I'm Stressing Here

[bfjr]

Some of you may know that I've been on a Quest to get my
mits on a 300f2.8 AFS 1 or 2 or VR.

5G's to much right now for new
So been chking around ebay, forums etc.

Last night I found on Ebay this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160111741092&sspagename=ADME:B:RTQ:US:1

He had a BIN for 2430 and would throw in a TC14E !!!
That's the lowest I've seen period!!

Looking at his pics something doesn't seem right
AFS ver11 came with soft case but name badge is all gold, wierd one.
also ver11 hood is carbon fibre, his image doesn't look like carbon to me.

So I asked him a question:
Is your lens ver1 or ver2
His response I don't know, what's the diff.
That seems wierd two.
Anyone who spends several grand for a lens, you would think he'd at least know what model he owns, yes ??

Anyway I slept on it and this AM I decided to jump on it but someone had
bid so his BIN button was gone.

I also got another msg form seller that if I still wanted it he would sell to me for 2460 paypaled/shipped. weird three.

Here's my questions:

Is that ethical ?
Should I go with my gut and pass or my heart and buy (I really need this lens :D) ?

I blew one last week for 2695, because I stalled (you know you snooze you lose)

So help me out here with a little input :dunno

And for your time to read this.
Here's a couple Hummer shots :D
And these are with my Old Warhorse 300 2.8 EDIF
http://MachineGun.smugmug.com/photos/145066637-O.jpg

http://MachineGun.smugmug.com/photos/146575423-O.jpg

[nipprdog]

This Lens was purchased for wedding photography]

?????????

[ShepsMom]

I know once you buy something you can't return it, correct? But i thought the seller/e-bay would have some type of warranty/guaranty for the product. What is seller raiting? He might have no clue what this lens can do, is he a pro? It sure doesn't sounds like it. It's a tough decission, i personally dont buy much on ebay, i just don't trust enough.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

Nice shots as well! :thumb

[jwear]

what sounds to good --you know the rest :scratch you do not feel right or there would be no post so move slow --looks like a no warranty buy :nono

[CookieS]

I would be very careful, If there was a bid, and hes still offering it, Im thinkin scam. If other bidder backed out, then he could wait till end of auction and offer a second chance to you at same price. ( the legal ebay way) anyother way and Ebay will NOT stand by you for any reason! It has been happending with high dollar items . and If you get it , and it doesnt work too bad, If its not what you thought , too bad. you are out your money and stuck with a lens. some places are good , and ive gotten nice cameras before, but with high dollar itmes, Im very careful, I think I would research this guy a bit more????:dunno

[Osprey Whisperer]

Hey Machinegun. Ebay is a crap shoot . I picked up my trusty 200mm f/2.8 that I've shot pretty much everything with the last 2 years. It was a steal IMO. Great like new condition...and so far, no problems <crosses fingers> It's tack sharp and probably the best lens I've ever owned.

This transaction was smooth and sweet. No headaches. Having said that...I've also had some doozies. I've returned 2 lenses and 2 bodies and had to file complaints with Ebay and BB. Filed fraud claims against the sellers etc. I did eventually get my money back..but what a pain.

Word of advice is pay with a credit card (throiugh Pay Pal). Then if you have problems you can not only contact Ebay/Pay Pal.....but also your credit card. Make sure you save copies of all correspondence and do a screen capture of the Ebay ad. Also save the photos of the lens and anything else you need to prove the transaction took place and prove there was something wrong if you need to get your money back. I would also take photos upon arrival of the lens...to show the condition it arrived in...incase you need to file a claim with the shipper.

If you are a good customer with your credit card...the company usually will back YOU up..and not the woodbe seller. Flex your muscle with the card company if you have any troubles getting a charge back. THREATEN TO CANCEL YOUR ACCOIUNT. This usually works...and they are happy to get your money back and throw in a pineapple pizza.

Check the sellers feedback out also. Look up all the negatives and read the comments to see what the issues were. If he has a lot of complaints for incorrect item descriptiosn...PASS. If he's a lazy ass and doesn't ship quickly...think about it.

Good luck.

[Harryb]

I'm not a big E-bay fan, I think its a bit of a cesspool but his feedback is good. I would follow Birdman's excellent advice and roll the die.

[bfjr]

Thanks Folks
All good advice (Especially Mike :bow) I knew it would be :D

Update:
Did not respond to his BIN offer
I did place a low bid (highest right now) on the item
Cont. to research seller and others

It's not like I don't already have a 300 !! :thumb

Thanks again all

[Osprey Whisperer]

Your welcome Ben. Another thing..regarding shipping. Demand the seller to insure the lens for what it would cost to REPLACE it. Not necessarily just for the amount you paid. Might also insist it be sent with "tracking" so you don't have to wait and wonder. If the lens is insured and is broken..one way or another (or didn't work from teh start)...you can still get your money back. If it was insured for replacement value...you can then take the money received from the insurance claim..and perhaps buy one locally. :huh :D

[bfjr]

Well it's moot now.
I checked a little while ago and seller has pulled the listing.

2 reasons come to mind

1. he sold outside Ebay to someone else, in that case I guess I lost
another one :cry

2. it was a scam or something was fishy, in that case I got out before I got
smoked :thumb

either way I'm glad I went with my Gut and not my Heart!!

The Quest continues, thanks again all :bow

[3n-out]

Well it's moot now.
I checked a little while ago and seller has pulled the listing.

2 reasons come to mind

1. he sold outside Ebay to someone else, in that case I guess I lost
another one :cry

2. it was a scam or something was fishy, in that case I got out before I got
smoked :thumb

either way I'm glad I went with my Gut and not my Heart!!

The Quest continues, thanks again all :bow

I can tell you - you did the right thing. There are many scams on big lenses on ebay. Why? Because they are expensive. Anyhow, always use the ebay mail to communicate with the seller - if they have another email listed in the listing it is probably a scam of some sorts. I have seen it first hand and contacted ebay and sure enough it was a scam.

[wxwax]

either way I'm glad I went with my Gut and not my Heart!!

I think you did the right thing.

On eBay, any bad vibe at all should be heeded. Far, far better to pass up a legitimate seller than to bite on a bad one, IMHO.

FWIW, I think the seller is just ignorant. He doesn't sell much, stopped in 2005, started again this year with golf clubs and lenses.

My opinion, you did good. :thumb

[jeff lapoint]

I think you did the right thing.

On eBay, any bad vibe at all should be heeded. Far, far better to pass up a legitimate seller than to bite on a bad one, IMHO.

FWIW, I think the seller is just ignorant. He doesn't sell much, stopped in 2005, started again this year with golf clubs and lenses.

My opinion, you did good. :thumb

:agree Sound advice indeed. PM exactly what you're looking for and I'll release the hounds:wink Nikon/Canon its all just stuff out there waiting to be found:thumb

[ShepsMom]

Whew!!! I think it was your lucky day, you could have been royally screwed! Better safe then sorry! :D