E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

You have to decide whether you want to sell your unwanted gear to a retailer or to a private buyer. You may get a better price from a private sale in that the buyer does not have to mark up and resell the equipment at a reasonable price- you end up as the wholesaler. The advantage is that you don't need to bother with advertising, communications with potential clients, put up with haggling etc.- short and sweet! Outfits like KEH and B&H will pay fairly and they are known as reliable and honest businesses.

If you decide to sell privately, besides good pictures, you shoud write good copy. Perhaps show some images you have made with the cameras or lenses your are selling. Make it interesting. Include the lens specifications and an honest evaluation and condition. If the gear is in fine shape and you are selling it because of weight and health issues- mention that.

Try this- After you state the specifications you might write something like- "Always wanted one of those fast telephoto or zoom lenses? Here's an opportunity to buy a used but well maintained piece of heavy glass- sharp as a tack and in perfect working condition and a reasonable price directly from the original owner. I'm just going to lighter weight gear. Call or write for more information. Keep it concise but short and arouse the potential buyer's interest in following up.

I have found that honesty is always the best policy.I have written things like "Old and Ugly" but still works fine- recently serviced". "Has a ding on the barrel but the glass is like new" etc. I have found there are customer for every kind of gear and if yours is in good shape, priced fairly and advertised creatively, it will sell well! Good luck!

Navywife66 Loc: NC

I wish there was a button here for "multiple person replies"....Thank you all for your information I am finding it useful!

Navywife66 Loc: NC

Thank you, and yes honesty is the best policy! I know how I would feel not getting what I thought I paid for. Ive been told I'm too honest whatever that means. I am in the process of taking photos of all my equipment I want to sell and have researched prices and then just have to write it up. I had a diversion of sorts though in the process with a leak in the roof that was not caught from Florence...I keep saying my shoulders are not that big! Anyways, I am also trying to ward off dishonest folks on these two apps that you can buy and sell on. People trying to get personal information by giving you a phone number and telling them to text you more pics or that their internet is not working properly..It's unreal and disgusting. Ive reported at least 6 so far! One came across saying she wanted a lens and was going to use PayPal. SO that was fine, or so I thought. Red flag went up after she received my email address for the transaction by her asking for my name saying she needed it. I immediately shut her down called her out and reported her. I'm disgusted people have nothing better to do than to scam others!!
HA, sorry for that rant....Thank you for the helpful information though!! Have a nice evening!

Dossile

I am an awful negotiator and hate selling things. However, I have sold a camera and a lens to MPB and felt the price was fair, their service was great and the transaction was painless and relatively quick. I priced the same lens on B&H (a store that I love) and Ebay. MPB was priced in between the two. The only things that I needed to do were register, fill out an online form, read the price quote from MPB and send them the lens. The check was sent the day that they received the lens. Same process and satisfaction selling the camera.

Some unwanted advice though. When we sold our house, our wise older realtor asked us “Do you want me to list it for what you think your house is worth, or the price that it will sell for?” Same question is true for about everything we are emotionally attached to that we sell. We ended up selling our house first and for the most money in a down market compared to others that had to eventually drop their prices.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Try Kijiji. They have a good system of protecting your privacy. The also keep track of their advertisers as to how long they have been using the service and their average response time for replying to inquiries.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

I’ve had really good success selling and buying lenses on eBay. Take a serious look at them.

lovemypups Loc: Kentucky

Hi Navywife, I'm not sure if you belong to the local photography club (if there are any in your area) but I recently sold 3 of my lens to various people in our group. I don't participate a lot in the activities, but stay on the fb page and am friends with a few of the folks in the group. There are others in the photography group who can verify, I take care of my equipment and they were more than happy to vouch for me as to the quality of what I was selling. It was a win-win for both of us, that may be another option to use. I hope you will be able to continue doing what you love for a long time and wish you much success in your adventures.

Navywife66 Loc: NC

Oh GOSH we won't EVEN go there with the house!! UGH!! But thanks I totally understand what your talking about...

Navywife66 Loc: NC

Huh, never heard of them..I will check them out! Thanks!

Navywife66 Loc: NC

I have been thinking about it but they take like 9% or so from the sale...Ugh..

Navywife66 Loc: NC

Great idea! I just moved down here last year and so I have not found a club as of yet! It would be nice if there was one local but I am on the coast in a very military area...I was on FB and had gotten hacked! People have nothing better to do I guess. SO I have not gotten back in yet and not sure about going through the trouble of setting one up and the same thing happening. I appreciate your advice, thank you kindly!!

lovemypups Loc: Kentucky

You might check on post as well to see if the military has a group they have formed, couldn't hurt We've been out of the military for a long time, but I would ask around, someone in the area has to know if there are photography clubs locally. Best wishes on your search.

Navywife66 Loc: NC

Great suggestion I will do so! And thank you for your service!!