blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

I am a seller of photographic equipment on Ebay, I have about 2,500 positive feed backs with a 100% rating.
I don't have the lens you are looking for but I just want to give you some information. First check the return policy, second the feedback and never buy from overseas. As a buyer you are always protected by Paypal if there is any dispute, Paypal withholds the purchasing price from the sellers account and the buyer is 100% safe. I sell mostly collectible cameras and the buyers for these are overseas. I give you an example how the buyer is protected. I sold a camera worth $350. to a customer in China, he begged me to send it regular mail as Priority mail is too expensive and he state that he will take full responsibilities. In short, a week after he filed a claim that he never received the item, since there is no tracking on regular mail, who knows. I send the note that he takes full responsibility to Paypal, did no good. I lost $350. to a scam with the help of Paypal.

alienmurphy Loc: Alaska

I understand your pain. However it is the seller's responsibility to do whatever necessary to make certain he/she is protected. I learned the hard way. Whenever I sell a computer or any photographic equipment my listing states priority mail with delivery confirmation and insured - no negotiation. I send an invoice at the end of the auction so that the cost of the insurance is exact. My listings also state that shipping charged is EXACTLY what I am charging. I ship through PayPal and never hide the shipping costs. Many sellers check the box to hide the postage rate. When a seller does that to me I never bid with that seller again.

dlwhawaii Loc: Sunny Wailuku, Hawaii

Have been buying items, including cameras and lenses, from eBay for over 10 years. Been ripped off once many years ago, but eBay, as mentioned, now has many safeguards for consumer protection. The first place I look for sometning is eBay. As mentioned before, be careful and READ the feedback.

billybob40

Then buying on ebay only pay with Paypal, they back everthing you buy. I've bought over 50 items this year. Been at it sence 2002 and over $50,000.

gessman Loc: Colorado

So then, have you or anyone you know actually tested that very generous return policy?

JudyL Loc: Indiana

I have purchased many items over many years from Ebay. For the most part, it has been a good experience. I had someone try to stiff me over a handbag, but finally Ebay got that
straightened out. If you use Paypal, they guarantee it.

alienmurphy Loc: Alaska

Buyers for the most part are 100% protected because a buyer can tell any lie they want and get away with it. Buyers CANNOT receive negative feedback. So the 100% on a buyer's feedback is useless because the seller has no way of knowing if it is accurate. Sellers, however, get screwed over frequently. Sellers CANNOT give negative feedback to a buyer.

gledor42 Loc: Folsom California

I'm a newbie. What is prime lens?
I heard that there are plastic lenses
out there.
How can we avoid them?
Thanks so much guys.
Gledor42

alienmurphy Loc: Alaska

A prime lens is a lens whose focal length is fixed, as opposed to a zoom lens.

SunnyH53 Loc: Wyoming

I sell on eBay (not under this name) and have a rating of only 26 so far. I'm a fair and honest seller, pack items extremely carefully, and ship the day I'm paid, but still some 7 to 10 buyers have not given me feedback. Sellers can give only positive feedback, but buyers can say whatever they want.

Do as suggested and ask the seller questions through eBay messaging. You're protected by buyer protection when you use PayPal and if you do all your communicating through eBay messaging. One of my first buyers claimed not to have received the package, even though there was delivery confirmation (and waited a week after that to ask where the package was). I called eBay and, because of my P.O. proof and my messages to the buyer, I got to keep my money. The buyer was reimbursed too.

Don't let a "do not return" policy stop you either. I always say that in my sales listings, but I also say that if there's a problem, I will help the buyer out. I'm confident enough of what I sell that I don't expect anything to be returned because of its condition, and I hope to deter dishonest buyers with my "no returns" statement. But again, Buyer Protection will trump a seller's statements.

Read the discussion forums on eBay ... you can learn almost anything you want to know there. Read seller forums too .. not just buyers. There's definitely 2 sides to most issues!

gessman Loc: Colorado

A 200mm "prime" lens as opposed to a 70-200 "zoom" lens. I wouldn't worry too much about the difference between plastic and metal. It's space age plastic and I've had some for years and haven't had a problem. The difference is in the outside and light weight vs. heavy, and more cost for metal usually.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

again why buy from ebay where its buyer beware, when you can buy from KEH.com the largest used camera dealer in the US, get lower prices, and a FREE 6 MONTH WARRANTY. Plus you are dealing with a known business that has a very high reputation with the bbb and retailersrateings.com. with ebay you never know who you are dealing with. I bought a Nikon D-100 that was rated in bgn condition for 4 tiny scratches and a sticky body. I paid $166.00 for the camera and got a like new Nikon that one wipe of 409 removed the stickiness. the same camera on ebay was going for a range between 275-500 dollars. They should change the name from ebay to upay and pay and pay.

nyweb2001

I've purchased many items from ebay but haven't in a long time. I always went with sellers ratings. My last few years of buying, the sellers would always contact me and bribe me for a good rating. I've been promised and have received little "incentives" for a favorable review. Things like a couple AA batteries, a set or two of guitar strings when I bought guitars, etc. This really doesn't reflect honest reviews 100 % of the time. I realize those are isolated incidents, but they were becoming more and more frequent to the point I just didn't put much faith in the reviews anymore. Now I buy from a local on Craig's list or buy new.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

I just ordered a Nikon N-90s from Keh.com for $10.00. This camera was a professional body camera and second in the Nikon line only the f-4 was higher. this was a 1k camera in its day, for ten bucks. heck you cant get a pizza for ten bucks. and it comes witha 6 month warranty. Keh even does repairs in house. They are suposedly resonable in price and quick in turn around. don't know firsthand since everything i got from them is in excellant condition. last month picked up an older tamaron 90-300 zoom listed in bgn condition for a couple of scuff marks on the barrel, paid$19.00. looks fine works wonderfull. ebay cant touch it. stuff gets shipped out wby the next day of the order, everything goes out Fed Ex. Why risk an unknown seller, with no warranty and actually spending more on ebay for the illusion of a best deal.

alienmurphy Loc: Alaska

Wow! Surely you contacted eBay and reported all those sellers. I am just under 12 years of dealing with eBay and no buyer or seller has ever contacted me in regards to giving favorable feedback. My son-in-law has purchased several Harleys as well as guitars and guitar supplies. (He's in a local band with his brother on the weekends). He has never been approached for positive feedback. It is up to the buyers to keep sellers honest. When a buyer does not report an unscrupulous seller that buyer assists in the seller's dishonesty. Sorry to be so blunt but that's just how it is.