eBay Challenged: I'm sort of an old dog that can only learn one new trick a decade. And for this decade, it's eBay. I see some hot deals all the time (D7100) that tempt me but scare me...

Raz Theo Loc: Music City

I'm sort of an old dog that can only learn one new trick a decade. And for this decade, it's eBay. I see some hot deals all the time (D7100) that tempt me but scare me at the same time. For example, one deal includes in the price a 3-year warranty through a non-Nikon source. My reptile brain says "look out dumb*@#". Even though most of the dealers seem to have 99% ratings, I'm sure there's a gazillion other little tricks just lurking out there for guys like me. Any advice?

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Stick with reputable dealers like B&H, Cameta, Adorama or Roberts. Cameta offers refurbished cameras with warranties.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Ebay=proceed with caution, especially when it comes to camera gear.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

That's a hard one. Try using the search box at the top of the page to see who the reputable ones are. B&H tends to me at the top as far as pricing but gets excellent reviews from our members. There are several others with very good reps and customer service.

I bought a refurbed D7100 from Cameta Camera last year and it came with a 1 year warranty just like a new one. So far so good just shop carefully and before you plunk down the dough, ask us.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

KEH sells on EBay. A very reputable used camera dealer.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Cameta also sells through Amazon. You have choices with reputable online dealers so don't be dazzled by deals that seem too good to be true. They usually are.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

Roberts also sell on E-bay as well as most of the other dealers mentioned. I have successful won a bid on E-Bay. I do not trust most of the one that I have bid on. I did make an offer and bought the Canon 70 200 from a dealer that had a near perfect rating, but believe the lens was defective but my time had expired by the time I discovered the problem. Cost me over $220.00 to get it repaired. It still has a problem focus to infinity manually. The focusing barrel was damage probably from being drop or hard bump according to the tech.

letmedance wrote:

KEH sells on EBay. A very reputable used camera dealer.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Raz Theo wrote:

I'm sort of an old dog that can only learn one new trick a decade. And for this decade, it's eBay. I see some hot deals all the time (D7100) that tempt me but scare me at the same time. For example, one deal includes in the price a 3-year warranty through a non-Nikon source. My reptile brain says "look out dumb*@#". Even though most of the dealers seem to have 99% ratings, I'm sure there's a gazillion other little tricks just lurking out there for guys like me. Any advice?

My opinion - there are very honest people on EBAY that you can trust, look for the high ratings, but when it comes to a 1000.00 camera, get it from Cameta Camera, B&H or Adorama - that way you know you are getting a MFG warranty and not getting gray market deals.

When I was buying my D7100, it had just come on the market, so prices were pretty much the same everywhere (authorized dealers), so I bought mine from a local shop to give them the business.

Refurbed from the above dealers is also a good deal.

And don't look away from third party warranties, like MACK warranties.

Donkas1946 Loc: Southern NH

I won't buy on eBay but I will sell. I usually buy my used camera gear on Craigslist locally. That way you get to try it out before you buy. Usually save enough so that a warranty doesn't matter. Have made a bad deal yet.

Old Timer wrote:

Roberts also sell on E-bay as well as most of the ... (show quote)

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

I have purchased and sold on Ebay and have never had a problem. I stick to the 100% sellers and also check the feedback from others on the seller in question.
The most important thing to remember is; do your homework!
Before you post that bid, make sure this is the item you are wanting to purchase. Many designation of lenses can fool you sometimes. I just purchased a 16mm f2.8 Nikon fisheye the other day. Quick ship to me and excellent lens. Looked brand new and I paid $510 for it.
Ebay is not my only option, but one I do use, along with this forum, fredmiranda and Nikonians. B&H, Adorama and KEH are others.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Raz Theo wrote:

I'm sort of an old dog that can only learn one new trick a decade. And for this decade, it's eBay. I see some hot deals all the time (D7100) that tempt me but scare me at the same time. For example, one deal includes in the price a 3-year warranty through a non-Nikon source. My reptile brain says "look out dumb*@#". Even though most of the dealers seem to have 99% ratings, I'm sure there's a gazillion other little tricks just lurking out there for guys like me. Any advice?

ebay is good for used items, like DSLRs. Before you bid, get a shutter count.

Many reputable dealers - the big names - sell on ebay, but there are also disreputable sellers who get a bad reputation and then change their name.

Also, don't rule out refurbished cameras from reputable dealers. Don't hesitate to check back here before a major purchase. We love to tell people what to do. :D

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

I don't trust sellers on eBay. There are some reputable ones, but it's hard to tell in advance which ones they are. I stick with B&H and KEH for my photographic equipment and some other things. Amazon can be a good place to buy stuff--so far, I've never had a problem with any Amazon purchase made from a seller with a high satisfaction rating.

melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country

eBay has high standards for dealers and weeds out those who fall short. Very few of my purchases have gone sour, and eBay has made good every time.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Nikon_DonB wrote:

Stick with reputable dealers like B&H, Cameta, Adorama or Roberts. Cameta offers refurbished cameras with warranties.

Amen to that. You have no idea what you might get. The service agreement is probably out of the US, and the good most likely are Gray Market.

Novots Loc: Grand Forks, ND

I have bought a ton of things, including camera gear on eBay and never had a problem, just do the homework, check the rating, check the reviews for similar type items. Everyone is different related to their tolerance regarding rating, some will only buy from those with a 100% rating. I get that but if the person/business has only sold 7 items that's one thing. I personally will buy from someone/place that has a 99% rating if they have sold a large number of items, say 1000+. It can be difficult to maintain a 100% rating because you always run into someone that expects the used item that is 50 years old to be in perfect shape even though you describe it as 'used with normal wear and tear.' But just like normal purchasing, if it sounds to good....