Lenses through ebay?...

Is this recommended / safe? I'm looking to purchase my first L lens within the next 5 - 6 months and I'd like to set my sights on a price to start saving towards. I was just reading threads about lens ROI and value over time so I'm wondering if its worth it to just save and buy a brand new one or look for a used one through BH, adorama, ebay etc...

POTN Classifieds is a much better source IMO.

i've bought off of ebay...but that was when bing.com cashback was too good to pass up...now i'm not sure that i would...as yusef mentioned have a look at the classifieds here...or even your local craigslist

I only get gear off eBay if they are new and sold by an authorized reseller, otherwise I check on here.

ebay can be a crapshoot. I've seen prices higher on there for used gear than new prices. Check your local craigslist and POTN classifieds. Keep in mind that with L lenses they dont depreciate much so that it might make buying new a reasonable alternative.

I feel more safe buying from the POTN community!

If you buy on Ebay, I would recommend buying NEW lens from Authorized dealers. Check out this thread for a HUGE discussion on the best deals right now as well as questions you may not have even thought of yet!

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=896950

-David

I've bought a lot from ebay in the past and have been happy with the results. But lately it seems like keh.com has better prices than I see on ebay and I have a lot more faith in keh than some random seller on fleabay.

I am not keen on ebay anymore

Yes, I have bought two nice lenses at good prices from eBay but, lately it seems like the prices are pretty high.

I am more in favor of the POTN or Photocamel used equipment lists.

I also will buy from Craigslist because I can see the item before I pay the price. I got a good price on my 300mm f/4L IS lens that way.

I have purchased a few items on ebay with success and a couple of items that were marginal. I like POTN because it seems that the knowledge that is assembled here translates directly into better maintained gear.

I've bought quite a few on eBay especially lenses that don't show up here very often or at all. Look for detailed images of the actual item and the seller's feedback - very carefully. For someone selling a L series lens I would want to see good feedback for other photo gear and someone with more than a handful of feedback comments.

I was so mad because I have been wanting a sigma 50 to 150 2.8 but never had enough for it and right after I bought my 17 to 70 os I see it on eBay in mint sell for 480 bucks... I was so mad

Ebay offers protection if you get ripped off. It's policed well. Also people selling on POTN and Fred Miranda's site want to keep good reputations, so they usually will accept returns without hassle. I've had luck on all 3 sites. I wont buy off Craigslist. Sure you can take a look at the item, but if there's a problem once you get it home, good luck getting your cash back.

nightcat wrote in post #11324473
Ebay offers protection if you get ripped off. It's policed well. Also people selling on POTN and Fred Miranda's site want to keep good reputations, so they usually will accept returns without hassle. I've had luck on all 3 sites. I wont buy off Craigslist. Sure you can take a look at the item, but if there's a problem once you get it home, good luck getting your cash back.

That's true on FM but negative feedback of any kind isn't permitted here so you have to really research your seller.

I have bought off of ebay a few times, but they are all through authorized dealers like Adorama, Beach Camera, 17th Street, 47th Street, etc...

Now, people will ask me, why use ebay when all these stores have regular websites? Before it was Bing Cash Back, now it is just eBay bucks =P