Buyer Beware - The sad tale of a 50D, lens and battery grip
I hope this is a warning to anyone who is thinking of buying a camera on eBay.
A couple of weeks ago I sold a camera on eBay. The instructions to the buyer was to deposit the funds directly into my bank account. Sadly, he didn’t do that, but put them in my PayPal account. As I didn’t have a bank registered with PayPal I could not access them.
Plan A was to buy a Canon EOS 50D Premium Kit from one of the local camera stores. I had one on the hold shelf waiting. Plan A fell into a hole.
Rather than wait the time to register a bank with PayPal, get my funds, and buy my camera locally, I decided to buy one of eBay. I found a 50D kit at a reasonable price, which incidentally was slightly more expensive that I could buy it from my trusty local camera shop. (I won’t tell you who the shop is … Photographic Wholesalers in Adelaide. :-o They are good.)
Anyway, I purchased a Canon 50D, 18-200mm lens, and BG-E2 Battery Grip from, what looked like a reputable eBay shop. They claimed to have 3 cameras on hand and they were located in Melbourne. I paid my AU$2850 within minutes of committing to buy the goods. That was 12 days ago – it has been a long 12 days.
The day after I made the purchase I emailed the seller and got no response. Two days after I made the purchase I again emailed the seller. Same result. Three days after, eBay delisted the seller from their site and my purchased goods disappeared from my “Won Items” folder on my eBay account.
Thankfully I purchased with PayPal, but a resolution was far from happening quickly. PayPal do provide guarantees against being ripped off, but it is a very slow and tedious process.
About 5 days after the sale, after PayPal and eBay had contacted the seller, I received an email saying he would honour the sale and send me the Camera, Lens and Battery Grip. That was a week ago.
Last thursday the seller again promised to send my goods, but said he was waiting to receive stock. (He did say he had 3 on the shelf). He promised to send them on Friday. On Friday he promised to send them Saturday or Monday…
Do you see a theme happening here?
I have to say that both eBay and PayPal were initially very responsive and helpful. All I can hope for is a resolution of this saga before too much longer. I do have my Dad’s original 110mm bellows film camera that was made in the 1930s, and I may be using it for my main camera!
So anyway, buyer beware.
Paul
Marvin Collins
I sure hope you get this resolved. I have heard of so many horror stories from these kind of operations that before I buy anything online I do thorough research and I’ve been saved from some misery by that.. One store and only one that I trust is B&H photo. I’ve bought many items from them and never had a problem. I thank you for making people aware of these problems, and I’m hoping that the guy comes through for you. At least you have the Paypal guarantee, but they won’t pay for your time and aggravation.
Hoping for a fast and correct resolution to this for you.
Andy Smylie
A sad story Paul – make Camera Wholesalers look good :)
Mel Brackstone
Shocking experiences, Paul, I sure hope you can get your money back soon!!!
tonilouise
Ooh no Paul. geez what a terrible story…Something has to go right soon, wouldn’t you think….
Barb Leopold
This is very worrying. I have never bought a camera body online, but have purchased lenses and accessories – all without a hitch (so far…...). I feel your anxiety Paul, I wouldn’t be getting any sleep until that camera arrives….. will keep fingers and toes crossed for you!!
Mary Broome
Thats terrible Paul, I hope it all works out for you!!
Leeo
Hope you get a resolution soon….I’m sticking to buying locally : )
Sharon Hammond
I’ve got everything crossed. If you get your money back, Stu at qualitycamera.com.au is a legend
Denzil
So sorry for your horrid experience – I’ve bought quite a few things on EBay, but not at this sort of money. Never had a problem (yet), although I know quite a few people who have. Hope it works out for you.
PrairieRose
Such a shame Paul…...please keep us posted of the outcome….......
Paul Thompson
Well folks. I got my money back from PayPal – they and eBay were very responsive – and today I picked up a Canon 50D Body, Sigma 10-22mm lens, and Canon Battery grip today. Can’t wait to go out and start wearing it out! :o) Cheers Paul
Lois Romer
wow Paul. I have never bought of ebay and your story doesnt make me want to do it anytime soon. Hows the camera.
Paul Thompson replied
Hi Lois, It all worked out in the end. The big thing with eBay purchases is that it is much safer to use PayPal for any purchase of significance. PayPal ended up refunding me all the money that the swindling crook stole. Both the eBay and PayPal staff were very responsive and helpful.
It took some weeks, but it all worked out. I now have a locally-purchased 50D and it is a very nice camera.
whatsthatbeeping
ouch!!. again bricks and mortar stores are the way.
We often get caught up in the emotion of consumerism (I want it now!!)
can’t offer any advise for the failed supply of gear, but as far as an alternative goes, I can’t go past Discount Digital Photo-graphics on the web, ( http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au ) Had $7k worth of happy Canon purchases from them so far and can’t recommend them more highly for price or service. (they even have store fronts in Brisbane and Sydney.
Paul Thompson replied
Hi Tim, Yes it can be a bit of a trap with the internet purchases, though both eBay and PayPal were very responsive and I did get the money back. I ended up buying from my local camera shop here in Adelaide called Photographic Wholesalers who I noticed are often cheaper than many of the eBay prices and of course it had an Australian warranty. Cheers & thanks for looking in. Paul.
whatsthatbeeping
Have fun with your new baby Paul!
It’s a nice bit of kit for the $$