Hi Bob,
Can't say for any Petri RF, I own only one - 7s, working one. Reading that 7s isn't built as well as typical FL RF from Japan, I wondered what can be different. But after time I realized - it is different. OK, I stick to fixed lens Yashica's and have Konica Auto S2, too - to see what is I compare to. All in all, there's no day and night difference, but latter are just more consistent, more rugged, lens barrel construction and finish what I especially like better on Yashica's and Konica's over Petri. Advancing is smoother and quiter (pure design issue).
But 7s has decent VF, wide and easy release button so that I don't need soft release attachment with it.
I think for right price 7s can be used, just like any other camera. Items like "...not expert, can't say anything about it, cosmetics are excellent" - such items should go for accordingly low bids. Bidder takes risk of having paper press (or "display item" as sellers like to call this kind of gear) or put some resources (labor or money) into it to make it work.
I don't regret having it, don't use it much but good to have at least for educational purpose. Maybe some day I will swap it to someone, just because of minor use.
