Ebay's treasures....

chikne

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Jun 22, 2006
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Hi,

just a little rant on that matter, feel free to comment =)

I've just received a Summilux 50 2nd version. It was described as very good with slight marks on the front element, when I got it, it was hard to miss that there was oil that has hardened on the blades as well as a very long cleaning mark nearly all around the front element, it's at the very edge though so I don't think it should pose a lot of problems.

I can't help but think what if someone had bought it for a much higher sum than what I paid for, sometimes new ebayers get excited and enter very high prices on things. Worse thing of all is that the guy apparently owns a camera museum....
 
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Well, I was just checking that lens again and noticed that at apertures smaller than f8, the shape formed by the blades doesn't seem to be very circular because the blades themselves are very sticky.
Does anyone know if this is actually a normal behaviour on that lens, and if not, will that cause problems on the pictures or not? Also can this defect be resolved by servicing the lens?

Thanks a lot.
 
Ebay as IMHO is a retail store without guarantees. For small items not problem. But, for larger items I keep off that site. I have done better with retail dealers or this site.
 
Steve Bellayr said:
Ebay as IMHO is a retail store without guarantees. For small items not problem. But, for larger items I keep off that site. I have done better with retail dealers or this site.
Usually true, but in my case I bought my ZI from a dealer often recommended in this forum.
 
I've never had any problems with ebay. I just bought a 'cron 50mm f2 with hood, filter, both caps and everything is in a LN range from keh for 540 with shipping...
 
Politely and clearly describing the problem goes a long way towards the seller doing something about it. Asking for a partial refund for an item that is not as described is not out of the realm of being reasonable.
 
The only time I had a problem with camera equipment, the seller refunded the cost of repair. He was very reasonable about it. I sent him a polite email, didn't accuse him of "lying", just stated the problem and what I thought would be an equitable solution. He agreed, and I got a check in the mail promptly.

Sometimes, legitimately, sellers stumble upon items of value that they genuinely don't know much about, and don't know what to look for. To their eye it looks fine.
 
There are unbelievably good deals and awful deals to be found on eBay every day.

You're buying from individual sellers, you're not buying from "eBay". It's not a homogenous entity. There are thousands of non-hobbyist people who find things, don't know what they are or how to describe them, and just throw them up for sale. This can be a huge opportunity or a trap for those who do not know how to discern what kind of a seller they are dealing with.

If you're capable of comprehending the nuances and cues of buying on eBay you can do fantastically well.

If you're not capable of sussing this, or if you're somewhat baffled by computers and doing research on the "internet", then it's not for you and you should realize your limitations.

For example, I often read posts by people who are not capable of finding an address or a telephone number or a fact which can be found in 3 seconds with a simple Google search. Or those that cannot identify a spoof email. Or don't read the rules before using PayPal or other payment services, or get tricked into bizarre payment schemes. This sort of person should not be buying anything expensive on eBay.

You have to be able to research prices, identify what you are looking at, have some acumen at using search engines, etc, and have some comprehension of how to do same online.

There are many who are adept at this and can use eBay very successfully. Others, baffled, have a few bad experiences and bitterly condemn "eBay" as if eBay was the culprit for their lack of buying skills.

For those that can't master it, it is far wiser to use professional dealers to buy your used goods.

You pay a premium, or even higher than market price, but the dealer has pre-selected the good items for you, guarantees them, and keeps you out of the realm of uncertainty when it comes to payment, sending money, etc.

Some people are instinctive wheelers and dealers and some are not. You should recognize your limits and act accordingly, rather than make blanket condemnations of eBay, etc.
 
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Do you own ebay? 🙂
I just bought a medium format camera from a reputable online dealer and paid way less than I would have on ebay any day AND it comes with a return policy. AND i know it's going to be a working rig.



M. Valdemar said:
There are unbelievably good deals and awful deals to be found on eBay every day.

You're buying from individual sellers, you're not buying from "eBay". It's not a homogenous entity. There are thousands of non-hobbyist people who find things, don't know what they are or how to describe them, and just throw them up for sale. This can be a huge opportunity or a trap for those who do not know how to discern what kind of a seller they are dealing with.

If you're capable of comprehending the nuances and cues of buying on eBay you can do fantastically well.

If you're not capable of sussing this, or if you're somewhat baffled by computers and doing research on the "internet", then it's not for you and you should realize your limitations.

For example, I often read posts by people who are not capable of finding an address or a telephone number or a fact which can be found in 3 seconds with a simple Google search. Or those that cannot identify a spoof email. Or don't read the rules before using PayPal or other payment services, or get tricked into bizarre payment schemes. This sort of person should not be buying anything expensive on eBay.

You have to be able to research prices, identify what you are looking at, have some acumen at using search engines, etc, and have some comprehension of how to do same online.

There are many who are adept at this and can use eBay very successfully. Others, baffled, have a few bad experiences and bitterly condemn "eBay" as if eBay was the culprit for their lack of buying skills.

For those that can't master it, it is far wiser to use professional dealers to buy your used goods.

You pay a premium, or even higher than market price, but the dealer has pre-selected the good items for you, guarantees them, and keeps you out of the realm of uncertainty when it comes to payment, sending money, etc.

Some people are instinctive wheelers and dealers and some are not. You should recognize your limits and act accordingly, rather than make blanket condemnations of eBay, etc.
 
Yes, but your dealer had to get it from somewhere. Maybe he bought it on eBay.

(If I owned eBay I would be basking on my private island with 100 nude female attendants, not posting here)
 
M. Valdemar said:
Yes, but your dealer had to get it from somewhere. Maybe he bought it on eBay.

(If I owned eBay I would be basking on my private island with 100 nude female attendants, not posting here)

Doesnt matter... I trust THIS seller and know that it wouldnt be sold by them as working if it wasnt. He would tell me that it is a non working or parts camera if it was so.

So maybe your an ebay investor......? 🙂
 
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