Buying from ebay

[davholla]

I might get a 40D from ebay - any advice? I have never used it for cameras before.

 

[ancient_mariner]

All the usual caveats apply - good trading history & feedback, price not too good to be true, UK based, pay through PP & using credit card to be sure refund possible of it goes pear-shaped.

Isn't a 40D a 10YO camera - surely cheap now?

 

[john.margetts]

Read the description carefully. Anything vague in the description should be a red flag. The seller needs to state categorically that everything works as it should and that all parts are present - body, battery, charger at the least.

Photographs of the camera should be well lit and in good focus. Common technique is to use lighting and poor focus to hide defects. If you cannot see a part of the camera in the photographs, assume that part is damaged.

 

[davholla]

Thank you both, can I rely on the ebay money back guarantee?

 

[Keith W]

..... pay through PP & using credit card to be sure refund possible of it goes pear-shaped.

You have no section 75 protection if you use your credit card through PayPal

 

[andrewc]

Personally I'd prefer to buy from a recognised secondhand dealer such as Wex or mpb as both offer guarantees on the things they sell. May cost a little more, but they've assessed the camera before selling it on.

 

[Galaxy66]

Why not try a wanted ad in the classified section ?. plenty of honest sellers here who will not rip you off.