Lenses from Japan: Used lenses from Japan on eBay, pay by PayPal, How risky is this ? how much pay for return to Japan from us? The Japanese dealers overload with photo equipment and I...

darekstudio Loc: Minnesota

Used lenses from Japan on eBay, pay by PayPal,
How risky is this ? how much pay for return to Japan from us? The Japanese dealers overload with photo equipment and I love it, any opinion on this idea please for advice.

mleuck

I have purchased several without issue. The lenses tend to be in better condition and shipping is very fast. No issues ever. Your purchase is always covered by the eBay buyers protection rules.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I agree, I have purchased a number of them with no problems. Used lenses but in excellent condition. Just check the user ratings first.

darekstudio Loc: Minnesota

Thank you I love the condition of this equipment the lenses are beautiful, thank you again.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

darekstudio wrote:

Used lenses from Japan on eBay, pay by PayPal,
How risky is this ? how much pay for return to Japan from us? The Japanese dealers overload with photo equipment and I love it, any opinion on this idea please for advice.

I bought a long lens from Japan - excellent lens. However, I wasn't careful about reading all the details. You know how Nikon makes many different versions of 20-70mm, or 70-200mm lenses over the years. The one I received wasn't quite the one I wanted, so I had UPS sent it back - $75, with insurance.

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

WayneT wrote:

I agree, I have purchased a number of them with no problems. Used lenses but in excellent condition. Just check the user ratings first.

Please educate me on this one. I have not heard about this option. Quality and service sees fine from what I am reading here. Is there a big price differential? In short, what is the reason one might go this route?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

CanonTom wrote:

Please educate me on this one. I have not heard about this option. Quality and service sees fine from what I am reading here. Is there a big price differential? In short, what is the reason one might go this route?

Decide what you want to buy, and then see what's available on ebay. All sellers have ratings. If the ratings are good, and he has lots of sales, you're probably pretty safe buying from him. A seller with a high rating but only two sales, well, I'd look elsewhere. Sellers sometimes get a bad reputation, so they leave and start with a new name.

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

[quote=jerryc41]Decide what you want to buy, and then see what's available on ebay. All sellers have ratings. If the ratings are good, and he has lots of sales, you're probably pretty safe buying from him. A seller with a high rating but only two sales, well, I'd look elsewhere. Sellers sometimes get a bad reputation, so they leave and start with a new name.[/quote
I have used ebay and am somewhat familiar with both buying and selling but have always shied away from big dollar deals when buying especially abroad. Is there a big price difference going this route or is it simply an additional way to buy quality used equipment?

darekstudio Loc: Minnesota

Thank you it's very helpful I always was worried about the shipping back to Japan someone told me the cost is very high thank you again

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

CanonTom wrote:

quote=jerryc41 Decide what you want to buy, and t... (show quote)

Look at shipping cost and see what the seller says about return. Usually, the seller pays shipping. Sometimes, returns are not allowed unless the product is defective. My Japanese seller offered no resistance to the return, but I had to pay the shipping. He must have paid just as much to ship it to me.

I bought a ukulele I don't like, and I've been going back and forth with the Chinese seller about returning it. It was shipped from, and will be returned to, California. It's not heavy, so the cost will be minimal. We have been emailing back and forth about the return, and after I send them some pictures so they can see it is not damaged, I will return it.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I have bought a couple lenses that way. I always looked for: 1. An established dealer with lots of sales and good ratings. 2. Detailed descriptions and photos of the lenses (they were used). The seller carefully laid out the condition of the lens, all of its flaws, if any, and they had lots of pictures.
I never had a whit of trouble. Those sellers are highly honorable and I would seek them out again.

glyphtrix

CanonTom wrote:

Please educate me on this one. I have not heard about this option. Quality and service sees fine from what I am reading here. Is there a big price differential? In short, what is the reason one might go this route?

Availability of products that are not available in the US is the main reason. I've just purchased 4 vintage lenses. 1 was in Michigan one from California but the others I wanted: one could only be found in Japan and the other in Poland. The polish one had a less desirable mount than the brand I wanted . Nonetheless, I could only find one in great condition offered in poland.

Japan and Asia are more into cameras and photography then we are. Many of the products were made there and so they have more surplus than the US does.

The mail system is fast as well. I usually see delivery in 14 to 20 days.

Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado

I bought a Canon 300 mm L lens from Japan, for 500 dollars. It shipped fast and was in perfect condition.

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

Retired fat guy with a camera wrote:

I bought a Canon 300 mm L lens from Japan, for 500 dollars. It shipped fast and was in perfect condition.

WOW! I will look into this. Ebay?

darekstudio Loc: Minnesota

Thank you, 😊