Buying lens on ebay

fabphoto

fabphoto

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Fabien
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Hi

Do you buy on ebay? What do you look for?

I would like to buy a second hand lens but I am worried of scratch, dust etc.
 
If the listing says its not scratched or doesn't have dust and it doesn't, great. If it does, send it back and get a refund through paypal. Check out the sellers feedback, are there good clear pictures, is the listing descriptive or just a few words..

Buy the seller they saying goes, if the sales pitch is poor, with no or crap photos, then move on.
 
Also, you can ask the seller specific questions which, assuming they are genuine and honest sellers, they will answer.

If you buy using PayPal and the item is not as described / defective etc you do have protection.
 
Ebay seems to favour the buyer, so if you (as Bruce says above) asked very specific questions to which the buyer has answered, you will be covered.

I'd be asking the following : 1. is there any dust, and if yes, how much and does it appear on any image? 2. are there any marks at all on the lens (both ends) or marks on the barrel, and does it effect the IQ? 3. is there any evidence of fungus, if yes how much etc... 4. has the lens been dropped? if yes,.... 5. has the lens been serviced or taken apart, if yes, by who, how long ago, is there any warranty? etc

Just be careful, as there can be some very unscrupulous people around!
 
Hi

Thanks for the replies, they are all Very useful.
I agree, hopefulM, there are unscrupulous people around but as I am just starting building up my kit I can't afford new.

Is it safer to buy on this forum? There is no seller feedback on here.
 
fabphoto said:
Hi

Thanks for the replies, they are all Very useful.
I agree, hopefulM, there are unscrupulous people around but as I am just starting building up my kit I can't afford new.

Is it safer to buy on this forum? There is no seller feedback on here.
Click to expand...
Yes there is! If you click on the sellers name, then 'view sellers profile' you will find the feedback both as a seller and a buyer.
 
One thing I will add, if you do ask a question/s and the seller does not reply, then personally I will not buy from that seller as obviously they cant be a...d.
That puts doubt in my mind.
 
Of course you'd pay attention to the various points stated in posts above. I look for 100% seller feedback but 98% is probably reasonable (it only takes one unreasonable purchaser), and credibly thorough descriptions of the items being sold. I've bought and sold a fair bit of stuff over time in this way, including photo equipment, and I reckon that most participants are honest and honourable, especially if selected via the above filtering criteria.

There's a whole psychology of auction buying - stay sober! Decide your max bid based on previous sales of that item and enter it just before the auction ends. Broadband helps.
 
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So instead of buying from ebay, checkout prices and condition from a firm such as MPB. I have just bought a used Lens from them stated as Mint and it came next day, Free carriage and looks like new and at a very good, in my opinion, price.

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/
 
stryvya said:
So instead of buying from ebay, checkout prices and condition from a firm such as MPB.
Click to expand...

There's a range of reputable dealers and that's just one. If you're patient though, sometimes bargains can be got at auction. It's a question of studying the field.
 
Follow the advice given & use common sense - or is that your sixth sense....?!?

I've bought 135L, Sigma 70-200/2.8, 60/2.8 macro, 100/2.8 macro, 17-85USM, 28/1.8, 17-40L all used from eBay, forums, Gumtree over the years & several of those I've sold on again since.
 
fabphoto said:
Hi

Thanks for the replies, they are all Very useful.
I agree, hopefulM, there are unscrupulous people around but as I am just starting building up my kit I can't afford new.

Is it safer to buy on this forum? There is no seller feedback on here.
Click to expand...

There is feedback, but no buyer protection on the forum.

I've bought several lenses on eBay, common sense applies.
 
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