As a seller, it never cease to amaze me that no matter how detailed I am by posting pictures of the item and provide the condition, people are constantly asking “do you still have the box?” The box seems to be a bargaining chip prior to even seeing the item itself. If I have it then they will pay for what I asked and if not, they make a counter offer. I have been a buyer in Craigslist and all I care is inspecting the item thoroughly and having the box or not doesn’t even cross my mind. Is it just me or any of you experiencing the same thing?
I've sold over 150 lenses/cameras on eBay, plus about a dozen local sales through Kijiji, and a few on FM. eBay buyers seem to ask fewer questions when the box is included (I post lots of photos and a detailed description), and I figure having the original box and other "in the box" stuff adds about %15 to the final selling price.
Craigslist is pretty slow around here. Kijiji is where local sales are usually happening. I think it's a sort of Tim Hortons vs. Dunkin' Donuts kind of thins.
the reason is simple: many items on this list have come up from dubious sources and are possibly incomplete due to their potential origin. having a complete package can somewhat reduce the thought of questionable circumstances. what doesn't cross one persons mind does to many others.
jcolwell wrote:
I figure having the original box and other "in the box" stuff adds about %15 to the final selling price.
I agree with your assessment but I wonder what exactly makes them think that way? I understand if I am shipping it or if they are buying it as a gift but most of them are buying it for personal use.
Honestly, out of all my selling experiences, I find ebay the least stressful.
on here: lots of lowballs, several experiences where the buyer wasn't satisfied because of something they should have asked about, and starts making paypal dispute threats.
on craigslist: millions of shady people/scammers.
on ebay: BUYERS.
ISO1600 wrote:
Honestly, out of all my selling experiences, I find ebay the least stressful.
on here: lots of lowballs, several experiences where the buyer wasn't satisfied because of something they should have asked about, and starts making paypal dispute threats.
on craigslist: millions of shady people/scammers.
on ebay: BUYERS.
I agree, although I've had good luck for local sales on Kijiji.
I never hesitate to buy a lens without a box. Its usually a bit cheaper, so it saves me money. When I'm out taking photographs, I never once wished I had the box, .
The box and ideally the "mint condition" provides the illusion that
item is virtually new with the same thrill one gets when opening
a shipment of new item(s) from Amazon, BH, etc.
garydavidjones wrote:
The box and ideally the "mint condition" provides the illusion that
item is virtually new with the same thrill one gets when opening
a shipment of new item(s) from Amazon, BH, etc.
Seriously?
Not having a box is certainly not a show stopper, but it does in someway speak to the chances that the equipment is what it seems. For instance, a body or lens that has been through multiple owners is not likely to have a box and all the original accessories with it. If I'm going to buy a 2 or 3 thousand dollar camera or lens I want to reduce the risk as much as possible. Anything that points to it being well cared for is a plus. It is not a tell all of good condition just one item of many that can put the buyer at ease with an expensive purchase from an unknown individual.
What amazes me the most is people who post pictures of equipment that are out of focus, underexposed etc...basically a terrible presentation and then don't understand why someone won't pay their price.
To me the box shows that the seller took better care of the gear than someone who would just throw the box away not caring. Plus it adds to the resale value.
My wife thinks I'm absolutely, completely out of my mind for keeping all those empty boxes in a sealed storage bin in the garage;-) And...I'm going nuts because I can't find one box I know I have for a lens I'm getting ready to sell.
Hutch wrote:
My wife thinks I'm absolutely, completely out of my mind for keeping all those empty boxes in a sealed storage bin in the garage;-) And...I'm going nuts because I can't find one box I know I have for a lens I'm getting ready to sell.
I do the same thing now. And kick myself for tossing boxes years ago as many buyers have a box fetish and are willing to pay more if included along with original packing, cards, etc. I wonder if they sniff the paper and ink to get off or if boxes make the items seem less used?
gome1122 wrote:
To me the box shows that the seller took better care of the gear than someone who would just throw the box away not caring. Plus it adds to the resale value.
I judge the condition of the lens by examining the lens...not the box. All a box tells me is the person has extra room in their house to store boxes.
I do most of my buying here. The box and what comes from the factory makes the buyer believe he is getting everything. That makes it worth more and easier to unload later. My self I store the boxes and very rarely list them in a sell if I'm buying a body or a l series canon lens or Speedlite I like to have the complete item with accessories for the first of its kind but after that if the body has caps ans battery and or grip, speedlites with case and stand and lens with case ans caps that's all I need the software and manuals ill get from Canon. I watch the prices and find a good used item at a fair price and that's what I buy. You can always buy boxes later from some of the retal places.
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