What does "Firing at all speeds" mean to you?

DaveW

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Okay, ebay seller sends me a camera, in ad, says "firing at all speeds" . I receive camera, and the shutter works at no speeds. He is claiming that this phrase does not imply that the shutter was working correctly. I interpret that to mean that the shutter is working. Who is right? He says he is a camera professional and he never claimed it worked -there is an "as is" in the description - but if you say it is firing at all speeds, shouldn't the shutter be working? Maybe because I am not a professional, I cannot comprehend the crazy world of professional photographers. Camers, by the way, is a Yashica Lynx. Here is the ad: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220179969433&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=012 I am so sick of dealing with ebay http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/images/smilies/banghead.gif :bang: Dave
 
Thanks Ray. I need as many opinions as I can get (even if you do not support my view). Anyone else have an opionion on this matter?
 
And highly overexposed pictures as well... a shame for a 'camera professional' as he claims to be, but it conveniently hides all the scratches and other damage on the camera, doesn't it?

Groeten,
Vic
 
Well, he does state that "ALL PRODUCTS ARE SOLD "AS IS" UNLESS IMPROPERLY DESCRIBED", so you're entitled to make a claim...

Groeten,
Vic
 
What does "Firing at all speeds" mean to you?

"Firing at all speeds," means that the seller or one of his staff has actually tried to click the camera at each speed and that the shutter works each time...

Regardless of what he now says, firing at all speeds means just that...that the camera works because he said so-- at all speeds...He also says that the speeds may not be accurate but that they work...

If you want a refund and he resists, you can seek help through Ebay [or Paypal] but who knows what will happen...In the one case where I sought Ebay, Paypal help with a dishonest dealer in China, I got no help...I finally gave up...

{ and I lost $200 usd -- not the end of the world but, still, not very nice...}


Some dealers in your case may (1) suggest you keep the camera and they will refund, say 50% (2) you keep the camera and they will refund all but shipping cost or (3) you return the camera as you received it and they will refund all but shipping costs...Others, as your seller has done so far, may give you a roundaround until you give up...

If you give him negative feedback, you will get negative feedback...


If you have the time, keep trying -- always politely...You may get relief...
 
One more opinion - it might not be accurate at every speed, but it should be firing in a way that approximates normal working.
 
I haven't left any feedback - I would expect he would just retaliate - that is what happened the last time I bought a camera advertised as working, but the shutter was inoperable. I wish that these guys would just be honest. Is that too much to ask?
 
You are Right !! It means all is good, no issues

You are Right !! It means all is good, no issues

Yup...Shutter is working at all speeds as it should. No Repair Issues...
It is obvious that that Ebayer IS NOT a photographer OR even a hobbyist...That phrase is partial to photography buffs and pros. Could be he/she uses that phrase to get a better price that the unit is worth...

With camera's. and lens's, I always ask a few questions that a Photographer or Hobbyist would understand, but not necessarily a non-photographer. Then when I get an answer I can tell (I hope), if they full of it, or they know a thing or two....Most of the time when I ask a technical question, if they have no clue, they usually fess up in the answer and claim no knowledge.
 
What does "Firing at all speeds" mean to you?

DaveW said:
I wish that these guys would just be honest. Is that too much to ask?
---------------------------------------------------
Dave, to preach a little, Ebay is very much like a yard sale...You can get real bargains some times...You can also get stuck...You just have to know what you're doing...In a yard sale, you can look it over but once you buy it, you take the risk... Ebay's the same.

On Ebay, if you have doubts, you can check the seller's feedback and look at the negative ones...You can ask a question or two and be guided by the answer... You have a little recourse -- depending on human nature...

Keep this in mind, if you get my drift: There'll be another bus along in just a few minutes...
 
In my opinion, "Firing at all speeds" means that the shutter (curtain or blades, etc.) opens and closes after pressing the shutter button, AND that this occurs at all of the camera's shutter speed settings.

Agree that the shutter speeds are not expected to be dead-on accurate, but sounds like you are saying that the shutter doesn't even fire, regardless of speed setting? If so, seller is WRONG. Item is not as described.

I'd point this out and politely and firmly ask him for a discount/partial refund, or option to return item for a TOTAL refund including return postage as the camera was improperly described.

This is besides the point, but what is a "camera professional" anyway? :confused: Camera re-seller, appraiser, repairer? He sure sells a lot of non-photography stuff - that and the poor photos would raise warning flags for me.

After some similar bad experiences on ebay, I am leaning towards buying cameras and lenses only from reputable dealers, even if I have to pay a little more. Less grief, life is too short.

good luck! You have my sympathies!
rt
 
I avoid the "as is" products and weasel wording like "has not been tested" or "appears to be working". Also send sellers a email and ask specific questions.

He may just have made a mistake but then if it is, he should let you return the product.

Thanks
 
eBay and Paypal "buyer protection"

eBay and Paypal "buyer protection"

Years ago I spent $150 for a used camera on eBay.

The seller's description stated that camera was 100% working. It wasn't; it was DOA.
I did not want to spend the money for repair, so I emailed the seller stating problem and my plan to return it.
There was no "no returns" or "as is" in the item description, so I sent it back requesting a refund.
But seller refused delivery and defective camera was returned to me.

I tried to file a claim under eBay's insurance, but they said that since I received the item I was "not eligible".
They said the next step was arbitration, for which I paid the fee. But seller failed to respond to arbitrator's emails.
eBay said there was nothing they could do, and that there was no further recourse.

Paypal told me their buyer protection "did not apply".
My last resort was to contact my credit card company, who stopped payment to Paypal.
My Paypal account has been "frozen" since, but at least I didn't have to pay $150 for that paperweight...

Chris
 
SOLD "AS IS" AND AS DESCRIBED
99% OF OUR ITEMS HAVE BEEN CONSIGNED TO US THROUGH OUR FREIGHT COMPANIES
MINT CONDITION CAMERA WINDS AND FIRES AT ALL SPEEDS
SOLD AS IS, ADJUSTMENT MAY BE REQUIRED

The above 4 quotes were copied from the auction and pasted here. 2 As is's and telling you that they get 'lost freight' from trucking companies. I doubt they are photographers, more likely a liquidation warehouse.

Your salvation will be "and as described" - mint and fires at all speeds (means tested)

Steve
 
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Dave: you are right of course.
Dave: It is too much to ask for honest sellers. Alas, that is also my experience. It happened to me several times, and oyu just can't argue with these people.
 
we used to say, 'firing on all cylinders', a car phrase, to mean it was working properly. we used it for other than just cars.
this sounds similar and i would take it to mean that the camera worked, or at least the shutter fired.
 
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