buying from EBAY

[tingedlens]

dear fellow CSers,
I've read about popular online stores such as B&H and Adorama(US) and DDE, technogad(local) and even kakaru(jp) and found that prices on ebay are far more competitive with free shipping. these sellers have strong +ve feedback and claim to sell brand new sets!

pardon me if I am ignorant, but I could not find any guide to shopping online from eBay.. some mention Amazon as a good alternative

would anyone please share experiences of shopping at ebay or threads here that talk about it? perhaps create a sticky?

Cheers!

 

[Sphben]

Hmmm. I usually only buy small items that don't cost too much from ebay but so far everything has worked out flawlessly except an item or two that has taken a week more than expected to arrive

 

[nedy77]

if there are defects/faults with the item, even if they agree to refund/exchange, you will need to pay for the shipping thru & fro again.

they post to you using the cheapest/slowest. but if you return, you need to use expensive registered airmail to make sure they receive the item

 

[pasay]

also note that items worth $400 (IIRC) or more will be charged tax coming in. you may get lucky and hope customs doesn't notice that the parcel containing your $1k+ dslr/lens just passed thru their scans, though i personally wouldn't risk it. and of course, you can't inspect the item before paying.

that said, i've ordered a lot of smaller, brand-new items thru ebay as well, like accessories, with good results. bottomline is, if you're not comfy handing over your (huge amount of) money (like me) without seeing what you're buying first-hand, settle for smaller/cheaper things (no heart pain in case item is lost in mail or defective) to buy on ebay and hunt for more reasonable prices here. bonus, you get local warranty as well.

 

[tingedlens]

hey guys thanks for all your sharing.. gave me a better understanding to risks involved.
unfortunately, the savings from buying over ebay generally come from buying the more exp equipment (generally over 500bucks)
the lower end items (eg. a 50mm f/1.8 prime) do not cost much different from buying local.
will update this thread if I ever buy from ebay!

meanwhile, please keep sharing, any experiences buying ebay, esp those cheap HK stores.. thanks!

 

[sprewell]

I bought tons of stuff from ebay. Most recently a medium format digital back for more than 7000 bucks.

End of day it depends on the seller. You need to check the ratings of the seller before buying.

There are many Hong Kong shops sellng their stuff there and so far so good with me. I bought a Manfrotto gearhead from one such shop on eBay and they even gave me this huge cloth for cleaning (i use it to wipe specs haha). I also got from them color filters and hoods.

 

[tingedlens]

Thanks for sharing sprewell
Just an update, managed to purchase a lens with UV filter from HK BNS from ebay..
pros:
1. cheaper (abt 85-90%)
2. delivery to doorstep
3. delivered within 7 days.. fast!

cons:
1. no preview before purchase, lens delivered brand new but speck of dust within which is not apparent on image
2. no local warranty

will just stick to cheaper/affordable items online for now!

 

[oceanpriest]

I bought tons of stuff from ebay. Most recently a medium format digital back for more than 7000 bucks.

End of day it depends on the seller. You need to check the ratings of the seller before buying.

There are many Hong Kong shops sellng their stuff there and so far so good with me. I bought a Manfrotto gearhead from one such shop on eBay and they even gave me this huge cloth for cleaning (i use it to wipe specs haha). I also got from them color filters and hoods.

wow 7000 bucks. did you get notice issue from paypal? :bsmilie:

 

[michaelwks]

Seller on Ebay mostly are good in services and fast shipment, if expensive item usually ship with registered mail. Most of the item purchased are statisfy and with reasonable price.

If you have defect on th eitem bought, you could ask the seller for refund or exchange. They will do so, i've such experience before.

 

[wonglp]

ya, it's important to ensure seller can do refund, especially for 2nd hand goods. And do note that shipping return to seller is on your own. If you are buying new, might want to check about warranty as well. Most brands dun have int'l warranty. You can also use some concierge services (vpost/com gateway) if you are buying in USA from different ebay sellers, and ship back together to reduce some shipping costs, as some usa ebay sellers have free shipping within usa. But generally, it takes longer to bring it back to singapore, esp vpost..

 

[Sukoo]

also note that items worth $400 (IIRC) or more will be charged tax coming in. you may get lucky and hope customs doesn't notice that the parcel containing your $1k+ dslr/lens just passed thru their scans, though i personally wouldn't risk it. and of course, you can't inspect the item before paying.

that said, i've ordered a lot of smaller, brand-new items thru ebay as well, like accessories, with good results. bottomline is, if you're not comfy handing over your (huge amount of) money (like me) without seeing what you're buying first-hand, settle for smaller/cheaper things (no heart pain in case item is lost in mail or defective) to buy on ebay and hunt for more reasonable prices here. bonus, you get local warranty as well.

How much will be the tax? 7% GST?
I am actually keen to order lens from ebay.com.hk.. If its only the GST I don't mind paying..

 

[sinned79]

How much will be the tax? 7% GST?
I am actually keen to order lens from ebay.com.hk.. If its only the GST I don't mind paying..

if u dun mind paying 7% gst, why not buy an air ticket and go to HK to buy directly?

 

[sjackal]

I bought a pre-owned lens (old series Nikon) on ebay USA because Singaporeans on CS are selling that lens pre-owned for around high price but with missing accessories and not willing to reduce price fairly to be realistic.

More than a year had passed and sometimes still see that wishful guy still trying to sell his lens, but now his price had went so low (almost half of what I paid on ebay) and still nobody want to buy his lens because of all the more attractive new series lens around.

Otherwise I use ebay mainly for small items.

 

[tuwinkk]

i bought few stuffs from ebay.
gorillapod, filter...
u just have to check about the seller reputation.
i normally buy from HK.

*just my 2 cents*

 

[Sukoo]

i bought few stuffs from ebay.
gorillapod, filter...
u just have to check about the seller reputation.
i normally buy from HK.

*just my 2 cents*

Were you being taxed for the stuffs you bought?

 

[sinned79]

Were you being taxed for the stuffs you bought?

those value is below SGD 400, so dun think he will be taxed.

 

[Palangsi]

I have bought lots of flash triggers from ebay hongkong side. No tax as my max purchase was $60. I have got refund before when my item never reached me in 2 months.