Buing used lenses on ebay

zcar21 · Jan 13, 2012

I recently sold the kit lens so I'm in the market for a budget usm lens. I've been checking on ebay for one in good condition, but I just noticed that there are people buying and reselling jaking up prices. I just checked two lenses that I mostly interesting in, but there are probably a lot more people doing this. I guess I'll keep waiting until I can get a good deal.

Dao · Jan 13, 2012

Did the lens you sold 18-55mm IS kit lens? If yes, why are you selling that kit lens and then in a market for a budget USM lens?

zcar21 · Jan 13, 2012

I had the mark II. it was ugly looking, and I want a usm lens. Prices vary from 100 to around 250 dollars.

zcar21 · Jan 13, 2012

besides I'll take a usm lens over the IS any day.

Others reasons to get a usm lens ove the IS kit are faster, quieter focusing, internal, full manual focus, better quality, longer range, again better looking, etc.

zcar21 · Jan 13, 2012

Another reason is that I want a lens that I could use with my eos film camera also. But this thread is about ebay, not kit lens.

tirediron · Jan 13, 2012

zcar21 said:
...But this thread is about ebay, not kit lens.

Ehhh.. this thread actually seems to be about the fact that you sold a lens and are looking for a new one. Did you have a specific question about buying used lenses, about eBay, or ???

zcar21 · Jan 13, 2012

I have no question, just commenting on some ebay sellers. They buy an used lens, say $ 70 (on ebay), and resell it for 100 or even more (again on ebay). I know this is a normal fact of life, but it's anoying to have to pay higher prices because a lot of people doing it.

Dao · Jan 13, 2012

You may already know, just in case. Not all the USM lens are internal and full time manual focus. Do you have a particular lens you have in mind already?
As for ebay, yes, sometimes you can find some nice deals there. I have not buy lens from ebay for a little while. But I remembered in the past when the end bid day was in Sunday afternoon or end bid early in the morning (like on or before 7am Central time), I had a higher chance to get them at a better price.

KmH · Jan 13, 2012

zcar21 said:
I have no question, just commenting on some ebay sellers. They buy an used lens, say $ 70 (on ebay), and resell it for 100 or even more (again on ebay). .

Or even more? OMG!

Or do you mean they TRY to resell it. A lot of stuff listed on eBay, never sells.

NickA · Jan 13, 2012

Check CraigsList for lenses, especially this time of year. A lot of people either bought or received cameras/lenses for Christmas and are realizing about now they really didn't want to get into photography. The nice thing about CraigsList is you can actually see and inspect the lens before buying.

zcar21 · Jan 14, 2012

Thanks for the tips, I checked other places and ebay have the best prices. I get a bad feeling with some of those items, but there is a good deal ending sunday night. I'll keep watching.

zcar21 · May 8, 2012

This is an old thread but I just wanted to make another comment. I was checking some lenses and I noticed this:

Bidder Information
Bidder:	5***0 ( private )
Feedback:	100% Positive
Item description:	Item Title: Canon EF 35 mm f/2 Lens USA MINT CONDITION
Bids on this item:	1

30-Day Summary
Total bids:	4830
Items bid on:	2988
Bid activity (%) with this seller:	0%
Bid retractions:	116
Bid retractions (6 months):	585

Obviously the bidder is just raising the price without buying anything. I just noticed this last night. I wonder what else to look out for when shopping on ebay.

DiskoJoe · May 8, 2012

zcar21 said:
I have no question, just commenting on some ebay sellers. They buy an used lens, say $ 70 (on ebay), and resell it for 100 or even more (again on ebay). I know this is a normal fact of life, but it's anoying to have to pay higher prices because a lot of people doing it.

Why would you buy such a low quality lens for a 5d mark II?

ulrichsd · May 8, 2012

zcar21 said:
This is an old thread but I just wanted to make another comment. I was checking some lenses and I noticed this:

Bidder Information
Bidder:

5***0

( private )

Feedback:

100%

Positive
Item description:

Item Title: Canon EF 35 mm f/2 Lens USA *MINT CONDITION*
Bids on this item:

1

30-Day Summary
Total bids:

4830
Items bid on:

2988
Bid activity (%) with this seller:

0%

Bid retractions:

116
Bid retractions (6 months):

585

Obviously the bidder is just raising the price without buying anything. I just noticed this last night. I wonder what else to look out for when shopping on ebay.

What do you mean that the bidder is raising the price without buying anything? Bid retractions? I did this once because I misread the description. Ebay lets you retract a bid within the first hour if there have not been any other bids. The price goes back to what it was before you bid, so it really isn't driving up the price at all.