rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Sometimes I purchase via eBay because they make it easy for me to find a product. Often it can be found from someone else, but it isn’t worth looking for it.

pendennis

I've been doing business (mostly buying) on eBay for over 15 years, and my experiences have been great, far more often than I've ever had in problems.

I've bought any number of cameras, flashes, clothing, shoes, watches, jewelry, etc. Since 2015, I've bought at least $25K worth of cameras and lenses, and in that time, the only problem was with a wrong lens hood, which the seller in Japan replaced immediately, and told me to keep the wrong one.

My most expensive purchases have been in medium format, and I've bought Hasselblad, Mamiya, Rollei, Yashica, and others. I've also bought some fairly expensive field cameras in 4x5 along with large format lenses. My sellers have been in England, Germany, Japan, Israel, and Italy, along with a large number of U.S. sellers. The major used equipment dealers mostly have a presence on eBay, and I tend to stick with them. However, the private sellers have been just as honest and very easy with which to deal.

This is not some rose-tinted glasses prose piece. I've also seen verified accounts of folks who've genuinely been hosed by unscrupulous dealers. But all in all, I've had really good experiences.

As with any buying venture, I've always followed caveat emptor.

SteveInConverse Loc: South Texas

Stellar idea!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I try to withhold feedback until I have actually used the item, because most vendors do seem to hate negative feedback.

BebuLamar

This is not a problem with Ebay purchase. Assuming if you buy it from B&H and the delivery company delivered to the wrong address and the package was stolen then who is paying for the cost?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I have to say that I have ordered multiple items from EBay with no issues.

eshore46

When you order from E Bay you are sent an invoice that has the sellers name and address, that is all the post office needs

trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia

I have used eBay for years with absolutely no problems until three weeks ago. I sold a low-priced camera and accesssories through eBay. The buyer paid eBay, eBay deducted their fee but have never deposited my share in my bank. I, of course, will not ship the camera until I am paid. The buyer has contacted eBay which has done nothing to solve the proble and when I tried to contact eBay all I got was the run-around and boiler-plate responses.

Trapper1

SteveInConverse Loc: South Texas

Same here. I literally just had my first ever issue, no big deal, just sent the wrong item. The seller has already (supposedly) sent me the proper item and an apology.

kmielen Loc: Eastern NC

My experiences in buying and selling on ebay have been quite positive. I don't sell international and when buying, I avoid sellers with little feedback. If I have a gut concern, I send some sort of question about the item. That ferrets out the scammers.

The real risk is as a seller. You have to get a legitimate payment (I insist on PayPal) and then worry about damage or theft of your package before the buyer gets it.

I questioned the seller of a D7500 that I was interested in as to why it had been relisted 3 different times. All the prior "buyers" were trying to scam her. Thankfully, the sale to me worked out great for both of us.

SteveInConverse Loc: South Texas

Wow, definitely something to think about. I always look at seller ratings and like you, I don't sell international but I buy from Japan often as the sellers seem to have better condition gear and the prices are usually less.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Once {I don’t remember which European country the seller was from}, I purchased a M-42 “Mir” lens that the seller promised really was a “M-42” lens, but it wouldn’t screw into my “Spotmatic” {my Takumars work fine in that camera} - my primary use - so the seller took it back. I have purchased multiple item from Japan with no issues.