That's it; I'm done selling cameras

[hipsterdufus]

Okay, be prepared for a rant, because it's coming...

In a series of gas attacks, I have bought a lot of gear. In an effort to maintain financial (and marital) equilibrium, I have also sold a lot of gear over the past few months Here's a list of experiences that I have had:

1) Sold Leica M5 on ebay - Sold it for significantly less than I paid as the original seller was less than honest. Shipped it to the buyer only to find it on the RFF classifieds a few days later for significantly more money. Also, the buyer chose not to disclose any of the problems I had found with the camera during my ownership. Not only was he not disclosing the problems I had found, he used the exact pictures I had taken of the camera in his ad. Luckily, the RFF mod staff took care of this quickly. I'm sure this idiot is out there somewhere trying to dishonestly make a pretty penny off a less-than-perfect camera.

2) Sold Bessa R2 on RFF classifieds - Well, at least this seller didn't have the gall to try to resell it on RFF. Rather, it's up for sale right now on ebay (buy it now), again for significantly more than the buyer paid for it. He had the decency to take his own pictures of the camera, at least. However, he's using my exact wording in his description of the camera. My consolation is the fact that at least he hasn't sold it yet for what he's asking.

3) M42 setup on ebay - I've sold this setup twice (count 'em: two!) times on ebay. Both times the buyers wanted to debate the shipping charges with me, even though it's a ridiculously heavy setup (one camera and four lenses). The first buyer wanted to quibble over an additional $6 in shipping charges to China and threatened to report me to ebay and paypal if my weight was even a little bit off. I refunded his money, bent over, and took the negative feedback. The second buyer is trying to negotiate shipping charges, even though he won this (working!) camera setup for a whopping $16.

That's it. I'm done selling stuff. I have had four bad transactions in a row. No one is making a dime off my equipment ever again and I refuse to deal with these rude buyers.

/rant

 

[jsrockit]

I'd agree with you on three of the four transactions...especially the shipping part. The R2... maybe not. I've bought things, changed my mind, and sold them within days at times. I always try to buy low and sell high *(within going rates for the item) to cover fees and shipping, etc. Perhaps you should have sold the R2 for more cash (if you sold lower than the norm)?

Why do people think shipping is cheap? It is not cheap anymore...especially with insurance. Sometimes it isn't worth selling cheap, heavy stuff.

 

[hipsterdufus]

I'd agree with you on three of the four transactions...especially the shipping part. The R2... maybe not. I've bought things, changed my mind, and sold them within days at times. I always try to buy low and sell high to cover fees and shipping, etc. Perhaps you should have sold the R2 for more cash?

Why do people think shipping is cheap? It is not cheap anymore...especially with insurance.

I understand what you're saying. There have been times that I've profited from reselling things (not recently!). I had listed the R2 twice on RFF for what I thought was a fair price; I've always thought RFF was a community and try to price items as if they were for "friends".

Still, at this point, I'd rather chuck a camera in the trash than deal with the hassle of selling it.

 

[Moriturii]

If you have problems with people buying stuff then selling them for a higher price to make a profit... sell everything you have and move to the forests in Alaska.

What anyone does after they have bought your item is none of your business even if they use your pictures or copy-paste your description.

So, get over it.

 

[bensyverson]

Not to get too pedantic, but your written descriptions are actually copyrighted, so it's perfectly reasonable to ask someone to come up with their own wording. Technically it is copyright infringement.

 

[kully]

That made me remember - Someone said they'd buy a lens from me two months ago and I still havn't received payment. grr....

I think I'm going to unwrap it and start using it again.

And try and sell things face-to-face, much nicer.

 

[PaulW128]

I agree with Double Negative. I sold some cameras here on RFF last week. I was tempted to go to Ebay but chose to sell here and give a fellow forum member a good price. Both transactions went smoothly, the members should have their equipment any day now. To buy something on RFF and sell it for a profit just isn't consistent with the spirit of RFF, plain and simple

Best
Paul

 

[Tim Gray]

People bickering over shipping charges is a good reason to skip ebay, amongst other reasons. Unless you are setup to sell a lot of stuff on ebay, it's a pain in the butt for us hobbyists. I'd recommend selling on these forums or on craigslist if you live in a larger area - no shipping or paypal fees.

Of course, the real advice is to not buy anything you ever intend to sell 🙂

 

[ped]

Me, I just have queing in the Post Orrifice for hours on end

 

[hipsterdufus]

Of course, the real advice is to not buy anything you ever intend to sell 🙂

This. I'm happy with my setup now; it just took me awhile to get there. Just don't really know what to do with the leftovers.

 

[dexdog]

Still, at this point, I'd rather chuck a camera in the trash than deal with the hassle of selling it.

I have trashed a number of under $100 cameras because of the types of problems that you have described- not worth the hassle. I have given away a few low value items here on RFF, figuring that no one is likely to bitch about an item that they got free. So far, it has worked.

It was disappointing to see something that I sent off as part of the RFF Christmas giveaway for auction on eBay a couple of weeks later, though. I got over it, but am unlikely to do that again.


I have no sympathy for people complaining about shipping prices on eBay- I clearly state what shipping charges will be on everything I sell, and it they don't like, they don't have to bid. I have cancelled bids where someone bid anyway after sending me an email asking for reduced shipping costs.

 

[Robin Harrison]

How much d'ya want for that tatty summaron of yours? I'll take it off your hands, if you want. It's a very slow lens. Probably not worth much.

 

[Robin Harrison]

Seriously, though. I feel for you. My experiences of selling on ebay are mixed, to say the least. And on RFF my items either fail to sell completely so I feel I've overpriced them, or I get fifteen replies making me feel I've priced too low.

 

[rxmd]

Seriously, though. I feel for you. My experiences of selling on ebay are mixed, to say the least. And on RFF my items either fail to sell completely so I feel I've overpriced them, or I get fifteen replies making me feel I've priced too low.

The answer to that is asking for Best Offers.

 

[Brian Legge]

I understand peoples frustration, but at least give the cameras to a charity or something rather than throwing them away.

That aside, there are good buyers out there. I understand that you had a streak of questionable luck. My position is biases though as im still looking for a few items. 🙂

 

[matthewm]

Maaaaan, that's the exact reason I've always avoided trading even though I've really wanted to at times. I just made up my mind, if I can't trade in person, I won't do it.

Sorry mate, that sucks.

Well, I have had some EXCELLENT trades here on RFF and on FredMiranda and APUG as well. That was just one bad experience. I even had a trade where the person on the receiving end wasn't 100% satisfied. A small refund to them via PayPal Gift and everyone was happy.

I think it's important to do as you say and say as you do. Especially on these forums. I've gotten some amazing gear from here for a LOT less than eBay or KEH and, in turn, I try to pass it forward by selling for what I paid or a little less sometimes. I think it's important to maintain a good friendly balance here.

I'm definitely more careful about trades now and have even gone as far in recent trades for each person to send $100 via PayPal so if something goes wrong, you can report it. I've only done that once, and it's only worth $100, but it would have covered my wife's WLF when that happened.

 

[rxmd]

Or rather than throwing things away, sell them for a low amount of money and look at the people making offers. Sell them to someone you like, or that seems nice, or that seems like they would be using it rather than selling it on. After all you're the seller, you get to pick the person you're selling it to.

 

[hipsterdufus]

What's the M42 setup? Have you shipped it yet? I'll give you $17 for it. 🙂
I understand where you're coming from on this one. I've had the same issues.

I actually had it listed here on RFF. I thought it was a fair price, but apparently $16 is more appropriate. I'll use the camera/lenses for target practice (12 gauge, anyone?) for that price.

I appreciate the commiserations from everyone. I know that most folks on RFF trade gear around (some more than others!) and there's bound to be bad experiences from time to time. I've traded on ebay for 11 years and just recently it's gotten really bad. Oh well, live and learn.

 

[segedi]

What I learned when trying to sell an M6 Titanium.... the Chinese love to haggle. It's part of their culture, but certainly not part of eBay. Especially on shipping! The guy that I was trying to deal with offered a pitance. I turned him down... about 6 times with his different offers. Was lucky enough to trade it for a medium format rangefinder system + cash with a fellow RFF'er - we were both happy and one of the best transactions I've ever had. Thanks bherman!

 

[jpa66]

Seriously, though. I feel for you. My experiences of selling on ebay are mixed, to say the least. And on RFF my items either fail to sell completely so I feel I've overpriced them, or I get fifteen replies making me feel I've priced too low.

I think that one way to remedy this is to look at the Want To Buy classifieds - that way you can see if anyone wants what you have, and you can be reasonably assured that they don't want something just to sell later at a higher price.