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March, 2024

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Buying Lenses on ebay

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.jack.
Posts: 68 - Karma: 140
I am going to buy a Tamron 17-50. They have them for about $500 on Amazon and B&H but on ebay i could buy one for $330 new. I feel like theres something up with the ones on ebay or are they fine? I am just curios as to if i should pay the $500 for a guaranteed good one or buy the $330 one and possibly risk something being wrong.
Jun 16 2013 3:41PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
Sounds like you looking at the vc version on amazon/b&h and non vc on eBay
Jun 16 2013 4:03PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
I can't advocate buying from ebay enough, if you're the buyer you're pretty much safe no matter what.

However, make sure the seller is in the same country as you, otherwise you'll get hit by import tax(up to 40% of sale+shipping cost) and yeah like evan said you might be talking about the vc and non vc version, post up links.
Jun 16 2013 4:33PM
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gravel
Posts: 5479 - Karma: 41,493
I ordered my Tokina from Hong Kong on eBay and was not slammed with import tax.
Jun 16 2013 4:36PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Sorry, should have said I wasn't sure if it was everytime or not.

In britain it's supposedly 1 in 8, but I'm very skeptical about that. think it's far more frequent, also there's various circumstances when they'll waive it, so it gets a bit complicated, so I won't really comment on america.

Just something to keep in mind though.
Jun 16 2013 4:37PM
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.jack.
Posts: 68 - Karma: 140
the one on ebay is VC and the non Vc are cheaper. and the one on Amazon is non VC for $500. for a VC on amazon its $650.
Jun 16 2013 4:39PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
Get non vc
Jun 16 2013 4:44PM
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.jack.
Posts: 68 - Karma: 140
Thats what im gonna do. So should i trust ebay or not?

Jun 16 2013 4:47PM
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gravel
Posts: 5479 - Karma: 41,493
Trust your best instinct. If the seller has good reviews then I would say go for it. I have no regrets spending 600 for my Tokina on eBay.
Jun 16 2013 4:52PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
If the selling has good feed back its fine. I bought my tamron 17-50 on eBay. Just make sure its in the usa, I personally don't like buying from china
Jun 16 2013 4:56PM
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.jack.
Posts: 68 - Karma: 140
If i buy it on amazon i get a 6 year warranty. Do you think thats worth it? Because right now im really leaning towards ebay and only getting a 1 year warranty.
Jun 16 2013 4:56PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Everything I've bought camera related has been without any warranty, and I've had nothing break.
Jun 16 2013 4:59PM
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.jack.
Posts: 68 - Karma: 140
Have you bought off ebay? and do you have any idea on how ebay is selling it for $300 and amazon sells it for $500? im just a little skeptical on how there is a $200 price difference.
Jun 16 2013 7:12PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
They're listed $500 new but you can get them 350 on ebay, nothing to be skeptical about.
Jun 16 2013 7:16PM
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.jack.
Posts: 68 - Karma: 140
on ebay it is listed as a new lens
Jun 16 2013 7:19PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
Give us the link, we'll help you determine if its legit.
Jun 16 2013 7:20PM
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.jack.
Posts: 68 - Karma: 140
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tamron-AF-17-50mm-F-2-8-XR-Di-II-LD-IF-Lens-For-Canon-L096-/300899542459?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item460f02a5bb
Jun 16 2013 7:21PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
It's coming from hong kong. Just buy a used one from the US, that's what I'd do anyway
Jun 16 2013 7:23PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
Like most people say, buy from a US seller with 100% feedback and pay with a credit card through paypal and you shouldnt have an issue. There are many legit sellers on ebay if you look around a bit.
Jun 16 2013 7:26PM
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.jack.
Posts: 68 - Karma: 140
I found one for $50 more from a US seller with 99.6% positive feedback. I think im going with this one.
Jun 16 2013 7:34PM
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jeano
Posts: 333 - Karma: 104
I've bough 200+ camera related things on eBay, you should be good. I've never gotten scammed or burned, just be smart. I trust anyone with 10+ feedback that's 100%.
Jun 16 2013 7:57PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,687
I'd much rather buy a lens through KEH or Adorama than Ebay, but there are some ebay sellers that do a good job.
Jun 18 2013 3:44PM
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michael_bc
Posts: 1317 - Karma: 419
The link looks like a gray market import from China. You might get slapped with import tax, and you might have trouble claiming warranty. As Tamron has poor quality control, your lens might come with AF calibration issues or other problems, in which case you need to use that warranty. Also, the rating of this shop is not as high as it should be. You really want a seller 99.9% or higher rating. I would beware.

My strategy is to look at the seller rating (preferably 100% positive) and then I try to find out why the seller is selling this lens. I'd rather buy a used lens from a highly rated guy that is switching systems, than a new lens from a dodgy shop or seller.

I've bought most of my lenses used on eBay, and always from people switching systems. I've always gotten excellent copies.
Jun 19 2013 5:50AM
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.jack.
Posts: 68 - Karma: 140
I found a US seller that has 99.9% positive feedback and went with that. Thanks for all the replies everyone.
Jun 19 2013 1:37PM
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