No Dust "that I can see." No "scratches" that I can see

Well, Magoo, how the heck do we know how good your eyesight is? How do we know if you've looked carefully?

While the majority of sellers are honest, it just irks me when someone says "none that I can see."

Why don't they say none? Because if you can't see it and you've looked very, very carefully, then there ain't any.

Oh, but let me guess, you're leaving the door open that there may in fact be some, but you just didn't happen to notice it and too bad?

Uh, don't think so.

I ain't a very good photographer, but I pride myself in being a fine seller and a damn good and seasoned buyer. And I've got a few bucks to buy the gear here I want. I'm one customer you don't want to scare off.

But all you gotta do is say "none that I can see, and I'll, and any other smart buyer, will immediately close your ad.

Oh, and while I'm at it, you want me to pay your fee for using Paypal? Uh-uh, I don't think so. If you must, add that 3 percent into your price. The minute I see that, I also click and close.

I guess you can tell I've been having long days at work this week, huh?
me

Buyer paying the 3% is a common thing now. It's going to be slim pickin if you weed out listings that say "+3% PayPal fee"
As for the "as far as I can tell there are no scratches" thing, I couldn't agree more.

The problem you can run in to is buyers who are going to go over the lens with a magnifying glass and a flashlight. If you are buying used you need to accept "minor wear marks" unless the seller advertises the lens as "mint" or "LNIB".

I've had one minor issue with something I sold, where buyer claimed there were faint scratches on LCD. I recalled examining the LCD at various angles and seeing nothing, but I offered a full refund and the buyer declined. I have had potential buyers ask such ridiculous questions about condition that I've refused to sell to them. Some folks should limit themselves to buying new.

mpix345 wrote in post #17079017
The problem you can run in to is buyers who are going to go over the lens with a magnifying glass and a flashlight. If you are buying used you need to accept "minor wear marks" unless the seller advertises the lens as "mint" or "LNIB".

I've had one minor issue with something I sold, where buyer claimed there were faint scratches on LCD. I recalled examining the LCD at various angles and seeing nothing, but I offered a full refund and the buyer declined. I have had potential buyers ask such ridiculous questions about condition that I've refused to sell to them. Some folks should limit themselves to buying new.

I agree to a certain extent. I take pride in the fact that I baby my equipment (sometimes a little too much). That way when and if I sell something, I can be confident that the next user is going to get a used, but flawless piece of equipment. When I buy used, I look for people who treat their equipment like I do. I know many people who are respectful towards their equipment, but don't mind the wear and tear that comes along with being a landscape photographer. Personally I would like to purchase used gear that is flawless in appearance. You can tell me to buy new, but I would prefer to save the money while getting a piece of equipment that has no markings.

mpix345 wrote in post #17079017
The problem you can run in to is buyers who are going to go over the lens with a magnifying glass and a flashlight. If you are buying used you need to accept "minor wear marks" unless the seller advertises the lens as "mint" or "LNIB".

I've had one minor issue with something I sold, where buyer claimed there were faint scratches on LCD. I recalled examining the LCD at various angles and seeing nothing, but I offered a full refund and the buyer declined. I have had potential buyers ask such ridiculous questions about condition that I've refused to sell to them. Some folks should limit themselves to buying new.

Agreed. Everything has flaws if you look closely enough - everything, even if it's brand new. Go ahead, take your flashlight and magnifying glass and peer into your brand new L lens. Betcha there's dust in there somewhere.

I learned a long time ago that there are some customers/buyers/clien​ts that I just don't need. I'll sell to somebody with rational expectations.

JM Photos wrote in post #17079068
Personally I would like to purchase used gear that is flawless in appearance. You can tell me to buy new, but I would prefer to save the money while getting a piece of equipment that has no markings.

Sure you'd prefer to save money. Everybody would. But why should I give myself a headache by catering to somebody (not you, personally, I don't know you) who can't be satisfied?

-js

I would LOVE to not pay the 3% fees when buying something used, and a lot of times you can dicker with the seller and get the price down on the item being sold which will help offset the fees, but really, as a buyer, paying the fee has become part of the deal nowadays.

it's an attempt at being honest without being omnipotent. or certifying your equipment in a clean room with them new fangled MRI machines and what not

I've seen dust in new lenses.

reefvilla wrote in post #17080899
I would LOVE to not pay the 3% fees when buying something used, and a lot of times you can dicker with the seller and get the price down on the item being sold which will help offset the fees, but really, as a buyer, paying the fee has become part of the deal nowadays.

For some reason most camera sites allow that practice.
It's actually against the terms of service they agreed to when setting up their paypal account. Many websites forbid doing that in sale ads because it is a clear violation of the paypal rules.

If the person doing that is reported to paypal they will get a warning to stop it followed by an account suspension if they dont.


All they need to do is build it into the price.

Scoobert wrote in post #17081818
For some reason most camera sites allow that practice.
It's actually against the terms of service they agreed to when setting up their paypal account. Many websites forbid doing that in sale ads because it is a clear violation of the paypal rules.

If the person doing that is reported to paypal they will get a warning to stop it followed by an account suspension if they dont.


All they need to do is build it into the price.

Then when the buyer makes an offer 50 bucks under the listed price, there goes the 3% + some more. I'll normally negotiate the price before tacking on the 3%. If the buyer agrees to 500$ for example, I'll then let them know to send 500+ the 3%. No one ever has a problem. Or they can always pay the fee as a gift

The other day I was taking pictures of my near mint 40D as I want to sell it. I thought it had absolutely no wear at all. I couldn't see anything. Then I look at the pictures on the big screen and see something up front, on an edge. I think it's a speck of dust but I go look to check and to my surprise there was the tiniest little wear mark you ever did see. You have to look real close to see it, but it's there. So I do understand why sellers will say "none that I can see" as a kind of disclaimer, because it is really easy to miss something if it's a tiny thing. But chances are that a buyer will immediately see that tiny thing.

JM Photos wrote in post #17082101
Then when the buyer makes an offer 50 bucks under the listed price, there goes the 3% + some more. I'll normally negotiate the price before tacking on the 3%. If the buyer agrees to 500$ for example, I'll then let them know to send 500+ the 3%. No one ever has a problem. Or they can always pay the fee as a gift

That is your fault not the buyers. If you dont want to accept less then the price you have set just put the word firm or no lowball offers on your sale item.

But they should have a problem as both your charging an extra 3% or accepting a gift for a sale item are both against the paypal conditions that you agreed to when you signed up for paypal. Many people dont know what your doing is against the rules of paypal so it goes un-noticed. But you can have your account suspended if people report it is all I was saying.

If you put it in with the price there is no issues.

Just out of curiosity why do you feel its the buyers responsibility to pay the fees for something you agreed to pay for when you signed up for it?

ether its new and in the box or its use'd and up to you to ask lots of questions about the item even if its 90% said new!

Scoobert wrote in post #17082192
That is your fault not the buyers. If you dont want to accept less then the price you have set just put the word firm or no lowball offers on your sale item.

But they should have a problem as both your charging an extra 3% or accepting a gift for a sale item are both against the paypal conditions that you agreed to when you signed up for paypal. Many people dont know what your doing is against the rules of paypal so it goes un-noticed. But you can have your account suspended if people report it is all I was saying.

If you put it in with the price there is no issues.

Just out of curiosity why do you feel its the buyers responsibility to pay the fees for something you agreed to pay for when you signed up for it?

I agree with this. Just factor it into your price and be done with it. It's simple and easy. Retailers do it every day. (I wish retailers would do that with sales tax, also, but that's a different topic for another time.)

If a buyer wants to dicker, keep it in mind when/if you settle on a price.

JM Photos wrote in post #17082101
Then when the buyer makes an offer 50 bucks under the listed price, there goes the 3% + some more. I'll normally negotiate the price before tacking on the 3%. If the buyer agrees to 500$ for example, I'll then let them know to send 500+ the 3%. No one ever has a problem. Or they can always pay the fee as a gift

No one ever has a problem, eh? Well, I would have a problem. If it's $500 + 3% you can tell me up front. Surprise me with the added fee and I'd likely tell you to get lost.

Or pay as a gift, you say? Thereby defrauding PayPal and at the same time stripping the buyer of all protection. Yeah, I know it's common. So is shoplifting. It's still unethical. And, for the buyer, stupid.

-js