No More Auction Site

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Brooklynguy

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I guess it is nothing new, buyer beware stuff, but I've run into a slew of bad sellers on "That Auction Site" we all know.

Won an auction for a M5 described in "as new" condition with clean viewfinder, except it has visible haze and possibly fungus, meter is broken, and has some slight wear marks. Likely will have to fight it out with seller and seek auction site intervention.

A few months ago a Japanese seller sent me a "clean" LF lens with visible fungus. Bargain priced, Should have returned it but waited too long. Waste of $120, not a bargain.

Last year another seller seemed to think and aggressively argued that his Zeiss 25/2.8 ZM with bad/sticky helicoid was "excellent" condition, because yes, technically you could focus it. Was ultimately refunded $ but only after several back and forths. I wound up finding a clean copy at a better price from a reputable dealer.

The result: Unless I am dealing with Ken Hansen or one of the big shops with return policy, for me it's not worth the risks and headaches on that auction site.
 
i only get small stuff on eBay these days.
for new stuff i go local...the extra expense is worth it, not having to wait for delivery times, lost stuff etc.
 
You can't always trust dealers either. I bought a 50mm V2 Rigid Summicron from Setadel that was supposed to have perfect glass. In reality it had a 5mm band of separation the full circumference of the lens. After a couple of calls I did get the refund.

KEH sent a 400 f3.5 Nikkor Ex condition with multiple deep circular scratches in the front element roughly 3' in diameter. The mechanics were worn out and 40% of the paint was worn off.

Keh sent an Ex condition 200 f4 Nikkor that had obviously been dropped.

I bought a Nikkor 20mm f2.8 Ais from B&H in 8+ condition. When it arrived it was so worn the mechanics and focus rattled and 50% of the paint was worn off. The lens was totally worn out.

In each case I got my money back but no dealer is above sending junk out as excellent once in a while.
 
Brooklynguy said:
The result: Unless I am dealing with Ken Hansen or one of the big shops with return policy, for me it's not worth the risks and headaches on that auction site.
Click to expand...

A certain camera store has the slogan, "If you don't know cameras, know your camera dealer." Good advice, and today, one could do worse than to limit eBay purchases to know reliable sellers. I check their feedback. I particularly don't like to see, "The seller does not offer returns." eBay does have provision, though, for returning a defective item, even when the seller does not accept returns.

I just passed up a nice looking Rollei because the seller had zero feedback.
 
Brooklynguy said:
I guess it is nothing new, buyer beware stuff, but I've run into a slew of bad sellers on "That Auction Site" we all know.

Won an auction for a M5 described in "as new" condition with clean viewfinder, except it has visible haze and possibly fungus, meter is broken, and has some slight wear marks. Likely will have to fight it out with seller and seek auction site intervention.

A few months ago a Japanese seller sent me a "clean" LF lens with visible fungus. Bargain priced, Should have returned it but waited too long. Waste of $120, not a bargain.

Last year another seller seemed to think and aggressively argued that his Zeiss 25/2.8 ZM with bad/sticky helicoid was "excellent" condition, because yes, technically you could focus it. Was ultimately refunded $ but only after several back and forths. I wound up finding a clean copy at a better price from a reputable dealer.

The result: Unless I am dealing with Ken Hansen or one of the big shops with return policy, for me it's not worth the risks and headaches on that auction site.
Click to expand...
What is this site you speak of?
Like Voldemort, we dare not speak its name?
I've never understood this tendency by many people not to call it what it is. evil bay. The bay. Meh.
It's called eBay.
I'm sure you won't be struck by lightning if you say the word (or even type it on the web).
 
Can't blame the 'auction site' for these issues really. I've had excellent success buying and selling since 1999 personally.

I did have a tool buy a 'as-is' X700 this past Spring. Explained the issue the camera experienced, included a link to a youtube video showing the issue. He bought the camera then filed a report stating I misrepresented the item. Long story short, it was easier to just refund the price and let him keep it. I can't let one fool spoil the process for me :)
 
I'm seeing this more and more on listings, not just on the auction site but at trusted places like KEH and B&H, where an item is listed in "excellent" or better condition, then with a note like: "faulty shutter" or "Light meter inoperable". If the camera doesn't work as designed, how the heck can it be in "excellent" condition?

Best,
-Tim
 
There are deals on ebay along with an enormous amount of junk. Recently, I picked up a pristine Elmar 50mm f2.8 screw mount with caps and case for $105.
 
Sarcophilus Harrisii said:
What is this site you speak of?
Like Voldemort, we dare not speak its name?
I've never understood this tendency by many people not to call it what it is. evil bay. The bay. Meh.
It's called eBay.
I'm sure you won't be struck by lightning if you say the word (or even type it on the web).
Click to expand...

I've been calling them EvilBay and PaynPal for years for a reason.

nuff said.

B2 (;->
 
Buying and selling for more than 10 years. No issues here. Be careful and look and what you are being offered. I think the worst think you could do is think you can get a great deal without risk. Look at what you are being offered. Ask questions, ask for additional photos. If the seller don't answer you emails before buying, think he/she will after the sale? Like everything else on life, no free lunches here; if something sounds too good to be true, it often is.


Be careful and do your homework.

Regards

Marcelo
 
Timmyjoe said:
I'm seeing this more and more on listings, not just on the auction site but at trusted places like KEH and B&H, where an item is listed in "excellent" or better condition, then with a note like: "faulty shutter" or "Light meter inoperable". If the camera doesn't work as designed, how the heck can it be in "excellent" condition?

Best,
-Tim
Click to expand...

This is because many people only want them to display in their studio.
 
I have both bought and sold on Ebay for years. I have never had a bad experience.
Recently I took a chance on a 0 feedback seller, and was the only bidder on a Minty M2 w/Leitz lens.
I asked a lot of questions and got a good response.
I think that is the key in case you have to call for a return when the item is not as described.
 
I've had more trouble with buyers who confuse "excellent condition" with "brand new in box" than with sellers. I recently sold a lens and the buyer left neutral feedback more than two months after the sale claiming dust in the lens without ever contacting me for a refund.
 
I've bought and sold numerous times and been fortunate not to have problems. Rarely buy very much there now though.
Worst person I've dealt with has been here at RFF:(
 
Not to be defending anyone, but you can still get burned on used equipment bought at a brick-and-mortar store. I worked in a camera store in college and we just didn't have the time or equipment to fully test every camera/lens/accessory brought in as used. As someone said, know what you're looking at and, if possible, who you're buying from. A good returns policy, even a 30, 60 or 90 warranty, goes a long way.
 
I wasn't going to chime in on this, but decided to add a bit. I've been on ebay for 15+ years with mostly good experiences. A few rotten tomatoes, but only a few. Most were resolved peacefully. That being said, in today's mail a really nice Zenobia w/Neo Hespar showed up and all seems to work properly. Now I am glowing again ;).
 
I stopped ebay a few years ago. I quite understand that there are good people on ebay, and I've had a number of positive experiences (Its where I got my very nice Zorki-C), but I had plenty of bad experiences, too. The bad experiences easily outweigh the good ones. I find it easiest to just avoid the site.

The last one was quite unpleasant and unresolved even though people (even here at RFF) kept telling me ebay would make it right, and that ebay favours buyers. Well, I searched high and low and could not find a way to contact ebay to ask for help. Someone here at RFF finally gave me a phone number (thank you) but that didn't help either. I don't remember exactly why, but I don't think ever reached a human to ask for help. The seller was deceitful and abusive:mad:, and I now have a paperweight and bad taste in my mouth. That was the last bad experience. There were others before that.

Even though I don't do ebay anymore, I should acknowledge that blanket policies are rarely appropriate. So, if there was a seller I know and trust with an item I want, I could see myself making that transaction. But, usually those known and trusted people are here at RFF and I have no need to use ebay.;)
 
I've only had issues as a seller with dishonest buyers damaging items or claiming they want a return/refund because a decades-old camera/lens has some slight dust inside, or wear on the finish, etc., despite my thorough and careful description. We all make mistakes but I have had my share of this kind of deceit. On the other hand, I have also had very nice buyers that were understanding when I made an honest mistake and I of course fixed it.

Ironically, I seem to often see items described as "my grandfathers camera, I have no idea how to use it," selling for obnoxious prices that are comparable to dealers. I don't get it sometimes.

I've had more luck on Facebook groups recently, both buying and selling (as well as an occasional trade which is nice).

I don't understand the posts like above. It is like 3 button presses* to request a refund. If they refuse you can say the item is "not as described." That's how buyers have forced me to take refunds on items they have clearly damaged. I talked to eBay about it and they told me straight out that there's no way I can prove such a thing so they wouldn't do anything for me.

*Go to eBay and click My eBay, click "Purchase History" on the left, find the item, and on the right side under "Leave Feedback" there's an option that says "More Actions" - click that and click "Return Item. Okay that's 4 clicks, sorry.
 
The best one I had was a summicron lens that arrived with the aperture ring jammed solid and when I contacted the seller he told me it was fine when it left the US and the conditions in Australia had obviously caused the problem. lol :D
 
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