Question about used equipment

[skitterbug]

I’m starting a new thread with a quote from DanK from a recent post in the thread: Slow forum: is there any hope for improvement? - Is there any hope for improvement?


My new post is about camera equipment.

I have used 5 or 6 EF lenses with the R6 II, using the cheaper of the two Canon adapters (the one that doesn't have an extra ring). All have worked flawlessly. I did have a 100-400. It's a wonderful lens, but I finally sold it because of the weight. All by its lonesome, it weighs 3.61 lb / 1640 g.

So where is the best places to sell used camera equipment? If I could get a decent return for my investment, I might consider trying to do this so I could update to new lenses, etc. What do others do with their older “stuff”?


Thanks for considering my question.

[DanK]

I've sold on Craigslist (remember that?) and eBay, but I usually use one of the main vendors. In the past, I've used KEH, but I now get quotes from both KEH and MPB to compare.

These firms have to make a profit, so you can sometimes make more selling directly, but I've found that KEH often comes pretty close to eBay after you net out the various fees. It's also stressless. You get a quote online. You use their condition scale to say what you think the condition is, e.g., Like New Minus or Excellent Plus. If you accept the bid, they send you a prepaid shipping label. They then examine the stuff, tell you what condition rating they come up with, and if they disagree with you, what the new estimate is. If you accept it, they send you the money. If you reject it, they ship the gear back to you at their expense.

I've only once disagreed with their ratings. They rated one thing as Ex + that I had rated as LN -. It was essentially mint. I emailed about my disagreement, and they agreed and changed their bid..

I believe MPB uses much the same system.

I just priced my remaining Canon equipment, and with my ratings, MPB would have beaten KEH by a few hundred dollars. Last time, it was the reverse.

[skitterbug]

I have never used Craigslist or eBay - never trusted them really. But I'll look into the two places that you have used! Selling equipment would definitely be a new experience, so we shall see. The only item that I've traded in was an older iphone for a new one. <laugh> That worked out okay. I've enjoyed using the camera equipment that I have but as you pointed out earlier, the weight of this stuff is becoming daunting. I don't use a tripod most of the time so focusing is also an issue, if the camera can't be held steady.

Thanks for replying! Tonight trying to get into CiC was like using dial-up or maybe even a bit worse than that but I held in there so I could see what you had recommended. I appreciate the info! So yes, thank you very much!

[JDW in Oz]

Buying/selling online comes with its own set of problems.

Most of us have been burnt in internet buying. I've had the unpleasant duo experience of being burnt both in buying and selling.

In the past my dealings both ways were mostly on Ebay. Which I abandoned in 2020. I now buy and sell (admittedly much less than I did pre-Covid) through a reputable secondhand dealer in Melbourne, the 25% commission I pay for someone else to do the donkey work for me is well worth the stress I avoid.

Anyway, movin' on.

Buying - these days I would NEVER buy anything online worth more than AUD $200 without having prechecked the seller's rating (= Ebay) or with more expensive gear, seeing it first, holding it in my hands and testing it. Especially if/when dealing with private sellers, some will post anything they think they can get away with to get a sale.

The gear then arrives by mail, it isn't what was advertised, you (legitimately) complain to the seller, the excuses begin. Everything from "it was damaged in the post" (so who did the packing?) to "I said I didn't test it" (but you did say it was in good to very good to super good working condition) to "you deliberately damaged it to get your money refunded" (show the photos you would have taken at the time of posting your ad, and we can decide accordingly). Shops and pro sellers are a little better. The private sellers are the worst, maybe as they are mostly resellers flipping cheaply bought gear or rank amateurs or not exactly super literate in their wording when posting. The bottom line here is, if the item is not at least 95% as it was described, then it should be returned and a full refund given. Including postage both ways.

Selling - an entirely different can of worms. I sold on Ebay for almost a decade until 2020 (at the start of Covid) when many buyers were suddenly stuck at home, surfing the net looking for bargains, buyers' remorse clicked in and every excuse they could possibly come up with were made up, usually the spot and changed if I challenged the more silly or obviously fabricated stories.

The major issue here with Ebay is, if a dispute comes up they usually side with the buyer, reasoned explanations are ignored and they are known to hit bank accounts for refunds without warning (understandable but annoying), as happened to me when a buyer decided he didn't want a perfectly good Contax G1 I sold for AUD $420, fabricated an excuse with dodgy photos and referred the case to Ebay which dipped into my bank account for a refund and put me into overdraft with fees. The buyer then refused to return the G1. Fortunately, I had his address (we were both in Melbourne) and a lawyer friend sent a strongly worded letter, the camera being returned - the buyer then complained to Ebay for the return postage fee to be refunded. Ebay this time gave me the courtesy of contacting to ask for the payment - I releted my bank details and then cancelled my account. Tit for tat...

By way of a (sort of) disclaimer, I will say I later rejoined Ebay. For buying small items only. Selling, never ever again In five years I've bought 50+ items, usual price AUD $100-$150 (mostly secondhand Leica accessories) and I've not had any problems with the sellers, with even a few I've returned to for more purchases.

I am well aware that for every crapolo buyer/seller, nine are honest and with integrity. Maybe their ad wording needed work, but often as not they are honest and well-meaning, if a bit word-challenged when writing their ads.

Since 2021 my money goes to the aforementioned secondhand dealer in Melbourne (in the business since the 1980s) and the commission I pay for the few items I nowadays sell or post on consignment is well worth the angst I'm spared. Sadly, this fine husband-wife pair of sellers may be retiring from the trade at the end of '26. They will be sadly missed, being the best of two such sellers in Melbourne and the other is, how do I put it, to be approached with a good bit of caution.

Placing items on consignment for sale is another consideration to be given.If the dealer is reputable and reliable, this is a good way to make more $$$ for your gear, tho' it helps to keep in mind that some items may take time to sell.

The old adage of let the buyer beware has definitely been stretched with online dealings - lit is now very much a matter of let both buyer and seller be warned and act accordingly!

Cynical as all this may read, it should be taken as a reasoned caution. Online buying/selling comes with hidden rules (or no rules at all) and many pitfalls. It's good to know how to swim before you leap into the ocean...

One person's experiences. Comments welcome on all this.

[JDW in Oz]

Top. Meant to add this in my previous thread, but forgot (or got carried away with my rhetoric). No matter, the latter post is too long anyway, ha!

Camera clubs are good places to dispose of gear. In AUS where I live, I have ready access to two such groups, in Melbourne and in Ballarat. The former holds two gear sales every year, gala events usually attended by hordes of cash-splash buyers (and far too many dealers who front up early and try to bully the sellers into giving them mega-discounts, but never mind, nobody said the world has to be perfect).

You could consider doing a detailed list and emailing it to your local club. It may produce surprisingly good results...

[William W]

. . . I now buy and sell (admittedly much less than I did pre-Covid) through a reputable secondhand dealer . . . the % commission I pay for someone else to do the donkey work for me is well worth the stress I avoid. . . .

. . . Camera clubs are good places to dispose of gear. In AUS where I live, I have ready access to . . . such groups . . .

+++

One person's experiences. Comments welcome on all this.

Agree with all.

Adding, I too live in Aus, note that communities in different parts of the world may function differently: "Camera clubs" (in Sydney) often have an affiliation with a 'Leagues Club' often a Football Club or RSL Club- (google it) - because that's where they hold their meetings and display their competitions - and the clubs serve Beer and Food.

Exactly where I live, 3 minutes walk is a Baptist Church; the Minister there is (IMO) an excellent entrepreneur, he has been holding regular twice yearly individual “Fairs” for EACH of the following: Stamps; Coins; Camera Gear; Model Trains; and Rare and sort after Books. People come from miles because the marketing has been excellent for many years, and the buyers can see and feel the product, and they pay cash and (under Aus trading law – no returns). The church asks for a set fee to have a table and a ‘donation’ from the sellers for any sales made.

As for advice - I think the OP should first think about what is more important to him: ease and no hassle of buying and selling, or best price possible. Then secondly if he chooses ease of selling and ease of buying use a reputable dealer and/or investigate where BIG photography groups have BIG sales.

For me, time is my most valuable commodity, so I will buy from a reputable dealer and pay for delivery and sell at a (physical) place, which not my home, where many people come either all at one time or over short period of time and I put a price on the item that will most likely sell it, quickly.

WW

Post Script - Though I Live in Aus, I have bought second hand gear from B&H, but never sold my gear through them - way too complicated, easier to sell locally.

[JDW in Oz]

Many thanks, William W, for your insightful post.

You have given me a new idea! One of ou churches has a new, younger, gung-ho pastor who is keen on generating income for the parish to assist in their social outreach. I will be suggesting your idea of sales tables at the church fetes, which being as we are in a small town in regional Victoria (Australia), always draw a good turnout.

Sadly, reputable and reliable secondhand camera shops are vanishing from the scene in Melbourne. The camera club has twice a year sales at a large suburban venue they have booked out for many years ahead, which draws large crowds - of mostly dealers who haggle and bully to get big discounts on their bulk purchases, and from the amount of gear I've seen them carting out of the place they obviously succeed at this, which means fewer goodies for us small purchasers and at the same time, less $$ for the sellers. Such is life.

As for the shops dealing in 'preloved', one is highly reputable and stands by its sales. The other is, well, anyone in Melbourne will know who they are, in the past they've not always been 100% reliable in what they sell, they get by mostly on sales from cashed up Asian students spending their generous allowances from daddy, who seem to not always be too ofay about what they buy. I'll not name the place but they are well known.

The downside of buying from shops is most offer only one month's guarantee on used goods and if you buy new they refer you to the manufacturer for any technical problems. Which means one's camera if it breaks down will invariably be away and out of hand for many months.

Of late a few city shops have moved into secondhand gear. Not overly large selections but they do offer one year guarantees on what they sell. Alas, their prices are creeping up. Last year I eyed off a Nikon Z kit lens I fancied, but being my usual dithering self I hesitated to pay AUD $650 on the spot for it. In April the same shop had another such lens priced at AUD $850. A small discount could probably be negotiated but to me a $200 price increase in four months isn't a wise purchase. Ebay has them for less, but the downside is one then has to deal with Ebay sellers.

Maybe it's just me, somebody out there is buying the gear...