SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Shame on you for having 40 years worth of photography junk sitting around unless you still use it.
Shoulda sold it 35 years ago!!! LoL
SS

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

So, SS, are you in cahoots with my lovely bride?
Actually, we're downsizing houses, and I'm going to have to downsize.

d3200prime

Some folks use due diligence when shopping and some don't. The ones that don't get taken. You might make a few bucks by selling like you state................ethics and integrity set aside. The old adage "caveat emptor" should be etched in the shopper's mind to remind them that many have no ethics nor integrity when it comes to the almighty dollar. Just my 2 cents. Good shooting to you.

Naldo

I buy on eBay very often. Takes a lot of time & effort, but I always get great bargains if I put in the time. The main reason I see for things selling too high is where people take it personally, and get emotional when they bid against one another. Very often, I'll walk away when the bidding gets too hot, and end up amazed to see something sell for far more than the regular full-price brand-new at a traditional bricks & mortar store.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

I have saved thousands of dollars by purchasing used equipment on ebay and have been very satisfied as my gear almost without exception has arrived in like new condition. Having said that I am not sure why anyone would pay close to or more than retail for something that they could simply purchase new. If the savings aren't there then don't purchase on ebay, go new with manufacturers warrantee.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Ebay could have some nice deals but one has to be careful and you have already seen why.
I would prefer to buy from a reputable dealer like Cameta, B&H, Adorama, Hunt or Roberts Camera just to mention a few.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

LOL... Sometimes I think ebay is used to launder money, being a collector of old lenses I sometimes see a $100 item listed for something like $3000, makes one wonder just what the heck is going on there.

Nikon1201

Try KEH they are very helpful reasonable and offer a warranty.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

When I bid on things on ebay, I set a limit on what I am willing to pay for something.
If I win at that price or below fine, if I get outbid that is fine also. There are usually plenty more of that item
on ebay.
I have also gotten items cheaper when offering less than the buy it now price, when that is an option.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I am thinking that Buff doesn't ship outside the US and it can be hard to get in the rest of the world. I think some items are like this is on eBay...a premium for offering to ship or sell to other places. You have to know your stuff and what it is worth. It is getting harder to find great deals on eBay.

mrtaxi Loc: Old Westbury NY, Fort Lauderdale, FL

It’s good for x amount of recycled times which for most pro’s is 2 years. If not used much it will last many times longer. I. Ought all new Paul Buff over the years because used on EBay has hardly any savings.

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

I recently won a bid for a brand new Lumix 45-150 4/3 lens. There were many being sold on eBay because Panasonic was giving them away for free as a promotion several months ago. Won the bid at 95 bucks. If you are interested in an item, don’t bid until the final 20 seconds and do your research. I saved a minimum of 50 bucks and there was no tax. There are many used ones as well as new.

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

I tend to shy away from ebay, although I have bought a used trombone at the site. I don't like bidding for items. I buy my used camera equipment from KEH in Atlanta. I have never bought from B&H although I understand that they are pretty reputable. As far as used goes, I have a display cabinet full of old film cameras I have picked up over the years. I suppose I could sell them but KEH would not offer me anywhere near what I think they are worth so I will just hold hold on to them and display them. I have the first single-lens reflex I ever owned in my collection, an Exa I I bought in Reutlingen, Germany in 1963 for about $20.00.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

EBAY is an "auction" style venue...so it requires a lot of due diligence to ensure a good purchase at a good price. I'm quite successful at it (but that doesn't mean I haven't bought a couple of "turkeys"). It is easy to get cought up in a deal (auction fever) and end up paying an artificially higher price. When I decide I'm interested in an item, I look at all other sources, try to determine a realistic $$ figure, and bid based on that... determine my opening bid and how far it makes sense to go with additional bids. Product research and asking specific question of the seller helps greatly. Due to EBAY and Paypal rules and regs, most buyers/sellers are eager to resolve any negative actions with a reasonable solution. For instance, I bid and win a lens I want - but upon receipt it does not live up to the stated condition - so, if usable, I can either negotiate for price reduction, or simply return it for a refund. The downword price negotiation method works well if the item was simply overpriced for what it is (pay $200.00, receive lens, works but not as pretty as hoped for, negotiate downward and end up with a usefull tool for $75, or give it up and send it back). If a seller is uncooperative, they may have had poor judgement or simply bad intent...but the message is "buyer has recourse". Checking what items actually "sold for" is very important - gives a realistic picture of what things are actually worth. I never even start to bid until I have looked at all the aforementioned parameters....

Some things I've found interesting about the EBAY venue:
- You can tell a lot about the quality of a deal by the presentation / picture - number and quality / serial number easily seen / description and I always look at their other offerings to try and determine if they are a reseller, or just someone clearing out their closet.
- Lack or detail can be "lack of knowledge" or it can be "deception". Sometimes it can be hard to determine, and thats a factor all through life....poke at them enough and you will determine "go - no go".
- Don't Pooh Pooh pawn shops (Goodwill, and shops tied to charity can be OK, but often lack knowledge, or can't test an item, etc.), I've bought some very nice pieces at fair prices from them...they don't want issues, and (just an observation) seem pretty honest in general (not always the case with individuals) plus they are required in many states to run the numbers with local law enforcement to limit "stolen" merchandise - individuals, not.
- If it sounds tooo good - toooo cheap - or info is sketchy, move on...if seller responds in an uninformative manner...move on.
- Many EBAY sellers ship priority mail so you actually get the item quickly - even if it is free shipping. Much faster than Walmart for instance!
- To avoid "price runs" I never bid till the end of an auction, generally in the last minute.....no sense in bidding until the end, just put it on your "watch list" and wait till it is time. If you can't be there, pick your high dollar limit and bid, you either win or lose.
- If you don't like bidding, look for the "buy now" and "best offer" listings.

I don't know if any of this helps....but my message is "Don't fear EBAY", use it for the great tool it is...and use DUE DILIGENCE in your purchases.

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

Lots of great advice here.