Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

Yes, it is like selling your car yourself or selling to a dealer who needs a $2000 markup. Selling it yourself can get a better price but you have to wait for the right buyer. And yes, that is the great thing about camera gear on eBay--whatever it sold for when you bought it you can get back when you sell it back on eBay (maybe more, maybe less).

When I started with eBay for cameras in the 1990's, it was mostly large format, and it did not much matter if it was 3 years old or 30 years old. Some of the best lenses (Dagor, Heliar, Kodak, Docter, etc.) were no longer made, and increasingly rare, so you could often sell higher than you bought. Deardorfs were pricey long after they stopped making them. Today, due to technological evolution, a few years can make a product a market has-been, unless you are smart enough to see real value in some of the older stuff. In the modern industrial society, the demand is manufactured along with the supply.

Then again, people selling large format were not thieves fencing stolen goods--thieves would not know what it was, and you could not sell it on the street. And it was too bulky to stick in a gunny sack.

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

Any re-seller will offer less than an end use consumer. They need to make a profit from the transaction. However, to offer you 25% of your purchase price is ludicrous. Cut out the middleman, and sell direct to a 'keeper' instead of a 'reseller'. KEH & Adorama are good purchase outlets, but I would never sell gear to them. I always sell direct to the consumer.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

Cameras depreciate faster even than cars. And the only way to check the actual market is compare the sales on eBay over time. And watch for how long the seller lists on such as "buy it now." For buyers---wait awhile and someone might become desperate. Certainly I have never seen a bargain in actual good gear on either Adorama or B&H. Also with you extremely lower price from Adarama I hope you told them a counter price you would take plus some more like they pulled on you. I am sure they get "relatives" of dead photo enthusiasts with a fortune in gear just wanting to dump it, also?----These people are more like those running a hock shop?--------

GeneinChi Loc: Chicago, IL

Robert’s Camera is mentioned frequently on the UHH forum with positive comments. Maybe give them a shout? I done some business with MBP with favorable results. With Adorama, not so much. Good luck!

chfrus

OK here is a trick. Go to a pawn shop. Use your camera for a loan. Don't pay you keep the money Ive done it several times. If you sell your camera they will factor in profit and you get less for the camera. Just an idea.

Royce Moss Loc: Irvine, CA

The only problem I had with Roberts Camera is they do no insure your gear. If you want insurance you have to pay for it. I did notice they pay slightly more. I guess to make up for the insurance. Adorama is the lowest

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

While I didn’t think of that it seems to be deceptive. I’m not inclined to pawn my cameras.

alphadog

THEY do exactly what I have stated often about all these outfits...

IF you want the most, describe the best you can the REAL condition, include some history, if you bought new or used, you do NOT need to state what YOU paid, as it does NOT matter, what matters is what they are selling for NOW in the condition you have. Be careful what adjectives you use, since the buyer will EXPECT exactly what you say, and IF you are not certain, ask someone else to rate your equipment.

IF you sell yourself... and you know what they are selling for, you should expect to get 90% or more of the value, UNLESS you panic and accept a lower offer [ I do not list with Best Offer until it has been listed for some time] - you will know what your chances are by the number of hits and saves, and how many have RECENTLY sold for that price... IF few or none, then lower the price slowly. Prices do vary daily, don't be afraid to raise or lower your prices as needed.

I have NEVER GOT A fair offer from any 800 camera online outfit... they are nice people but they are business people FIRST & FOREMOST and DEPEND on the average person's lack of knowledge and unwillingness to list themselves... btw, this is the same with CARS as well ... sometimes IF they have something YOU want, another camera, lens or car....they will offer what seems like a deal for your items or car to buy the other items or car, but believe the HOUSE never loses money here...they always get the advantage.

Good Luck!

eagle80 Loc: Kutztown, PA

Sell on UHH it is free.

chfrus

It is no more deceptive than the pawn shops. Example you pawn a camera and receive a loan Of $800.00 dollars ( depending on the camera). Know sell the same camera you might receive around $150 dollars and they will sell it for around $8-9 hundred dollars. Don't worry the loan you are given has already been figured to you not paying.

alphadog

Correct... my experience over time is

Pawns usually give 10% on the dollar, if you are lucky...UNLIKE THE TV show!

It is not against the law and this business is not a social service store, the folks who go there are in desperation mode, unless they know the owner and they are giving them a LOAN with collateral in place.

fantom Loc: Colorado