I've had good luck by writing a very diplomatic letter outlining the
problem and asking if there is something the seller can do to help me
out. In each case, I've either received an offer to return for refund,
or a cash refund of part of the purchase price, even though the
auction was As Is.
Nevertheless, I have revised my personal Ebay rules as a result of
several less-than-stellar purchases in the past year:
Rule 1: If it appears they don't know anything about cameras, they
don't. There could be a grinch living in the aperture blades and they
wouldn't notice it. Bid with caution, and bid low.
Rule 2: Treat every camera which the seller bought at an estate sale
is being sold by a person who qualifies for Rule 1 *and* Rule 3.
Rule 3: "As is" means "As Is" for sure if the seller is a grinch.
People who buy estate sale cameras are likely grinches. Camera shops
which advertise "Like New, Perfect, Mint Plus" then add "As Is - No
Returns" in the fine print are grinches.
Rule 4: If I don't know the going price for that item or similar
items, I don't bid. (I still see Ebayers paying $150 for used gear
they can buy new with warranty for less either locally or by
mail-order).
Rule 5: I never, ever, and I repeat never ever buy a K1000 on Ebay.
Heck, I can get any one of eight or ten much better cameras, some
brand new with warranty, others like a Super Program or ME Super or MX
or so on, for about the same price as a K1000. For me, the only charm
of the K1000 is battery-less operation for astro-photography, which I
don't do.
Rule 6: Buy sets, then sell off the unwanted parts of the set.
(Pssst... anyone want a really good P30t for a very reasonable price?
Make an offer... soon to be seen on Ebay with a great ad including a
throw-away lens, strap, manual, and a nice high reserve)
Rule 7 (or Rule 1 after all other Rules are followed): Whenever
physically possible, avoid bidding on a good deal or a very desirable
item until the last minute. Or even the last thirty seconds. Early
bids needlessly inflate the final price. With very few exceptions,
every item will show up again within days or weeks, giving me another
chance if my late-in-the-auction bid doesn't win.
.. and important enough to not even need a Rule - always check the
seller's feedback *and* items sold before bidding. If they are selling
Beanie Babies, they know a lot about Beanie Babies, but no matter how
good their feedback rating don't expect much in the way of pre-sale
camera testing.
--
Happy Trails,
Texdance
http://members.fortunecity.com/texdance
http://members1.clubphoto.com/john8202
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