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

I have never used the eBay protection for a purchase or sale. But I thought it applied more to if you did not feel the item was accurately described in the eBay posting. If it was/is a satisfaction guarantee I would think you would end up with a lot of buyer's remorse issues with people just wanting to return stuff they purchased... Just my take on it, not my actual experiences. One of the complaints I have heard people have with eBay is that they over protect the buyers and under support the sellers. I know people who will no longer sell on eBay because of that. Also there is not really much that the buyer or eBay can do to enforce the sale as a contract in my opinion. I once bid on and won a box of 100 Weller soldering station tips. They were worth about $600 new and I won them for $25. I paid and a couple days later got an email from the seller saying that his employee couldn't find them in the "warehouse". He refunded my money.BUt the next week they were back on eBay for sale again. I believe that the seller just was not happy with the amount I won them for and simply refused to deliver. I contacted eBay but there was nothing they could or would do since my payment was refunded by the seller. This was probably 10 years ago.

jmizera Loc: Austin Texas

I have had to ask the help of the Ebay support folks several times, and they have been great. A better support experience than many companies. Looking at you here AT&T. I've sold literally hundreds of items, and bought quite a few, and have had only a few rough spots. Just follow best practices and you'll be fine.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

You pretty much have the gist of it from all the previous posts...… Due diligence is your friend. Good deals can be had, but I won't buy anything over a certain threshold from seller who won't do returns. Yes you can get Ebay to intercede, but I find the prospect of any hassles a turn-off. Some sellers will immediately offer up a compromise or return (Did they know it had problems? Maybe yes, maybe no). I have a room full of great gear I've bought on Ebay and I'd say that out of all the purchases about a half dozen had un-proclaimed issues (mold/fungus, minor damage/scratches) or something like a stuck zoom, dirty contacts causing function loss, broken lens mount, but most were easily fixed. The mold/fungus or more serious damaged items were all resolved through refund/return (they don't always want the item back after the refund) so I still have a couple off the items - shelf queens). In addition to Ebay I have bought from Adorama, B&H, Cameta, Roberts & UsedPhotoPro, KEH and now MPB - I highly recommend all of them (right now it sounds like MPB.com is paying better on the buys).

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Many people here are demeaning Craig's List and all I can do is laugh. I have acquired two high end Canon bodies and 3 'L' lenses at GREAT savings, and sold on CL occasionally with no problems at all using this venue. Unfortunately there are some stupid people out there ripe for scamming, however the ones with an IQ above the temperature it takes to freeze water will recognize a scam in a heart beat and move on to another listing! All one need do is exercise some common sense, (which seems to be lacking in much of today's society) and if it's too good to be true it usually is.

Every transaction I have conducted utilizing Craig's List has been in the lobby of my bank because I refuse to wander around a Starbucks or some parking lot with $2000 in my pocket. If I'm purchasing I simply withdraw the funds there at the tellers window, or selling I immediately deposit the proceeds. Common sense no? As for you nay sayers who have probably never tried CL in the Denver area, and are afraid of using CL, I say thank you because that leaves more deals for me!

spraguead Loc: Boston, MA

I have bought and sold thousands worth of products in ebay, and just a little on craigslist.

Ebay is fine, you need to pay attention to the details, and ask questions if anything is unclear (I always ask for a serial # on camera bodies to see if they are gray market)
The ebay protection policies actually favor the buyer much more than the seller (quite a change from 8-10 years ago) Buy can put in a claim that item received differs than what was advertised, and ebay blocks transfer of funds, or retrieves them (they own paypal now). I have a side business liquidating collectables from estates and have had people put in claims that I've had to mitigate by sending them a partial refund (even though I was in the right), it was just not worth the effort to fight, and it's part of the high cost of doing business on that platform. But, most of the buyers and sellers I have dealt with a good. Bought a really nice Tokona lens last month on the bay. I watched may lots where the bidding got higher than I was comfortable with, until finally I won this one within my budget. That's the key to bidding on auctions, only bid what you're comfortable with, and be ready to let it go and wait for the next one to come up.

Graigslist I've used for bigger items, musical instruments, furniture, even my son's car last month after he moved out of state. It's a bit creepy sometimes, and I try not to make transactions from my home. Get a lot of people (resellers) messaging with lowball offers and pleading for a phone call where they try to pressure even more) But, it's the only way to sell products locally.

Have also used facebook marketplace. So far just for selling overages on some construction materials, fast and free if you price things right.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

THAT particular thread about THAT particular add in question was addressed as being bogus because the seller could not contacted and apparently no info on him.
Ebay and Craigslist are safe to use.
Most sellers have information about them and a contact method to address your questions.
You should not be afraid to use them.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

You have to be VERY careful on CL - I would be reluctant to buy or sell there as there really is no recourse, and if it's a local buyer/seller you may run into a nutcase.

Ebay is safer but you still have to be careful there too. At least there are some buyer and seller protections, plus a ratings system - CL has ZERO. You are on your own with CL....yes you can get a good deal there but the risk is significant.

I would not buy/sell anything of significant value on CL (ie. photo equipment), but I MIGHT use it for household items - furniture, appliances, etc., if I was MOVING on a cash/carry/pickup basis.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've made hundreds of sales and purchases on eBay without a problem. I've never used Craigslist because it seems to have a bad reputation, which is probably greatly exaggerated. In both cases, you have to use common sense.

David Lyon

I have bought most of my camera gear on eBay, including my 5x7 from a Florida Seller (I live in Utah), and my 210mm lens from a pawn shop selling on the Bay.

I have gone to Craigslist, looking “locally” for darkroom gear. I found an enlarger in Montana for a steal ($60 when selling on the Bay for $200 and new for $1200). As I truck driver, I pick-up loads fairly often near the seller, and was able to make a pick-up.

One place I have had great success buying gear, with complete faith, is KEH. Their service is great, and the evaluation on the gear is on the conservative side. My 4x5 monorail came from them as a “bargain” and I hand not found anything wrong with it. I have bought gear at higher ratings, and have been shooting with it with not regrets.

I bought one collection of film holders KEH was selling on eBay. Got 16 holders in various condition, for $55. In this included 2 8x10 holders in great shape. If I did not need them, I could resell and double my money.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Good point Chris.
Craiglist is geared for a localized location. Meaning, you select you local area and buy sell locally, which is the best way to use it.
As you pointed, household stuff etc. is a good medium for CL.
Example; I sold my washer and dryer from by previous house. Plus other items on CL. ALL the buyers were local. We had phone conversation going over the items and they came to my garage or where ever and looked at my stuff. I had a real human to deal with face to face. This is how CL works best. I sold a lot of my old tools and stuff and always had personal contact with the buyer. Best way to do this and CL really is a good medium for this way of reaching people. Now, the OP lives in a rural area so this would be or could be a hard way to use CL.
To me, buying from CL without seeing the stuff first hand is not a good idea.
It is mostly individuals selling to individuals, people to people.
Ebay is a different platform.
You have a worldwide audience and reputable sellers, as you pointed out there are safeguards and seller ratings and history.
Both are safe but again, like anywhere, 'buyer-be-aware'.
Show safe and smart anywhere you go.

Raptor

I have bought and sold on Ebay and Craigslist for years. I am proud to say we have a 100% positive ratings as sellers and buyers. When using these sites it is critical to do due diligence. If I am selling, I go to great lengths to accurately describe the item and include numerous descriptive pics. I do not accept returns. My item will be accurately represented and packed as if I am shipping a robin's egg. If I am interested in a particular item on Ebay, I will check "completed listings" first to see what others have paid for this item. I always use Paypal. Ebay does have protections in place for the seller and buyer but it is not a perfect system. Check out the seller and buy domestically. Happy shopping.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Right on Raptor, well stated.
Mr. OP who lives in a rural area, I hope all these replies help you. Do not be afraid to use eBay or even CL.
Depending on how rural you are, CL may not be very useful. As I stated before, Shop smart regardless of where yo go.
I have never had a bad experience from either.
Actually I bought a Nikon D200 this past November. There was a history of the owner/seller and record of service by Nikon. I have been happy. I have bought and sold like so many other members here have.
I say all the lesson here from the post about the bogus listing the OP opened up about is that how to spot a scam. eBay is good about keeping the site clean but again, crap gets through.
This one was an obvious bogus scam and got busted it looks like.
If it looks way too good to be true, it probably ain't.
Mr. rural OP, since you are in a rural area, I assume limited access sources like we have in the city and surrounding areas, eBay can be a real help for you.
The members are here to help you if you would like a second opinion on anything you are interested in.
Peace to all,
bruce in texas.

pendennis

I've had great luck on both sites. I've never been burned on either place, and I've probably spent around $5K in the last year on camera gear.

One of the things I like about Craig's List is that I can meet with the seller, face-to-face, always in advance of money changing hands, and always in a safe, public place. Many of the police stations in this area allow you to use their lobby to conduct the deal. I don't go to private homes, or anywhere away from lots of public eyes. I can count a Nikon F6, F3, 190mm Wide Field Ektar, 48 4x5 film holders, Sekonic L508; you get the picture.

My best luck on eBay has been with the Japanese dealers, and I've gotten some amazing deals on equipment which could only be categorized as new-without-box. My next best places are two local camera shops, and I've only had to return one item in three years (a Nikon MD-12 which fired up for 6 frames and died. They replaced it with another, and sold the bad one on eBay as a "parts only" transaction.

Craig's List and eBay are the image of capitalism. Caveat Emptor!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I don't know anything about Craigslist, but I've used and use Ebay quite a lot and find it to be the best place to sell items of any sort (I have always got way more money for my things compared to trying to sell through any other source, and Ebay is a very safe place to deal!

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Craig's list is good on the local front and I know folks here who use it...but I'd still recommend the Police Station site. My son and his former boss have sold items at their place of business, but they are armed and back each other up during a transaction (They do buy and sell cars and motorcycles/atvs, and do all manner of repairs, so have weapons on hand for all the cash transactions). Sometimes you can smell trouble, and sometimes the wind is in their favor....so be careful out there.