Anyone ever purchase from this seller?

[dexdog]

Has anyone ever purchased anything from this eBay seller? (they have 99% rating). I am interested in buying the camera in this ad, and I think that the camera looks genuine, but would be interested in opinion of others more experienced in FSU cameras. Thanks!

Dexdog

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30028&item=7502319529&rd=1

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Never... although the name is familiar. Look into the feedback comments: are there "fresh" negatives? Is the seller an active one or do you see only sales? Are there buyers in the feedback comments and sellers as well? In the other items for sale by the seller are there cameras only or do you find antiques or other items?

Also, send the seller a message asking about particulars in the camera. Try not to pose a yes or no question. Evaluate if the response shows knowledge or not.

But, back to your initial question... no, I haven't bought anything from this person.

One thing that bothers me a bit... why the bidders identities are "kept secret"? This is usually a tip off for Leica scans, but I can see the rationale for it (so other bidders don't get bombarded with offers to buy "similar items" off eBay).

Have fun shopping! 🙂

 

[rover]

I bought a J9 from them. It was as described. Focusing is a little stiff, but that is common with this lens. Shipping was quick, I had no problems.

 

[back alley]

i'm no expert, but that seems like a high opening price.

joe

 

[wlewisiii]

I don't know the seller, but the photos don't show any of the usual fakery. The lower price is a plus as well; many if-y ones have been going for $200+ of late. The only hesitation I'd have is that it looks almost too clean. It may be one of those that sat in a drawer for 50 years because it never did work right.

William

 

[rover]

Talk about a timely post.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=58111#post58111

 

[kiev4a]

I'm not sure I have dealt with that seller but if he has that much feedback with that little bad, he (or she must be fairly reliable). If you have previous experience with FSU gear you already know descriptions have to be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[pshinkaw]

I've never had a problem with a Seller who uses WesternBid.

-Paul

 

[doubs43]

I've never had a problem with a Seller who uses WesternBid.
-Paul

I'll second Paul's comments. I once had a problem with a seller who used WesternBid. When I reported the seller to WesternBid, Alex made good on my loss IMMEDIATELY! Shortly thereafter the seller disappeared from ebay altogether. I couldn't have been more pleased with Alex or WesternBid. That's one of only a couple of less-than-happy experiences I've had with FSU sellers in dozens of transactions.

Walker

 

[tedwhite]

I just bought a Jupiter 8 from Ruscamera. Obviously not the same seller.

Anyone buy anything from Ruscamera? He uses WesternBid.

Ted

 

[dll927]

I haven't bought from that particular seller, but I'd second the motion about reading the "feedback" regarding a seller you are considering. I have had quite good luck purchasing from some others on e-Bay. I've also seen comments about watching a seller with less than 97% positive rating.

The instruction manual in Russian should be a particular godsend!!

The Kiev 4a would be similar. But I've read a lot of comment that, in the case of Kievs, and due to the reparations situation of moving the factory to Russia, the earlier Kievs are practically Contaxes made in Russia. Some feel that after around the mid-60s the quality deteriorated.

BTW, it's fairly easy to find English-language downloads on FSU cameras.

 

[2maneekameras]

I have purchased several cameras form FSU sellers and have never had a problem. I recommend ebay sellers: Alex-photo, Asr-photo, nago60ru, and kassiapeya based on my purchases from . All were prompt, communicative and accurate in their descriptions. The fed2 I got from Alex arrived in six business and that was in December. On the other hand, I have purchased FSU cameras from US sellers and had bad luck. One camera took over one month to arrive and was broken when described as fully functional. I look for sellers with a high o/o feedback rating, no recent complaints and ones who accept paypal.

 

[pangkievrange]

If you can buy it at below $200.00, it should be all right. I bought mine (51) at $140.00. It looks like kiev 2 is not very hot recently.


pangkievrange

 

[dexdog]

Anyone ever purchase

Anyone ever purchase

Thanks for all of the comments & advice. I especially appreciate the comments geared toward the authenticity of the camera. I agree, it looks really clean, but I did not see any signs indicative of more recent fakery. The only FSU item I have bought before is a 1951 vintage J-9 from baltic photo. Nice lens, great performance, but shipping took a month. Thanks again!