eBay, dumping ground of faulty goods

[photocrazy]

Now, more and more people are going to ebay to search for a bargin. But I do have mixed experience with eday. Sometimes, I am able to buy treasures but recently I find ebay is been used increasingly as the dumping ground of faulty cameras and lenses by some rogue traders. I purchased an elmar 135mm from a London trader who claimed the lens was fungus free in the description. But when it arrived, I found there were fungus on the front element and then contacted the seller. However he refused to accept the fact until I presented photo evidence. He still refused to refund. And the ebay's protection procedure is very complex and lengthy. Previously, I also had experience with misleanding item decription, fungus lenses so and so. I think people need to be more cautious when buying on ebay, particularly those old stuff which could have a lot of hidden faults that will not easily show up in a couple of photos. A rule of thumb is to try to buy from ebayers who are specialised in certain areas, eg antigue cameras, leica, with plenty of feedbacks.

 

[ch1]

Now, more and more people are going to ebay to search for a bargin. But I do have mixed experience with eday. Sometimes, I am able to buy treasures but recently I find ebay is been used increasingly as the dumping ground of faulty cameras and lenses by some rogue traders. I purchased an elmar 135mm from a London trader who claimed the lens was fungus free in the description. But when it arrived, I found there were fungus on the front element and then contacted the seller. However he refused to accept the fact until I presented photo evidence. He still refused to refund. And the ebay's protection procedure is very complex and lengthy. Previously, I also had experience with misleanding item decription, fungus lenses so and so. I think people need to be more cautious when buying on ebay, particularly those old stuff which could have a lot of hidden faults that will not easily show up in a couple of photos. A rule of thumb is to try to buy from ebayers who are specialised in certain areas, eg antigue cameras, leica, with plenty of feedbacks.

To protect yourself. Always pay with PayPal via a credit card. Forget PayPal's refund system - if you get "cheated" you CC company will do a chargeback. They are really "hip" to this - particularly if you use an "internet-only" CC like I do.

BTW: Given my "rule" I do occassionally miss out on things where the seller does not accept PayPal. But as far as I am concerned my protection is worth "missing" the occassional "goodie".

 

[ywenz]

Did this seller have good feedback?

 

[bmattock]

I presume that anything I see on eBoy is at least two grades down from the description. If the seller calls it 'mint' or 'mint -', then I presume it is 'excellent -' or 'good +'. I bid accordingly.

I scoop up deals from time to time because of the gaps where others won't bid. Bad photos, bad descriptions, sellers with low feedback, those who won't take Paypal. These are the most shark-infested waters (also where idiot sellers tread) but when they don't know what they have or how to describe it properly, I sometimes get lucky.

I also get burned. eBoy is a risk/reward system. Sometimes you lose. Don't bet what you can't lose, wear your Big Boy pants.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[yossarian]

Did this seller have good feedback?

Please...Everybody on ebolay has good feedback. Dealers are favored in disputes because the site collects fees from them. Other than the method George mentioned,
you have no recourse.

Fred

 

[photocrazy]

eBay, dumping ground of faulty goods

Did this seller have good feedback?
_____________
Yes, he's built up several postive feedback. And this guy posted the lens with two pieces of buble wrap and in an envelop!!!!You can see the lens here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7608370143&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:UK:11

And below, you can see my photo.



I totally agree with bmattock that the conditions of old cameras are always overstated on ebay. I had a Voigtlander Bessa II with fungus lens and sticky shutter, a contax iiia with shutter totally unworking,... Mostly, I can get the refund. However, I find ebay is increasingly unworthwhile to buy old stuff unless we are seeking some hardly seen items and don't mind paying the restoration bill.

 

[kuvvy]

I've been fortunate (so far) that I've been pleased with everything I've purchased. I've done over 220 deal (some selling too) and just last week got a 90mm for my Contax G from a guy in the Netherlands and it arrived 'mint' as stated.

I am a little cautious though when reading the ads. Things like 'it worked 2 years ago but I've not tried it since' or 'don't know if it works as I have no battery to test it'.

They could of course be genuine but buying from people like this then you do take your chance. I mean assuming the correct battery is still available then surely the cost of replacing it, finding it all functions correctly will only increase their chance of a sale and a higher price.

Paul

 

[RJBender]

Now, more and more people are going to ebay to search for a bargin. But I do have mixed experience with eday. Sometimes, I am able to buy treasures but recently I find ebay is been used increasingly as the dumping ground of faulty cameras and lenses by some rogue traders. I purchased an elmar 135mm from a London trader who claimed the lens was fungus free in the description. But when it arrived, I found there were fungus on the front element and then contacted the seller. However he refused to accept the fact until I presented photo evidence. He still refused to refund. And the ebay's protection procedure is very complex and lengthy. Previously, I also had experience with misleanding item decription, fungus lenses so and so. I think people need to be more cautious when buying on ebay, particularly those old stuff which could have a lot of hidden faults that will not easily show up in a couple of photos. A rule of thumb is to try to buy from ebayers who are specialised in certain areas, eg antigue cameras, leica, with plenty of feedbacks.

Right, there are idiot sellers who don't know what they have, don't know if it works and yet they say their stuff is in great shape. Buying on eBay is riskier than ever. Getting burnt and hearing about others getting burnt makes people apprehensive about bidding.

The picture service eBay provides is the worst quality. There's not enough resolution to see diddly squat. Big pictures, follow-up emails after shipping the item and an 800 customer service phone number show that that seller is serious about your satisfaction and getting the highest bids for their stuff.

R.J.

 

[RObert Budding]

That's why I buy most of my used gear form KEH. But I do buy some things from eBay - with mixed results.

 

[Rayt]

I have given up on ebay. Too many bad experiences. Now I buy from KEH or buy new.

 

[mikeb380]

Please...Everybody on ebolay has good feedback. Dealers are favored in disputes because the site collects fees from them. Other than the method George mentioned,
you have no recourse.

Fred

Sorry, Fred, but that just isn't true. I bought a 250 mm russian lens which was "perfect", when I got it, it fell apart. I wrote two emails to the seller and got no response. I wrote to the Ebay dispute team and told them exactly what had happened. They refunded my money and I haven't seen that seller on line since. Yes, I had to send the lens to Calif ( but not to Russia from whence it came) but that was a lot less than the cost of the lens. Oh, yeah, I got my original shipping charge back also. If you go about it properly you can get a refund if the seller doesn't give what he promised. It is not loaded in favor of the seller, after all, if there are no buyers there won't be any sellers either. Go read and find out how to go about dealing with bad sellers.

Michael 😛

 

[RJBender]

Did this seller have good feedback?
_____________
Yes, he's built up several postive feedback. And this guy posted the lens with two pieces of buble wrap and in an envelop!!!!You can see the lens here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7608370143&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:UK:11

And below, you can see my photo.



I totally agree with bmattock that the conditions of old cameras are always overstated on ebay. I had a Voigtlander Bessa II with fungus lens and sticky shutter, a contax iiia with shutter totally unworking,... Mostly, I can get the refund. However, I find ebay is increasingly unworthwhile to buy old stuff unless we are seeking some hardly seen items and don't mind paying the restoration bill.

The seller listed this lens on April 1, cancelled all bids and ended the auction on April 8. The highest bid was £100.00

Check out the bid history:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30062&item=7605768021

Advanced search> Find items by seller>Include completed listings last 30 days gets you this:
http://cgi6.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI...clara257&include=0&rows=50&sort=3&completed=1

R.J.

 

[doubs43]

Ebay....... a somewhat constant topic on RFF but deserving of the attention, no doubt. One's perception of ebay will depend upon their experiences. In general, mine have been good in spite of a couple of disappointments.

I was just notified that a 1953 Leica Manual in very nice condition has been mailed to me today. It cost me 99 cents plus $4.50 shipping...... a bargain IMO.

There are a number of rules that should be followed when buying on ebay and I don't have the time now to list the ones I follow but perhaps the most important one is: KNOW YOUR EQUIPMENT AND WHAT YOU'RE BIDDING ON!! Sellers mis-identify their cameras and lenses all the time and that's where the deals can be found.

Walker

 

[photocrazy]

thanks, RJBENDER, for your inputs. I hope this thread could highlight the hidden traps of rogue traders on eBay. Most people are not expert on ebay but attracted to the chance of finding a bargin there. For things like old cameras, I do recommend people buy from established dealers.

 

[Uncle Bill]

Touch wood, I have been fortunate with Ebay. Any camera I have picked up has gone straight to my camera tech for an overhaul and this standard practice for me, same thing if I buy it at a local camera show. As for lenses, I have been batting a good record so far, I would stay with reputable sellers. The one thing I am wary of buying over Ebay is Leica gear, I would rather deal with a local seller and inspect the gear in person instead of by jpeg file. Expensive complex gear warrants special attention. There is that old saying out there Caveat Emptor (buyer beware).

Bill

 

[tenebrae]

Buying goods unseen and "long distance" is always a risk. And feedback rates don't mean much. If you have (had) a dispute and leave negative feedback for a seller, you can expect same in return. So, many a buyer (me included) often leaves it at that - giving no feedback, and leaving minor differences unsettled.

Nevertheless, I have picked up some very nice items along the way, for much less than I imagined possible...

 

[Les Lammers]

Did this seller have good feedback?
_____________
Yes, he's built up several postive feedback. And this guy posted the lens with two pieces of buble wrap and in an envelop!!!!You can see the lens here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7608370143&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:UK:11

And below, you can see my photo.



I totally agree with bmattock that the conditions of old cameras are always overstated on ebay. I had a Voigtlander Bessa II with fungus lens and sticky shutter, a contax iiia with shutter totally unworking,... Mostly, I can get the refund. However, I find ebay is increasingly unworthwhile to buy old stuff unless we are seeking some hardly seen items and don't mind paying the restoration bill.

Agreed, and I would inquire about the sellers retun policy too. Sometimes fungus will permanantly damage a lens. Try setting it in direct sunlight for a few days,

You just have to be careful on ehay. I do not agree that you must take a gambling
attitude though. When you see sold "AS IS" that is a red flag.

I hope you gave him the feedback he deserved. Personally, I factor in a CLA on all ehay purchases.

Les

 

[Paul T.]

What Copake Ham said - always use PayPal via a credit card, it saves you from going thru their arcane process.

It's hard to get a refund via Paypal if a product is faulty; I advise a company in one popular field, and counterfeits of their products turn up regularly on eBay - altho I've often emailed ebay, and written letter to buyers to help them get refunds, and still they've had problems, which is shameful - and is likely, ultimately, to land eBay with a major lawsuit.

Of course I don't condone this, but I have heard mentioned it's better, if the seller skimped on shipping as they so often do and didn't send it registered, to claim the item never arrived, rather than report it faulty, as this incurs an automatic refund.

One other rule eBay old hands adhere to is to have one ID for buying, and one for selling. That way you can never be held to ransom with the threat of retaliatiry feedback. Imperfect feedback ratings are only a problem for sellers, not for buyers.

 

[srtiwari]

To protect yourself. Always pay with PayPal via a credit card. Forget PayPal's refund system - if you get "cheated" you CC company will do a chargeback. They are really "hip" to this - particularly if you use an "internet-only" CC like I do.

Sounds like great advice. I now need to find a "Internet-only" CC company. Any recommendations ?

 

[RJBender]

Sounds like great advice. I now need to find a "Internet-only" CC company. Any recommendations ?

I think what George is saying is get a credit card to use for internet purchases only. If you ever have any serious problems you can always cancel the card.

Go to Amazon.com and pick out $30 in books. Then apply for their Visa card before you check out and get a $30 instant savings on your order. You will then have $30 in free books and a credit card you can use for internet purchases only.

R.J.