Would you buy a lense on ebay??

[cynicaster]

I got pristine 580EX-II and 430EX speedlights from eBay for much less than the retail price of a new 580EX-II. I've also bought lots of other odds and ends (filters, triggers, etc.). No problems at all.

I have been burned once, though. I bought a backup OEM Canon battery from eBay and it only holds a charge for about 1/3 the time that my pack-in battery does, even though it was advertised as “like new”.

 

[Bulb]

eBay is fine to use. Just make sure you read every single word of the listing before you bid. Then email every single question you have to the seller. Then pay using PayPal through the eBay site only. If the seller has a good (99.5%+) rating then you shouldn't worry.

If something does happen then all you need to do is file a claim. If the seller doesn't reasonably fix your issue then you can elevate it and PayPal will give you your money back. eBay takes fraud very seriously and I can't recall ever hearing of a situation where someone's money wasn't refunded from seller fraud.

Of course, eBay isn't always the cheapest option. People tend to charge very close to retail prices for most items. It might be better to check KEH or the Buy and Sell forums first.

 

[480sparky43 42]

..........If something does happen then all you need to do is file a claim. If the seller doesn't reasonably fix your issue then you can elevate it and PayPal will give you your money back. eBay takes fraud very seriously and I can't recall ever hearing of a situation where someone's money wasn't refunded from seller fraud.......

The flip side of this is buyer fraud..... PayPal will take your money and give it to a lying buyer in a heartbeat,, regardless of how right the seller is. Been there, done that.

 

[SnS]

I have had great success with Ebay over the years on many things. Unfortunately, one sour deal is all it takes for me. It took three months of sending emails back & forth, waiting for the crafty seller to think up lies and intentionally holding the process up. But in the end, Ebay did refund my money. That was the last time I will use it for any camera equipment.

 

[snowbear119 50]

I bought two film bodies on eBay - no problem. You just have to look carefully at the sellers, like with anything else.

 

[480sparky43 42]

I just scored a brand-spankin' new Arctic Butterfly tonight for $75 (reg, $125)..... 'cuz it was listed as Artic Butterfly.

 

[molested_cow]

Depends. I've had a sour deal before but as long as you prove your case, Ebay sides with the buyer. Make sure you document the product page (print as PDF or something) to make sure that the product description remains the same. Make sure you ask for the item's product serial number, check against it when you receive the real thing. If you see any issue with the product, make sure you contact the sell asap. Do not wait! All of your communications with the seller will be documented and Ebay will review them if something goes wrong.

 

[iolair]

I've bought about 75% of my photographic equipment through eBay, and have never had a problem as a buyer. (Had a couple as a seller, but that's a different story). Just make sure you read the product description, item location and seller feedback carefully before you buy.

 

[amolitor]

eBay pricing is often completely fanciful, so make sure you know what a good price IS before bidding. There are some amazing deals to be had, and there are a lot of hopeful sellers looking to get full retail or better on used items.

 

[480sparky43 42]

...... Make sure you document the product page (print as PDF or something) to make sure that the product description remains the same............

Once an item is bid on, or the auction ends, the seller cannot edit the listing. They are allowed to ADD to it, but cannot alter it otherwise. So they can't change "New In Box" to "Used in average condition" once you bid or buy it.

 

[NellyG]

Well I took your guys advice. Did my research and was patient. Very patient, and I won a Nikon 70-300 VR lens in perfect working condition from a 100% seller for only $232!!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[goodguy]

Well I took your guys advice. Did my research and was patient. Very patient, and I won a Nikon 70-300 VR lens in perfect working condition from a 100% seller for only $232!!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

OMG you are Sooo lucky, getting this amazing lens for such a low amount is amazing, and here I am thinking same lens I bought of kijiji for 280$ was a good price.
Enjoy your new lens, its an awesome tool for its price, I love mine.

BTW I just won a Nikon 50mm 1.4D few days ago and the lens is on route to Toronto from Japan, I can wait to try it out.

 

[minicoop1985]

I really prefer brick and mortar stores, but I just scored a Vivitar 35-105mm f3.2-4 for my OM-1n for all of... $4 on eBay. I have no idea if this lens is awesome or a POS yet, but for $4 it's worth a try.