Would you ever buy a camera on ebay, used of course

[DS1]

This option puts some excellent cameras down in my price-range, and I wondered if anyone ever had any experience with it..

[CC]

1. I've never bought a camera but have

bought lenses and other equipment. So far my experience has been great. I would say take a chance on it. Look at the feedback and look at what you are looking at is going for elsewhere and remember to add in shipping and handling to you bid. Depending on what you are looking at, would say D70s should be cheaper because the D200 is out and many are upgrading. I would wait for the 5D to come out before bidding on a 20D. Also make sure it is a US model if you are in the US as the warranty is not valid if it is "gray" market (from overseas or Canada).

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. I bought one, and the transaction went great

It was a used Mamiya RB67S.

Got it for about 15% of new price. Whew!

But with the Mamiya, I also knew that these cameras are practically indestructible, built to last for a long, long time, and handle a shitload of abuse. So there was a good chance that it would arrive in good shape, and stay in good shape.

I'd be a little more hesitant buying a new electronic one, and I don't think I'd buy digital at all off ebay, unless it was a brand new one from an ebay store with a real warranty.

[Ms. Toad]

3. I haven't bought a camera,

but I bought the underwater case for my camera there and am quite happy with it.

I aways check the ratings of the vendor, look for lots of ratings, over 95% positive, check what the negative ratings say, and don't buy if whatever the negative comments are about would be of concern to me (I also check out the ratings of the folks dropping negative comments - sometimes they're just sourpusses in general). I haven't had a bad experience yet.

[Tallison]

8. Definitely check the negative comments, even if...

...a user has a 98% positive rating. I wonder sometimes about sellers spamming their own feedback boards.

I've heard of hard-ball negotiation-type people getting great deals from Abe's of Maine (based out of Brooklyn). I'm a pushover and paranoid about refurbishment, so I went with a local retailer for my D70.

[tenshi816]

4. I've bought 4 cameras on eBay,

3 new, 1 used, and was very pleased each time.

Check your seller's feedback, and if you're spending a lot of money insist on using Paypal or another electronic form of payment in case something goes wrong. The only times I've ever been ripped off on eBay were instances in which I paid by check; eBay won't help recover money in those cases.

[Fovea]

5. I have had good experiences with buying lenses

and other accessories.

I have had bad online buying experiences, but not through ebay.

[NashVegas]

6. I've Bought 4 (?) Cameras, Even More Lenses

Some tips:

I won't say never buy a camera from someone who writes "I don't know much about cameras, I just picked this up at a garage sale/ a friend gave it to me / etc," but if you are considering it, make sure you get from them detailed photos of all the equipment. Get photos showing the lens, through a light, to make sure you're not getting one with fungus or other major problems.

Ask them to test shutter speeds, the light meter, etc.

If they can't or won't verify that everything works as it should, unless the *detailed* photos show the item(s) in pristine condition, don't bid anything near market rate. Better yet, don't bid. Be prepared to walk away.

The sum: never buy at market rate or above from someone who claims to know little about the item they're selling.

Study the market for a few months, up to six months if you have the patience. A lot of specific brands have ebbs and flows in demand.

If you haven't already learned how to properly snipe, learn. Fast. Don't get into bidding wars. Bid in the last 5-20 seconds of the auction with your TOP offer.

If you come across a "buy it now" auction where everything looks good and proper and the seller has universally good feedback, consider buying immediately. It can save you some money, it can save you time and stress.

[Blue_In_AK]

7. Re "sniping"

you might want to look into Auction Sentry, which is a great little program that does your sniping for you. HullBoss collects merchant marine memorabilia off eBay and swears by his Auction Sentry. He very seldom gets beat.

www.auctionsentry.com

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

9. I did. Bought my Sony 717 on ebay

I would do it again