eBay wild west

[cboy]

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Touch wood I haven't had really serious issues buying and selling. There's a lot more risk to sellers than buyers and the changes they've made particularly to sellers make it less appealing which is why I stopped. It more now geared towards eBay stores for high volume selling or Alibaba model. It's not anymore a auction site for one offs. At least relating to camera gear imho. The margins are just slightly higher than a pawn shop.

This is dependent on the country however. Given the custom import fees and taxes that they now have imposed on ebay . And increased shipping cost globally

Still imo a good place to buy (new)...not a great place to sell (secondhand) in terms of photo gear.

Edited December 5, 2021 by cboy

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[TeleElmar135mm]

Am 2.12.2021 um 09:40 schrieb TeleElmar135mm:

Bought a used 135mm M - Lens by a well known seller here in Germany. The lens has some damage (resination - Verharzung and was not well gestated) but sold it as A- like new. I returned it because I don't want as repair by himself. So far so good. I returned and he got the delivery but did not pay back. So I opend a case and got an answer from Ebay first in Englisch than in a not very good  German (sorry for my English here it's a bit rusty but I'm not a dealer  ). And this a long term ebay-plus member.

So I hope I get my money back. The old Ebay was with a German customer service, now you get an International service and the the way they deal with the money is borderline. I stopped selling my things there because of their politics and now this ... and it was not the first time.

I had to quote myself. Ebay said that it's a German dealer but had his Ebay account in the US. Since 5.12. they send me 3 more mails, saying that  I get back my money during 12-24 h. Now it's the 3rd time that nothing come within 12-24 h. The payment was mades with PayPal. Paypal said call Ebay. Great  . My next step at Monday is to ask my lawyer what to do. 

[ppkarppi]

24 minutes ago, TeleElmar135mm said:

I had to quote myself. Ebay said that it's a German dealer but had his Ebay account in the US. Since 5.12. they send me 3 more mails, saying that  I get back my money during 12-24 h. Now it's the 3rd time that nothing come within 12-24 h. The payment was mades with PayPal. Paypal said call Ebay. Great  . My next step at Monday is to ask my lawyer what to do. 

Good luck! Hope that you get your money back!

[Sailronin]

In the past 6 months I've purchased a brand new Leica MP from a shop in Hong Kong and an "Open box" store demo TS-Apo-Elmar 120 S from a dealer in the Netherlands, both items were exactly as described and arrived ahead of the promised date; from a private seller I purchased a 50mm Summicron DR for the MP. It was in much better condition than advertised.  The key to good experiences on E-Bay (for me anyway) is to deal with reputable sources (read the feedback and only use if positive is over 99%) and contact the seller for any questions before hitting the "Buy" button.

Edited December 13, 2021 by Sailronin

[M9reno]

On 12/11/2021 at 5:54 PM, TeleElmar135mm said:

IMy next step at Monday is to ask my lawyer what to do. 

Win-win for the lawyer!

[TheBestSLIsALeicaflex]

Ebay is hit or miss, and it has become worse over the years.  Always assume a body will need a CLA and a lens a good cleaning.  Ebay pretty much always supports the buyers, but there's the hassle factor in returning an item.  I rarely buy or sell anymore, but my own policy, based on personal experience, is think twice before entering an overseas transactions.  

Having said that, there are a lot of reputable sellers and buyers on that auction site.  Check their feedback.  

[hirohhhh]

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What alternatives do you know for vintage cameras and lenses? I know KEH and B&H has their "Used" section.

[oldwino]

In the USA? Tamarkin, Popflash Photo, Camera West, Samys, Roberts, UsedPhotoPro...check the classified section of Photrio. 

[Ko.Fe.]

3 hours ago, oldwino said:

In the USA? Tamarkin, Popflash Photo, Camera West, Samys, Roberts, UsedPhotoPro...check the classified section of Photrio. 

RFF as well and of course Igor camera.

Edited December 24, 2021 by Ko.Fe.

[Ko.Fe.]

On 12/1/2021 at 7:40 PM, ppkarppi said:

eBay seems to be a wild west what comes to Leica camera sellers. Any bad experiences you would like to share to help others?

eBay is odd place these days. I just couldn't sell fully working M3, no issues for low price.

As for buying, I have ex German living in USA, who sells and service Barnacks. No issues with my IIIc from him.

[hirohhhh]

6 hours ago, oldwino said:

In the USA? Tamarkin, Popflash Photo, Camera West, Samys, Roberts, UsedPhotoPro...check the classified section of Photrio. 

Wow, I wasn't aware of many of these places, even though I own many Leica cameras and lenses for 6 years. I was always buying new in Leica Stores, and this is the first time I'm looking vintage stuff. Thanks!