I'm not sure how the Buy&Sell works here, but I do a lot of buy and sell on Ebay. With Ebay, you check their feedback as well as recent transactions, and that should give you a good idea of what type of seller you're dealing with.
people keep saying you didn't ask any questions, etc.-since you never said that, can i ask: what did you ask? how did he/she respond?
from my end of it...it's one thing to get pics of a dinged up used camera-it's another thing to get pics of a painted over dinged up camera-if you can't see the dings, how do you ask the appropriate questions?-yes, you got a deal, but the seller was trying to hide something (i sure don't paint my cameras)-it would bother me too
I always disclose condition, in too much detail, for anything I sell. I also include massive detailed photos so any buyer can see exactly what they are getting. I always hope for the same from sellers, but if I don't get them, I don't really care. What's important is the quality of the images, not the exterior condition. If I paid a premium for a perfect condition item, and it came looking like it'd been dragged behind a car for 10 miles, then I'd complain. What DOES annoy me is people who use blurry cell phone photos to sell items - purchased a used knife that was WAY abused but the tiny 320x240 blurry cell phone camera photo made it look fine. But...I did not ask questions, so it is MY fault, not the seller's.
You got a nice camera for a pretty good price if you ask me. If the images coming out of the body are fine, then stop worrying about the exterior. If you're really that concerned, send it to canon and have them replace the back LCD cover for cheap, maybe get them to give you some touchup paint too. Probably won't cost that much... Otherwise, go out and shoot with a great body that you don't gotta worry about being the first to scuff it up.
My three 1D series and 20D have scratches, scuffs, etc....they have character. The photos coming out of the bodies are still great. Isn't that the important part?
he sent photos in answer to condition question which dont shot any of the scratches as there is enough contrast in the shot to hide the paint job on it.
I do concede I dont think i asked enough detailed questions. I wont be leaving negative feedback for the seller on FM as I know myself well enough to know I am often impulsive once I have made up my mind on getting something.
The question really is, should a seller reveal everything to a buyer.
It has EVERYTHING in the box and was even packed with the original foam bits. Buying from another country always has its downsides!
You can buy the parts to replace the hot shoe and back LCD cover for about $30.
Recently, I have purchased a Rebel XTi that was advertised to have less than 8,000 shots.
When it arrived, it was dirty and flash would not pop-up. I said no problem as I was able to clean it and get the flash working again.
The sticky part was when I took the body to Canon Irvine for sensor cleaning and shutter count, it showed over 70,000 shots on it
The seller was gentleman enough to accept the return and refunded all my money back. The cost to me for this misrepresentation was about $20 to cover return postage.
I just recite my mantra before buying cheap stuff here: CAVEAT EMPTOR
Edited by riokid on Mar 17, 2008 at 08:34 PM GMT (Reason: typo)
andrew81 wrote:
The question really is, should a seller reveal everything to a buyer.
It has EVERYTHING in the box and was even packed with the original foam bits. Buying from another country always has its downsides!
No, a seller should not be expected to read the mind of every potential buyer and list everything that has ever happened to the lens (an impossible task). I think listing the number of AF, IS, and Diaphragm actuations is too much to ask, as is the number of times each button or switch has been used. Listing every spot or mark is a lot to ask, and not everyone is a professional product photographer.
I think it is reasonable to expect major issues to be noted, and certainly both parties should engage in some discussion about the items (equipment, money, etc..). I have bought and sold a moderate amount of gear and have not had any problems with misrepresentation or misunderstanding. Of course, this may be a result of always meeting people face to face.
The secret to success on the B&S board is assessing the trustworthiness of the seller before dealing with him or her. A good reputation is worth gold. The way to earn that reputation is by being honest in all of your dealings with buyers and sellers. Offer detailed feedback that may be useful to others using the board.
A few months ago I responded to the WTB for a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. I'd recently bought an EF 28-70 f/2.8L and was finally ready to sell my trusty Tamron. A couple of years earlier I'd dropped the lens then attached to a camera about two feet onto pavement. The lens sustained enough damage that my local shop couldn't repair. They sent it to Tamron. They had to replace the barrel. I paid $260 for the repair, which gave me the most expensive Tamron 28-75 around, an investment of almost six hundred dollars. The lens came back in perfect condition and if anything was even sharper than it had been before. I bought a new front cap and enjoyed the lens.
So when it came time to sell what was I to tell the buyer? The lens looked perfect and operated fine. But I didn't feel I could conceal its history. I quoted a fair but slightly low price and told the woman about the history of the lens. She bought it and when I heard from her later she was delighted with the lens. She gave me excellent feedback.
If you have a question, ask. But make certain you're dealing with someone whose words can be trusted. And if that is what you want, that is what you should offer. It is as simple as that.
I think sending photos which don't show the damage is on the borders of not acceptable. You have a right to expect (on here if not eBay) that sellers will be more straightforward than that.
The seller should disclose everything! BUT! They buyer should ask everything they can think of. The buyer is the only one that knows what is going on inside their head - what is important cosmeticaly, what condition issue(s) would be a deal breaker, what you expect for a given price.....
If you ask your questions, then you will pretty much know what you are getting. If you don't ask your questions, you (and not the seller) are the one left with the unhappy feeling.
Things get missed and opinions are always different so you have to take care to satisfy yourself with the deal.
andrew81 wrote:
....... .... ... .Buying from another country always has its downsides!
Should be irrelevant, and I mean sellers have to tell everything about the item.
Frank and honest dialogue - or this "Sell & Buy" forum will lose value.
Just my opinion.
Are you buying a camera to say look how good it looks or to take pictures with ? If it works and doesn't look like it was drug behind a truck be happy with it . If you want a perfect camera say so and ask for detailed shots to prove it .
