buying from POTN, what to look out for?

I'm looking to purchase a lens on this web site. Has anyone had any problems from sellers. What do I look out for. I am wanting a 50 or 85L lens.

Every transaction I've made on this forum, buyer and seller, has went perfectly. This is a good group of people. Use your due diligence and spider-sense but you should have no problems here.

Check out the feedback sticky for farther reasurrance. Positive Feedback Sticky.

Just go to that thread and do a search for the seller.

FM has a bit better organized feedback system than this forum but I've had very nice experiences purchasing on both. Many are members of both forums so you can always ask for someones FM handle as well.

I've made a few purchases here the last few years, ZERO issues. It's a great community.
Just remember to NEVER use the paypal friends/family payment method to ensure you are protected.

Agreed. The POTN community has treated me well throughout the years. I've bought and sold here several times. I wouldn't hesitate to do so again. As FarmerTed said, use your due diligence.

Good luck in your search!

I've bought a few cameras and lenses from members here through this forum and have been absolutely satisfied each and every time.

It's still a good idea to do your own research on not only what you are buying but the seller as well. Overall, I don't think you'll ever find a better group of people.

Nothing but good experiences in this forum, bought my EF500mm and few other stuff paid via Paypal and once I did a direct deposit from sellers bank account.

I also check the feedback page or how active is the seller in the forum.

always use paypal and never paypal gift.....you are protected that way....I have done dozens of transactions here....never a problem,,,,i have made several purchases over a 1000.00 perfectly here. good luck....I have purchased all my gear used except my camera body....i have more toys that way.....used equipment comes available all the time... especially on lenses.

The only problem I ever had was over on FM - it could happen here, too.

The seller had mis-identified one of the options of a panorama rig they were selling, an honest mistake. I asked the seller for a partial refund so I could buy the parts to set it up as they'd listed it, they did so, all good.

These things happen. The good people on these forums respond.

Having said that, there are a handful of listings I've not pursued. There are a couple scammers banned from this site and from FM. The moderators are active in this, but unfortunately it starts with someone's bad experience. If the seller doesn't seem to have it together in the way you expect that's a good reason to walk away! But that's the same with any person-to-person sale in any venue. This web site is only providing an ad listing, it's up to you to use common sense and a secure payment method in any of these sites!

Paypal gift is never a good idea for buyers *and sellers* who don't know each other. There are lots of other basics of good online transactions, the known scams, etc., that Google searching will reveal. But they don't seem to show up here!

Have had good experience generally both buying and selling. I don't do much transactions these days, but you should follow common sense. verify credentials(usually feedbacks), descriptions(since these are used, accurate description of item should be given with note for any scratches, etc), avoid deals too good to be true, etc. I found buying from these forums to be a good way to buy used gears at good price. Craigslist seems to be overpriced and limited in selection and also way too many scammers.

JoeLopez wrote in post #18450230
I've made a few purchases here the last few years, ZERO issues. It's a great community.
Just remember to NEVER use the paypal friends/family payment method to ensure you are protected.

I'm not familiar with paypal friends/family payment. Do you mean just pay through regular paypal. I'm in Canada, I don't know if that makes a difference on the duty amount.

anitaw2 wrote in post #18450365
I'm not familiar with paypal friends/family payment. Do you mean just pay through regular paypal. I'm in Canada, I don't know if that makes a difference on the duty amount.

The friends and family payment is exactly like giving the person cash and when you do that, Paypal won't do any investigating if you as a buyer don't get what you paid for. The reason people do that is so they don't have to pay PP the 3% fee, but then they should put that in their pricing. If you pay via regular Paypal, then PP will investigate in the event of a dispute. Better yet, ask the seller to send you a PP invoice spelling out exactly what's included in the sale. A legitimate seller will understand and have no issue doing that. I too have had nothing but good experiences on here.

Tom

5DmkX wrote in post #18450393
The friends and family payment is exactly like giving the person cash and when you do that, Paypal won't do any investigating if you as a buyer don't get what you paid for. The reason people do that is so they don't have to pay PP the 3% fee, but then they should put that in their pricing. If you pay via regular Paypal, then PP will investigate in the event of a dispute. Better yet, ask the seller to send you a PP invoice spelling out exactly what's included in the sale. A legitimate seller will understand and have no issue doing that. I too have had nothing but good experiences on here.

Tom

ok thanks everyone. Now I am going to start shopping for a Canon L lens.

I have bought quite a few pieces of equipment here, three lenses and a body in the last year. Have always had good experiences. As everyone has said do not send PayPal funds friends and family, which is in fact the rule on the board. You can find feedback on buyers and sellers in the Marketplace Feedback sticky but some are not the best at posting their done deals in the thread.