Zeiss Lenses are hard to sell

After having 4 of them and just sold the 85mm I need to sell the 35mm to take care of some medical issues. I sold the 85 because I didn't use it that much and the 35 is getting no interest at all. I guess folks just don't like the manual focus but it is so easy and the results from this lens simply awesome. I really don't want to go to Ebay because the fees are so high. Any interest or advice to sell this lens would be most helpful.

Where are you trying to sell at? Just here on POTN?

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #18542126
Where are you trying to sell at? Just here on POTN?

Very best,

Yes!

I think you'll get more attention on Zeiss stuff on FredMiranda.

As you pointed out, high dollar manual glass is a lot less desirable to the masses, even more apparent it seems between 21mm and 85mm, where you have the landscape folk and the portrait folk, it's hard to get attention on those 35's and 50's compared to the much more popular 21 & 85 options. It may take time, but you'll increase your odds if you look at a bigger market place with more diversity.

Very best,

Craigslist, it’s free.

MalVeauX wrote in post #18542137
I think you'll get more attention on Zeiss stuff on FredMiranda.

Very best,

I PM'ed a guy on FM who had the same lens for sale and no hits. Finally settled on Ebay for a loss.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #18542156
Craigslist, it’s free.

I usually do quite well on CR but not on higher priced items. Bought and sold a lot of stuff there with no problems. Of course I'm always with my Beretta for company.

2cruise wrote in post #18542199
I PM'ed a guy on FM who had the same lens for sale and no hits. Finally settled on Ebay for a loss.

What do you mean by "for a loss". Were you expecting to sell it for more than what you purchased it for?

Hogloff wrote in post #18542207
What do you mean by "for a loss". Were you expecting to sell it for more than what you purchased it for?

His words not mine.

have you tried KEH?

buddy sold some stuff there for the sheer convienience, got low balled, but I suspect you can barter a bit with them.

2cruise wrote in post #18542199
I PM'ed a guy on FM who had the same lens for sale and no hits. Finally settled on Ebay for a loss.

Hogloff wrote in post #18542207
What do you mean by "for a loss". Were you expecting to sell it for more than what you purchased it for?

2cruise wrote in post #18542257
His words not mine.

Ok, "his words not mine" ....... but that statement still doesn't really let us know what your expectations were.

I would think that if someone actually bought a Zeiss lens new, then they could expect around a 30% to 40% loss when selling it used, no matter how great the condition is. . This would seem reasonable.

I'd be interested in knowing what your expectations were, inasmuch how much / how little of a loss you would have to suffer.


.

Based on Ebay prices I'm 15 to $85 less (original asking price) and I had mine originally at $625 now 600. There hasn't even been a low ball price sent my way which I expected.

2cruise wrote in post #18542374
Based on Ebay prices I'm 15 to $85 less (original asking price) and I had mine originally at $625 now 600. There hasn't even been a low ball price sent my way which I expected.

So, it kinda seems to me like you never really "lost" anything, because you were never going to be able to get that higher price anyway.

The original asking price was only based on a theoretical number that you thought you should be able to get. . Turns out that that theoretical number was higher than it should have been.

So, you haven't lost anything;. all that you've done is re-adjust your asking price, based on actual buyer interest, or lack thereof.

By the way, eBay is my preferred way of selling used photo gear, because I am guaranteed to sell it in a given time period. . I have learned that gear sells for higher amounts on eBay than it does on forums or on Craigslist. . The higher selling prices completely offset the eBay commissions, listing fees, and PayPal fees.

When I've sold photo gear on eBay, I have consistently gotten WAY more than I would be able to get elsewhere. . But, I always sell it via auction instead of Buy It Now. . I set the starting bid at ten cents and let the customers bid it up. . By doing this I get lots and lots of bids and lots of potential buyers watching the item. They compete with one another on what they think might be a "great deal" (because of the low starting bid).


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Tom Reichner wrote in post #18542433
So, it kinda seems to me like you never really "lost" anything, because you were never going to be able to get that higher price anyway.

The original asking price was only based on a theoretical number that you thought you should be able to get. . Turns out that that theoretical number was higher than it should have been.

So, you haven't lost anything;. all that you've done is re-adjust your asking price, based on actual buyer interest, or lack thereof.

By the way, eBay is my preferred way of selling used photo gear, because I am guaranteed to sell it in a given time period. . I have learned that gear sells for higher amounts on eBay than it does on forums or on Craigslist. . The higher selling prices completely offset the eBay commissions, listing fees, and PayPal fees.

When I've sold photo gear on eBay, I have consistently gotten WAY more than I would be able to get elsewhere. . But, I always sell it via auction instead of Buy It Now. . I set the starting bid at ten cents and let the customers bid it up. . By doing this I get lots and lots of bids and lots of potential buyers watching the item. They compete with one another on what they think might be a "great deal" (because of the low starting bid).

.

nope.

words were FM forum member's, not 2cruise.

2cruise wrote in post #18542374
Based on Ebay prices I'm 15 to $85 less (original asking price) and I had mine originally at $625 now 600. There hasn't even been a low ball price sent my way which I expected.

Things are only worth what someone will pay for them. Not what the seller thinks they are worth(they are only worth that in the sellers mind not in reality).

Ebay is an action site you can start it at $1. and it will get bid up to what it is worth in that market.

You will probably get more on ebay then selling it to a re seller because the re seller will need to make some money for his time and overhead.