Buying a camera on eBay is likely no different than any other purchase there. If you're careful, good deals can be found. If you are greedy and/or don't perform due diligence in checking out the seller, you stand a good chance of getting ripped off. For a relatively large-ticket item like a camera, you should be extra diligent in checking feedback, e.g. make sure the seller has a long history of positive feedback as a seller, make sure that those who left the feedback were legitimate eBay users, etc.
Location: Formerly South Wales. Now South Carolina.
Posts: 7,199
Whoops. My link wasn't accurate. I thought I was referring to an article here. It was an article elsewhere. I'll enclose the text. The full thread can be found on uk.rec.photo.misc:21714
Quote:
But the biggest problem with Internet shopping is fraud. I was billed for a
bunch of flowers by a company called KirbyCroft of South Carolina who did
not deliver any flowers - just a bill. I understand there is a genuine
KirbyCroft florist but whether they have the same website as the company
that billed, I don't know. Barclaycard are investigating that one. Similarly
Barclaycard had to pursue a company on my behalf who billed me for a service
before telling me exactly what I'd bought - they'd given a misleading
account of what I'd be buying beforehand. Then they didn't read my
cancellation notice for 6 weeks and told me I was out of the legal 7 day
cancellation notice. Passed it to Barclaycard who secured a refund. And
don't let me get started on the fraudsters on E-Bay. I personally met, when
I was managing a charity shop, two individuals who had been sentenced to 100
hours community service each - fencing stolen goods on E-Bay. I also met
somebody who'd been sentenced for making and selling pirated software, CDs
and videos. They were all working their Community Service off in my shop. My
God, I had to keep a beady eye on them. They were as dishonest as the day
was long! E-Commerce? More like E-Fraud!
eBay can be a very good deal maker, but it could also be a deal breaker, so to say. I knew a few people that got ripped off big time on ebay; sent blown/burnt hardware that appears fine in pictures/descriptions, and no refunds whatever to be seen, such forth.
I've bought a few 'rare' things from eBay, and while you're often not really always guaranteed warranty, I have stuff I got years ago on eBay and it works brilliant. You have to read up on scams/so called ebay ethnics and experiences before buying or deciding to buy anything. After that, it's usually fine if you've made a good decision.
Not only did I end up buying the camera I wanted (Sony DSC F717 - thanks to advice form Nick and others), I bought it online, through eBay, from Ritz Camera Auctions (very reputable)!
I feel like I got a fair price form a good dealer with 2nd business day shipping. Not bad!
I'll post here again when I actually get the camera.
Ritz Camera really came through. The fine print on the auction indicated, as it was most likely a "floor model," that it might be missing some minor piece (lens cap, etc.). When I got the camera - in two business days - everything was in the box. I'm very happy with this dealer and recommend them to anyone's who's looking to buy a camera online.
And, no, it just came with the 32MB Memory Stick so I'm looking around for more...
What about buying cameras on eBay?
Linear Mode
