Ben Horne wrote:
I agree that it sounds like she's fishing for something. Perhaps it's because there has been such a huge price drop on new 5DII bodies just after she bought it used. If you don't mind my asking, what was the selling price, and how does that compare to the $1800 price for a new one with the $400 instant rebate? I wonder if she's trying to haggle you enough for you to give in and accept a return.
I sold a MKIV on ebay weeks ago.. and have heard anything from the buyer.. just know they accepted the item and has had 2 weeks with it... keeping fingers crossed that something similar does not happen.
She paid $1400 for it. I had it listed on the facebook group at $1525 for about a month before she contacted me and offered me $1400 shipped. 60k on the shutter and everything else was in great condition.
Someone just posted today about the $1575 or whatever it was for brand new ones on ebay, so maybe she saw that and is trying to get $$ back... Who knows. But at the time (before the price drop) I feel that was a decent price. Its not like she paid $1700 that some are asking for.
My gut feeling is that paypal will screw you if it comes to that. Have her send it back, pay for shipping both ways and then re-fund her the money. If the camera is truly broken try MidState in Rhode Island (or the alcohol fix, which I've never heard of).
Cash sales in person are almost always the best way to go. I know its not possible all the time.
yes paypal will screw you.. but I still say fight it.. you are not a camera shop, anyone that does research know the 5DII auto focus points are not it's strong suits.
I hate reading stuff like this... makes you not want to sell stuff online... unless it's craiglist
If she opens a dispute, as above, Paypal will screw you. Much depends on what you wrote in the listing and said to her. If the listing said 'as-is' and you didn't give any verbal warranties, you'd probably win. But in general, Paypal favors buyers, so any vagaries will be resolved in her favor.
If you think the camera is actually broken, offer (as above) to split the repair cost with her. She should agree if you can make a reasonable argument.
If you don't think it's broken, buy it back from her and resell it. She can pay return shipping. If it turns out to be broken, you'll be paying the repair cost, plus additional shipping to Canon, plus the loss in value since the body was reduced in price at retail.
If you manage to drag this out past 45 days, she won't have any direct recourse short of small claims court or internet mudslinging. Better to leave her in reasonable spirits, though.
She should bear the expense of sending to Canon. That will tell you if there is a problem with the camera in the first place. If there is a problem, then you can decide what you think you need to do to make it right. Just hope Canon doesn't decide to make some money off of you by replacing the shutter or something...
I am really sorry that you have to deal with this. But the more I think about this, as I am reading comments from others, I think the issue is BOTH user error AND buyer's remorse. I am wondering if it would make any sense for you to drag this a little bit longer so the 45 day period is over. In the interim if she insists, have her send the camera to you to send it to Canon for evaluation (I am assuming you're a CPS member, if not she can send it herself and ONLY to Canon and provide you with copies of the work done on it). It would be quite interesting if Canon told her there is nothing wrong with the camera!
When I buy a used body I try a face to face deal. Stick a lens on it and take a few test shots. I don't get to use it for a month and then decide after shooting this and that event that I don't want it. There is a learning curve that can come with a new body. It takes time.
I'd be real interested in the shutter count from the sale to now. During a busy few football games i could add 10k shutter clicks in a month if i was the seller I'd say that was significant. And if it has been used much, has it been abused at all, not purposely, but was it neglected or mishandled?
I don't think it's buyer's remorse, otherwise she'd be asking to return for refund. And I don't think she's angling for anything -- she's not asking for a partial refund. I can understand that she is unfamiliar with the model and its idiosyncrasies, and there may be a legitimate problem. I think you've both done the right thing to send to Canon and get their take on the matter, then possibly work out an arrangement on the repair (if needed). It's unfortunate, but these things occasionally happen between a good seller and good buyer, and they just need working through.
Good luck, and hopefully it's only user error and correctable by reading the owner's manual.
I had something like this happen to me. I suggested the buyer return (buyer paying the return shipping) and I would refund the full price upon receipt of the camera.
If I found the problem existed, I would also refund the shipping. Buyer ended up finding it was operator error and kept the camera.
It is entirely possible that there is nothing wrong with the camera. But if she sends it in, Canon will find something (possibly unrelated) and will charge her.
Curtiss Bryant wrote:
She claims she hasnt had much time to use it and just was able to use it fully at a wedding over the weekend and noticed the issue then.
Right there is an indication that she is unprofessional and may not fully know what she is doing. To use an important piece of equipment at a once in a lifetime event without fully checking it out is unprofessional.
Curtiss Bryant wrote:
Her initial issue was that the LCD would dim and get brighter. She didnt think it was normal as none of her other cameras did that (rebels). I explained that it was a feature of the 5d2 to dim in low light and get brighter in bright light..
That confirms it. She's a wanna-be photographer who doesn't read the camera manual (available on line). The camera is clearly the best one she's ever used (since she's never had one with an LCD that adjusts to ambient light). Yet she uses it at a wedding without understanding it or testing it.
Any bets she is charging money for weddings?
Curtiss Bryant wrote:
So initially I was thinking she didnt know what she was doing, but I certainly dont want to tell her that. I told her to send it in and to forward me the Canon info and we can go from there.
You don't owe her a thing. 1) Too much time. 2) Incompetent user. 3) Your initial thoughts are correct.
However, it is a delicate situation, since Paypal can come down on sellers like a hammer with no recourse, no money, and account closed.
carnac wrote:
I had something like this happen to me. I suggested the buyer return (buyer paying the return shipping) and I would refund the full price upon receipt of the camera.
If I found the problem existed, I would also refund the shipping. Buyer ended up finding it was operator error and kept the camera.
Perhaps this is the best approach. Return the camera for a full refund as the only option.
I've always assumed those buying used are willing to trade a bit more risk and a lack of warranty for a lower price point. If they need an extended return period, tech support and warranty they should pay extra for new/refurb or buy from a dealer. Obviously you can save a couple bills over KEH by buying off CL or ebay but then no extra service or perks. Perhaps your future ads need a legal disclaimer and agreement before the sale.
The camera was bought 'as seen' there is no warranty of any kind implied or requested.
It's a perfect case of Caveat Emptor, it's just her bad luck. It would have been the same if it had gone wrong the day after she bought it as long as it functioned properly when you actually made the transfer of goods.
You don't take a car back after it breaks down on the way home if you made a private purchase, this is just the same.
After that many days?? I would talk with her but as long as you know you didn't sell her a messed up camera you're okay. This may be dumb and expensive on my part but before I sell any camera and even sometimes lenses, I send in to Canon to be checked out and when I remember I send the paperwork along with the body after the sale. This hopefully prevents any headaches for me.
Personally I would not accept the camera back and a full refund.
She could have dropped the body once or twice in the sand and get it dirty enough for the button to not work properly.
I would suggest asking her pictures of the body, and if she can video the error she is getting, the new current shutter count. Also asking her if the little light which indicates the minimum distance light up, which will clearly indicate user error.
Getting the camera back and refunding is the last resort as I see it.
If for 28 days everything was just fine, especially if she used it, it might indicate lens error as well.
Oct 16, 2012 at 05:28 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
No way "sending the camera back with a full refund"
When she told you the camera was ok after she got it before, then the transaction is finished when it's a private purchase of a used item
I think as much it is unfortunate for the buyer, she has had and used the camera happily up until, according to her, it developed a fault. It's not your responsibilty. Don't cave
I was in the camp of perhaps splitting the repair cost with her once you see the Canon repair quote. However, seeing that you sold it for $1,400 I'm not so sure. Most every other 5D2 I have seen even at $1500 sells within minutes. The market is still there. i'm thinking that if she hasn't tried to get a refund yet, then she is probably just worried about an issue that developed after little or no use, and as such I would probably try to make it right.
