View Full Version : Ebay's treasures....
Hi,
just a little rant on that matter, feel free to comment =)
I've just received a Summilux 50 2nd version. It was described as very good with slight marks on the front element, when I got it, it was hard to miss that there was oil that has hardened on the blades as well as a very long cleaning mark nearly all around the front element, it's at the very edge though so I don't think it should pose a lot of problems.
I can't help but think what if someone had bought it for a much higher sum than what I paid for, sometimes new ebayers get excited and enter very high prices on things. Worse thing of all is that the guy apparently owns a camera museum....
Well, I was just checking that lens again and noticed that at apertures smaller than f8, the shape formed by the blades doesn't seem to be very circular because the blades themselves are very sticky.
Does anyone know if this is actually a normal behaviour on that lens, and if not, will that cause problems on the pictures or not? Also can this defect be resolved by servicing the lens?
Thanks a lot.
You'll need to send it to DAG for about a $100 repair. Contact the seller and try resolve the matter... Good luck.
kshapero
12-21-2007, 11:28
I just picked up a Zeiss Ikon black in mint condition for $885 and I was the only bidder!!
Steve Bellayr
12-21-2007, 11:31
Ebay as IMHO is a retail store without guarantees. For small items not problem. But, for larger items I keep off that site. I have done better with retail dealers or this site.
kshapero
12-21-2007, 11:35
Ebay as IMHO is a retail store without guarantees. For small items not problem. But, for larger items I keep off that site. I have done better with retail dealers or this site.
Usually true, but in my case I bought my ZI from a dealer often recommended in this forum.
I've never had any problems with ebay. I just bought a 'cron 50mm f2 with hood, filter, both caps and everything is in a LN range from keh for 540 with shipping...
shadowfox
12-21-2007, 15:54
Politely and clearly describing the problem goes a long way towards the seller doing something about it. Asking for a partial refund for an item that is not as described is not out of the realm of being reasonable.
I've heard of the cost of CLA jobs being split between buyer and seller after the sale.
NickTrop
12-23-2007, 01:15
The only time I had a problem with camera equipment, the seller refunded the cost of repair. He was very reasonable about it. I sent him a polite email, didn't accuse him of "lying", just stated the problem and what I thought would be an equitable solution. He agreed, and I got a check in the mail promptly.
Sometimes, legitimately, sellers stumble upon items of value that they genuinely don't know much about, and don't know what to look for. To their eye it looks fine.
David Murphy
12-23-2007, 01:18
When I buy off eBay I factor the potential cost of repairs into my maximum bid. I happen to have tech who's inexpensive and does good work -- it helps.
When I buy off eBay I factor the potential cost of repairs into my maximum bid.
Hehe, clever
He is reluctant for a partial refund... Oh well, $500 for a well used summilux is still an OK deal I think.
pesphoto
12-23-2007, 14:19
i dont buy cameras off ebay anymore. Maybe a lens hood here and there but thats about it.
M. Valdemar
12-23-2007, 15:11
There are unbelievably good deals and awful deals to be found on eBay every day.
You're buying from individual sellers, you're not buying from "eBay". It's not a homogenous entity. There are thousands of non-hobbyist people who find things, don't know what they are or how to describe them, and just throw them up for sale. This can be a huge opportunity or a trap for those who do not know how to discern what kind of a seller they are dealing with.
If you're capable of comprehending the nuances and cues of buying on eBay you can do fantastically well.
If you're not capable of sussing this, or if you're somewhat baffled by computers and doing research on the "internet", then it's not for you and you should realize your limitations.
For example, I often read posts by people who are not capable of finding an address or a telephone number or a fact which can be found in 3 seconds with a simple Google search. Or those that cannot identify a spoof email. Or don't read the rules before using PayPal or other payment services, or get tricked into bizarre payment schemes. This sort of person should not be buying anything expensive on eBay.
You have to be able to research prices, identify what you are looking at, have some acumen at using search engines, etc, and have some comprehension of how to do same online.
There are many who are adept at this and can use eBay very successfully. Others, baffled, have a few bad experiences and bitterly condemn "eBay" as if eBay was the culprit for their lack of buying skills.
For those that can't master it, it is far wiser to use professional dealers to buy your used goods.
You pay a premium, or even higher than market price, but the dealer has pre-selected the good items for you, guarantees them, and keeps you out of the realm of uncertainty when it comes to payment, sending money, etc.
Some people are instinctive wheelers and dealers and some are not. You should recognize your limits and act accordingly, rather than make blanket condemnations of eBay, etc.
pesphoto
12-23-2007, 15:21
Do you own ebay? :)
I just bought a medium format camera from a reputable online dealer and paid way less than I would have on ebay any day AND it comes with a return policy. AND i know it's going to be a working rig.
There are unbelievably good deals and awful deals to be found on eBay every day.
You're buying from individual sellers, you're not buying from "eBay". It's not a homogenous entity. There are thousands of non-hobbyist people who find things, don't know what they are or how to describe them, and just throw them up for sale. This can be a huge opportunity or a trap for those who do not know how to discern what kind of a seller they are dealing with.
If you're capable of comprehending the nuances and cues of buying on eBay you can do fantastically well.
If you're not capable of sussing this, or if you're somewhat baffled by computers and doing research on the "internet", then it's not for you and you should realize your limitations.
For example, I often read posts by people who are not capable of finding an address or a telephone number or a fact which can be found in 3 seconds with a simple Google search. Or those that cannot identify a spoof email. Or don't read the rules before using PayPal or other payment services, or get tricked into bizarre payment schemes. This sort of person should not be buying anything expensive on eBay.
You have to be able to research prices, identify what you are looking at, have some acumen at using search engines, etc, and have some comprehension of how to do same online.
There are many who are adept at this and can use eBay very successfully. Others, baffled, have a few bad experiences and bitterly condemn "eBay" as if eBay was the culprit for their lack of buying skills.
For those that can't master it, it is far wiser to use professional dealers to buy your used goods.
You pay a premium, or even higher than market price, but the dealer has pre-selected the good items for you, guarantees them, and keeps you out of the realm of uncertainty when it comes to payment, sending money, etc.
Some people are instinctive wheelers and dealers and some are not. You should recognize your limits and act accordingly, rather than make blanket condemnations of eBay, etc.
Do you own ebay? :)
Now I totally forget to consider that possibility....
M. Valdemar
12-23-2007, 15:24
Yes, but your dealer had to get it from somewhere. Maybe he bought it on eBay.
(If I owned eBay I would be basking on my private island with 100 nude female attendants, not posting here)
pesphoto
12-23-2007, 15:28
Yes, but your dealer had to get it from somewhere. Maybe he bought it on eBay.
(If I owned eBay I would be basking on my private island with 100 nude female attendants, not posting here)
Doesnt matter... I trust THIS seller and know that it wouldnt be sold by them as working if it wasnt. He would tell me that it is a non working or parts camera if it was so.
So maybe your an ebay investor......? :)
kshapero
12-23-2007, 15:32
I own ebay and I am selling shares. Just send your money to my Paypal account. No small bills, please.
M. Valdemar
12-23-2007, 15:34
Yes, that's my point exactly.
Some people like taking a chance, speculating, and making calculated risks in the hope of getting some huge sleeper bargain. It's like a game. They don't whine if their purchase isn't as good as they hoped, and sometimes they get something worth thousands for peanuts.
Others don't want to take any risk and want buy something that works perfectly with guarantees and return privileges. Buying from a good dealer is far better for them.
pesphoto
12-23-2007, 15:43
Yes, that's my point exactly.
Some people like taking a chance, speculating, and making calculated risks in the hope of getting some huge sleeper bargain. It's like a game. They don't whine if their purchase isn't as good as they hoped, and sometimes they get something worth thousands for peanuts.
Others don't want to take any risk and want buy something that works perfectly with guarantees and return privileges. Buying from a good dealer is far better for them.
Fair enough... I know my way around the internet pretty well but want cameras I know I can use as that is most important to me. I can do minor repairs but that's all. Im a photographer...not an investor, collector, or camera repair/restorer person....period. So ebay isnt for me. Plus I dont have the time to sit on the computer all the time researching cameras.....I think I just heard my wife calling.......
That's my point.
M. Valdemar
12-23-2007, 15:50
Well, that's fair enough too. There's nothing wrong with paying a fair price and getting a tool that works when you're not into the whole online "game".
My post was more directed at those who want to play at being an "amateur bidding genius" and then get all bent out of shape when what they get is more of a doorstop then a camera.
I just bought a medium format camera from a reputable online dealer and paid way less than I would have on ebay any day...
Keep it mind it's "you" you're talking about, and not necessarily anyone else. "I" would wait until the right deal came along and beat the price any reputable dealer could offer, unless he simply made a mistake in pricing.
I don't understand all the "evilbay/fleabay" grousing, either. If you're careful and patient you can do quite well buying on ebay. The pitfalls are well-known and fairly easy to avoid.
Right now seems a great time to buy, actually. I've seen several cameras sell cheap recently, perhaps due to the holidays. An M2R in decent user shape just sold for $767 and I kick myself for missing it. It must have been a pretty good deal because Youxin Ye bought it! :bang:
pesphoto
12-23-2007, 16:38
I understand that Kevin. Each to his own, yes. I guess I didnt wish to be patient for what I saw as a very fair price for a Mamiya M645 with finder and 8omm lens. These go for such a low price nowadays.
Where did all the nice chrome M6s go? There were many for auction a couple of weeks ago on eBay. Well, maybe the first of the year.
eBay seems to promote the idea that it's all a game that you can win. One can observe that "winning" is simply paying more than anyone else is willing to pay. I try to keep these things in mind, and maintain skepticism and caution, know the product through research, and in the case of camera gear avoid bidding more than about 70% of what KEH (or other used markets) asks for the same thing.
I'm careful about the way the auction is presented, and look at the seller's other auctions. I "lose" a lot... mostly not even bidding as the item's price rises past my limit. When I do bid, it's usually very near the end for two reasons: it gives the other bidders no opportunity to respond to my lone bid, and secondly, it gives me no opportunity to re-bid more than I should. I avoid auctions having a bidding war, as egos are at stake.
But I think the real "losing" on eBay comes out of a poor "win". I've done that too, but just try to work hard to avoid it. Right now "I'm done": I turned off all my automatic searches before going on vacation last month and have not turned them back on. I've got sufficient gear. For now... :)
I won a F3HP, my second bad boy [sorry it's not a rf :D ] this month in December that arrived last week. I tracked all the possible F3's each month. I know who the best sellers are. I found my F3HP, while not mint, made my only bid in the first 24 hours of the listing, and won @ $265 plus shipping, for a total of $310 shipped to UIO. I might have lucked out, but I did my homework.
Cheers,
MArk
Quito, EC
nikonhswebmaster
12-23-2007, 20:12
Buying cameras on eBay is not cheap, but what else are you going to do?
I quit buying when eBay really got going. I have bought on eBay, sure, but nothing special. It is almost impossible to know what you are buying.
I like buying stuff like Dinky Toys on eBay, but not cameras. I have bought thousands of cameras, but mostly from owners and stores before eBay even existed. I like to hold cameras I am buying.
As a camera market ebay has only been around for less than 10 years.
patrickjames
12-23-2007, 20:29
I have got some great deals on ebay by being conservative. The few bad ones haven't soured me, just made me cautious. Many times though you can find things for less online at KEH or the like. It pays to be educated as far as the options go. Never get emotionally attached to anything either. All in all ebay is great for what it is.
Patrick
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