I think Chris' comments are right on. A couple things on being a buyer that
I would add:
- Clean feedback profile - I agree, but if they have a lot of feedback
(100+) then the odds are they've have at least one negative. I do. If you do
the homework on their negative, you'll often find that the person that
posted it has a flood of negatives. Just like society, take everything with
a grain of salt.
- Pictures and regular camera sellers are nice, but it is just a factor in
your bid, not the only decision process. This is probably even more true for
me, as I am a gambler and trade enough to absorb the occasional 'challenge'.
My approach is to snipe low on these auctions. You occasionally win one.
Overall, ebay (and buying used OM in general) has been a success for me.
I've had a heck of a lot more sucesses then failures. Most sellers, when a
problem is discovered, work with you on a solution. Examples: My IS-3 was
broken. Seller did a partial refund. Even with the CLA that is planned,
I'll have only put about $170 in it. A great price for a freshly CLA'd
IS-3. Another example. Bought an OM-4 (and T32 and 35-105) and the
viewfinder had a problem and the back didn't latch. Seller split the CLA
cost with me. More than fair. Ended up with a nice OM-4, freshly cleaned.
I did have one bad one with a big kit that the seller knew he was inflating
the quality. Could I have gone after him? Possibly, but I didn't. In the
end, I lost a little, not a lot, just didn't make the profit I expected.
Even this last purchase of the fungus farm is, I think, going to end up
working out.
So, bid low, bid often, win the occasional steal!
Tom
P.S. I made the mistake recently of totally up all the OM equipment that I
have purchased in the last year or two. Almost had a heart attack. Luckily
I also keep track of what my current investment is.....that number was OK.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris O'Neill" <coneill@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Steve Goss" <steveg3@xxxxxxxxx>; <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2001 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: [OM] Re: Buying from e-Bay
> On 4 Mar 2001, at 8:02, Steve Goss wrote:
>
> > With all this talk about choosing among sellers, and getting a good feel
> > for whether a seller is any good, what things should one look for?
>
> 1. A clean feedback profile.
>
> 2. Lots of very clear and up-close pictures. Also, lots of description
> 'bout the items condition and functioning. (i.e. a blurry picture taken
> from 10 feet away and "It probably works" are NOT enough!)
>
> 3. A speedy (and full!) response to any e-mail enquiries. (Note: DON'T
> expect a reply in time if you send your query 5 minutes before auction
> close!)
>
> 4. That money-back-if-not satisied policy is VERY important! Look for
> negative feedback pointing-out instances where the seller reneged. Be
> *very* careful when buying stuff that's being sold as-is.
>
> 5. A history of selling photographic equipment (preferrably Olympus,
> but that's not necessary). I do buy from others, but I'm *very* cautious
> when buying from someone who says "I don't know 'bout cameras"
> and/or junk dealers, pawn shops, etc.
>
> > More to the point (for me as a occasional seller) what things should I
> > say or not say to I'm not a total ogre?
>
> See the above.
>
> Hope that helps...
>
> Regards,
>
> Chris
>
> ---
> I'm *not* a Zuikoholic.... I'm a Zuikohobbiest!
> Chris O'Neill (coneill@xxxxxxxxxxx)
> http://www.nucleus.com/~coneill
>
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