Is this worth £500?

[john neal]

Hi,

I have been offered a deal on a M$ body plus 35mm f2 Summicron (pre asp) for £500. I have checked and neither serial is reported as missing to Leica AG - the seller had no hesitation in providing the serials.

I would appreciate your input as to whether this is a good deal - the body looks OK, there are a couple of bright marks on the drop-down flap on the back, but otherwise no obvious dings or marks. The lens looks to be good and clean, but I have not worked out exactly which version it is, only that it is pre asp and around 1987.

One thing that worries me slightly is that, while the camera is supposed to be in the UK, the seller wants me to make a bank transfer to Latvia - anyone come across that before & if so, did it work?

I know the old saw goes "if it seems to good to be true, it probably is" so I'm just a bit nervous.

Any thoughts?

 

[RubenBlaedel]

what is a M$ model ??
I have the pre Asph summicron and It will be the last lens i part with of all my 24x36 lenses

I would not - not make a transfer to latvia for a cemera in UK - this one should be playd safe - paypal with a warrenty for succes!

He could have the series number of any camera from ebay - and they would of cause not show up stolen

And if the M$ is an M6 the deal is to sweet to be tru - the price should be at least 8-900 £

so I would not buy - sorry

 

[laptoprob]

That M$ will be M4 I guess, caps on!
Never pay strange ways like that. Always ask for affirmation or known bank contacts when paying in an unknown way, but rather do not at all. There are many verified ways of paying, paypal being one.
How did you come across this deal? I unmasked some similar deals on a site in Holland, see the Scams part of the forum.

Browse ahead! Rob.

 

[kbg32]

M7. He left the caps key on.

 

[former member]

If the camera is in the UK, why does the seller want to be paid in Latvia? An M4 should gor for ~$1,000 or more.

I would not pay by bank transfer unless this guy is a trusted source.

 

[thmk]

I'd stay away and keep looking for another chance from a more trustworthy source. This one seems kinda strange to me.

 

[john neal]

Sorry - yes M4 (caps lock). It's an ebay auction that should have sold at £620, but that bidder pulled out, so I have a 2nd chance offer.

I'm getting more nervous by the minute - the seller has provided bank details in Latvia with a different name to the seller. I have offered to pay by personal cheque n the UK and paypal (which was the method offered on the auction). In addition, he has no history on the bay, having only registered last week for this sale.

I would expect a good Summicron to be around £450+ in a dealer, possibly a bit less on the bay, and the body should be £400 up, depending on condition, so £500 all up is a bit too good - even £620 is very good unless someone is really desperate.

In the description, he says he is selling off the cameras that he hardly uses, to go digital. I have a couple of questions about that - why is he not putting in a PX deal - he could get a real good deal for the combined value from any dealer. Second if that is the case, why does he want me to pay someone else in Latvia?

I have asked him to respond to these questions and will think very hard before I agree to buy - I would even go so far as to offer him a face to face meeting to exchange cash for the goods to test his position (OK it would cost me £100 to drive to meet him, but it would still be worth it for kit in good condition). I would not be daft enough to go alone - would take a couple of pals from the rugby club along for the fun.

Any other thoughts would be most welcome.

 

[sockdaddy]

This is most definately a scam - STAY AWAY

 

[keeds]

If it's too good to be true..... It's too good to be true!!!

 

[denishr]

It's a scam - NEVER go for the 2nd chance offers!!! Particularly with first time sellers!
God, how can you even consider buying anyting from a first time seller on ebay? Payment to Latvia, of all places? Could as well be on the dark side of the Moon....
Now, if the item was located in your neighbourhood, with a first-time seller, and you could inspect the item beforehand, I'd say go for it.... But this way....
Just to help you for any future purchases, this one has ALL the "SCAM" alarms ringing:
1) First time seller - not necessarily a scam (everyone had to make a first sale once), but if it's a high profile item (expensive), going cheap, STAY AWAY!

2) "Second chance" offers - nor really by ebay rules, and better passed - although there may be honest sellers trying to do such stuff, I'd never accept such offer, even if the winner really passed on the deal. In such cases, honest sellers just relist the item.

3) "Too good to be true" - enough has already been said about it. Now, if a Leica M4 was listed as "old camera, not working, missing some parts", the price you quoted would be realistic for ebay... 🙂

4) Suspicious payment instructions - for more expensive items, always pay only by PayPal using your credit card - if anything goes wrong, you're protected by laws against credit card frauds, and also you still have the time to cancel the payment with your credit card company - or so I've heard that it works like that in USA....

5) Item listed as being in one country, with payment to another (or some similar scheme) - again raises suspicions, better pass such auctions...

Well, at least you asked for advice here.... which also helps - usually everyone will jump in to tell you to stay away. I've also read loads of similar stories on photo.net.... That's why I NEVER buy anything really expensive on ebay any more.

In the future, if you have any qualms about an auction, just ask here for advice 🙂

Regards,

Denis

 

[ray_g]

The only way I would buy this is if I can see and inspect the M4 and lens. I doubt he will agree. Definitely smells of a scam.

 

[Doug]

I would agree with a face-to-face transaction, cash or some other secure instrument for him, and for you an opportunity to inspect the camera.

I did this very thing with a first-time seller, item in the $1200 range, no pictures or detailed description... but he was 90 minutes drive away. I carried along a cashier's check for the exact amount and met him at his place of work. It turned out very well for me, and I hope he was satisfied as well.

I'd think it worth your while to make the trip to see the camera in persons. If he's agreeable to that, and provides a verifiable contact address (not 'meet you under the south end of the bridge'!), then it might go well. Good luck!

 

[john neal]

Thanks for your input guys - the responses from the seller are getting shorter and carry less information each time.

If I can't arrange an inspection of the goods, I will not buy.

 

[john neal]

Just to let you all know that I did not get any answers to my questions - just a bald "that's the way I want it".

Guess what? No sale!!

You may want to watch out for a seller called "stormados"

 

[Canon Junkie]

scam for sure... i agree on buying from first time sellers only if you can do a face to face...