Just brought my first SLR - Error 99!

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marcnaz

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marcnazer@googlemail.com
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Hi all,

This is my first post, and i must admit i didnt want it to be about this!
This morning my canon 350d arrived from ebay, i opened the package like a kid at christmas, only to take my first photo...Error 99.

What is this? I did a bit of research before bothering you guys and I've cleaned the gold contacts as stated here - http://www.richardsnotes.org/archives/2005/04/29/50mm-lens-contact-points/ and still no joy!
I've tried taking the battery out and memory card out for a while, still doesn't work!
I thought maybe it the lens so took the lens off and took a picture...no Error 99 message, took a few pics..still no error 99 message, put the lens back on, took a picture, no error 99 message. Took another picture, oh wait yeah its back, error 99 message, took the lens off again, yes...error 99 message!

I just dont know what to do! Im feeling pretty gutted that ive brought a camera from a well rated ebayer and it doesn't work as it should and he is saying no refunds!

Can anyone help? Any more suggestions? If u need to get the camera serviced how much does that cost? and does anyone know of anywhere in the bournemouth area which does it?

Thanks, sorry for the rant but...

Marc
 
Paypal dispute, if he described it as working, then get your money back through paypal or credit card vendor
 
I had an Error 99 with my 1000D, and sent it away to be repaired at a cost of £150. Despite this the problem then re-occurred a few months down the line. Definitely get your money back.
 
It's knackered, send it back and demand a full refund.

If they refuse then put in an Ebay dispute for ssignificantly different from description.

Error99 is a catch all and will probably cost you more than the camera is worth to fix.
 
marcnaz said:
Hi all,

This is my first post, and i must admit i didnt want it to be about this!
This morning my canon 350d arrived from ebay, i opened the package like a kid at christmas, only to take my first photo...Error 99.

What is this? I did a bit of research before bothering you guys and I've cleaned the gold contacts as stated here - http://www.richardsnotes.org/archives/2005/04/29/50mm-lens-contact-points/ and still no joy!
I've tried taking the battery out and memory card out for a while, still doesn't work!
I thought maybe it the lens so took the lens off and took a picture...no Error 99 message, took a few pics..still no error 99 message, put the lens back on, took a picture, no error 99 message. Took another picture, oh wait yeah its back, error 99 message, took the lens off again, yes...error 99 message!

I just dont know what to do! Im feeling pretty gutted that ive brought a camera from a well rated ebayer and it doesn't work as it should and he is saying no refunds!

Can anyone help? Any more suggestions? If u need to get the camera serviced how much does that cost? and does anyone know of anywhere in the bournemouth area which does it?

Thanks, sorry for the rant but...

Marc
Click to expand...


As Carbonangel says, Paypal dispute, "not as described". If it's a "private" seller I'd suggest escalating the dispute to a claim immediately, that way the funds get frozen in their account before they have a chance to empty or close it.

It may also be worth getting an estimate for the cost of the work which you can present as evidence to Paypal.
 
Contact the seller first to see what they have to say. They might give you a refund.

Also take pictures of the camera including the serial number of the body and lens. And when you have to send it back, send it recorded.
 
Also modify your Name to hide you email address unless your happy spam bots getting a hold of it and sending you Viagra offers
 
Flash In The Pan said:
As Carbonangel says, Paypal dispute, "not as described". If it's a "private" seller I'd suggest escalating the dispute to a claim immediately, that way the funds get frozen in their account before they have a chance to empty or close it.

It may also be worth getting an estimate for the cost of the work which you can present as evidence to Paypal.
Click to expand...

do this NOW..

if its a respected seller they should be offering a refund if not as described as they will know they will not be winning a paypal dispute..

you see a fair few 350d's on eBay being sold with this fault nowadays so I am hoping you read the auction you won properly, I'm sure you did but it happens to the 'act first think later' people(people meaning most men)

best of luck.
 
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If you read the advert properly and the seller did not mention the fault then contact the seller first if you have no joy from them then open a dispute. Ebay sellers have to abide by the distance selling regulations and you would be entitled to a refund. Good luck.
 
Why not just contact the seller rather than aggressively starting a dispute? I doubt the seller would knowingly sell a faulty body as a fully working body. Double check you read the description fully and if it states it as "working" then take it up with the seller, give them a chance to remedy the situation.
 
rssmrry said:
Why not just contact the seller rather than aggressively starting a dispute? I doubt the seller would knowingly sell a faulty body as a fully working body.
Click to expand...

I don't think you read the OP's post, he said the seller said No refunds. therefore id be actively opening a dispute asap
 
Ah I took that to mean it said on the description "no refunds". Whenever I list something on ebay I offer no refunds (but I'm obliged to refund if it is significantly not as described or not working as is any seller as I understand things). I just think if everyone keeps treating sellers like crap and not giving them any chance to resolve problems off their own back ebay's going to become a last resort for desperate sellers, so the bargains will be had elsewhere.
 
In my experience if somethings faulty or missrepresented in any way it's always wise to open s dispute, even if your not being arsey.

The minute you open a dispute you can explain politely what the problem is and the reason for your dispute, you can cancel the dispute later.

I've been ripped off by a Chinese company that played the delaying tactics until I couldn't open a dispute. Luckily it wasn't a fortune but it's the principle of the matter.
 
Marc,

You don't say whether the lens was part of the purchase or not.
Which lens is it and did it come with the 350D.

Bob
 
micloi said:
Is it s Sigma lens that you are using with the camera by any chance?
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Exactly where I was heading Michael (y)

Err 99 is far too little to go on before making judgement that the body is faulty.

Bob
 
i bought a sigma ex 105 macro a few yrs ago in tenerife.
when i tried it on my then 350 it err 99
after checking on google i decided to buy it . got it for around £140 and sent it back to sigma in the uk to be chipped (free) worked perfect after that and no more err99
 
I can confirm that the Sigma 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 doesn't work on the Canon 20D (so presumably wouldn't work on the 350D) if that's of any use.

Michael raised an excellent point. Quite a few Sigma lenses require rechipping to work properly on newer bodies. Sigma can rechip them but they may not have the parts (at least that's what I was told when I phoned them).
 
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