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Archive 2022 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

jwpstl
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p.4 #1 · p.4 #1 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

Dr Al wrote:
It always seemed to me that a company could make a go of it being the middle man for private sales. They hold the money, the item in question gets sent to them, they open and verify the item (including sending pictures to the buyer), and ask if the buyer agrees that the item is correct. If possible basic testing as well. If the buyer wants it then the company ships it to them with the proper insurance and forwards the money to the seller. They could even photograph the package after it's wrapped so if it has been...Show more →

Not enough money in it to work as you describe. The only model close that truly works is the KEH, MPB model of buying low, cleaning up, marking up, offering a warranty, and reselling.

Oct 24, 2022 at 11:19 AM

jakelindsay
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p.4 #2 · p.4 #2 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

nehemiahphoto wrote:
I sold a telephoto lens on eBay. The buyer actually signed for the package, then reported to eBay that he did not receive it. Guess what, I lost $900 bucks. Unbelievable.

What did he/she say - the package was full of rocks?

Oct 24, 2022 at 12:05 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.4 #3 · p.4 #3 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

gunmetal wrote:
What did he/she say - the package was full of rocks?

They said the package never arrived despite they signed for it. Yeah, and it worked.

Oct 24, 2022 at 12:29 PM

AdaptedLenses
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p.4 #4 · p.4 #4 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

Starting at the beginning of this year, it's not really about protection etc. it's about the tax liability that the US gov railroaded through, requiring anyone receiving over $600 in a year to report all income as taxable income. Not sales tax, income tax. So if you sell a $1000 camera and don't have info about what you paid etc. you're getting a 25% tax bill (depending on tax bracket) on top of the paypal fees. Personal items aren't supposed to be taxed like that, but it's gonna get reported on a 1099 from PP.

dalegaspi wrote:
since we're bringing up FM B&S boards here...i personally finding it quite annoying that there is a growing list of FS posts have that asks to pay with PayPal FF option to circumvent taxes/fees when there is a sticky on top of the board to *never* use FF option! give me a price with the fees included and don't ask me to use FF...i'm sorry your number of good feedback on the forum is irrelevant; that GS option is there for the buyer _and_ seller protection.

Oct 24, 2022 at 02:43 PM

dalegaspi
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p.4 #5 · p.4 #5 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

AdaptedLenses wrote:
Starting at the beginning of this year, it's not really about protection etc. it's about the tax liability that the US gov railroaded through, requiring anyone receiving over $600 in a year to report all income as taxable income. Not sales tax, income tax. So if you sell a $1000 camera and don't have info about what you paid etc. you're getting a 25% tax bill (depending on tax bracket) on top of the paypal fees. Personal items aren't supposed to be taxed like that, but it's gonna get reported on a 1099 from PP.

i'm not going to argue about the tax implications of accepting payments through PayPal, but issue at hand is about transaction protection: it doesn't change the fact that protection is only applicable to those that are labeled G&S. it's your prerogative to disagree, but my view still stands.

Oct 24, 2022 at 07:51 PM

AdaptedLenses
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p.4 #6 · p.4 #6 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

You are certainly entitled to your opinions and we all need to make decisions for ourselves, but the issue is no longer solely about buyer and seller protection. If you’re getting taxed at the rate of 25%, we’ll I’ll argue the rate of loss if far far lower than 1 in 4, this sellers have a prerogative not to accept a payment that’ll create a tax liability. I’ve done deals with past associates as F&F and I’ve used G&S. It’s situational is all.

dalegaspi wrote:
i'm not going to argue about the tax implications of accepting payments through PayPal, but issue at hand is about transaction protection: it doesn't change the fact that protection is only applicable to those that are labeled G&S. it's your prerogative to disagree, but my view still stands.

Oct 24, 2022 at 10:17 PM

dalegaspi
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p.4 #7 · p.4 #7 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

AdaptedLenses wrote:
You are certainly entitled to your opinions and we all need to make decisions for ourselves, but the issue is no longer solely about buyer and seller protection. If you’re getting taxed at the rate of 25%, we’ll I’ll argue the rate of loss if far far lower than 1 in 4, this sellers have a prerogative not to accept a payment that’ll create a tax liability. I’ve done deals with past associates as F&F and I’ve used G&S. It’s situational is all.

"the issue is no longer solely about buyer and seller protection"

bro, THIS thread is literally about buyer and seller protection. you're not wrong and i know a lot of people here would agree with you but your point of view bears little weight within context of the thread.

Oct 25, 2022 at 08:47 AM

clough
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p.4 #8 · p.4 #8 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

I can testify to the fact that eBay is a very risky place (for the seller) to sell camera equipment. I've gotten scammed by a buyer, and it took me months to set things right, including a trip to the police department to file a report.

Quite a few years ago eBay started siding with buyers automatically, essentially putting all of the risk on sellers.

Now when I sell things on eBay, I recognize that I may be out the item and the cash, so I select things accordingly.

Nov 24, 2022 at 06:20 PM

ebwkiw
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p.4 #9 · p.4 #9 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

Hello
I am not saying to do this but it worked for me.
Years ago I sold musical equipment online and on Ebay. The situation then was similar to now in that buyers could more easily try to scam a seller. Paypal was working with Ebay then and honestly it was not so bad. However, one time, I sold an expensive piece of equipment on Ebay and the buyer made a fuss that the box never arrived despite tracking and signature.
The total of item was in the thousands and so i decided to fly to the buyers home town and visit them. I had no agenda or sudden violent urge , I just wanted to use some frequent flyer miles and maybe see what could come about by talking face to face. Well , long story, I showed up at the house, knocked on the door , asked for buyer and then suddenly they said package had arrived that very day. It was odd and awkward and I could tell they were lying but something about being confronted with it face to face made them fly straight. Like I said, I don't think this is something everyone can or should do but it worked for me and I don't think fighting with paypal/ebay would have done any good. I think most people want to do the right thing but online it is easy to lean into our worst characteristics. Face to face he was able to see who he was screwing over and I was able to see him and I guess that was just enough to help us both. That night , in the hotel bar, I bought a round of drinks for everyone in the lounge.

Nov 27, 2022 at 01:43 AM

EdwardDye
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p.4 #10 · p.4 #10 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

This is totally CRAZY

Nov 27, 2022 at 03:03 AM

Dr Al
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p.4 #11 · p.4 #11 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

I think if the loss was great enough and you required a signature it could be worth contacting a private detective to pay the buyer a visit and let them know that the seller has contacted the police who are starting an investigation.

Nov 27, 2022 at 03:28 PM

teddoman
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p.4 #12 · p.4 #12 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

After getting scammed like the OP, I wonder if it's worth reporting an item as stolen on websites like lenstag as well as to the police.

Dec 07, 2022 at 09:46 PM

Simon Barker
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p.4 #13 · p.4 #13 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

Thing to remember, the insurance on a package isn't for the buyer, it's for the seller.

eBay policy is the seller is responsible for ensuring the package arrives safely and will hold them to account if this doesn't occur, I know that sucks for anyone selling but it does make sense because the seller dictates most of the sale and you should be trying to make the sale work out for both parties. A basic part of that is making sure the package is properly insured and includes tracking so you can actually do something about loss or damage.

If a buyer wants to make life hell for a seller they can though, I have a lot of years of experience dealing on eBay and I can honestly say it's been 99.9% great, most people aren't out there to screw you but saying that won't convince anyone who's had even just one really bad experience.

I wouldn't want to sell something like an A1 on eBay though, it's such a high value item, very desirable and known to everyone so it's going to tempt those who might want to exploit you.

Going over the op's situation though, I think it was a mistake to use electronic payment on such a high value item, take cash, bank transfer or similar because that means no one can just rip the funds back from you in the short term (not sure if eBay takes any legal steps in this regard though). Can the op take any legal proceedings out against the buyer or delivery firm (I assume the difficulty will be in proving which of them is responsible)? Small claims court or whatever the NA equivalent is?

Dec 07, 2022 at 10:55 PM

gkinard1952
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p.4 #14 · p.4 #14 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

I sold a GPS on e-bay I used on my BMW motorcycle. The guy that bought it striped the parts off of it and filed a complaint on e-bay that I sent a for parts only item.. I had to refund the money and the GPS was toast..

Dec 08, 2022 at 04:40 AM

Hoagie058
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p.4 #15 · p.4 #15 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

This. I have essentially given up on selling on EBay, mostly due to fees, etc. I will occasionally buy from there but not that often anymore.

Butterfingers wrote:
I’ll buy from eBay if there is something rare or a good deal, but I will never sell on ebay. Ebay usually always sides with the buyer and never the seller, I am honestly shocked that so many people sell their items on there.

Dec 08, 2022 at 08:28 AM

Hoagie058
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p.4 #16 · p.4 #16 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

I went thru this with a seller for a 70-200 OSS II and just didn’t feel comfortable. I ended up buying used in E- condition from KEH with a 180 warranty for less money.
I buy used most of the time anyway.

dalegaspi wrote:
you're skipping on the important details, friend: what kind of rice is it? and is it any good?

going back to the topic at hand. it's unfortunate that this happened to OP, but it's partly his fault for not insuring it to the proper amount. to be fair with OP, i know it's tempting to print packaging label on eBay since they're generally cheaper and convenient...as a seller i use it too...but if eBay doesn't insure more than the value of the item, don't use eBay to print shipping labels.

furthermore, as one poster noted, the buyer may not necessarily be...Show more →

Dec 08, 2022 at 08:37 AM

Hoagie058
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p.4 #17 · p.4 #17 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

I buy and sell as I upgrade or change equipment and last year, my taxman has me round up the numbers for everything I bought also and it cancelled out the tax fees.

AdaptedLenses wrote:
Starting at the beginning of this year, it's not really about protection etc. it's about the tax liability that the US gov railroaded through, requiring anyone receiving over $600 in a year to report all income as taxable income. Not sales tax, income tax. So if you sell a $1000 camera and don't have info about what you paid etc. you're getting a 25% tax bill (depending on tax bracket) on top of the paypal fees. Personal items aren't supposed to be taxed like that, but it's gonna get reported on a 1099 from PP.

Dec 08, 2022 at 08:52 AM

ajmiller32
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p.4 #18 · p.4 #18 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

This. Just keep the purchase prices (If you bought through Paypal it's all there). If not, it's easy enough to go find and screenshot the item post (usually in your own post history) and corresponded credit card charge. The few minutes of time drastically outweigh the lack of insurance on items.

Hoagie058 wrote:
I buy and sell as I upgrade or change equipment and last year, my taxman has me round up the numbers for everything I bought also and it cancelled out the tax fees.

Dec 09, 2022 at 11:31 AM

mfenske
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p.4 #19 · p.4 #19 · WARNING - do not sell your cameras or lenses on eBay!!!

RoamingScott wrote:
Ebay is a terrible place for sellers and has been for the last decade. Literally any other option is better than Ebay.

That said, I buy with confidence from Ebay because of their hyper aggressive buyer protection.

100% this. Bought an A7c on eBay that turned out not to exist. eBay had funds back to me within 5 days. It's rough out there for high value items as a seller on eBay and agree this is a much safer place to do so with a qualified buyer.

Dec 09, 2022 at 01:35 PM

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