Rocky Cameras

Thanks for the new replies.

Still the odd good review, just as on one of the links posted by Steve M.

I'm wondering why, if soem people have such service and product that they can give good reviews, why doesn't rocky cameras manage to do this more often?
 
seany65 said:
Thanks for the new replies.

Still the odd good review, just as on one of the links posted by Steve M.

I'm wondering why, if soem people have such service and product that they can give good reviews, why doesn't rocky cameras manage to do this more often?
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He probably does not assess the value and quality of his goods at all, but is merely shifting items presumably bought as broken or damaged, with a generic description that ignores the state of the individual item regardless whether good or bad. If you know about these conditions (by now most frequent ebay buyers will do so), it is a gamble - as he does not do any assessment, you can occasionally run into bargains. But the way he is presenting his goods, with generic photographs and descriptions that don't say a word about the condition of the actual item at hand, you cannot tell before you actually get it.
 
I met him at a camera show, talked about cameras and had a look at some of his stock.

I was unconvinced and did not buy. There were some interesting bits buts but I felt neither relaxed nor confident.
 
He is a regular trader at the Wolverhampton Camera Fair, UK. I have bought several items from him at the fair - no problems. He seems like a nice guy and is always decent to people who try to sell him stuff.
 
sevo said:
He probably does not assess the value and quality of his goods at all, but is merely shifting items presumably bought as broken or damaged, with a generic description that ignores the state of the individual item regardless whether good or bad. If you know about these conditions (by now most frequent ebay buyers will do so), it is a gamble - as he does not do any assessment, you can occasionally run into bargains. But the way he is presenting his goods, with generic photographs and descriptions that don't say a word about the condition of the actual item at hand, you cannot tell before you actually get it.
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Agreed, but are you confusing «generic?, and «genuine» perhaps?

I find it worth mentioning that «Rocky» shows at least one obviously actual picture of each of their items.

(Unlike e.g. «KEH» where even items in the USD 500 + category sometimes have a picture with such a description: «does not show not the actual item».)

I've drawn some samples, and I've seen that «Rocky» doesn't care whether or not their items look like out of the dumpster. The buyers can see that clearly, I'd presume.

Hence I'm not convinced that «Rocky» would be a «crook».

I'm rather inclined to guess that many bargain hunters, having overdrawn expectations, are disappointed then that the item they've bought is NOT a bargain.
 
radi(c)al_cam said:
Agreed, but are you confusing «generic?, and «genuine» perhaps?

I find it worth mentioning that «Rocky» shows at least one obviously actual picture of each of their items.
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Does he? In my case the illustration was of completely paint covered and not bent hood, but what I received apparently had been through a crusher and had long lost most of its paint - the more friendly interpretation would be that he uses generic images (the less friendly would be that he ships other things than he photographs).
 
sevo said:
Does he? In my case the illustration was of completely paint covered and not bent hood, but what I received apparently had been through a crusher and had long lost most of its paint - the more friendly interpretation would be that he uses generic images (the less friendly would be that he ships other things than he photographs).
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Hm, are we all talking about the very same «Rocky»? Not in the USA, but somewhere in Dorset UK?

I was talking about this one where I drew some random samples:

http://www.rockycameras.com/index.asp?function=SITEMAP
 
sevo said:
Yes. Mind, he might be making individual photographs of higher value items, and only use generics in case of some 15€ item, like mine...
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Hm. Perhaps, they've changed their policy, and meanwhile, they show genuine pictures even of the cheapest items?

I now was looking for Minolta SR-T 101, price range your EUR 15 approximately, and each time it is a completely different picture, showing lot of dents, blemishes etc. etc., hence I'd say, quite certainly a genuine depiction of the actual item:

http://www.rockycameras.com/minolta-srt101-slr-camera-----1299-15509-p.asp

http://www.rockycameras.com/minolta----srt101-slr-camera-1499-28358-p.asp

http://www.rockycameras.com/minolta-srt101-slr-camera------------------1499-30006-p.asp

http://www.rockycameras.com/minolta-srt101-slr-camera--inst-------1799-35329-p.asp

http://www.rockycameras.com/minolta-srt101-slr-camera-cased-cw-28mm-wide-angle-lens-1999-37069-p.asp
 
johannielscom said:
Now that we've all been warned extensively, following your reasoning we should see a thread with happy Rocky Camera buyers materialise anytime soon, either here or elsewhere.

I'm not holding my breath for that though.
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Well, you could read e.g. Monz's post (#24).

edit: and Kenzie's post, #19.
 
I bought a couple of cheap FD lenses from him several years ago.

Never received anything, and ever since I've avoided like the plague, and as is seen here it doesn't take much looking to come up with people who've had similar bad experiences.

There's a chance they've improved in the meantime, but I'm not in a hurry to find out.
 
If Rocky cameras really is a 'one man band' and he has all of that stock, I wouldn't be surprised at the use of generic pics and descriptions.

AS radi (c)al cam says, KEH use generic images. I was actually put off buying from them because of that. Though they have go a lot of stock, but a simple little digital camera would suffice to do a proper set of pics for each item.

It would be almost 'sad' (in the original meaning) if he/they have had a change of policy without making a big deal of it on the front page, 'cos people will only be going off the effect of the old policy.
 
Why take the risk given the feedback, use something like RFF classifieds or a brick and mortar store where you can take things back.
 
It looks like Rocky no longer offers Paypal on his web site. Perhaps they dont like the number of refunds they have to process? He is now on Guntree https://www.gumtree.com/sellerads/1174029035?page=1 selling gear at a number of locations in southern England.
I post this because he recently failed to deliver any of the items I had ordered from him and failed to respond to several enquiries by me. I got a refund thru my credit card organisation
Watch out
 
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I ordered a 29mm push on filter from them a few years ago for a couple of pounds or so. Never arrived, no replies to email either. Never bothered with them again.
 
Well, wish me luck then. I was browsing his site just for kicks the other night, and found an item that I couldn't pass up. Royal Mail already has it in process to send over here, so at least that part of the deal is going okay.

I think the photo he used is of the actual item, because likely he's never gotten one before from the way it was described (Five pin cord). It's the 5 meter long shutter release cable for Leica-R cameras, and usually goes for well over $50. With shipping it's only costing me $18.

PF
 
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