Finally heard back only after the case had been opened. Looks like they want to play games:

I just received your message from last night as well as a case stating that I have not contacted you. I am not clear if you would like to resolve this amicably or would prefer to refer it directly to ebay customer service to handle since I was only given a very small window to respond to your message. At this point I am going to assume the former. Please note that I need more than a couple of hours to reply to a message particularly those sent late in the evening as I work very long hours, travel frequently for work and do not always have access to my personal email account.

In regard to the lens, the pictures posted on the listing were taken that day of the posting. The pictures you posted were not visible to me so I do not know the difference in condition. It was definitely not exposed to chemicals by me, all of the rings moved freely. I do not have a camera body for the lens but was able to see it focus through the mechanism.

I also have the following questions:

1. Was the package damaged in any way when received? Do you still have the original packaging from the shipment?

2. Does the lens fit the camera body you purchased it for? What is the model number for the body?

3. Did you attempt to take any pictures with the lens? What was the quality of the pictures?

4. You indicate in the case that the repair cost would exceed the cost of the lens. Did you receive a quote for the repairs?

5. Did you ask any questions about the lens during the auction? I receive a number of questions regarding the condition but do not have a record of any correspondence from you.

Please provide me with the additional information requested above. In addition, I would appreciate seeing your pictures of the lens. From there we can determine an appropriate way to proceed.

Pure BS. Just trying to waste time, frustrate you and wear you down. Answer the questions and file a claim/dispute with ebaY. Don't mess around with this anymore.

forestmage wrote:
If you paid with PayPal you can open up a dispute with them and they will put a hold on her account for the amount the item cost you. I've used it once on an item that wasn't as described and got all my money back.

-Not unless the seller has at least 50 sales, and a 98% or higher feedback rating. Read the fine print.

To get Ebay to do anything (don't get your hopes up) you may need written proof that the lens is not as described. In other words, a written document from a lens expert. - and most won't do it, even for money, because they don't want to get involved. I went through this once with a $7,000 violin, and it took around six months to find someone willing to do it. The certificate cost around $200, they found in my favor (after countless phone calls) and I STILL never got my money back.

Good luck, but don't get your hopes up.

I added USM to the photo posted in the listing and it shows the external "rust"...not as clear as you've shown but the seller's own photo confirms your view of the condition of the lens....

PLEASE leave NEG feedback!

yeah, in the seller's picture, that does look a lot like dust on the lens, but if one were to know that the lens is made of metal, then it would be linear to suspect that that could be rust as well... she shouldn't have labeled it excellent, but a simple request for a more detailed picture, or a clarification of the picture, would have saved a lot of trouble. all the best in getting this resolved.

sorry for your trouble buddy, I'm about due myself.

why do sellers do "private listings"?
other eBay members cant see exactly who bids or wins anyway and this wasn't for a sex toy or anything ?

>>>>I need more than a couple of hours to reply >>>>to a message particularly those sent late in >>>>the evening

No problem. Actually, I sent the message at 2:32pm and opened the case at 11:58pm - November 20, 2009. There was no acknowledgment or response until 2:54pm the following day - November 21, 2009. Your understatement of needing more than two hours to respond is noted. In truth, more than 9 hours had elapsed without response prior to the case being opened. I am not going to continue further on this petty issue of timing. My opening the case is simply based that the item is not as described.

Questions will have to be answered in separated messages as character allowance is limited per msg.


1. Was the package damaged in any way when received? Do you still have the original packaging from the shipment?

No, the package material, box, arrived in undamaged condition without any signs of external abuse. I still have the original packaging.

2. Does the lens fit the camera body you purchased it for? What is the model number for the body?

Yes. Minolta SRT-101.


3. Did you attempt to take any pictures with the lens? What was the quality of the pictures?

The aperture is broken and does not function properly, as such any attempts at testing the lens throughout its entire operating range is impossible. This was confirmed physically, both mounted and dismounted from the camera body. Further, the aperture mechanism does not require a camera body to demonstrate 100% aperture functionality. While the rings may turn freely, the aperture blade linkage is not responsive at each click stop. Additionally, the aperture range settings past 5.6 are not enacted by the aperture blades whatsoever, despite the ring being set at corresponding values at numerically greater positions. It is on this basis that the aperture functionality of the lens is severely compromised and does not meet the description "LENS IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION" used.


4. You indicate in the case that the repair cost would exceed the cost of the lens. Did you receive a quote for the repairs?

Yes, based on the final purchase price of $160.27 plus $18.43 UPS Ground shipping. The contingent verbal quote of repairs exceeded the combined amount. At that point, further inspection to rule out fungal damage would preclude any possibility of repair as no lenses are taken in if fungus is present. I have shown the pictures of the lens in the condition as it was received to associates and indeed appears to be fungal damage.

5. Did you ask any questions about the lens during the auction? I receive a number of questions regarding the condition but do not have a record of any correspondence from you.

The listing description was:

****LENS IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION****

Includes original case, lens cap.

Drop in mounting

Original owner

On Nov-09-09 at 10:38:28 PST, seller added the following information:

35 MM 1:1.8

Note that the flash is not included, the extra picture was posted and I can not remove it.

---------

Based on the above description, it was not deemed necessary on my part to inquire further as the lens in "EXCELLENT CONDITION" was the determinant factor in my purchasing decision making process.

I am not going to let this consume me and will stick to chalking this up to experience, but damn, the principle of the matter, not so much the monetary loss, just makes me sick to the stomach.

We'll see what happens. However, I'm realistic and have already counted this as a loss. Thanks for the support guys!

My dad has a 101 and a 102. Those are what I got my photography feet wet with many moons ago. Sorry to hear about the bad auction, glad it wasn't for a higher dollar amount at least.

Gotta agree.... this guy is just buying time and trying to wear you down....
This is the kind of BS that gives ebay a bad rep and spoils it for the honest sellers.

The way I would handle it if you paid with a charge card and have a copy of the listing stating the lens is in excellent condition then file a dispute with the charge company on the back of your monthly bill. They will help to get you whole on this transaction providing you have the proper info to back up your claim. Good luck. Wayne

Thank you for responding to my questions regarding this lens. I understand you are unhappy with your purchase I am attempting to resolve this amicably. Please know that I sold this lens with the most information available to me. I am not very familiar with the older Minolta lenses but know that this is a very rare lens and is generally valued at $300 plus.

Based on the information you provided, repairs and cleaning of the aperture are expected to cost approximately $48. In order to verify this, please bring the lens to:

Dean's Camera Repair


He is very familiar with these lenses.

You also indicated that you have photographs showing chemical burning and fungus in the lens. As requested before please forward me these photos. Neither were evident in the lens before it was sold.

--------

I am familiar with Dean, he has serviced my equipment in the past. I just called him and will bring him the lens.

I have sent you the links stated in the case, all you need to do is click on them. If you are unable to follow the link just by clicking, you need to copy and paste the entire address into the url bar in your browser and they will load. Here they are again for your convenience:

eBay Customer Support has made a final decision and the case is closed. You can view the details of this case in the Resolution Center.

Decision:
This case has been decided in your favor.

Comments:
"Case closed."

Well, it was long and drawn out but finally some closure... Thanks eBay!

GREAT NEWS....now I'm in a similar situation...listing says:
"This lens is in good condition save for some minor scuffs and scratches from normal use. (See pictures)
Feel free to ask me any questions or for more pictures of the lens."

Well, when I asked for more and clearer pictures I was told that they'd be as fuzzy as the ones on the auction listing....and never got any...
...there is a hint of a scratch on the front element, but it could be just a reflection...and that's my hope....
...in any case, if it is a scratch on the glass, it will be interesting to see whether PayPal considers a scratch on the glass itself to be "minor" and the result of "normal use"....or whether the seller had a responsibility to identify in words (in lieu of sharp photos) that the glass has indeed a scratch...
We'll see what Brown delivers on Monday....

PayPal does not consider anything. They require a service centre report or something like that, which states that the lens does not match the listing. So unless you can get something like that easily, it is your word against the sellers and PayPal has no intention of taking your word: they'd rather take their comission from the seller.

Cableaddict wrote:
To get Ebay to do anything (don't get your hopes up) you may need written proof that the lens is not as described. In other words, a written document from a lens expert. - and most won't do it, even for money, because they don't want to get involved. I went through this once with a $7,000 violin, and it took around six months to find someone willing to do it. The certificate cost around $200, they found in my favor (after countless phone calls) and I STILL never got my money back.

Oh wow out 7 grand? How bad was the condition of the violin, did you salvage it?
This thread is a good cautionary tale.
Glad ebay voted right on this case, sometimes you hear a lot about how bad ebay is run.

I have looked at a few Ebay auctions when the photos and descriptions are not clear - usually from sellers that don't sell photography equipment - they really don't know the products - or how to photograph items clearly. I send very clear questions on the item asking / stating key points as documentation - if they are not answered clearly - I don't bid.