Warning by avionz

This is a warning to people intending to purchase products on-line.

A few months ago I “won” an auction on e-Bay. It was a Sigma 70-300 / macro lens.

When I paid via Paypal I was informed the item was not in stock. What???As the company was in America, all I could do was email and voice my concern. My emails were not satisfactorily answered.

After several weeks, the item arrived in store and was posted.

It worked well for a few months and then it broke down, making a noise like a machine gun and refusing to auto-focus. Of course, it was still under warranty so I contacted the NZ authorised dealer, who informed me that this warranty would not apply. I would have to send it back to the original seller. Yes, they could repair it but it would cost about $200. Emails to Sigma asking them to extend the warranty to NZ go unanswered.

So, what to do? Spend exhorbitant postage fees and risk the lens disappearing into the ether? Pay the $200 and get an inferior product repaired. Buy another lens in NZ?

So, lesson learned. I shall continue to buy books overseas but would rather investigate lottery winnings in Lagos than contemplate another camera accessory.