tristate via ebay

So, I'm looking to get a tokina 11-16 and wanted to try and utilize the live.com cashback since it is at 14% right now. However, I can't find it through any solid retailers on ebay. Usually I only buy through adorama or bhphoto, but the savings is tempting me. I've heard good and back things about tristate. Do you think I would be sufficiently covered under ebays rules or should I steer clear?

I bought a 17-55 from them last summer and it was a smooth transaction and the warrenty is valid because i sent it in for service and was not charged

Bought the 85mm f/1.8 during the 30% off. They sold as new but did not send a receipt. The lens is immaculate and performs perfectly.

ask them for a receipt, they'll send it

i ordered a sigma 10-20 from them this past summer during the cashback rebate thing as well. they do provide a receipt with purchase. you should be fine.

ordered a 580ex II from them on ebay.....everything went smoothly. items was sent out quickly and email communications was great

Good to hear. I was going to wait till cash back got up to 20%, but I think I'll take it at 14% just in case the drop back down instead.

I made the exact purchase you are considering back when cashback was 25%. I haven't had to send the lens in for service, so can't comment on whether Tokina would service it for free, but can say that they shipped quickly and I was quite satisfied with the service. However, I assumed upfront that I was getting a grey market lens that would only have a warranty through Tristate, not Tokina. They sent a Tristate warranty card with the lens, but I haven't bothered with it yet as I haven't had any problems with it (knock on wood).

Tristate is on my "Dont even open the website" list.
Typical bait and switch company. All grey market.
I ordered a 100-400 from them a couple of years ago and they billed my card.
A week later no shipping details, called them and got a runaround from several nasty people. The final contact told me that the lens I ordered was on back order but they could ship a refurb instead. I said no thank you, refund my card. Long story short I had to file a claim with the CC company to get my money back.

I had an excellent experience with them. Placed an order yesterday on ebay for a 70-200 2.8 IS which was $1509 -$200 cash back and it shipped immediately and I had it less than 24 hours later. No phone calls, no upsell, no gray market. Brand new, UX date code with US warranty card and a receipt. They have great ebay feedback and it certainly matches my experience with them.

I purchased my 70-200 2.8 IS from them. All I can say is the service was OUTSTANDING. They even sent it 2nd day air for free.

Justin_Thyme wrote in post #7646028
Tristate is on my "Dont even open the website" list.
Typical bait and switch company. All grey market.
I ordered a 100-400 from them a couple of years ago and they billed my card.
A week later no shipping details, called them and got a runaround from several nasty people. The final contact told me that the lens I ordered was on back order but they could ship a refurb instead. I said no thank you, refund my card. Long story short I had to file a claim with the CC company to get my money back.

Mine was not grey market... and they shipped the same day i ordered... maybe i got lucky? or you got unlucky?

I bought my 430EX II from them and didn't receive a receipt. I contacted them and they sent it out quickly. Oh, it did come with a US warranty card. I'd buy from them again.

dan

Change of Heart

So everything is good Jon?

dan