Best/smartest way to by old, used
Oct 23, 2018 07:15:24 #
hj
Loc: Florida
All you say is true for a BUYER. eBay is not so good for the seller as their fees rob you blind and seem to keep going up. On a $500 camera you will lose about $75 between eBay and PayPal fees.
par4fore wrote:
Ebay is the best way to save $$ and lose the middle man. Buy from someone only with 100% feedback, read the description and if it comes to you and it is not to that description they have to return your $ and pay your shipping both ways even if they don't take returns. Ebay is best if you follow this formula!
Oct 23, 2018 07:37:50 #
iamimdoc wrote:
Looking at getting an old camera - Nikon D200 or ... (show quote)
some of these older members are the ones to whom you should listen; they've been around quite a while & have seen quite a bit & have had many experiences. personally, i trade w/ adorama; b&h is another excellent site/store; i've never had a bit of trouble w/ these two. I don't know anything about keh. stay away from e-bay, craigslist (this is my personal opinion) so....for what it's worth...
Oct 23, 2018 07:49:28 #
Oct 23, 2018 07:56:48 #
Oct 23, 2018 08:04:58 #
Not so if it's a factory refurb as they are already boxed up from the manufacturer and ready to go...I have bought several factory refurbs from Cameta (who do a lot of business) and they were unable to give me a shutter count. My D610 only had 12 actuations though...
ggenova64 wrote:
If the business wants to sell the camera, they'll give you a shutter count!
Oct 23, 2018 08:07:19 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
iamimdoc wrote:
Looking at getting an old camera - Nikon D200 or ... (show quote)
Ebay tends to favor the buyer in protection. You usually get 30 days to return the item for a full refund. If the seller does not offer this (and they must to use Ebay) move on. Any issues can be taken care of through the Ebay Resolution Center. They are quick and responsive. I always buy Mint with a box, or at least a rating of 9. If they don't describe the item well enough and do not include enough pictures I move on to the next item. You can always question the seller if you are not sure about something. I have bought over 20 Nikon lenses and bodies from ebay WITHOUT an issue. You have to take your time and find the one that is good for you. Generally speaking you can find better used products at a fairer price off ebay than from KEH, Adorama, or B&H.
Oct 23, 2018 08:09:12 #
uppics wrote:
some of these older members are the ones to whom you should listen; they've been around quite a while & have seen quite a bit & have had many experiences. personally, i trade w/ adorama; b&h is another excellent site/store; i've never had a bit of trouble w/ these two. I don't know anything about keh. stay away from e-bay, craigslist (this is my personal opinion) so....for what it's worth...
older members are the ones to whom you should listen to; how old, I'm 62 is that old enough, "stay away from ebay" some of the finest camera stores in the world sell there, also read there money back guarantee, naive.
Oct 23, 2018 08:11:45 #
Screamin Scott wrote:
Not so if it's a factory refurb as they are already boxed up from the manufacturer and ready to go...I have bought several factory refurbs from Cameta (who do a lot of business) and they were unable to give me a shutter count. My D610 only had 12 actuations though...
So When you get a "factory refurb" camera already boxed you don't get a shutter count. These companies along with the serial no. in the database should also include shutter count!
Oct 23, 2018 08:13:20 #
billnikon wrote:
Ebay tends to favor the buyer in protection. You u... (show quote)
Exactly!!
eBay Money Back Guarantee means you're protected if the item you ordered didn't arrive, is faulty or damaged, or doesn't match the listing. You'll get your money back. Plus shipping both ways!
Oct 23, 2018 08:24:43 #
Having bought from B&H, Adorama, KEH, eBay, Cameta, Roberts, Craigslist, Amazon, here on UHH, etc., wherever you look it behooves you to ask questions and do due diligence. I have over 774 transactions on eBay since 2004 (mostly photo related and almost all purchases) and have had few issues with all that I had settled in my favor. I prefer KEH (they are local to me) but I am not solely looking at them. As for one person bashing what prices they offer on selling to them, I can only say (& yes, I have sold to them) that as a middleman they are out to make a profit, just like anyone else and the money they offer takes that into account. Some places may offer a few dollars more, but it all depends on supply and demand as well as the condition of the gear. I have found KEH prices to be very competitive. as many items offered on eBay are overpriced. The one I'd be more apt to stay away from is Craigslist. 've only boght one thing off of there. Like eBay though, most offerings on our local list are overpriced. I like the forum here to buy & sell as well......
iamimdoc wrote:
Looking at getting an old camera - Nikon D200 or ... (show quote)
Oct 23, 2018 08:49:04 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
On Ebay look at the sales record. See haw much they sold and the % of good or bad feedback. I believe the infos ion the upper right corner.
Oct 23, 2018 08:52:02 #
iamimdoc wrote:
Looking at getting an old camera - Nikon D200 or ... (show quote)
I've both bought and sold camera / lens equipment on eBay and Amazon. Never any problems. But I know HOW to read the listings and many many years also buying items other than photographic, mostly music CDs (and LPs, DVDs, etc.), and books. I've also both bought and sold via the Ugly Hedgehog (membership). I also by both used and new from B&H and Adorama. In fact I have a used camera on order from B&H right now.
For something old like a D200 or D300 you'd likely find those on KEH or Ebay. Not likely something that old would show up on B&H, Adorama, or Amazon, but they might rarely!
Oct 23, 2018 09:01:11 #
Check out the seller's ratings. When they sell hundreds, thousands of things and still get a 100% satisfaction rating then I would not be afraid. Their seller's rating is their most important tool. I also prefer to buy from an individual rather than an Ebay retailer because usually they owned the equipment and can answer questions regarding its use. Although most sellers don't offer returns Ebay favors the buyer and not the seller. Personally I would not buy from China, Hong Kong, or Japan- their prices are all over the place and likely the product is gray for US buyers. I have bought and sold many, many items on Ebay with good results. Check out the "sold listing" first so you don't over pay. And if you really want the item then let the computer bid for you. Have fun.
iamimdoc wrote:
Looking at getting an old camera - Nikon D200 or ... (show quote)
Oct 23, 2018 09:14:56 #
You can't always go by the 100% rating as some negative reviews are simply buyer errors. Just like anywhere else, some people ding sellers saying such and such didn't come with so & so even though that feature was never listed. So, you have to see what the negative review was for and proceed accordingly. I have bought from people with less than stellar ratings without an issue and vice versa as well. Bottom line is to do due diligence and ask questions where necessary....
suntouched wrote:
Check out the seller's ratings. When they sell hun... (show quote)
Oct 23, 2018 09:35:35 #
Yes you are right.
Screamin Scott wrote:
You can't always go by the 100% rating as some negative reviews are simply buyer errors. Just like anywhere else, some people ding sellers saying such and such didn't come with so & so even though that feature was never listed. So, you have to see what the negative review was for and proceed accordingly. I have bought from people with less than stellar ratings without an issue and vice versa as well. Bottom line is to fo due diligence and ask questions where necessary....
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