Choderboy wrote:
So, for all the recommendations for purchasing on FM, I know a member with 10 days membership and 2 posts would find it very difficult to sell.
Will this be a problem for buying?
You have to meet the minimum to communicate via PM, but I see where those members have reached out via the thread itself to ask for an alternate method of communication and completed the transaction, so it's more difficult, but not impossible.
I have bought and sold here on FM and purchased from KEH. Never had any issues. When purchasing from FM I look for members who do more than post on the buy and sell forum. members who are actively participating on forums , posting pictures, etc. generally care about their reputations, willing to work with you if any issues,etc.
Good luck with whatever decisions you make and enjoy your purchase.
When I bought my A1, I bought it used on Facebook. That was... a bit terrifying to say the least. Why? Because Even though you are in a police department's "safe spot" where supposedly officers are actually watching the cameras and ensure the deal goes down well. When you and another guy are talking about a camera at the time market value 6500 and me with $4,500 in actual cash money. That was an experience. My wife and I's heart rate was through the roof and honestly the guy selling it too us was probably pretty nervous at first as well. We parked on opposite sides directly behind each other so neither of us could easily "scurry away". He brought out the camera and I asked him if he had a lens to test it with(I didn't have one at the time). He hesitated for a minute but pulled out a Sony 35mm f1.4 and put it on and took a picture and showed me. I asked him to show me the about menu to show the model # in case the outside case was somehow switched. Then I told me wife to get the money(pretty sure he saw heard my daughter ask my wife when we were going to be done) which I think relaxed him a lot as he handed the camera to me after he saw the envelope of cash. I took a few more pictures and asked him if he'd sell the 35mm as well but he was holding out.(he needed emergency cash as he was getting married and wanted to throw a big wedding). Had the receipt and box and everything. Counted everything out on his trunk of the car. My wife counting first then he counting second.
Anyways #_# I'd not recommend doing that. Swear to god I took a year off my life lol.. It turned out well but it could of just as easily turned stabby or shooty. Though my wife researched that guy for like a day on facebook and she couldn't find a hint in anything of him being "fake/made up" Seriously though.. this place is full of super nice people who are helpful and share a passion of photography and the Buy/Sell area seems very heavily moderated/protected.
Chaliel wrote:
Has anyone adresses in Europe for second hand stuff?
There are several more or less independent photo shops selling second hand gear. I don't know of any in France but surely you'll find some by searching the net.
If you want more to chose from you can try https://www.mpb.com/en-eu/shop.
Here or FBM. My first two cameras I purchased new, my rebel DT had a failed shutter outside of warranty so buying new didn’t help. I always buy used now. New just costs too much , never had a bad transaction we couldn’t resolve on here or FB.
You can find some good deals on A1 if you look here.
I've bought quite a few used bits and got a shoddy deal from one of the aforementioned stores. I've never used that store again but had no problems with used gear from WEX and Park.
All things being equal, I would prefer to buy "new" from a regular retail outlet (ie B&H or Adorama for example).
I will detail my last two purchases and show "my" buying decision(s).
Purchase #1 - Sony A9iii
I researched here on FM as a starting point for the best used pricing that included minimum use and best conditions based on questions posed to the sellers. There are also sellers here on FM that sell "new" from retail outlets with receipts from recognized retail stores. Essentially, FM B&S is the best option I have found including researching KEH, MPB, Ebay as well as B&H & Adorama "open box".
Buying an A9iii body, I was concerned about risk of initial defect and no recourse of buying a used camera body. This funneled my decision towards a new or a lower risk purchase, but at a discounted price. KEH, MPB, and "new on FM plus B&H and Adorama Open Box all have warranty available...
The best buying decision was FM "new" or after much more research, I would eventually purchase from Cardinal Camera. Either of these solutions would provide a Sony warranty and a "sale" price result.
Purchase #2 - Sony Lens - FE pz 16-35mm f/4.0
Again, research and risk vs reward drove this decision. The same research I used on the camera body was done in looking for the best buying decision for the lens. I was much more willing to take a bigger risk on the lens as it was less expensive than the camera body and lower risk.
I would end up purchasing the lens on Ebay (none were available at the time on FM) at significant discount. The Ebay lens was purchased new in December '24 and never registered for warranty (retail receipt provided by seller). I was able to register for the 2 year new lens warranty (less the 6 months) and the lens condition was as new.
Both purchases worked out well, but it was extensive research and waiting until I was comfortable with my decision(s). I will say that the bulk of my camera gear was purchased new from Adorama and B&H before I joined FM and exposed to the huge body of information available here.
Total Savings: $1,500
The FM B&S Board is a huge resource and I would definitely continue to use the FM Board and purchase here in the future.
birdied wrote:
I have bought and sold here on FM and purchased from KEH. Never had any issues. When purchasing from FM I look for members who do more than post on the buy and sell forum. members who are actively participating on forums , posting pictures, etc. generally care about their reputations, willing to work with you if any issues,etc.
I feel the exact same way. I typically interact with only those who support the forum.
i have had great success buying here, MPB, and buying new via Greentoe. There is only ONE reseller on facebook I trust, and just completed a purchase from him last week. Lens arrived and works as described. Fact is, I check the BS board everyday looking for gear I don't need, lol.
I sell my used gear here and sometimes I buy used especially for gear that i intend to just try for a while. I only buy used here because I can look at the photos of the actual item being sold and ask about its history. So I can be sure of what I get.
When I sell I always describe the item a lot more conservatively noting any small cosmetic imperfection it may have… I really recommend buying here for certainty of what you get as well as a competitive price.
