Am I being unfair (s/hand camera content)

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Rich
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I recently purchased a camera on Ebay which the seller admitted he did not know the shutter count, but said his best guess would be between 20K and 40K.
On receipt I found the figure via Astrojargon to be close on 70K although I must say the body is in good condition and I am generally happy with it

The seller has agreed to refund, but I suggested perhaps a price reduction would be in order given the costs already incurred

Admitedly I didn't pay top dollar for this item, but am a bit worried how much potential use it could give me

Am I being harsh and should I just put it down to experience or would you return regardless (or take a rebate if offered)
I'm not a dishonest person out to fleece anyone and I truly believe the seller isn't either

What do you think as I really don't know and haven't been in this position before

Cheers
 
Depends on the camera and the price and what makes you happy. 70k for a D200/300 isn't too bad but a D40/60 :thumbsdown:
 
I wouldn't be that happy if it was 30k over the estimate, I think if you're happy to take a partial refund then this is the fair and sensible approach for both parties. If he doesn't want to do that and will only offer a full refund, then it all depends on whether you think you can get a similar body with less clicks for the same sort of price.
 
I'm sorry I cannot offer an advice - although 20-40k is somewhat different to 70k! Hope you get it sorted.
 
The shutter could give up the ghost tomorrow or several years down the road.

I would go for the rebate job and keep it regardless, if it looks so good.
 
Trouble is he did say it was a guess and as he obviously had no idea its not really his fault. I have been in the same situation (not Ebay) and got the seller to send me a picture so that I could see the shutter count for myself.

If its in good nick then I would probably ask for a partial refund that is roughly half the price of a new shutter .. if that is not acceptable to him then I would go for the full refund.
 
Seller admitted that they didn't know the shutter count you dont really have any recourse the fact the seller is willing to give you a refund is above what is required they didn't misrepresent the product you are trying it on a bit in my opinion.
 
I would agree with the partial refund. You could get one tomorrow with a genuine 20K and it packs up at 25K or get this one (which you agree) is in very nice condition with 70 odd K on it that goes on to 200K !!

It will cost the seller another £10-15 to get it back then refund and re-list for less so if you can get £40-50 back or more I would go down that route.
 
mrh said:
Seller admitted that they didn't know the shutter count you dont really have any recourse the fact the seller is willing to give you a refund is above what is required they didn't misrepresent the product you are trying it on a bit in my opinion.
Click to expand...

It's not that hard to check the shutter count is it? and the seller did give an estimate. SO as to OP trying it on..............:nono:
 
Hmmm it is quite a bit higher then estimated, it isn't just a bit is it.

That said.. by Ebay rules it's your duty to send it back at your own cost (if you do SNAD only your original postage will be returned), by the time you spend a tenner to return it, is it really worth it? Only you can decide that.
 
If he is happy to take the item back for a refund or let you keep it and give you a partial refund then everyone is happy. Can't see the problem with that - go for it!

I have to say though I would never bid on a dslr unless i knew the shutter count. I would either teach the seller how to find it or stay away from the item. If i DID go for such an item though I would not feel i had any right to complain when i found out that the count is higher than his estimate - especially when he said he wasn't sure about it.
 
Think the replies reflect how I feel, in a word undecided

I accept its partially my fault for not asking for a definite figure before bidding although I didn't expect his estimate to be so wildly inaccurate.

Left the ball in his court regards any offer of a goodwill payment, but think I will keep it anyway and has at least taught me to be more careful in the future

Should have just stuck to the classifieds on here for my purchases
 
Personally as a buyer I have a "don't ask,don't care" approach to shutter actuations.

Back in the film days no one had reliable way to find this out... in Sony fit there is no way of finding.. ditto earlier Canon's I believe.

I think actuation fretting is mindlessly petty. But I've said this here before on several occasions - IMHO a camera that is in good nick and works well has a proven track record and is no more likely to fail than a "newer one". If it works well..enjoy it.
 
Sort of agree with you Andy and was ok to buy even at 40k which might have put others off

Probably why I have decided to keep it anyway and just take some pictures until it goes shutter up
 
Oh and the difference between estimate and actual is about 1 hours shooting assuming 5fps - thats 18,000 shots - One hours shooting in other words.
 
As the old saying goes Caveat Emptor or let the buyer beware.

If he could not give you a definate shutter count then the purchase was at your own risk. If he (she) is willing to give you something back then that's his (her) goodwill, they don't have to.

The expected shutter count is, after all, a mean and 50% are expected to fail before and 50% after the mean. Let's just hope yours is in the latter group and then it will be meaningless.

If you like the camera keep it and beware next time :)
 
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All sorted amicably and settled on twenty quid refund to buy something to give the bit mucky sensor a clean
Although to be fair the seller did offer more, but that left us both happy with the deal.

Lesson learnt by me regards asking more specific questions and the seller now knows how to get an accurate actuation count via Astrojargon and EOS info

Cheers
Rich
 
Mike.P said:
I have been in the same situation (not Ebay) and got the seller to send me a picture so that I could see the shutter count for myself.
Click to expand...

How does a picture give you the shutter count? The file number is no certainty. Not all cameras keep an accurate shutter count within the exif. Not all cameras have any shutter count available at all unless returned to the manufacturer.


puddleduck said:
Personally as a buyer I have a "don't ask,don't care" approach to shutter actuations.

Back in the film days no one had reliable way to find this out... in Sony fit there is no way of finding.. ditto earlier Canon's I believe.

I think actuation fretting is mindlessly petty. But I've said this here before on several occasions - IMHO a camera that is in good nick and works well has a proven track record and is no more likely to fail than a "newer one". If it works well..enjoy it.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly.
 
You do know that if you flash the firmware on a lot of cameras then the shutter count gets zero'ed don't you...

All this @nal obcession with these things is well, a bit @nal.
 
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