Re: [Leica] Re: R: Buying Leica M on Ebay

[Guy Bennett <guybnt@idt.net>]

>On 1 Nov 2000, at 13:01, Guy Bennett wrote:
>
>> like steve, i've also bought stuff from luggers and find it is always as
>> advertised if not better. personally, i'd gladly buy again from a lug
>> member, but would probably not buy another body or lens through ebay,
>> unless that m2 i've been dreaming of can be had for a song!
>
>Hi Guy,
>
>I can't see the difference personally, I have bought from eBay sellers and
>LUGgers and I have also sold though eBay and the LUG. What makes my
>FS posts more believable as seen on the LUG vs my eBay auctions? My
>eBay auction pages generally also contain detailed descriptions of the goods
>and many pictures let alone the fact that there is a non-modifiable
>history of
>purchasers responses to my previous sales. My last eBay sale was a user
>M6 body, the guy was thrilled with the price and condition.
>
>Rob Studdert

hello rob,

here's the difference for me: gear i've bought from luggers has generally
been accompanied by a user history (how long they've had the item, the
results they've got from it, when it was last serviced, etc.), it has come
with a return policy, and was sold at a reasonable (in a couple of cases
*low*) price. on ebay, i have no idea who the seller is, the extent to
which he knows whether or not the gear functions properly (the lhsa member
i bought from was a collector, and admitted he never actually took pictures
with his leicas), and have never had a return policy. in the end, it seems
that on ebay, you're really taking your chances as you cannot garantee the
item will be as described and may not be able to return it if it isn't. in
addition to the ltm camera i bought, i also purchased on ebay a slip on
filter for an elmar 50/3.5 from a dealer who listed it as being in mint-
condition; the glass scratched.

i know that you have to be cautious when buying on ebay - every one i've
bought from has had *only* positive ratings and their item descriptions
seemed thorough and knowledgeable enough. the fact is that everyone is not
as honest as you, and in the end the buyer will only know what the camera
is really like after he's received it and shot a few rolls with it, and
that may or may not be possible in the typical 3 day return period - if
you're lucky enough to get a return period, that is.

guy