Quinn 4

After reading 20 or so posting under "IF I were to buy this camera should I?" I going to stop buying or selling on Craigslist & E-bay. Am I the only one thinking this way. Being I live in a rual area, the buying and selling of cameras is like moving a ton of dirt by hand to get at one oz. of gold.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I sold my Canon gear to B&H Photo Video in NYC (I have purchased a whole lotta stuff from them ). They pay shipping, including a return if their offering price isn't satisfactory. You get an upfront idea, though, by filling out the online form.

I don't have a Pay Pal seller account, and whatever amount of money I could have realized by selling locally - or even through UHH's buy/sell section - was not worth the potential nightmares.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

It's not any more risky on the "bay" than buying anywhere else; eBay has many protections built in. I've bought literally hundreds and hundreds of items and never had a bad experience. I do my due diligence on the seller first, and count on eBay to protect me if I make a mistake. If it sounds too good to be true, like a "Buy it now" price that's half what it should be, then it probably is. Research and using PayPal are the keys.


Craigslist is another matter. I've bought things that turn out just fine, but I've also backed off of some transactions that looked too obviously sketchy. Again, the impossibly good deal is a dead giveaway. Here are my rules: Find out the seller's real name, and at least the town they live in, you may have to provide yours as well, but for a big ticket purchase, that's fine. Handle all transactions face to face - many police departments now have exchange places where the transaction will be under video surveillance and LE will be literally one door away. Finally, begin all transactions with an anonymous email account, and only disclose more information after you've determined the seller is legit. If you get a bad feeling, stop immediately.


I've never had a bad transaction on eBay, and never on Craigslist either for that matter (although I've bought relatively few items through the latter). I'm often on a tight budget and these resources can produce some excellent bargains. I can't afford to ignore the opportunities that present themselves.

Just be careful and take some of the precautions I've suggested. I expect other Hoggers may also have valuable tips as well.

Andy

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

I have NEVER EVER made use of "Craigslist" for anything.

E-Bay = Yes.... However = As I am a buyer who is always Aware - I ask questions of the product available. If I do Not get a reply, I do not make a purchase. And, I might add, I do NOT buy from overseas - No China, or Europe, South America either (Shipping takes way too long).

((Side Note))

The comment about "moving a ton of dirt by hand to get an ounce of gold" = in mining THAT is Not a very "bad" return. (Once a Private Miner here :-) ))

-0-

Jesu S

No, you are not the only one. eBay is fine, unless something goes wrong. Then forget about getting any help from eBay. One of my friends got scammed on eBay, and they basically told him to take a flying leap.

Apparently what happened was that after he bought the item, the account holder reported that his account had been hacked. The item was never delivered. eBay did nothing.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

No experience with Craigslist, but have bought several photo items off E-Bay. The only time I had a problem I had "Canon envy" and wanted a "white tele" lens for my Nikons. Description said "Like new, in original box with original paper work. Stored in closet last X years, yadda yadda." A Sigma 400mm f/5.6 AF for Nikon FF. It WAS beautiful. Definately looked "brand new." Until I looked through it into a lit light bulb. Never saw so much fungus in my life.
Seller would not believe me when I contacted her. EBay did. They forced the seller to refund the money to EBay, who then reimbursed me. I offered to send it back to the seller but she refused. I use it as a teaching lesson to other shooters of what to beware of.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

I have purchased small accessory items on eBay with excellent results with which I have been very happy. To do so, I have sought out highly-rated, experienced sellers and frequently ask detailed questions before buying.

I have limited experience with Craigslist, but want to share the experience of a friend of mine last week. Doug, a skilled mechanic (and photographer) was looking at ads for automobiles and motorcycles. He stumbled over an ad for a bright red 2008 Ford Mustang coupe offered in a nearby city. He contacted the seller, asked questions and arranged to inspect the car. To his eye and ear, it was in near flawless condition - exactly as advertised. One owner, carefully garage kept. With a minimum of hassle, he bought the car and is happy as the proverbial clam.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've purchased things on both CL and eBay. I've only had one issue in all the years I've done this. I take a gambler's approach with eBay. First, I never bid more than I can afford to lose. Unlike casinos, eBay will provide a modicum of intercession if needed. With CL, I only purchase, or sell, to someone local and willing to meet and let me check out what I'm buying. I never bring cash to that meeting. I also bring, without anyone knowing, a friend who is a law enforcement officer. He gets a free lunch for his time. Oh, this is always when he is off duty and in plain clothes.

I recently purchased a lens on eBay from a seller in Russian. It was everything the seller represented it to be. It cost me 1/2 the price of the item to ship it, but it was well worth it.
--Bob

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I like both E-Bay and Craigslist, and have purchased and sold on both. My practice on selling gear it to first list on Craigslist and then in a couple of weeks if I haven't any action then list on E-Bay. There is more work in consummating a Craigslist sale than on E-Bay, but also there is no commission. We live a 150 miles from a major metropolitan area so on Craigslist when I have an interested party we pick a date when I can be in the Metro, and arrange to meet at public place, i.e. McDonalds, where they can inspect the goods. Too, an honest Craigslist buyer always wants to inspect prior to purchasing. I never sell without the buyer personally inspecting the goods, this weeds out the scam buyers who want to pay more, but have the items shipped to some unknown place. Beware of this!!

I only offer these comments from experience with the thought of "why should one limit opportunities when selling or buying".

Norm

BebuLamar

No! I am the one who posted that post but I think more than 90% of the posts on both Ebay and Craiglist are legit. I won't be afraid to buy from either. The particular listing for me is an obvious scam I just wanted to know what kind of scam they want to pull.

Charlie'smom

I’ve used eBay extensively over the years, both as a seller and a buyer. My rating is 100%. Yes, I’ve received items that weren’t as described, but usually the seller makes good by either refunding my money 100% or replacing the item. Twice I’ve had to get eBay involved, and both times I was completely satisfied with the end results.

Craigslist is a bit riskier. Once you list an item, it’s almost a given that the scammers are going to contact you telling you they’re going to send you a money order for more than the amount you listed. Then they want you to sent the item to them. The money order, of course, is fake. I’ve never fallen for any scam. When selling or buying an item, I always meet the other party in a public place, usually at a Starbucks. I have never had a negative experience. What I like about CL is the ability to actually see and handle the item. I also like that there are no 10% eBay fees, and no 2.9% PayPal transaction fees.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

The vast majority of purchases I've made on eBay have been positive experiences.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Great idea. Does he hire out/Will he travel?

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Au contraire Jesus! Ebay has one of the best buyer protection clauses there is. I would like to play the old time radio host Paul Harvey as devil's advocate and know 'The Rest of the Story' concerning your 'friend'. I have been buying/selling on ebay for over 10 years with 1200+ transactions with nary a hiccup, until the last one 3 months ago. I was the high bidder and won the auction on a Canon 5D Mk IV with low shutter count in like new, pristine condition for $2600 which I immediately paid through my PayPal account. The next day it showed a shipping label had been created by the seller through FedEx with a tracking #. A couple of days later I checked the FedEx website for an update and it showed the camera had not been shipped. After repeated attempts to contact the seller for a few days, with no response I opened a dispute. Ebay kept me apprised as to the status of my dispute stating they as well, couldn't contact the seller. So I then opened a dispute with PayPal but come to find out I could only have one dispute opened at a time with the same seller. After talking to PayPal on the phone I decided to dispute the transaction through them simply because they were administering my funds and closed the dispute with ebay even though they were helping me recoup my money. To make a long story short, I had the money back in my account within two weeks. Again, I would like to know 'The Rest of the Story' concerning the seller as he had a 100% positive rating with over 400 transactions on ebay.

As to Linda and selling used gear I had a different experience. I, after the ebay problem bit the bullet and bought a new Canon 5D Mk IV from Adorama. What swayed my decision to buy from them because they included a boat load of goodies in the deal, grip, backpack, SD cards etc. A few weeks later I decided to sell my Canon 5D Mk II and contacted Adorama and they sent me a pre-paid shipping label so I packed it up and shipped it off. About a week later I received an offer from them which I thought was low so I requested the camera back. Then on this forum I heard about MPB, https://www.mpb.com/en-us/ and emailed them with a description. Their offer was $160 higher than Adorama's, so I shipped them the camera with their pre-paid label and a week later I received an email from them for $30 less than their original quote due to high shutter count. Needless to say I accepted MPB's offer and was $130 in my pocket better than Adorama's offer.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Unfortunately, no. We've been personal friends for years. We've also done personal favors for each other for almost as long. But, he has family and the accompanying responsibilities that go along with that. So, not much spare time.
--Bob