bad store descriptions, gradings...

[laptoprob]

Some Internet sellers have very conservative grading methods. Some give very optimistic descriptions.
The bad thing is when you have a reasonable complaint afterwards, on which the seller doesn't want to respond in a proper manner, what can you do? Try to make your point via email, that's about it.
I don't like to do this, but it's the only way I guess.
Beware of Igor of Igorcameras.com. Extensive shop, lots of interesting items, active on Ebay as well.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Igor was very helpful when I purchased a Leica lens from him two years ago. And he had described the lens as having "a small amount of separation" by the time I purchased it. When I sent it to John Van Stelten for repair, he didn't remark anything about the lens, so I'm assuming the separation was there, but wasn't that great. I tried to see it to no avail, so I'm glad Igor mentioned it. I could have bougth the lens not knowing about it and then find out years later.

However, one seller blamed the DOA of a Canonet on the mail service. That was tops to me. He also overcharged with the shipping cost (and I saw it reflected on the box that came to me) and refused to reimburse it. In the end, it all went more or less OK, but it took him a while to send me back the funds. That was the time I was the closest to being burned on the *bay.

 

[M. Valdemar]

Well, there is another type of eBay buyer that is becoming more common due to PayPal abuse.

No matter how nice the condition of the item you send them, they do a microscopic examination of the camera or lens and then send you a laundry list of ridiculous extremely minor or imaginary things they find wrong.

They then demand a "partial refund" and file PayPal SNAD dispute, hoping to bully you into a settlement.

If this happens, I demand they return the item for a refund, and then you never hear from them again.

Lots of nuts out there, you can't always put the onus on the seller.

 

[laptoprob]

All probably true, but stating aperture as 'dry' and glass 'only having some spots' when they clearly are not is simply wrong. The lens isn't EX.
Igor does respond to emails, but no result yet.
Besides, the item was't only on ebay but also in his own website shop.

 

[laptoprob]

He does take returns, but the shipping and customs cost me an arm and a leg each.
Knowing now the lens is far from EX, it was way overpriced. He does not respond anymore.

Final verdict: be very, very aware. He sucks bigtime.