Buying a Camera on Ebay

[kayaraelyn]

Has anyone bought a camera on ebay before, is it worth it is there anyone to stay away from, how have you bought from before. Any ideas to where to buy a camera

We are looking at the Canon Rebel XSi 12.2

Thanks
Alison
Canada

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Has anyone bought a camera on ebay before, is it worth it is there anyone to stay away from, how have you bought from before. Any ideas to where to buy a camera

We are looking at the Canon Rebel XSi 12.2

Thanks
Alison
Canada

I don't know of Canon dealers on Ebay. I am a Nikon person. But as far as camera stores on Ebay, Cameta Auctions is a legit company that I've bought some smaller peripheral stuff like filters and remote cables from. They are authorized Nikon dealers, and I do know they sell lenses for other brands. You may want to check them out. I'd be careful of buying from stores not in the USA. They are probably selling grey market cameras/lenses and if you ever need servicing, you wouldn't be able to get it or it'll cost you a lot more than you saved on buying grey market.
Honestly, for bodies and lenses I've gotten better prices dealing directly with Amazon. com because of the free shipping. Make sure you are dealing directly w/ Amazon. com or a legit seller like Cameta or Adorama who does business on Amazon. There are some shady companies on Amazon too. You have to shop around. Also check out B&H & Adorama and check out Resellerratings.com if you aren't sure of a companies legitimacy.
ETA: On Ebay, there are even companies in the USA that will try to sell you grey market goods so look them up on Resellerratings.com first before buying.

 

[dpic]

Always look for someone with very high volume and high feedback. Someone with 5,000 sales and 97% positives is probably a good bet. Someone with 5 sales is risky for high value items. Also, check and see what they sell. If they do 90% photographic, that's good too. If their stuff is all over the place, it doesn't mean they're bad--it's just not a specialty.

I have gotten very good deals on ebay. Just be very cautious and never pay with wire transfers.

 

[broberts]

I just bought a refurbished Olympus 1050sw on ebay and didn't have any issues. Saved about $75 bucks. It was supposedly the official olympus outlet on ebay.

 

[PhotobearSam]

In Canada...We got ours at Future Shop...There is also Best Buy and Blacks Camera...All have the Xsi for about the smae price but they are always having small sales. If you are looking used, HENRY's is about the only place I would recommend. Henrys.com is legit. lots of store, good reputation.

Blacks will sometimes surprise you with good deals.

I would not buy from the US right now on Ebay cause you pay duty and exchange (which is aweful right now) and the warranty would not be valid.

 

[DizzyV6P]

Don't waste your time. Most EBAY retailers see you all sorts of crap accessories that you will never use and the call it the "Super Duper Deluxe Professional Package. It's a $100 value for FREE!"

If you insist on buying online. Amazon.com, bhphoto.com, adorama.com, beachcamera.com are the ones that most pros use. They are authorized dealers. I can't say the same for 95% of the ones on ebay.

 

[Lachesis00]

Check out the ilovephotography.com boards I had really good luck there...