ebay

[jackofhearts]

Has anyone had good luck finding good deals on digital cameras off ebay? Or is it mostly vendors selling new cameras for their store prices?

[Clyde]

Before you buy a new camera on ebay, check the prices on pricegrabber (http://www.pricegrabber.com/) and resellerratings (http://www.resellerratings.com/). You can probably find new cameras cheaper from a reliable seller on some other site.

Ebay can be good for used stuff, and some accessories, like batteries, but you have to research the seller well.

Good Luck,

Clyde

[cdifoto]

Has anyone had good luck finding good deals on digital cameras off ebay? Or is it mostly vendors selling new cameras for their store prices?

Don't use eBay. Prices are better elsewhere, and most eBay sellers have a no returns policy...meaning you'd have only the warranty to use if something were to go wrong. If you simply don't like it, you'd be stuck with it. Most non-eBay vendors have a little leeway that would allow you to return it without any stings attached if it's not to your liking. Not all do, so you want to check out their policies first.

[ReF]

ebay would be good for used equipment at used prices, but i wouldn't use it for "new" electronics. sure there are a lot of people that are selling unopened gifts, but i keep thinking that when you buy "new" electronics on ebay you are just helping thieves make money. people that have their businesses based on ebay are different though, and you can tell by what they have available and from their past transactions.

[jackofhearts]

would you trust buying a used camera from ebay? I have no problem buying used electronics, I just don't feel like I can be sure it's in good condition...

[cdifoto]

would you trust buying a used camera from ebay? I have no problem buying used electronics, I just don't feel like I can be sure it's in good condition...

Only if it's super cheap.

On another note, I sold my Fuji S7000 on eBay after using it for a year and a half. I got what others were going for new (approx $500). Not sure how I managed it but I wasn't complaining.

[fnoel]

I am always leary of companies like ebay. I have read on other threads of people buying stuff through amazon and getting stuck because it is a scam. That is my main concern. I work with a nurse that does a lot of business with ebay and so I am not saying that all merchants are crooked because I know she is not. She just recomended that if you deal with someone to make sure that you can pay through Paypal. Maybe someone else can clarify this a little more than I can. Good luck.

[jackofhearts]

it does look to me like hte cameras on ebay are going for significantly less (10% or so)

[cdifoto]

I am always leary of companies like ebay. I have read on other threads of people buying stuff through amazon and getting stuck because it is a scam. That is my main concern. I work with a nurse that does a lot of business with ebay and so I am not saying that all merchants are crooked because I know she is not. She just recomended that if you deal with someone to make sure that you can pay through Paypal. Maybe someone else can clarify this a little more than I can. Good luck.

Pay through PayPal with a CREDIT CARD, make sure there's both a PayPal Logo and a Buyer Protection Shield (http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/paypal/imgPp_35x20.gif) below the seller stats at the top right corner of the listing (across from the main photo), check their feedback first and make sure there aren't any fishy comments, don't buy from those with PRIVATE (hidden) feedback because they might be hiding something, be sure the seller offers a return policy on new items or ensure that it isn't actually REFURBISHED (read ALL the fine and ultra large print) and check the shipping charges. Shipping is usually the killer that brings your total investment back up to other retail prices.

[fnoel]

Pay through PayPal with a CREDIT CARD, make sure there's both a PayPal Logo and a Buyer Protection Shield (http://pics.ebaystatic.com/aw/pics/paypal/imgPp_35x20.gif) below the seller stats at the top right corner of the listing (across from the main photo), check their feedback first and make sure there aren't any fishy comments, don't buy from those with PRIVATE (hidden) feedback because they might be hiding something, be sure the seller offers a return policy on new items or ensure that it isn't actually REFURBISHED (read ALL the fine and ultra large print) and check the shipping charges. Shipping is usually the killer that brings your total investment back up to other retail prices.
Thank you cdi-buy.com. Like I say I am a little leary. I never use companies such as ebay and such. The first thing that turned me off was like you mentioned the S&H. When a product is listed at say $10 and then you add S&H of $12. I think it is a little rediculous. But thanks for clarifying this more than I could.

[Rhys]

I've sold a couple of cameras via online auctions. I never used ebay though - I preferred FSAuctions - until ebay took them over. I wouldn't touch anything on ebay with a bargepole - not even if the bargepole had a large condom on the end of it.

I've bought a couple of things on ebay and found they were sheer bin-fodder, misdescribed and with over-priced postage. I've tried to sell a couple of things on ebay and had only comedians that thought it was funny to promise to buy and never to produce money or crooks who vainly tried to persuade me to part with the goods before they parted with their cash.

Plus, managing a secondhand shop in Britain, I was obliged to take convicts who'd been sentenced to "community service" on as back-room "assistants". Most had been sentenced to "community" punishment for selling stolen goods on ebay or some similar ebay-related crimes. I looked at them and the stock that mysteriously vanished (presumably to end up on ebay) and wondered whether the community punishment was aimed at punishing the community more than the criminal.

[fnoel]

I've sold a couple of cameras via online auctions. I never used ebay though - I preferred FSAuctions - until ebay took them over. I wouldn't touch anything on ebay with a bargepole - not even if the bargepole had a large condom on the end of it.

I've bought a couple of things on ebay and found they were sheer bin-fodder, misdescribed and with over-priced postage. I've tried to sell a couple of things on ebay and had only comedians that thought it was funny to promise to buy and never to produce money or crooks who vainly tried to persuade me to part with the goods before they parted with their cash.

Plus, managing a secondhand shop in Britain, I was obliged to take convicts who'd been sentenced to "community service" on as back-room "assistants". Most had been sentenced to "community" punishment for selling stolen goods on ebay or some similar ebay-related crimes. I looked at them and the stock that mysteriously vanished (presumably to end up on ebay) and wondered whether the community punishment was aimed at punishing the community more than the criminal.
Wow I am sorry to hear that your own government would even consider something like that. Next thing you know they will be allowing convicted sex offenders to work in a daycare system. I always wondered how a person could get ahold of so many of the same items and sell them so cheap. I am sure there are honest ways but I'm just as sure this is a common practice as well.

[Rhys]

Wow I am sorry to hear that your own government would even consider something like that. Next thing you know they will be allowing convicted sex offenders to work in a daycare system. I always wondered how a person could get ahold of so many of the same items and sell them so cheap. I am sure there are honest ways but I'm just as sure this is a common practice as well.

Oddly enough, that reminds me of a discussion on sex offenders in which it was pointed out that those eventually convicted of sex offences were usually the people in charge of children and who had unbelievably impeccable backgrounds.

Just as on ebay - you get somebody with impeccable 100% feedback who then runs off with all you money - there's no telling from impeccable backgrounds.