Suspected con-trick on Ebay: I need some info about G lenses

[AndySig]

I've just sold a Contax G 45 mm Planar on Ebay. It left me in perfect condition in the original packing which was itself well packed in a box and it went by insured post. I got an email today from the bloke who bought it claiming that the "chip" was broken and that this would cost €150 to repair. He also said that he had contacted his lawyer.

Does anybody know if G lenses are fitted with chips? It's news to me if they are but I suppose it could be the case in an autofocus lens. Secondly, it seems to me a bit odd that he could have found a dealer within a day or so of receipt of the lens who would claim to be able to replace the chip for €150. If such chips exist, I imagine that not many dealers would have them.

Thirdly, you don't rush off to a lawyer straight away if you are unhappy with an Ebay purchase. The Ebay people themselves were very helpful and said that the first step is to tell the bloke to take it up with the post as the package was insured and as it left me in good condition, then damage could only have occurred in the post. I should also ask the buyer to provide photos of the damage to the package and any damage which he claims has occurred to the lens. I've done this.

He could be telling the truth but frankly to me this stinks to high heaven. The last thing I did before sending the lens was to pop it on a G2 body to confirm that it was in perfect working order.

I'd be grateful for any answers/views especially as to whether or not the lens has a chip. Thanks in advance.

 

[jsrockit]

He also said that he had contacted his lawyer.

This is a little much. I would demand that he sends the lens back to you.

 

[lam]

Right, just tell him to send the lens back for FULL REFUND, NO QUESTIONS, NO DISCUSSIONS. Tell him this is the only option and that eBay is *and will be if he opens a case* in full agreeance. There is no reason why he should object, or anything. This is within the scope of eBay and nothing more.

Everything else, does not matter.
and BUYER pays return shipping always. Unless you state elsewise.

 

[L Collins]

Tell him to send it back for a full refund. Be civil in spite of his actions. Send the return request through Ebay itself so you have a record of it. When you receive the box as returned open it in front of the post office guy or at least videotape you opening it to ensure he isnt sending you back a brick.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Good advice as previous two posts, and it sounds a lot like a partial refund scam. Best way of dealing it is to take the wind out of their sails ASAP; take it back, full refund, as above. If it's not too much extra even offer to pay return post. Yes it may sound excessive but it doesn't give them any scope to protest, does it? You may be out the postage but you'll have your lens back. Hopefully not tampered with, but if you dig your heels in it'll just get ugly fast, the writing is on this wall ten feet high: problem buyer!

Incidentally, I'm a lot better at buying kit, than I am at selling, but on those rare occasions I list something, I always offer to pay return post because I stand by the product. I only ever sell within my country though, international returns are just too much hassle and expense.
Cheers
Brett

 

[AndySig]

Thanks for your replies.

What I forgot to mention was that the very first thing I did was indeed to email him with the offer of him sending the lens back to me and me making a complete refund. Then I thought I'd better contact Ebay and get their advice (as described above). So far, I think I may have covered myself. I'd still like to know if G lenses have chips or not because if they haven't, then I have proof positive that he is lying.

 

[DamenS]

He has "contacted his lawyer" before contacting you - and he has already paid the (usually exhorbitant) fee to get a repair quote from a camera dealer ? This is a clear scam. Unlike Brett, there is no way I would be offering to pay for return shipping unless you had stated in your ad that this would be the case. They would have no cause to protest anyway, and if they did protest at having to pay return shipping, this is not your concern. In fact, I would almost insist that they send the item back - see if the micro-chip manages to "repair" itself on the journey home !

Of course G lenses have a chip in them, otherwise they could not convey any information to the camera body (this is what the golden "electronic contacts" on the lens are for - transmitting the information from the lens chip to the camera and visa versa)

 

[Frontman]

Be careful with your correpondence, eBay will read the messages you and your buyer have exchanged. I have had a dozen or more people try the "partial refund scam" on me. Always offer a return for refund immediately (as you say you have). eBay are gemerally fair, and have been working to stamp out the partial refund scam.

 

[Paul T.]

He has "contacted his lawyer" before contacting you - and he has already paid the (usually exhorbitant) fee to get a repair quote from a camera dealer ? This is a clear scam. Unlike Brett, there is no way I would be offering to pay for return shipping unless you had stated in your ad that this would be the case.

Depends on how much you care about your feedback. If the item is faulty, although consumer law in different territories varies, the seller is in general obliged to ensure the buyer doesn't lose out. Don't stress the few quid for the return postage, it's more important to get your lens back, and move on.


Videoing the parcel as you open it might well be a good idea.Good luck, let us know how you get on.

 

[splitimageview]

There are electrical contacts and a circuit board but the AF mechanism is not simply electronic, it's a mechanical connection too.

This doesn't really matter however.

He can return it on his dime, and if he complains to ebay...well, he will have to return it on his dime. You are ok on this one.

 

[ZeissFan]

I bet you get a box of rocks rather than the lens. Some people have dark hearts and will scam, injure or kill anyone.

 

[Boris Stupak]

He can put a rock in a box and mail it back to you with tracking. eBay will force you to refund him and he will keep the lens.

If he is an experienced scammer and determined, he is going to cheat you no matter what.

All the videotaping of the lens, and other nonsense that is suggested to you won't do you a lick of good. You can dance for your money.

Look at the feedback left for him to get a clue, even though eBay now screws the seller by not allowing negative feedback for a buyer.

From his actions, this is typical for your buyer and he is going to figure out a way to cheat you, so be mentally prepared for a fleecing.

You can kiss your money AND your lens goodbye.

 

[randolph45]

Been there on the other end

Been there on the other end

I bought a small zoom 28/135 which ended up only working between 50/135. The seller had listed it as 50/135 in the discription but the photos were of 28/135. I didn't ask enough ?s.
Many emails later the seller refunded everthing and I guess out of flustration said keep the lens.I had the repair done,sent a copy and a paypal for the difference plus shipping and 10 percent extra for all the hassle.
I wanted to be honest with the seller but in hindsight I should have just returned the lens.

 

[bob338]

I sold an MP to some scumbag in San Diego through ebay last year, I took pictures of the camera as I was putting it into the box to be sure I had a record of the condition.
He filed a claim with ebay for a $500 partial refund and attached pictures of scratches that were not there when I packed it up. It was a user, and he made it into more of a user!
I ended up having to give him the $500 because I had used most of the money from the sale to pay tuition for my daughter's preschool.
If I were you, I would offer him the partial refund and be done with it. At least that eliminates the possibility of receiving a box of rocks in return.

 

[bjornkeizers]

Wow, sounds like you're in a difficult position.

I've had issues as a buyer, but those were settled decently with partial refunds. Once I bought a Canon EOS 5 which had a display with missing sections but otherwise worked fine. Buyer sent some film to compensate. Another was a non-working film counter on a Minolta. Got a partial refund. Most recent: a Yashica D that was listed as working but had a seized shutter after 1 shot. Again, partial refund because I intend to get it repaired, rather then have it sit unused since the seller can't reasonably sell it.

Still, I sympathize with your predicament.

 

[nikon_sam]

If the package was insured wouldn't he make a claim with the carrier...if you sent him a perfectly working lens and NOW it doesn't wouldn't that mean it happened during shipping...???
Just my weird thought...

 

[Boris Stupak]

You don't get it. The buyer knows all the little tricks and intended to cheat the seller from the beginning.

He is not interested in a legitimate claim.

If the package was insured wouldn't he make a claim with the carrier...if you sent him a perfectly working lens and NOW it doesn't wouldn't that mean it happened during shipping...???
Just my weird thought...

 

[Boris Stupak]

Only in your imagination are you in a position to demand anything.

Right, just tell him to send the lens back for FULL REFUND, NO QUESTIONS, NO DISCUSSIONS. Tell him this is the only option and that eBay is *and will be if he opens a case* in full agreeance. There is no reason why he should object, or anything. This is within the scope of eBay and nothing more.

Everything else, does not matter.
and BUYER pays return shipping always. Unless you state elsewise.

 

[nikon_sam]

You don't get it. The buyer knows all the little tricks and intended to cheat the seller from the beginning.

He is not interested in a legitimate claim.

Boris,

I get it...please don't attack me, I'm just throwing out ideas like everyone else...try having a better day...

 

[DamenS]

Boris,

I get it...please don't attack me, I'm just throwing out ideas like everyone else...try having a better day...

I'm not sure that you do actually "get it"; otherwise your "weird thought" wouldn't have made its way from brain to finger, however I also truly don't believe Boris intended to attack you personally - his intention was to attack stupidity, which was merely using you as a vessel at the time.