alexol

There are many good sellers on Etsy, but just like everywhere else, you have to be aware, to pay attention.

I've bought several items on Etsy without issue and been very happy with he transaction, including some small purchases of hand made items from Ukraine and Poland.

Anyone who expects to buy expensive camera gear at well below market rates is, well, let's be kind and just say "gullible".

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Complete agree (and I have sold prints through Etsy), and every now and then, there are real bargains to be had, so if you find one out of a hundred (or hundreds) on a site, then do your due diligence and caveat emptor. But if there are a number of them with no seller information or ways to identify fraud, then it’s time for the site’s management to exercise some control (in my opinion)

sakitson Loc: Goleta, CA

And most of them live! (One of my mother in law's favorites)

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Thx.

PGJR Loc: 33868

Ouch! Not everyone are thieves. I have sold expensive stuff on Etsy. I accept only cash & meet at the Police Station. I've never been cheated nor have I cheated. I sold for less than the value so I could unload fast. I didn't realize there were so many bad apples. I haven't purchased anything from them. Thanks for the warning(s).

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

There has been a rapid resurgence in film camera popularity during the pandemic. Film is a both a cult hobby and an artists' medium these days... Check used film gear prices at KEH... AE-1 Program bodies can sell for well over $200 in excellent condition. Add a normal lens other than the 50mm f/1.8, and $300 or more is not inconceivable.

The Nikon FM2n (body only) is $450+ in excellent shape!

Of course, there are many el-cheapo bodies, but some are worth more than one might think.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Glad to her that Bill. I have a Nikon F, F3 and half a dozen AI lenses I need to sell for a family member. My complaint wasn’t about the prices of vintage film gear - things are worth what you can sell them for. I was warning about MANY “deals” that are just too good to be true and deserve some scrutiny on this site such as these:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/976904894/canon-eos-5d-mark-iv-slr-digital-camera?ref=internal_similar_listing_bot-3

https://www.etsy.com/listing/976027524/canon-ef-300mm-f28-i-is-l-usm-lens?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=canon&ref=sc_gallery-1-5&plkey=869bda7525c5e7dcde6e03f933e1a8eee51c7fb0%3A976027524&frs=1&cns=1

These are just a sampling and either REALLY great deals or... Anyone who feels my post is out of line needs to jump on these! BTW, I’m sure there are many legit deals also.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Oh, yeah, ETSY is a minefield of opportunities for caveat emptor.

I, too, have an F, F3 (with pin-registered back and finder grid reticle), and some film lenses. I also have a Canon A1, and a Minolta SRT-200 and some lenses for each. Oh, and a Bronica ETRSi and two lenses...

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

It’s like the Wild West. Buyer Beware. If it sounds too good it usually isn’t. I buy used lenses thru EBay and MPB and cameras from MPB. Never a problem.

epd1947

The answer to this is very simple- if a deal looks too good to be true it’s almost certainly a scam. If you want to purchase used or new gear do so from reputable dealers. If you can’t afford the going rate for the gear you want, look for lower cost alternatives to stay within budget. Too many people think they can get unrealistically great deals on line so they fall prey to these scammers.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

👍👍 Absolutely.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Some clarity on the merits of Etsy...
I was just contacted an hour ago on a "Case" I had requested to escalate.

A direct quote from Etsy Support two hours ago:
"If you need a hand resolving this case, we can help!
It looks like your case is still unresolved. You can escalate this case and a member of Etsy’s Case Mediation team will help you and the vendor find a solution. To do that, visit the case log and click the “Escalate” button."

Which I immediately did...
The result came back in less than one hour later (on a Holiday!)

"This is Etsy's Case Mediation team.

Thomas, thank you for your patience with this process. At this time, Etsy has decided to intervene and issue a refund for your order. It typically takes 2 to 5 business days for the refund to be reflected in your bank account or card statement.

We’re sorry for the experience you’ve had with this order. If we can help with anything else, please get in touch via our Contact page (https://www.etsy.com/help/contact)."

Absolutely surreal! This is a quicker response than some I've gotten from B&H or KEH, which I consider the "Gold Standard" in "Previously Owned" photographic Kit.

Yes it took some time carefully studying Etsy's policies and protocol, that said there Support is Excellent once you determine how their protocols work.

Chris in the future please have first hand knowledge BEFORE you post a rant about any vendor... And you're not alone... I've seeing others posting "vendor rants" recently which tarnishes both the poster and UHH.

My current real-time experience with Etsy has caused me to rethink only considering B&H, mpb, KEH and Roberts. Etsy, a true champion of "Mom & Pop" shops and has gained my trust and support.

To all, please give Etsy vendors consideration... There you may find vintage optics etc that other major used kit players (except KEH) ignore. KEH and Etsy are superb sources of "Vintage" photographic kit in my humble estimation.

A most happy Holiday to all...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thomas, I’m glad you got a good resolution to your issue - was it an expensive camera or lens that was defective, not as advertised or not delivered, and why did you have to resort to Etsy intervening instead of the seller correcting the issue?. My position remains unchanged. Did you read any of my subsequent posts after your original reply where I mention that I have also sold on Etsy (so I do have first hand knowledge), that it is not a “mom and pop” organization (1240 employees and 670 million in sales), but most importantly, did you look at any of the unbelievable “deals” and the links I posted to them? If so, and you believe they are legit, why not order the $2200 lens for $800 or the 5D4 with two L lenses for $899, and sell them for a tidy profit at the correct price and triple your money? Is anyone on this thread willing to do that, because that is the only way to speak from actual experience on these “deals”? It seems pretty obvious to me these cannot be legit, but who knows - maybe the deals of the century - why not give them a try? But also, please note, that it is not in Etsy’s power to refund your money for those “deals”, since the payment goes directly to the seller via PayPal from the way it is posted. Yes, you may win a dispute with PayPal or your CC/bank, but you may not, and why take the chance, when the offer can’t be legit at the posted price. I still contend that if Etsy has that many employees and they are selling high dollar luxury goods instead of arts and crafts, then they need a better review process to prevent fraud.

As usual, I wish you well Thomas and admire your work, but I don’t routinely “bash” sellers (I have never posted a critical post of a selling company in my 13,000+ posts), and I stand by my original remarks. I will add that in my literally hundreds of Amazon and eBay transactions, I have never had to resort to asking either company to intervene in a transaction. I have had 2 unsatisfactory deliveries from eBay sellers in a decade or so, and both were immediately remedied directly by the seller without requiring any eBay assistance

Best of luck and good health,
Chris

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I buy my forever postage stamps on etsy. They sell 55 cent stamps for 50 cents. I don't know how they do it but it beats a trip to the post office. 80 stamps for $42.44 including 2.64 tax, free shipping vs. $44 at the post office.

I buy all my camera equipment and electronics and guitars used on ebay. If the item is not as advertised on the listing ebay/patypal refunds your money. I'll send an email to the vendor, then follow up with ebay/paypal. They send an email postage paid label and tracking. When the vendor receives the item, they credit my paypal account. I've only had 3 unsatisfactory ebay items in 10 years and got all my money back including postage on each of them.

I use Paypal whenever it is available on any website. They even resolved a billing issue with Sears that had been dragging on for 6 weeks and expedited my refund. I even got my money refunded for uncomfortable shoes purchased on a vendor website (not ebay) because they were advertised as the most comfortable shoes you will ever own. The vendor offered a $20 credit slip toward my next purchase because I had worn them. (Duh, how could I know they were uncomfortable until I wore them?). Paypal refunded $128 including tax and postage and told me I didn't need to return the shoes because they were used.

saminpa2001

I ordered a photo software download and it would not download. I got my $11.00 back form PayPal. It was and is, the only time I will use them. $11.00..........Really.