used photography equpment on ebay: OK, I'm lost. I use all Paul C buff, mostly Ultra 1200 and 1600s, and have been looking at getting a vagabond mini or 2 to power them on location.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

OK, I'm lost.
I use all Paul C buff, mostly Ultra 1200 and 1600s, and have been looking at getting a vagabond mini or 2 to power them on location.

Here's the thing, I have noticed they average between $220 and $280 for used on ebay, but they go for $235 new from Paul C Buff?

Most of my used stuff comes from Cameta, Adorama, or B&H... so my question is, is most stuff that overpriced on Ebay? Seems like I could buy stuff from Buff, sell it as new instead of used, and get at least the $280. Doesn't anyone actually do research before they bid?

Anyway, for those that purchase from ebay, is it like this for all photo equipment? I'm thinking I need to start selling my stuff and get more than it's worth.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Just because you see an item for sale on ebay doesn't mean that it's going to be sold at that price!

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I was also checking sold listings, so it kind of does mean that it is sold at $220 plus shipping, when you can get brand new for $235?

petercbrandt Loc: New York City, Manhattan

on the left of the Ebay screen of an item being sold is a place to click on "sold items", check that first. A lot of sellers are dreamers !

Silverman Loc: Michigan

Go to Ebay and check "Sold" items, or "Completed items", that should give you an Idea of what they are selling for on Ebay, but that does not speak for other Photography sites, like B&H, Adorama, Cameta, etc.
There are many other different online sites that "Buy" & "Sell" Photographic equipment too.

mleuck

It is overpriced if you feel it is. If you feel that way, just move on.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

bkyser wrote:

I was also checking sold listings, so it kind of does mean that it is sold at $220 plus shipping, when you can get brand new for $235?

Then you're right, people are nuts to pay almost the same for a used item. Maybe they just assume it's a deal because it's on ebay!

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

mleuck wrote:

It is overpriced if you feel it is. If you feel that way, just move on.

You misunderstand, I'm not going to buy, because it is over priced, I'm thinking that maybe I need to start selling things. I was always told that photography equipment, like computers, is just a way to lose a lot of money. Since a vagabond mini battery is only good for about 2 years, per the Paul C Buff website, why wouldn't I buy it from them, then sell it at 1.75 years, and make up most of my money, and not have to pay another $100 for a new battery?

Not putting down anyone who buys from ebay, it was an honest question, is all photography stuff selling for more than what you can get it from a place with warranties? If so, I may have 40 years of photography stuff to start unloading.

Charlie'smom

bkyser wrote:

I was also checking sold listings, so it kind of does mean that it is sold at $220 plus shipping, when you can get brand new for $235?

You’re correct! I’ve been looking for a new/used camera for a couple of weeks. Right now Nikon has a few on sale at very good prices. One of them is $800, yet on eBay I’ve found a few people who have paid $100+ more for USED ones.

You would think for almost $1,000 people would do a little research before investing that amount.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

nimbushopper wrote:

Then you're right, people are nuts to pay almost the same for a used item. Maybe they just assume it's a deal because it's on ebay!

Especially when Paul C Buff's own webpage says that the batteries are only good for 2 years... and they cost almost $100. As I said above, it makes sense to buy 2 of them now, and sell them on ebay in a year and a half, and only lose about $30 replacing the whole units, instead of $200 for 2 batteries?

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Charlie'smom wrote:

You’re correct! I’ve been looking for a new/used camera for a couple of weeks. Right now Nikon has a few on sale at very good prices. One of them is $800, yet on eBay I’ve found a few people who have paid $100+ more for USED ones.

You would think for almost $1,000 people would do a little research before investing that amount.

I have nothing against wherever people want to buy, it's their money. I'm just wondering if people get wrapped up in the excitement of an auction, and don't know when to stop. I was at a house auction about a month ago, and the house went for almost $20K more than the appraised value. (and probably hadn't been updated since 1972)

I just smiled, and shook the hand of the person who bought it, and congratulated them on a "job well done"

Charlie'smom

bkyser wrote:

I have nothing against wherever people want to buy, it's their money. I'm just wondering if people get wrapped up in the excitement of an auction, and don't know when to stop. I was at a house auction about a month ago, and the house went for almost $20K more than the appraised value. (and probably hadn't been updated since 1972)

I just smiled, and shook the hand of the person who bought it, and congratulated them on a "job well done"

Yep!

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I will agree with ebay and to a certain extent Craigslist that a lot of things are over priced and or some one bidding on it to run the price up. I have know several folks that sold on ebay and some got caught by-bidding on items. I have bid on some things on ebay but have never been successful but have bought some things by making and offer on buy now listings. It is like every thing else you have to know what your are bidding on and know your merchandise. I have followed and been involved in the auction business and there are a lot of shady things happening all of the time. It is buyer be aware at all times. The same goes for selling.

Skiextreme2 Loc: Northwest MA

Ebay used to be great deals for most anything but it has become a business marketplace and that means "get as much $$$ as you can" for a lot of vendors. If you're willing to search, you can weed out the greedy vendors and still find good deals. I see things listed at nearly double the going suggested list price and some fool will probably buy these things.

I don't like people that prey on less than intelligent people or gouge prices, so I could never sell like that.

jcboy3

bkyser wrote:

OK, I'm lost. br I use all Paul C buff, mostly Ult... (show quote)

I just checked, and except for one that sold at $220, they usually sell for under $200. The other one I saw that sold over $200 came with two batteries.

Also, the one that sold at $220 was on a Buy It Now/Make Offer listing. It is possible that this sold for less on an offer.

Just like anywhere else, you need to do some research. I have gotten good deals on eBay. But I have also watched bidding take an item over the price I could buy it elsewhere, sometimes even new. I just flip over and buy it elsewhere if I really want something.