Ever chance it?

pesphoto

pesphoto

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Just wondering......Ive come across a camera on ebay with no bids and one day left. Minimum bid would be $1.00 with $8 shipping. The seller has a less than stellar history which probably accounts for no bids. He doesnt say anything about the camera NOT functioning(of course), but doesn't offer money back. Ever taken a chance and had it actually be a functioning camera or is it pretty likely it will be a dud? It's a fixed lens rangefinder that is pretty popular.
 
i have bought a couple of cameras in this manner - found in some obscure list - and have been content with the purchase - but these were less than $20 total .

dee
 
I can't seem to pull the trigger yet. I'll watch it till tomorrow morning to see if anyone bids. If so, Im out. If not I may jump. I sent th eseller a question so I'll see if I get a response. Anyone else tried this?
 
I have done it a few times when the price is right. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. Just recently I lost in small way. I bid about 15 bucks on a Pentax Spotmatic mainly for the lens it had on it which I wanted. I had bid on it a few weeks before and lost and now it was being re auctioned. I asked why and the seller made some excuse about the previous buyer being in China and him refusing to send it there. (I figure the previous buyer actually returned it) When it arrived it was pretty stuffed and not totally as described but I figured that for 15 bucks and not too much postage I could probably live with it and at least use it for spare parts. (dont sweat the small stuff, right!) The lens I wanted was not in top condition either (sticky diaphragm) but may be able to be reconditioned for not very much cost if I really want. One thing I will not do however is bid on stuff where the seller only accepts payment by credit card / cheque. I reccently saw a nice looking lens in Europe, going cheap with no bids. As it was a lens I wanted and the bidder had reasonable feedback I very nearly bid until I realised he did not accpet paypal. Decided that if it were not a scam it was certainly too much trouble to bother (even though it was a Nikon 20mm wide angle for $100 instead of the normal $400.)
 
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Look at it this way: $10 is a roll of film and less than processing. Plenty of times I've ruined a roll of film and thrown at 20 or more prints. The total: $25. A $10 gamble isn't bad. I gambled on and OM-10 once for $7 & lost. Another time I gambled $20 on an Agfa Karat & it came out perfect. That's why they call it gambling.
 
$9 isn't a bad price even for a parts camera imo. Especially if it's a popular brand like you state. If it's a dud you might come across a good one some day and a good parts camera might come in handy. Then again you may get the camera and only find you need only replace the light seals. That happened to me on my Yashica GSN. The GSN is mint condition and I find I love the little jewel. So your gonna have to think about it and decide for yourself. But if your luck is like mine on most of my great finds:rolleyes: , there is usually someone else watching too that wants it more than I do, but usually I find myself releived that I lost.
 
Yes... I usually watch what's going on and if I bid it'll be very near the close of the auction. I'll spend this time looking at prices for the item elsewhere for comparison, checking eBay completed auctions, and pondering whether I really "need" it!

So it depends somewhat on the behavior of other bidders if any. If someone makes 13 bids in 15 minutes at $10 increments, I'll usually figure it's not worth getting involved in a bidding war. Low price, no other bidders, low feedback score... yes, I'm careful but I've gotten some real bargains that way.

Example: Lightly used Pentax 645NII with 75mm, film insert, caps, manual, carry bag; newby seller way at the other side of the country, one small photo, poor description, starting price $800 with a Buy-It-Now of $1400. Tick tick tick time is running out, 0 bids, so after a couple days of eyeballing it I bid in the final minute and get it for the starting price plus $20 shipping. When it arrived, it was like new. Lucked out that time.
 
I've gotten some good deals that way, though I paid more. For $8 I'd go for it, especially if it would be useful as a parts camera or a sacrificial lamb for improving camera repair knowledge and skills.
 
My understanding is that the auction can be edited and terms changed until there's a bid, then it gets more limited. After the first bid, then I think you can only clarify the terms, add more description, etc, and these show up as boxed notes.
 
Yes, the seller can do that as long as the item has no bids and some time prior to auction end. Here's my example...an item was up with a starting bid of $29.99 and no buy it now. I marked it but didn't bid. I received a relist notice, looked at it again and bidding was closed...it was purchased with a buy it now of $299.

Sometimes he who hesitates is lost and that's the nature of the game.
 
So instead of asking my questions I should have just put in say a $2.00 bid, waited it out and taken my chance.
 
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pesphoto said:
Ever taken a chance and had it actually be a functioning camera or is it pretty likely it will be a dud? It's a fixed lens rangefinder that is pretty popular.
Click to expand...

Plenty of times, I just bid what I'd pay for a parts camera and let the cards fall.

I'd be more worried about the sellers history of delivering.
 
There was a Nikon F4s on ebay a few months ago...it was missing the back door, MB-21 and DP-20 Viewfinder...seller wasn't sure about the camera's history so it was as-is...I watched the auction and was a bit sad finding out too late that it had ended...but with NO bids...the seller relisted it...starting price $89.00...
I have a F4 with the upgraded MB-23 and MF-23 Multi-Control Back...so I have the parts missing for this camera just sitting in the closet...
I figure if it works great if not I have plenty of parts for my F4...
Again, I watch the auction and with a few hours left I place my bid and walk away...later that day I check in and find that "I won"...
No one else bid and my max bid was just $91.00...
When it arrived I checked it out and EVERYTHING WORKS!!!
Now all I would need is a viewfinder...I find a DW-20 Waist-Level Finder Brand New in the box for $60.00
Sweetest part of this deal...serial #250xxxx on the F4...
 
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