OT - Selling cameras on Ebay

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

My DH has switched from 35 mm to digital photography and wants to sell his 35mm and medium format cameras. He is thinking about Ebay, but he has never been on Ebay and I have only bought a few things, never sold (feedback score of 2, member over 1 year). My question is for all you experienced Ebay buyers and sellers - would you even look at camera equipment sold by someone with a low feedback score? I have only bought from Disney Deals and one private seller, and I looked to see if she had lots of feedback before I bought. It seems to me that no one would be willing to risk buying from a new seller, but I have very little experience on Ebay and don't really know. Should I try to list them for him, or do you have another idea of how he could sell them?

Thanks very much for your advice and input!

 

[JR6ooo4]

Ebay is a great place to sell. Millions of viewers.

To be comfortable buying used products on eBay I would rather the seller be more knowlegable about the items they are selling. Seeing as he is selling medium format cameras I would assume this is correct. Buyers should know what questions to ask before they bid. Assuming the seller writes an accurate description. ie No scratches on lenses.. etc

I did the same thing, twice. I inherited a minolta x700 setup from my great aunt. I used that for about 3 years. Then sold it on ebay and bought a Sony 717. I used that for about 2 or 3 years and again sold it for funding on my canon dslr.

watch ebay for a while, see if similar items are selling. And are they selling for a good price? I have seen the 18-55 rebel kit lens sell for $20 and $100! Ebay charges a percentage per listing price and another per selling price. (if it does not sell they offer relisting at a discount) Open a www.paypal.com account. It is another ebay company but it is very easy to accept payment for auctions and they provide some insurance as well. But they also take another percentage!!!! Auction sales have great emotion. If you start an auction low someone will think they might get a $4000 item for $20 and place the first bid. Then more will bid. and more. If you start the auction too high you might not get any bids. So start low and you can choose to set a reserve price. If you want $4k for something then set that as the reserve price. If nobody bids that much the item does not sell. You still pay listing fees.
There are other photography auctions as well. But i do not have any info on them.


Mikeeee

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Thanks! I appreciate your thoughts. My DH is very knowledgeable about his cameras, and we could list them accurately, but we will never be Ebay Power Sellers. I will check to see what is listed now to see if it might be worth the trouble. I have paid through paypal for an item I bought, but I don't know if that means I have an account or just paid through the seller's account. We have a lot of learning to do before we try to sell anything!

 

[JR6ooo4]

sell a couple of items around the house that you can do without. Even if you do not get a great price it will give you some practice.
eBay is not too hard to learn the basics. eBay does have very advanced tools for power sellers etc... but you do not have to use them.
I am a member since '99 and have sold or bought nearly 100 items. I still prefer the simple listing method.
If you have any questions feel free to email me or send a private message.
Mikeeee

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Thanks for the help, JR60004!

 

[JR6ooo4]

one thing above all, after selling you will soon recieve an email saying,
"your account has been flagged and is suspended unless you click this link and verify all your personal information!"

of course it is spam, phishing for suckers.
ebay already has your info. I get those emails all the time, from hackers masquerading as Bank One or Chase or eBay.

Mikeeee

 

[spatenfloot]

You will probably not get very much for the equipment compared to what you paid for it. As long as you are ok with that, go ahead and list it. Most people have already switched to digital or are planning to switch so the market is not the best.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

You will probably not get very much for the equipment compared to what you paid for it. As long as you are ok with that, go ahead and list it. Most people have already switched to digital or are planning to switch so the market is not the best.

I agree with you, and I think my DH probably agrees too. He was a "purist" for a long time, but now he is a digital convert. I think he wants to see someone get some use out of them, even if he doesn't make a lot of money. And it is more money for Disney trips!

Thank you and JR6ooo4 for your help!