FLASHIONISTA
Senior Member
Hi guys, i want to buy a few items nothing big but i've heard some negative feedback about ebay. Should i stick to b&h, amazon and adorama? Thanks.
Is ebay a trusted site to buy photo gear??
- Thread starter FLASHIONISTA
- Start date
Absolutely it is.
Use common sense and look at the sellers feedback for one. Ebay and Paypal have excellent controls in place to protect buyers.
Keep in mind ebay doesn't sell/ship anything. They are a resource sellers use. Most major camera retailers like Adorama sell items via ebay as well.
Use common sense and look at the sellers feedback for one. Ebay and Paypal have excellent controls in place to protect buyers.
Keep in mind ebay doesn't sell/ship anything. They are a resource sellers use. Most major camera retailers like Adorama sell items via ebay as well.
Yes it can be..I shop at B&H and Amazon a lot. But have also picked up some equipment as well from Ebay. Just do your research on the item as much as possible. Look at sellers feedback and return policy etc. Read the description several times and study pictures of item a bunch before you commit. Good Luck.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
eBay is a great site; it's the sellers you have to be careful about.
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Ebay doesn't sell anything but a service. It's much like a flea market that rents space to a tenant. It's the tenant that you need to check out.
I generally won't buy any gear off ebay unless the seller provides a guarantee. I bought a lens for my RB67 that was claimed to be 'free of fungus', and the seller posted a money-back guarantee. I bought the lens, and the inside surface of the front group was pitted with fungus etching. It was like looking at an out-of-focus photo of stars. I contacted the seller stating this issue was a fatal flaw (meaning the lens is essentially useless for serious work), I received an RMA with a pre-paid shipping label. I boxed it back up, dropped it off at the PO and 4 days later received a full refund.
There's times I will 'take a chance', especially with something that's hard to find even on ebay. My Tair 135/2.811A, for instance. They're scarce as hens' teeth in the US, so when I saw one pop up with a lower-48 seller, I jumped on it even with no guarantee. Sometimes you just pays your money and takes your chances.
I generally won't buy any gear off ebay unless the seller provides a guarantee. I bought a lens for my RB67 that was claimed to be 'free of fungus', and the seller posted a money-back guarantee. I bought the lens, and the inside surface of the front group was pitted with fungus etching. It was like looking at an out-of-focus photo of stars. I contacted the seller stating this issue was a fatal flaw (meaning the lens is essentially useless for serious work), I received an RMA with a pre-paid shipping label. I boxed it back up, dropped it off at the PO and 4 days later received a full refund.
There's times I will 'take a chance', especially with something that's hard to find even on ebay. My Tair 135/2.811A, for instance. They're scarce as hens' teeth in the US, so when I saw one pop up with a lower-48 seller, I jumped on it even with no guarantee. Sometimes you just pays your money and takes your chances.
singlerosa_RIP
Senior Member
I've bought and sold on eBay and the PayPal guarantee coupled with a buyer's return policy makes for a no-hassle purchase.
Vixen
Senior Member
I buy heaps from eBay, not just photographic stuff but all and everything.
Everything already said PLUS....make sure you pay by PayPal, that way you have some buyer protection. In fact it is not a bad idea to make ALL online purchases via PayPal just for the protection.
The old saying "if it sounds too good to be true" really applies to eBay. There is a lot of crap out there, but also some really good stuff. Just be savvy
Everything already said PLUS....make sure you pay by PayPal, that way you have some buyer protection. In fact it is not a bad idea to make ALL online purchases via PayPal just for the protection.
The old saying "if it sounds too good to be true" really applies to eBay. There is a lot of crap out there, but also some really good stuff. Just be savvy
Nikonewbie
Senior Member
great place to get accessories but you have to be aware that there are some sellers that will try to slip some non-genuine products and are advertised as genuine but if you do receive one all you need to do is contact the seller and return the item usually without a fuss. The sellers do not want any neg feedbacks, I never had a problem with a return and never gave the seller a neg if they do right with the transaction.
salukfan111
Senior Member
If you have a screw drive camera, then enjoy shopping for older pro lens at bargain basement prices.