Tip: A Good Deal Online

pugnacious33 · 12-04-2009, 06:29 PM

I've been looking hard for a mint cond. used Canon 100 Macro. There are many on ebay, but I keep losing the bids because i'm suck at ebay, lol. KEH has several but they want too much. The ones on ebay are going for between 450 and 500. Then I found usedcameras.com . They have a mint cond. lens for 540, but if you enter PopPhoto1 in the promotional code box, you get 10 percent off your entire purchase, so I got it for 485, not bad, especially since they offer a no questions asked 60 day warranty. It'll be here on wed. so i'll let you know how it looks. Just thought i'd pass this on, not sure how long that promo thing will last.

DReali · 12-04-2009, 06:46 PM

Thanks for that, much appreciated!

pugnacious33 · 12-04-2009, 06:59 PM

No problem. Their selection isn't quite as extensive as KEH, but prices are better, especially with the discount. And FEDEX ground shipping is free.

dhilberg · 12-04-2009, 07:10 PM

I've found the best way to win at eBay is to bid within the last few seconds of the auction ending. I think they call it "sniping."

pugnacious33 · 12-04-2009, 07:14 PM

Yeah, I think there is even software that does it for you. I think that with some of the good quality camera gear, alot of the stuff is being sold by pro shops who are purposely running up the prices. I just wasn't seeing the deals. If I can get it from a dealer who is willing to offer a warranty, to hell with ebay, hehe.

icassell · 12-04-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dhilberg

I've found the best way to win at eBay is to bid within the last few seconds of the auction ending. I think they call it "sniping."

check out esnipe.com --- they do the sniping for you and it's dirt cheap. I've used it several times successfully for camera equipment

dhilberg · 12-04-2009, 07:20 PM

Totally. I've only ever bought a couple of things on eBay, all of them things I had a hard time finding elsewhere. I do go there a lot to check out prices on stuff though. It's rare to find super good deals, most of it gets bidded way up to where it's the same price or only a smidge cheaper than buying a used item from a local person on Craigslist or through a used dealer like Adorama.

dhilberg · 12-04-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by icassell

Quote: Originally Posted by dhilberg

I've found the best way to win at eBay is to bid within the last few seconds of the auction ending. I think they call it "sniping."

check out esnipe.com --- they do the sniping for you and it's dirt cheap. I've used it several times successfully for camera equipment

Interesting, thanks for the tip.

Eco · 12-04-2009, 09:21 PM

If you are shopping for used lenses on Ebay spend a a few minutes shopping for used cameras. I got 2 lenses one of which was my 50mm 1.8, a flash unit that works and a film camera that does a great job collecting dust for $34.77!

PatrickHMS · 12-04-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Eco

If you are shopping for used lenses on Ebay spend a a few minutes shopping for used cameras. I got 2 lenses one of which was my 50mm 1.8, a flash unit that works and a film camera that does a great job collecting dust for $34.77!

He's right, look at completed sales for something you want to get an idea.

Sometimes a camera that has a really nice lens goes for less than the same type eBay listings for the lens only. You can usually resell and get at least $30-$40 for the camera body to reduce your effective cost for the lens you wanted.

Barto · 12-05-2009, 12:27 PM

It may be a long shot, but you could try a site like ebay search tool. Save ebay searches, get notified by email. (typojoe.com, etc) to search ebay for cameras that have misspelled titles. They won't be seen by most people searching so it should be easier to find a good deal.

The site also gives you the option of saving your favorite searches so you get an e-mail when there's a new match. This works best for "Buy It Now"s but is good for auctions too.

Whenever you send a question to a seller, use the "Ask a question" link that is on a page of another item they're selling that you're not interested in.

Maybe send the seller an offer to end the auction early. All they can do is say no.

As already mentioned, snipe any auction that you bid on- either do it yourself or use a sniping service (hidbid.com, auctionsniper.com, etc.)

CxThree · 12-23-2009, 11:22 PM

Ebay Bing cashback is at 10% right now.

**usayit** · 12-24-2009, 05:43 AM

If you want a deal and don't mind using patience, I take BHphoto's price and take an additional percentage off 10-20%. I then just on ebay and set my max bid on auctions of said item taking an additional 10-20% depending on condition. I almost always eventually get that item for a good price... generally below my max bid. It just takes time. Set and forget. Of course there are items that require a bit more research than this... especially items that depreciate fairly quickly... or easily found cheaper elsewhere.. or difficult to find at all. Like items that is vintage or no longer sold new (like 80% of my purchases).

Auctions that are sniped are of no concern because generally they go for more than I'm willing to pay. Honestly, ebay's form of auction isn't the proper format (mimicking a real auction house). The auction should continue as long as there are incoming bids on the item. Better for buyers who are reconsidering the recent higher bid and Better for the seller who would get more for their item as the bids keep moving.

If you want to pay $A but willing to snipe to $A+B, then why not just set the max bid to $A+B? Life simplified.

Mike_E · 12-24-2009, 08:10 AM

Usayit, that's too much like a plan.

thompsonj · 12-28-2009, 12:18 PM

I think prices should drop after the year end buying spree.

James
New York Wedding Photographer
New York Wedding Photographers Blog

12-04-2009, 06:29 PM	#1
pugnacious33 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 656 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Tip: A Good Deal Online I've been looking hard for a mint cond. used Canon 100 Macro. There are many on ebay, but I keep losing the bids because i'm suck at ebay, lol. KEH has several but they want too much. The ones on ebay are going for between 450 and 500. Then I found usedcameras.com . They have a mint cond. lens for 540, but if you enter PopPhoto1 in the promotional code box, you get 10 percent off your entire purchase, so I got it for 485, not bad, especially since they offer a no questions asked 60 day warranty. It'll be here on wed. so i'll let you know how it looks. Just thought i'd pass this on, not sure how long that promo thing will last. __________________ www.jasontaylorphotography.zenfolio.com

12-04-2009, 06:46 PM	#2
DReali I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Switzerland Posts: 264 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Thanks for that, much appreciated! __________________ Keep in mind I'm colorblind! (That's right, they all look the same to me)

12-04-2009, 06:59 PM	#3
pugnacious33 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 656 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My Gallery: (0)	No problem. Their selection isn't quite as extensive as KEH, but prices are better, especially with the discount. And FEDEX ground shipping is free. __________________ www.jasontaylorphotography.zenfolio.com

12-04-2009, 07:10 PM	#4
dhilberg I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Washougal, WA Posts: 448 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I've found the best way to win at eBay is to bid within the last few seconds of the auction ending. I think they call it "sniping." __________________ Dennis Hilberg, Jr.

12-04-2009, 07:14 PM	#5
pugnacious33 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 656 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Yeah, I think there is even software that does it for you. I think that with some of the good quality camera gear, alot of the stuff is being sold by pro shops who are purposely running up the prices. I just wasn't seeing the deals. If I can get it from a dealer who is willing to offer a warranty, to hell with ebay, hehe. __________________ www.jasontaylorphotography.zenfolio.com

12-04-2009, 07:19 PM	#6
icassell TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 4,508 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 53 Times in 51 Posts My Gallery: (3)	Quote: Originally Posted by dhilberg I've found the best way to win at eBay is to bid within the last few seconds of the auction ending. I think they call it "sniping." check out esnipe.com --- they do the sniping for you and it's dirt cheap. I've used it several times successfully for camera equipment __________________ Ian Digital: Canon EOS 7D, Canon EOS 30D, Sigma 10-20mm EX f/4.5-5.6, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, Canon 50mm f/1.8 Mark I, Sigma 50-150mm EX f/2.8, Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro, Sigma 100-300mm EX f/4, Sigma 1.4X & 2X EX TC, Canon 430EX, Bogen 3021 Tripod/Gitzo 1377M Ballhead, Misc. Other Gizmos and Gadgets 35mm: Minolta XD-11, Rokkor X 24mm f/2.8MD, Rokkor X 35mm f/1.8MD, Rokkor X 50mm f/1.4MD, Rokkor X 50mm Macro, Soligor 135mm MC, Rokkor X 300mm f/5.6MD, Vivitar 2X TC, Vivitar 283 MY PHOTOGRAPHS "If I have seen further , it is by standing on ye shoulders of giants." -- Sir Isaac Newton in a letter to Robert Hooke 15 February 1676 (... and a long telephoto doesn't hurt either ...)

12-04-2009, 07:20 PM	#7
dhilberg I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Washougal, WA Posts: 448 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Totally. I've only ever bought a couple of things on eBay, all of them things I had a hard time finding elsewhere. I do go there a lot to check out prices on stuff though. It's rare to find super good deals, most of it gets bidded way up to where it's the same price or only a smidge cheaper than buying a used item from a local person on Craigslist or through a used dealer like Adorama. __________________ Dennis Hilberg, Jr.

12-04-2009, 07:21 PM	#8
dhilberg I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Washougal, WA Posts: 448 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by icassell Quote: Originally Posted by dhilberg I've found the best way to win at eBay is to bid within the last few seconds of the auction ending. I think they call it "sniping." check out esnipe.com --- they do the sniping for you and it's dirt cheap. I've used it several times successfully for camera equipment Interesting, thanks for the tip. __________________ Dennis Hilberg, Jr.

12-04-2009, 09:21 PM	#9
Eco Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Boston MA Posts: 187 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My Gallery: (0)	If you are shopping for used lenses on Ebay spend a a few minutes shopping for used cameras. I got 2 lenses one of which was my 50mm 1.8, a flash unit that works and a film camera that does a great job collecting dust for $34.77! __________________ Nikon D90, Nikon 70-200mm 2.8, Nikon 35-70 2.8, Nikon 50mm 1.8, Tokina 80-200 4.0-22(FOR SALE), Nikon 70-300 4.5-5.6 VR (kit)+(FOR SALE $450), Nikon 18-105 3.5-5.6(kit), . Sony A350 back-up camera, Iphone <--yeah I use it from time to time for pictures.

12-04-2009, 11:37 PM	#10
PatrickHMS TPF Junkie! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Metro Atlanta Posts: 1,264 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 39 Times in 30 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Eco If you are shopping for used lenses on Ebay spend a a few minutes shopping for used cameras. I got 2 lenses one of which was my 50mm 1.8, a flash unit that works and a film camera that does a great job collecting dust for $34.77! He's right, look at completed sales for something you want to get an idea. Sometimes a camera that has a really nice lens goes for less than the same type eBay listings for the lens only. You can usually resell and get at least $30-$40 for the camera body to reduce your effective cost for the lens you wanted. __________________ Been into Photography since 1969. Current Digital equipment ~ Nikon D80, D40, Nikon 18-55mm non-VR, Nikon 55-200mm VR, Sigma 18-50mm constant f/2.8 HSM Macro, Nikkor AF 35mm f/2, Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8, Nikkor AF 35-105mm f/3.3-4.5 Macro, tons of filters, several flash heads and tripods. My favorite camera bags are the Tamrac 610 and 612.

12-05-2009, 12:27 PM	#11
Barto TPF Noob! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 1 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	It may be a long shot, but you could try a site like ebay search tool. Save ebay searches, get notified by email. (typojoe.com, etc) to search ebay for cameras that have misspelled titles. They won't be seen by most people searching so it should be easier to find a good deal. The site also gives you the option of saving your favorite searches so you get an e-mail when there's a new match. This works best for "Buy It Now"s but is good for auctions too. Whenever you send a question to a seller, use the "Ask a question" link that is on a page of another item they're selling that you're not interested in. Maybe send the seller an offer to end the auction early. All they can do is say no. As already mentioned, snipe any auction that you bid on- either do it yourself or use a sniping service (hidbid.com, auctionsniper.com, etc.)

12-23-2009, 11:22 PM	#12
CxThree I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 487 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Ebay Bing cashback is at 10% right now. __________________ Canon EOS 7D Canon EOS 40D Canon 24-105 F4L IS - Canon 70-200 F4L - Canon 70-200 F2.8L IS - Canon 17-55 F2.8 IS - Canon 50mm F1.4 - Canon 100mm F2.8 Macro Canon 2X Extender Canon 430 EX & 580 EXII flashes + Sunpak 120J Speedotron Blackline 3 light studio set(CX1250)

12-24-2009, 05:43 AM	#13
usayit Sharkbait!!!! hoo ha ha Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North New Jersey, United States of America Posts: 6,154 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 31 Times in 30 Posts My Gallery: (0)	If you want a deal and don't mind using patience, I take BHphoto's price and take an additional percentage off 10-20%. I then just on ebay and set my max bid on auctions of said item taking an additional 10-20% depending on condition. I almost always eventually get that item for a good price... generally below my max bid. It just takes time. Set and forget. Of course there are items that require a bit more research than this... especially items that depreciate fairly quickly... or easily found cheaper elsewhere.. or difficult to find at all. Like items that is vintage or no longer sold new (like 80% of my purchases). Auctions that are sniped are of no concern because generally they go for more than I'm willing to pay. Honestly, ebay's form of auction isn't the proper format (mimicking a real auction house). The auction should continue as long as there are incoming bids on the item. Better for buyers who are reconsidering the recent higher bid and Better for the seller who would get more for their item as the bids keep moving. If you want to pay $A but willing to snipe to $A+B, then why not just set the max bid to $A+B? Life simplified. __________________ Woohooo!!! <exits stage left> My equipment: Right Eye and Left Eye.

12-24-2009, 08:10 AM	#14
Mike_E TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Upper West Side of Mississippi (you have no idea just how funny that is) Posts: 3,267 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Usayit, that's too much like a plan. __________________ Of Course that's my opinion, who else would say something like that?

12-28-2009, 12:18 PM	#15
thompsonj TPF Noob! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New York Posts: 3 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I think prices should drop after the year end buying spree. James New York Wedding Photographer New York Wedding Photographers Blog

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