Risky business??

[ILovePlaya]

Saw on Craigslist a guy has a Nikon D70 and the
18-55 VR lens (like new condition) for $350.
Anyone with experience buying from Craigslist?
New there so don't know if there is a way to check
sellers rateing ect.
Sounds like a deal.
Opinions appreciated.
Thank's, Craig.

 

[Sim]

Nope, there's no seller ratings on Craigslist. The idea is to meet in person, check out the merchandise and make sure you're happy with it before you hand over the money.

Make sure you never ever agree to have something shipped because those are almost always scams. Meet in person. I've bought and sold a lot of stuff on Craigslist without any problems. I even bought my first dSLR on there and got a great deal.

I have no idea how much Nikon D70s should go for so I can't help you there.

Good luck

 

[ILovePlaya]

Thank's for the input Sim.
Since I am in Iowa and he's
in Calif. it's probably a crap shoot.
When they came out they went
for amost a $1000 so it is tempting.
Craig.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

That's about right..

 

[Mike_E]

Try keh, they are very conservative in their descriptions -in my experience- and not too over priced on used merchandise. Plus you can send something back if it's DOA.

What's piece of mind worth?

 

[eminart]

Well, I probably wouldn't do it, but USUALLY the craigslist scams are people offering great deals on newer, more popular stuff. This is probably just a guy trying to sell a D70. Of course, that doesn't mean he couldn't rip you off anyway.

 

[ILovePlaya]

Guy emailed me back.
Said he upgraded to another camera and lens
so was getting rid of the D70.
Sounded on the up and up.
Oh by the way he takes cash only.
That sounds like the norm.
If you don't want to meet the person
and do the transaction with cash after
looking at the merchandise I think
you're pretty much SOL.
Sounds like a drug deal.
Thank's for the feedback.
Am dying to get my hands
on a D40 with the 18-55 VR lens.
Craig.

 

[Sim]

Well, I probably wouldn't do it, but USUALLY the craigslist scams are people offering great deals on newer, more popular stuff. This is probably just a guy trying to sell a D70. Of course, that doesn't mean he couldn't rip you off anyway.

True, but if he wanted access to a wider audience than just his hometown he should have posted the item on Ebay where shipping is the norm.

 

[bhop]

One reason for using craigslist instead of ebay or something is to protect yourself. There are a lot of scammers out there and not all of them are sellers. I got an email last week about my 24mm lens that I have on CL, guy seemed interested.. a few emails later comes the scam giveaway. "it's for my sister in africa, how much is shipping, I can give you $350.. blah, blah..." (I was only selling it for $275). Which is why cash only/in person is the way to go these days.

 

[jbushee]

Guy emailed me back.
Said he upgraded to another camera and lens
so was getting rid of the D70.
Sounded on the up and up.
Oh by the way he takes cash only.
That sounds like the norm.
If you don't want to meet the person
and do the transaction with cash after
looking at the merchandise I think
you're pretty much SOL.
Sounds like a drug deal.
Thank's for the feedback.
Am dying to get my hands
on a D40 with the 18-55 VR lens.
Craig.

Maybe you could check it out before handing over the $