say I've never needed to test that out.

Please read;
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1074819
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=292688

This is your transaction. It is in your best interests to use traceable lines of communication such as e-mail or the telephone to conduct your business.

If you must use PM then feel free to do so but doing so you must understand that in case of trouble POTN will not give you any PM logs or user trace info because we are not part of the deal in any way. We do not guarantee that PM's reach their targets, either. When using your own email you have your own logs and also possibly your own ISP there to help you in trace.

It is up to you to verify buyer's/seller's integrity and it is up to you to manage transaction safely.

TO GET TO KNOW SELLER, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT SELLERS PRIOR POSTS AND DISCUSSIONS AT POTN. YOU CAN DO IT BY CLICKING USER NAME ON THE LEFT SIDE AREA AND SELECTING "VIEW MORE POSTS BY....".

Thanks for the tips....

robienyshe wrote in post #16898073
Hi Friends,
I don't know if this is the right place to post this .. I wanted to know how safe is buying from MarketPlace? I mean how do we know that the lens is working well. I have been checking for couple of lens and the pics of the lens seems good.. I don't know but sometimes my instinct doesn't allow me to go forward in purchasing ... what do you think?

Thanks

Always trust your instinct. But typically, you will be fine here and on FM with the established folks. Also, check the feedback thread to see if you can find them in there.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #16899711
TO GET TO KNOW SELLER, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT SELLERS PRIOR POSTS AND DISCUSSIONS AT POTN. YOU CAN DO IT BY CLICKING USER NAME ON THE LEFT SIDE AREA AND SELECTING "VIEW MORE POSTS BY....".

This x1000

I go full on stalker on whoever I buy from.

On F.M. I asked one guy about his request for "check only" request and his reponse to me was that "a $500 [camera body] was not worth the reputation he had on the forum" to ripping me off. touche.

That being said, I have purchased about a dozen-ish or more items from people on POTN with all positive experiences. Do your HW and research the seller. Account age is a huge sign also IMO.