CraigsList

With the economy being what it is, and being that I'm a cheap bastige...

Y'allz oughta look into CraigsList for used equip.

I know, I know: "but it's CraigsList...isn't that...DANGEROUS???"
It's not; really, it's not.
Yes, there are 'CL flakes' (those who email/call and never show up...).
That goes with the territory.

Most of the folks selling photo gear on CL know what they have and know what it's worth.
They want a local meet/discuss/sell/buy.
There's quite a few dabblers; bought a bunch of gear to try out photography, burned out on it and now looking to recoup a portion of their outlay.

My CL scores:
50 1.4, 60 2.8, 85 1.8, 180 2.8, 28-85 3.5-4.5, 70-300 G, sb600 (all Nikons).
And a Manfrotto 3229 quick-release ball head and Elements 8.
For a nice fraction of the price of a shop or e-bay. (No shipping fees, no tax!!!)
(Ball head? $15!!! 180 2.8? $100! sb600? $130!!! WOOT! He shoots, he SCORES!)

The peeps I've met for photo stuff have all been stand up, pleasant folk.
Their gear was as stated in the ad.
A few of the meets were with photogs who had MUCH more experience than I.
If you don't like their stuff once you see it, there's no requirement that you buy.
Starbucks and such are great places for a public meet and look-see at the gear.
Bring your camera so you can test out what they're offering.

Yep, it's a crap shoot, as is most of life.
If you play the dice right, you can score nicely.
No guarantees: "Place yer bets; shooter's UP"!

Nooo..and again no.Even brand new is iffy.

Chuckling...really...chuckling.
Juuuuust a suggestion for possible deals.

Things not in your comfort zone are your own.
I haven't been scammed, rolled or mugged...yet.
(chuckling harder, now)
I don't plan on it.

As I said, all the PHOTO GEAR folk I've purchased from on CL have been stand up, social, pleasant and polite.
I know enough about my gear and the gear of others to tell what's garbage and what's not.
I don't bother if the initial communication is out of whack.
Took a bit to get to that point, but I'm ok with it.

Merely another avenue to obtain gear, if you so choose.

For items like tripods, flashes, and similar accessories; yes.

For camera bodies, lenses, software, and the like; no.

There are too many stolen items, lots of counterfeit software, and items like lenses that look good; but have mold, internal damage, bad contacts, etc.

If someone has a bill of sale for a camera body, knows what they are talking about, and can take the time to demo it; it may be worthwhile for an experienced user to determine if something is worth buying. There are too many digital cameras that are overpriced, damaged by lousy sensor cleaning and aggressive users, and outright stolen for me to be comfortable with. I would demand that a seller submit the body to a qualified evaluation at a local camera repair shop before I would buy - if the seller balks at it, I'd walk away.

S'all good, folks.
Each has their own standards and requirements for purchasing.
Some will NEVER buy used or refurbs.
Gray market?
Whole 'nother discussion.
Some won't buy Sigma or Tamron.

I've had good success with CL.
Some haven't.
There's a few things I'm willing to gamble on.
IF you know what to look for AND how to spot flaws, it can work.
(ie: Open a lens up all the way (1.4, 1.8, etc) and look through it into a brightly lit sky for fungus, etc.)
All the CL stuff I've picked up has been acceptable and produced good pics.
My 70-300 G came from CL; went back on CL 2 mos later for what I paid for it.
I wasn't pleased with how slow it was on AF and low light stuff.

Much depends on the seller and how they conduct themselves.
What they bring to the meet and how it's presented.

My Elements 8 buy was from a lady who'd rushed out and bought it.
All original packaging with all the included promo sheets in the box.
No scratches on the disc in the original case with serial number sticker on the back.
I asked her why she was selling.
Didn't work on her Mac...

A guy with a camera bag full of real gear is much more likely to get my biz than a jumpy dude with a single lens he whips out from under a jacket...as he scans the parking lot...

There's also the old saw: 'If it looks to be toooo good...'
It might burn your fingers when you touch it.
I won't buy from a critter with a skeezy space or demeanor.
Skeezy stuff and me don't play well together.

Honestly? I already dropped my P6000 at least three times from various heights.It's still the same becouse it always fell slowly from me to on top of the very thick neck strap.But after only two years the paint is worn on the round button on the back,and I wore it out in the first four months.You should just save your money and buy new stuff,that way you can always get feedback in case there is a problem.Eat nothing but beans and rice with veggies for two weeks at a time if you have too,if your doctor says it's ok.That way you can save money.Becouse if he already fixed it,and it works,it's more likely to brake down the second time,so you might as well just buy new.Are you getting all the papers with the stuff anyway?Like the warranty,bill..

I will do eBay as there is a buffer between the seller and myself which is distance...not going to do craigs list as there have been to many bad endings where people end up getting beatup and robbed etc...If the world was a better place then craigs list would be great....

Location, location , location...
Yep Dave, there are some neighborhoods that most peeps would rather not venture into.

If ebay works for ya, roll with it!
My D80 with the 18-55/55-200 kits came to me from ebay.