I think some prices are way too high here. I was looking for some equipment but I ended up buying somewhere else. Let's say... the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, we can buy a gray market one for 314.95 (US version $325) and many people try to sell it here for $300, some for $310... its beyond me how some sellers can price things so high.
Philip Krol wrote:
What about Can to US and vice versa b & s? Living in Canada I've found that I have to think twice about purchasing US gear. At the same time there are a few items I'd like to sell that might look attractive for US buyers.
Any thoughts?
Agreed. Canadians selling may want to make a prediction on what happens to the dollar after Thurs and Fri, when the big job, housing and other numbers are released. My understanding is that we'll have somewhat of a better indication of the direction the Canadian dollar is headed by then. Notwithstanding the decline last month, the past few days have seen a bit of a surge. It could be a different ball game by next week with things returned to how they were this past spring/summer with (near) dollar parity or, as some of the Big Bank economists are predicting, the Cdn dollar could be in for a twelve month decline.
saaketham wrote:
If you elect me, I'll do the following in the first week of taking office
- Make Canon EF lenses compatible with Nikon bodies and vice versa
- Ban ERR-99 on all Canon bodies - Make IS compulsory on all bodies
- Ban all P&S cameras with > 25 Megapixels/cm^2 pixel density
- Make sure every camera has built-in GPS whether you like it or not, and By God, I'll make sure every photo taken has embedded GPS info
Always has to be one policy that the majority doesn't want shove down their throats.
mahoro wrote:
For Canada, I believe the cragslist have more stuff than here.
Especially the devalued CAD$, I really don't want to buy from US.
For example, I just got a Sigma 30mm 1.4 @ $370CAD w/ 10 years warranty @ Cragslist (Good copy, the seller turns out to be a professional photog ) , equiv that US was $300USD...
And I get the chance to check the item carefully before buying.
I recently saw quite a lot of stuff @ good price cragslist like (CDN)
Canon 5D, BG-E4 Grip, 3 batteries - $1300 -
Not sure that I agree. Craigslist Toronto and Kijiji are filled with rip-off artists. Inflated prices if you are lucky and flat-out crooks if you are not. And not just the obvious "ship to Nigeria" scams that we are all familiar with, and that makes Nigeria appear as though it's got more hustlers than Brooklyn, but the "give me your name, number" or "meet me in a dark alley" types who really have perfected crookedness. Although I do watch both of those lists, I do so carefully. At least here, there's a stronger sense of community tied to the feedback process, which, as far as I can tell, minimizes scamming. You could get "lucky" anywhere and find pros dumping gear -- that's not reserved to craigslist and Kijiji in my estimation.
I tend to use KEH as a pricing gauge. Their evaluation of equipment is conservative and consistent, there pricing, while to some extent slightly higher than this list, provides a good ballpark figure to work with to evaluate the pricing on FM and elsewhere. Just some thoughts.
There are a lot of things for sale that aren't moving...the prices seem a touch high, but not more than a few percent from what I've traditionally seen.
I think it's similar to the housing market - the buyers are on the sidelines, the sellers that cut the prices are moving things. Everything else is just sitting. I have a lot of odds and ends for sale that aren't moving. They would've gone quickly in the past.
I also think the recent trend of deleting prices once something has sold has made it harder to determine the going rate?
Yeah, I've seen a few lenses that have been here for sale for a loooooong time. Well before the implosion of the economy. I look at this place more like a place to dump gear I don't need/want safely, rather than as a money-making venture. I'm not going to argue or say anything if you price your items high, but in my head...
Ya, I agree. I've been trying to sell my 1d2 at a pretty low price, or trade it for a 5d and there is almost no one bitting right now. Pretty dead around the used camera market.
I just purchased a few items here. I have stuff from my other hobby "R/C planes" which I can't sell at all (for a reasonable price). If anyone wants to trade fast long glass for a Turbine powered model F15 see me . I see there are a lot of listings for the same product too. Also, many people are hiding the smaller items by not including them in the subject line.
roger coen wrote:
If you really want it to sell---price it below what others are asking.
So, if A lists something for $1000 and B lists it for $900, then A has to re-list for $800, which means B now has to relist for $700. And so on. I like it. Anyone want to sell me a 500mm L for $1000?
I would say yeah, it's not the best of times to sell. People around the country are just not spending. Its clearly a buyers market on many items, especially if you are patient.
I mean really a 1DMK2 is only worth $1200? I think that is far too low, but that's where they are. And the price dropped quickly and was not tied to a new release.
I've also seen the basic foundations of what this place used to be wither away. We used to be a solid community of people with like-interests. There were fair and some very good deals to be found. The trust factor was also high. Now we have dealers trying to hide behind a user name peddling wares. We see people coming in here trying to make $50 a card for CF after they get them for $6-7 dollars after the rebate. In past times, we would simply tell each other about how to get the deal.
This whole trend towards the scam of MS Live is just rediculous too. I'll sell it for this highly inflated price, but you can get a rebate (maybe) from MS for buying it this way. Just list the dang thing for a fair price. If someone decides to gamble on the chance of a rebate, fine. Let them try it. You get you -fair-selling price, the seller gets a good deal if it all works. Don't tell me it's $1000 here, but you'll do me a "favor" and list on ebay for $1200!
I'd love to see this get back to the roots of what is once was. I'm afraid however that we've just turned past that point and look more like eBay than I'd like.
And yeah, 90-95% of the new selling price is just stupid. Price it right, sell it fairly.
Items aren't moving here not because of the economy but because of the new Microsoft/Ebay alliance (conspiracy..whatever). Cash Back is gaining popularity. That is MSFT is offering 25% to a max of $200.00 on items if BIN is selected. How can anyone argue with that? Don't like Ebay? Then have your seller place the item on Ebay so you can take advantage of the Cash Back. (looks as though we were typing at the same time)
All true Scott. But I will say that when I was selling a lot before getting out of DSLR business in July 2007 I always sold in minutes after I posted. But I made the price attractive. I wanted to get rid of the item and knew I would lose a few bucks but had a deal very quickly. Now,it seems that many price high and do not want to bargain at all.
Yes, deleting the price is not best IMO
All true Scott. But I will say that when I was selling a lot before getting out of DSLR business in July 2007 I always sold in minutes after I posted. But I made the price attractive. I wanted to get rid of the item and knew I would lose a few bucks but had a deal very quickly. Now,it seems that many price high and do not want to bargain at all.
Yes, deleting the price is not best IMO
AnthonyRhoades wrote:
Ditto all except I've been happy about the selling price on the items I've sold. I'll reiterate what kidtexas has said though. Most things are priced way too high. No one cares if you only used the item once if your price is within a few dollars of the new, full warranty price, especially when you add paypal, ebay and shipping fees. Sorry, but your stuff isn't selling because you aren't realistic about the price.
Having said that, I've made A LOT of purchases this month; nearly equal to what I've sold. But, I've purchased items that were priced as they should be....Show more →
I agree 100% when you look at a lens that has use and you purchase it used for 80% of new or higher and add in the $ after the fees, shipping, etc. You really have to remember you are buying a USED item with most times no return policy and its normally not in warranty period and if it is you have to make sure you are getitng the original receipt and the blank warranty card. So with that said add in the uncertainty of the current economy and its a tough sell. Personally I have passed up certain lenses I have seen on here and purchased new instead for the warranty and established return policy.
If some sellers would make a concession after a nice pm to them explaining why you are offering them 10% less than asking price instead of rudely not replying or saying tough than I would bet there would be a lot more successful sales. I search the sold prices of items on here "thanks for the new system of seeing old post " and if an item is close to what I think is fair value but higher I will politely pm or email a seller and offer a little less. some that work with you to get the sale the rude ones I wont bother again.
I am a buyer. Not often, but it took a long time for me to gather up enough of my retirement and disability to buy a couple of pieces of quality glass to play with. You can be sure that I spent tens of hours looking at prices, here and at places like KEH so that I could judge what was reasonable for a used lens. I wasn't out looking for the deal of the century, but I also didn't want to spend anymore than was fair. I managed to find a UV dated 70-200 f2.8 for just under $900. To me that seemed like an acceptable price for such a new (for a used) lens. To be honest, my ability does not warrant such a fine piece of glass, but you can be sure that I am going to try to do right by it.
Something else to consider is the impact the credit market is having on the way people shop, I was raised with the cash on the barrel head system. Many now are finding they have to adopt the same method, and are suddenly readjusting their ideas of what they "need".
Another thing to consider is that the prices of canon equipment tend to fall this time of year to bolster sales. Also the rising dollar should help us with imports. I second the notion that prices have been too high on here as of late. More than 85% of new price for a used item is no longer a good deal imo. Sellers in this forum who want 90+% on their sales are expecting too much.
" and if an item is close to what I think is fair value but higher I will politely pm or email a seller and offer a little less. some that work with you to get the sale the rude ones I wont bother again.