Internet Purchases

impact07

impact07

Mayor McCheese
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Joined
Dec 15, 2004
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I take it that some here have purchased equipment over the internet, but not someshere like eBay. For instance someone ofering for sale on this board or Photo.net etc.

My question is, how do you work this to avoid getting the shaft? At least on eBay there is a system in place to try and keep you safe. Have you bought anything this way, and if so how did you work it?

Thanks.
 
I've bought plenty off another forum that I go to. $400 for a set of wheels was the most I've spent on a forum board deal.

Usually I check out the person selling a little bit. Check their post count, how long they've been a member. Especially trustworthy folks will offer up their eBay ID so you can check their history a little more. Some will even give address and phone numbers up front.

But ultimately it comes down to trust. I'd buy from you, Christopher, but would you buy from me?
 
I buy only from ebay sellers that have an established number of sales with a decent feedback number. As far as here on the RFF goes, I can't think of anyone here that I wouldn't buy from (except for someone that shows up with only 1 post and that post is selling something at an incredible price).
I guess it comes down to trust, I haven't heard of any bad deals happening here.

Todd
 
I have bought and sold lots on Ebay. Stick with guaranteed gear
(or expect to fix it) from someone with plenty of feedback...
I expect anything bought from any of the regulars here on RFF
would a smooth transaction.. I have only bought 1 item on Photonet but was very pleased with it. If its a rangefinder item
you seek, let folks here know, they probably have one!
Rob
 
Re: Internet Purchases

impact07 said:
I take it that some here have purchased equipment over the internet, but not someshere like eBay. For instance someone ofering for sale on this board or Photo.net etc.

My question is, how do you work this to avoid getting the shaft?
Click to expand...

Most of my buying experience has been from ebay but IMO you are likely to be safe with most posters here who have been on the board for any length of time. Most - if not all - members here are concerned more for their reputations than for a few dollars, Euros or what have you.

Of course, when you buy privately, you'll want to work out the details via email directly with the seller or buyer.

I recently purchased two Russian rangefinder cameras from a member here and I was 100% satisfied.

Walker
 
Cristopher, lately I've ONLY been buying from RFF members (and some smaller stuff from photo.net).
I feel MUCH more secure than on eBay. After all, I've been here for a while, and I feel I really got to know people here on RFF, and wouldn't hesitate a second to buy anything from any of those I know around here. This forum is exceptional in that it is extremely friendly, good-natured, and above all, helpful.
As one of the members said recently, we should have our own RFF currency :) - we seem to be constantly buying from each other.

On another note, I'm much more confident buying here, not only because I trust people here, but because I know that the descriptions of the gear are accurate, and that the gear is being sold by a person who actually used it - unlike ebay, which is a total gamble (e.g. "don't know if it works, or what it's used for" type of sellers).

If you've been here a while, and if you've read our posts, you surely got a pretty clear idea of the people who come here...

Still, reasonable precautions should be advised when dealing with new or unregistered users here, I guess. Some guys often either just post a for-sale ad on as many forums as they can, or get registered here for the sole purpose of selling some gear, and we never hear from them again (just my opinion, which might not be correct...).

In short, I feel much safer buying from members of the RFF!
I'd also prefer buying from photo.net Leica forum members than from eBay. In fact, I did just that on several occasions.

OTOH, I feel quite at home here on RFF. I feel these guys (and gals!) are my old friends - we have our "insider jokes", and generally, this forum for me is something of a meeting place, where I hang out with the people I like and know.

Oh, yes - and I live in Croatia, on top of everything :) - it doesn't get more risky than that, if you're suspecting someone's trying to shaft you....

Denis
 
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i have bought & sold gear here with no problems or complaints.
i agree with what has posted so far.
we 'know' each other, items are described accurately so no surprises. prices are generally fair if not generous. heck, we have given away gear!
this is like an international club for the regular contributors and membership does have it's privleges.
i think most of us even send out gear at the same time that the payment is sent, so no added length for delivery times.

this is a great place with lots of great people.

joe
 
Totally true. If someones a regular poster here, I'd trust them completely. I feel real kinship with my RFF friends and would buy/sell without apprehension.
~ ; - )
BTW - Anyone looking to buy a user Ricoh 500G (photos available)
 
Like Chris above, I've purchased a fairly nice amount of stuff from people in other forums and I've never gotten a raw deal. I don't go totally blind into the transaction: I ask several questions before, try to make some kind of rapport, see if the dealer is forthcoming with answers and information and then, by gut feeling, I propose a deal. So far... so good. Of course, it helps when you see the dealer is an active participant and contributor in the forum; in other words, I wouldn't buy from people who just joined the forum and have only one or two posts to their credit. unless their correspondence with me showed that they're well informed.

The RF market is relatively small; except for a few scoundrels trying to rip off amateur photographers on eBay, those who buy or sell RF cameras aren't out trying to swindle you. Don't assume it's all the same: for those who want to trade with big, expensive SLR glass, life can be a little tougher.

Now... I'd buy from anyone in this board. As Dennis says, we're friends here!
 
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Here on RFF I just check the post count and how long the seller has been a member. I wouldn't buy anything from a new member, but otherwise I think I'd trust everyone here.

When I buy something from another Swede I'm usually satisfied with verified contact information and a phone call. Most of the times I know someone living close by who can pick the item up for me.

I haven't bought anything from eBay.


edit: typo
 
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Biber, you must be the last of the Mohican never have bought off eBay! I admir your strength. :)
 
I sold a bit and bought a lot on ebay. Over the years several thousands of Euro. I also look at the feedback statistic of a seller and looking for higher priced photo equipment I mainly trade with commercial sellers. They have a 14-day money back guarantee and often 1 year warranty for used goods. That is a plus of european law. The VAT thing is another story :( Up to now I had no problems returning 4 or 5 lenses which did not meet the description of their condition (even to private sellers). But with commercial sellers you are definitely on a safer side.
 
I have bought most of my stuff from local camera stores or from eBay. I bought my current Elmar-M from a photo.net member at a ridiculous price last year and it was just 2 months old. That was probably my best transaction. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from members I know here.
 
Walker mentioned reputations, also alluded to by others. A regular participant of the forum, RFF or Photo.net, would ruin his reputation with one or more bad transactions. Besides, as also has been said, we become friends, and friends don't shaft friends! We make sure both parties are satisfied, and prices are often lower.

I've bought some on eBay, and there's often some level of concern about how the transaction will turn out. Once I thought I'd been cheated when I took the risk of accepting an outside-of-eBay offer from a seller and the lens took forever to arrive. But in general if you're careful it usually goes well.

I've also bought a couple of things from forum members, and sold too, and the level of trust is higher. Even to the point of sending the item before the money is received.
 
Nikon Bob said:
Never bought off EBay but prefer to deal face to face.
Click to expand...
Sometimes you can do both, Bob! My biggest eBay transaction was when I had a Feedback rating of about 5, and the seller had zero. He was selling a Pentax 67 body with 45mm and 300mm lenses, 2x doubler, LowePro backpack, misc filters etc. Weird package, all like-new. But no pictures. Auction ended at 1 AM on a Tuesday, and I stayed up to catch the deal at a killer price.

So, lots of defects in the auction to keep the price down, but the guy was located only 90 minutes drive away. We arranged to meet at his work, and I brought a cashiers check, looked the gear over, loaded the camera, took a snapshot of the seller, and the deal was done!
 
I think what is most important is that we respect each other. There is a risk involved in any of these transactions, but less if you deal with someone you have a relationship with and feel/know you can trust. I would always say too, don't enter into any transaction you are not 100% comfortable with. By hanging around here we see lots of swapping and stuff going on. If you can't form a favorable opinion about a member, or everyone for that matter, it is best to not do business with them. In the mean time, as long as we continue to be honest with and considerate toward each other we will be fine.
 
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