Buying a Used Camera? Safe?

I am looking at buying a 5d locally. Is there anyway to determine if a camera is stolen before I buy? There are a few people selling them locally. I have no reason to think they are stolen, I would just hate to have that issue after I buy. I would only buy face to face. What do you think?

If the camera comes with all the goodies, it is safer than if there is just the camera with maybe the charger (which could have been in a bag that was swiped). Receipt would be best. Just remember there are many craigslist scams going on right now, if seller states they are out of the country and payment can be arranged to be safe for you, run the other way.

I think I would require a copy of the receipt if I were going to buy something locally. At least get a feel for the person, like what photos have they taken and posted on the web, etc. If they have a 5D, then they most likely should have some internet references, you don't buy typically buy a 5D on a photographic self-discovery trek and then decide to sell it.

Another thing to be weary of "face-to-face" is that you do not get mugged carrying a couple $K in cash.

EOS MAN1 wrote in post #5651273
I am looking at buying a 5d locally. Is there anyway to determine if a camera is stolen before I buy? There are a few people selling them locally. I have no reason to think they are stolen, I would just hate to have that issue after I buy. I would only buy face to face. What do you think?

my advice is go with your gut. i buy and sell a lot of used stuff and my best advice is to buy the seller.

if that bothers you or you don't trust your instincts then i would buy new.

ed rader

few tips..

Meet at a local place like barnes&noble or mall. Avoid in-house transactions all the time. craigslist is very well known for mugging.

if you are selling stuff, buy a fake note marker.always comes in handy. costs 5 bucks in staples.

Better yet, meet in front of the local police station. Those places make criminals nervous.

skapur wrote in post #5652678
few tips..

Meet at a local place like barnes&noble or mall. Avoid in-house transactions all the time. craigslist is very well known for mugging.

if you are selling stuff, buy a fake note marker.always comes in handy. costs 5 bucks in staples.

if someone were that paranoid i wouldn't deal with him. on my ebay auctions if a person asks too many questions that i feel are fear or inexperienced -based i will block him from the auction.

if you're scared i don't have time to hold your hand and i'll move on to the next monkey .

i recently bought a 1d mark II from a local who posted an ad on POTN and it was his first or second post.

i asked him to call me and he did. the next morning he drove up to my house in a newish escalade after dropping a load of kids off at school.

he had all the accessories and boxes and i could tell by talking to him that he was honest and meticulous.

i paid him cash as we had agreed upon and we were both happy.

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #5652764
if someone were that paranoid i wouldn't deal with him. on my ebay auctions if a person asks too many questions that i feel are fear or inexperienced -based i will block him from the auction.

if you're scared i don't have time to hold your hand and i'll move on to the next monkey .

i recently bought a 1d mark II from a local who posted an ad on POTN and it was his first or second post.

i asked him to call me and he did. the next morning he drove up to my house in a newish escalade after dropping a load of kids off at school.

he had all the accessories and boxes and i could tell by talking to him that he was honest and meticulous.

i paid him cash as we had agreed upon and we were both happy.

ed rader

He didn't set off any warnings in your rader..er..radar so to speak

Ask for a copy of their Driver's license.

Most people who are selling stolen goods won't do this as you have a record of who sold you the stolen camera!

You think a thief's driver license is likely to be real?

cdifoto wrote in post #5653189
You think a thief's driver license is likely to be real?

State DLs are getting harder and harder to fake. I highly doubt a bag snatcher is going to go to the time or expense of picking up a fake DL.

Some random schmo who doesn't look at IDs for a living is gonna be able to tell a fake ID from a real one?

There's really no point being paranoid but if you want to be, you might as well do it right.

cdifoto wrote in post #5653264
Some random schmo who doesn't look at IDs for a living is gonna be able to tell a fake ID from a real one?

There's really no point being paranoid but if you want to be, you should go all the way.

I think you are giving crooks too much credit. Most will try and sell you the camera with someone else's name inscribed on it with someone else's pics on the CF card!

Another way to do it is to ask for the cameras SN prior to meeting them. Tell them you want to run it through Canon's database to ensure everything is legit!

OR, you could tell them your name is Chris Hansen and you work for Dateline NBC. You are in the market for a new camera...........

LeeSC wrote in post #5653319
OR, you could tell them your name is Chris Hansen and you work for Dateline NBC. You are in the market for a new camera...........

If everything doesn't check out : "Why don't you have a seat over there.."

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