Buying an expensive item on ebay

smr

smr

smr

Soldato
Joined
6 Mar 2008
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8,765
Location
Leicestershire
Hi,

I've been looking at buying this Camera Lens for months now and have seen an exceptionally low price for it on ebay.

The thing is that the seller has zero feedback. He is however registered as a business seller, accepts returns, and there is the ebay moneyback guarantee. He's also located a 15 minute drive away. I've messaged him but had no reply as yet.

The listing is a buy it now price, and I'm a bit dubious, but at the same time wondering if if the seller is genuinely putting forth a bargain.

The price is £1K+... am I fully protected by ebay's returns and moneyback guarantee if I do buy it ? I've never bought anything over a couple of hundred quid on ebay before.
 
As the old saying goes, if it's too good to be true, it usually is...

You have to ask yourself, if it's genuine, why is it being advertised at an exceptionally low price?
 
If he is 15 min away, an inspection is probably feasible.

I know a friend of mine recently had to throw away some expensive camera lenses through mould growing internally so it could be worthwhile.
 
I once bought a £1k guitar from the States from a shop in some small town in the South somewhere, it can work and if you don't mind going through the hassle if it goes wrong.
 
If they’re legit and want to sell they’ll reply to your message and let you take a look. If you don’t get a reply I’d walk away.
 
I bought my tilt shift lens for nearly 1k from a private seller, it came through exactly as described. Got a link to the item so someone could see if there are any obvious red flags?
 
I would never buy anything expensive on ebay. Problem is that unless its a reputable seller you don't get any guarantee. The last thing you want is to be embroiled in an argument with a seller. Lenses are extremely precise devices. I would not buy one without a full guarantee.
 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MINT-CANON-EF-300mm-f-2-8-L-IS-II-USM-AF-Telephoto-Lens-/143809149720?nma=true&si=Bnd39mAj1NdcTTB7V6EoztT%2B3jw%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

It's sold now. It doesn't make much sense as that Lens is £6k brand new and it's sold for less than they advertised it at. The pictures and description have been taken from a Japanese advert for the lens as well, as there are quite a few Japanese based sellers who advertise lenses with those images and that description.
 
smr said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MINT-CANON-EF-300mm-f-2-8-L-IS-II-USM-AF-Telephoto-Lens-/143809149720?nma=true&si=Bnd39mAj1NdcTTB7V6EoztT%2B3jw%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

It's sold now. It doesn't make much sense as that Lens is £6k brand new and it's sold for less than they advertised it at. The pictures and description have been taken from a Japanese advert for the lens as well, as there are quite a few Japanese based sellers who advertise lenses with those images and that description.
Click to expand...

That screams scam.
 
pp111 said:
I would never buy anything expensive on ebay. Problem is that unless its a reputable seller you don't get any guarantee. The last thing you want is to be embroiled in an argument with a seller. Lenses are extremely precise devices. I would not buy one without a full guarantee.
Click to expand...

Its fine.
Returns can take longer.
I had a lens come with a cracked front element. I genuinely think it was in postage. But I did get my money back.

(it was over 1k)

I also bought a kayak that had a hole in it. Same issue. I don't think the seller knew and it had just perished.
He was leaving the country so obviously dragged his heals. So he could close his account before ebay forced the refund.

This was 700

As a buyer you are genuinely protected.
Just make sure you accept the cost of a return. You shouldn't have to pay it but you might. Something to think about if you're buying from abroad.



However.. For a 0 feedback... Too good to be true.... I might not bother.
Did same with laptop. Thought it was a scam. It was. The guy/girl had sold about 20. EBay refunded. But he was obviously long gone.


Overall. You'll be safe
But its likely a scam
 
smr said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MINT-CANON-EF-300mm-f-2-8-L-IS-II-USM-AF-Telephoto-Lens-/143809149720?nma=true&si=Bnd39mAj1NdcTTB7V6EoztT%2B3jw%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

It's sold now. It doesn't make much sense as that Lens is £6k brand new and it's sold for less than they advertised it at. The pictures and description have been taken from a Japanese advert for the lens as well, as there are quite a few Japanese based sellers who advertise lenses with those images and that description.
Click to expand...

That's crazy
Looks like a scam.

Its either a scam or an idiot! I'd watch and see if he gets that positive feedback. Or his account vanishes
 
Is not paying by Paypal super water tight as s buyer?

Sure youll probably jump through hoops to get the money back but they refund you and they chase the fraudulent seller?

Maybe its changed?
 
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