Selling $800 Used Lens on eBay - How Not to Get Scammed?

LThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 10:53
Last edited 02/04/2022 - 12:10

Hi everyone. I have a very used lens with some minor problems that I am selling on ebay, gumtree and FB marketplace that has gotten loads of watchers and saves but no purchases. I am attributing this to each listing being local pickup and so they just cant see me and they are waiting until it becomes available for postage. Now I really don't want to post it because I don't want it returned and because I'd have to package it really well so it doesn't break in transit, and also I want to be 100% sure that the customer is happy with what they are buying before they do so so that I don't get scammed. That's why I'd much prefer cash or bank transfer. Since then, a couple days ago I updated my listings on gumtree and FB marketplace to reflect that I will be able to post it provided they pay postage. I am okay with sending it through those platforms because I know there is no way of the buyer forcing me to get it back for a refund or get scammed or whatever.

I am now thinking of doing an auction on eBay with domestic shipping as I reckon that will get the most publicity and therefore a much greater chance of selling it. Doing this however, will introduce ebay buyer guarantee into the equation, and I really don't want to be scammed by it, particularly because of how biased it is to the buyer.

Now finally to the question, how can I be as open and transparent about my listing and ensure that I can have a smooth transaction without being scammed or my lens breaking in transit or them breaking it and them calling it broken etc?

Here is a link to my listing so you can see what I currently have on there and what I should add onto it when I change it to domestic shipping:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/403557830770

Thanks in advance for your help!

Edit:
Thanks guys for your advice. I will keep it as local pickup cash only. What payment methods can I accept if I do postage but through only gumtree and FB marketplace to avoid ebay buyer protection? Is that safe?

Electrical & Electronics Camera Lens

Related Stores

eBay Australia
eBay Australia
Marketplace

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 02/04/2022 - 10:58
    +7

    I wouldn't sell it on ebay if you can't afford to lose it and the money.

  • elgrande on 02/04/2022 - 11:02
    +3

    Selling $800 Used Lens on eBay - How Not to Get Scammed?

    Don't sell it on eBay

    • ThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 11:08

      Really? I could be here for ages just because no one in my area wants it

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 02/04/2022 - 11:14
        +4

        Been a while since we saw a I got scammed on eBay post… /s

        I say DO IT, OP , mainly for some good fodder for ozbargain forums. The only thing we love more than BARGAINS is FORUM DRAMA.

        Fwiw I used to buy and sell a lot of gear (trying to fill a void in my soul) - and eBay ALWAYS got results. Even my expired as hell, kept at room temp fp100 film.

        My steps:
        List everything accurately

        INSURE YOUR POSTAGE WITH AUS POST

        I set up a camera on tripod to show packing into box, bubble wrapping, then I place stickers at key areas that will be 100% evident if tampered with - all this can be used in addressing in case I need evidence with PayPal. Or if auspost needs proof.

        12 transactions and no issues. Maybe I got lucky.

        • ThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 11:22

          Where do you buy bubble wrapping etc? When I sell things I usually just go to aus post and choose their padded envelopes etc, but obviously I need to do a lot more than that this time around.

          Also could you explain what you mean with the stickers part and how that is helpful?

          Taking a video is a great idea. Should I wrap everything up at aus post while recording or at auspost itself? Do I always keep the camera on the item and nothing else or what do I do?

          Thanks for your advice

          • RMBC on 03/04/2022 - 08:12

            @ThatNintendoKid: Officeworks or other stationery stores for for the bubble wrap etc

          • jjjaar on 03/04/2022 - 09:41

            @ThatNintendoKid:

            Where do you buy bubble wrapping etc?

            Get it for free off local Facebook groups. Always people wanting to get rid of it there.

        • xuqi on 02/04/2022 - 11:25
          +2

          You've been lucky. 12 transactions is a very limited number.

          None of what you've listed protects against eBay scammers.

          PayPal almost always sides with the buyer in my experience.

          OP if you're offering pickup, then make it clear that it should be 'pay in Cash' only for pickup.

          If not, the buyer can lodge a 'not received' case with PayPal afterwards, keep your lens and get their money back.

          eBay returns are a nightmare well exploited by scammers, or opportunists.

          Use your camera for a few months, then claim it doesn't work, and send it back (may or may not be your lens), getting their money back from PP, etc.

          'No returns accepted' doesn't mean much to PayPal, and buyers can use 'Item not an described' to return anything.

          Also your listed area is close to a capital city. Providing the lens is priced right, I can't see why it wouldn't sell on Gumtree, or other platforms (cash pickup).

          If you list it cheaper as you're not paying fee's and shipping, the benefits far outweigh the eBay risk.

  • zonra on 02/04/2022 - 11:27
    +3

    Honestly I wouldn’t bother.
    Aside from the fees, your biggest issue would be disputes and chargebacks. A few scenario:
    - Buyer claims you shipped them a literal brick, gets refund, sends you a brick back.
    - Buyer claims it’s faulty/DOA/SNAD, gets refund, sends you a brick back.
    - Buyer uses it for 5 months, gets sick of it / drops and breaks it, starts a Paypal dispute, gets refund, sends you a brick back

    Just go cash on pick up.

    • ThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 12:02

      Would you suggest doing postage on my marketplace and gumtree listings? Since that would still avoid ebay buyer guarantee? Is there any other method of payment other than cash that is safe? I thought bank transfer was?

      • zonra on 02/04/2022 - 12:46

        You can potentially ask buyer to do cash transfer. It’s harder to reverse but not impossible. But then it would turn off a lot of buyers since you can also easily scam them by not shipping your lens out.
        Definitely avoid Paypal, from memory buyers have up to 6 months to dispute transactions for a lot of reasons.

        • ThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 12:52

          Does cash transfer = bank transfer? Like transfer money from one bank account to another? Also yeah it would turn some buyers off but by giving them two methods of payment (cash on pickup or bank transfer with shipping) is enough surely?

          • zonra on 02/04/2022 - 13:39
            +1

            @ThatNintendoKid: Yep, I meant bank transfer.

            End of the day whether your item sells or not depends on a combination of demand, pricing and location. If someone wants it badly enough and it’s not available in their local area for cheaper, they’ll buy from you.
            Personally I’d wait for a safe sale (if it doesn’t sell you’ll still have the lens) rather than risking losing the item altogether.

      • dust on 03/04/2022 - 11:32
        +1

        Would you suggest doing postage on my marketplace and gumtree listings?

        No. Cash on pickup.

      • nige0090 on 04/04/2022 - 11:27

        I believe that payid is hard to reverse i.e. only with the consent of the receiving party, which would be you.
        But, I found that FBM buyers are very reluctant to use payid, probably for this reason.

  • zoombie on 02/04/2022 - 11:45
    +2

    I'm a pro seller on ebay and I can tell you that you won't face the scammers problem. Scammers want to get something that they can easily resell i.e. mobile phones, laptops or some recognise brand item. A used camera lens, despite being expensive, is not on the target of a scammer. If you were a scammer, would you search for iPhone or used camera lens?

    Your description of it being sold as is and not accepting refund won't matter. Ebay have a buyer satisfaction guarantee, the buyer can force a return if they are not happy with it regardless of what you say as a seller. If you do not want a return, sell it on gumtree or FB marketplace.

    • ThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 12:01

      Would you suggest doing postage on my marketplace and gumtree listings? Since that would still avoid ebay buyer guarantee? Is there any other method of payment other than cash that is safe? I thought bank transfer was?

    • nige0090 on 04/04/2022 - 11:20

      A few years ago, a friend was scammed on an ebay sale for an expensive camera lens (i.e a few $thousand, I think).
      He foolishly accepted to courier it to a different address. Buyer claimed not to receive it. Buyer got refund.

      And the kicker, he then saw the buyer boasting on a camera forum about his awesome new lens. ebay still didn't care.

      As soon as he mentioned "different address"…. :-(

  • Hithere on 02/04/2022 - 11:52

    Forget eBay, it's full of scammers. Only the buyer will win, the seller will lose it all.

    Only sell something there if you can afford to lose it when the buyer puts in a fake claim, gets their money back AND gets to keep the item.

    Consider Gumtree or Facebook Market Place. Face to face selling and cash only on pickup PLUS you don't pay eBay's excessive fees and charges.

    • ThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 12:01

      Would you suggest doing postage on my marketplace and gumtree listings? Since that would still avoid ebay buyer guarantee? Is there any other method of payment other than cash that is safe? I thought bank transfer was?

  • Hithere on 02/04/2022 - 12:04

    Gumtree and Facebook Market Place have their fair share of scammers also. Reversing a bank transfer is not uncommon or producing a fake statement saying they've transferred the money to your account.

    The only 100% safe way to transact is face to face and cash on pickup at a safe place such as outside a Police Station etc.

    • ThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 12:09
      +1

      Producing a fake statement is easy to counter? Just check your own bank account?

      • popsiee on 02/04/2022 - 12:13

        Very simple OP . Have a provisions up from 1% a few years ago to 3% nowadays for scams on Ebay .
        All the people saying don't sell on Ebay are clueless because of margins from people far away in this country and the world .
        A one off sale this doesn't help too much lol :)

        • ThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 12:16

          You see I really want to believe you but it's so hard to actually tell what will happen.

  • Hithere on 02/04/2022 - 12:10

    You'd be surprised how many people haven't got the common sense to do that and just hand the item over to the scammer. It's too late once it's gone.

    • ThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 12:12

      I can do that though. So I'd be fine to go through bank transfer provided I use common sense and check my own account to ensure the money comes through? Also, can't I just like take out the money from my bank account before they choose to reverse a bank transfer?

      • Quantumcat on 02/04/2022 - 18:21

        It doesn't matter if you take out the money, if it is reversed you'll end up with a negative balance and have to repay the bank.

        Assuming you don't fall prey to a fake screenshot, back transfer is about as safe as you can get. It isn't 100%, there are some ways they could get the money back (eg depositing a fake cheque, or the bank account the money comes from being hacked) but it is unlikely.

  • Hithere on 02/04/2022 - 12:13

    take out the money from my bank account before they choose to reverse a bank transfer

    The bank will likely put your account into a minus balance which causes hassles, IMO not worth the aggro.

    • ThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 12:23

      Really? That has to be some sort of flaw. They sent you the money, its yours now? Any experts in here on this sorta thing?

  • Hithere on 02/04/2022 - 12:28

    I suggest you spend some time Googling about eBay and online scams as, nothing personal, you seem very inexperienced with online buying/selling.

    • popsiee on 02/04/2022 - 15:11
      +1

      I suggest you look up the % of scam sales on Ebay and figure your risk / reward ratio on something not mythical .
      Amateur hour here I think !

  • MS Paint on 02/04/2022 - 14:07
    +3

    I think it's just overpriced (even for scammers). That's why you have little interest.

    This one sold for $676. Mint condition. Hardly used. Not a mark. No issues. Original box and documents. Seller has a great history to boot. It's a Nikon mount but same same at the end of the day.

    Relist it for $550 and report back when it sells.

    • Quantumcat on 02/04/2022 - 18:24

      And that one is on ebay so they would have had to pay fees on top too

      • MS Paint on 02/04/2022 - 18:25
        +1

        Probably made about $580

    • ThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 18:31
      -2

      Okay I'll drop it maybe to like $660? Idk I wanna build a pc from this sale so I don't wanna put it down too much particularly on eBay (though if it is pick up I'll ask them to pay by cash). Btw do you think posting like I said is a good idea?

  • brendanm on 02/04/2022 - 14:29
    +1

    Price is too high for the condition.

    I've sold tonnes of camera gear on ebay, and have never had an issue.

    • ThatNintendoKid on 02/04/2022 - 18:27

      I've set offers to enabled so they can offer what seems more reasonable to them, they just haven't really done that.

      • brendanm on 02/04/2022 - 18:39
        +1

        Your price is way above the value, people probably don't even bother to offer. You can look at "sold items" to get an idea of price, as has been posted above, mint condition versions of your lens have sold in the $600 range.

        The way I've sold my stuff is $1 starting price with 7-10 day auction, though that was popular canon L glass etc. eBay is popular enough that it should sell for "market value".

  • Axelstrife on 02/04/2022 - 16:58

    Typical ozbargain replys, i swear you all must think 99.99% of buyers on ebay are scammers. there's risk involved for ALL ways of selling yes even cash on pick up.

  • thatonethere on 02/04/2022 - 18:11

    I've sold a few camera lens on eBay. No issues. However, they are ones I have finished with and just happy for someone to use (sure I get some $) so I leave the money in Paypal for 180 days. [so yes I haven't sold a camera lens since ebay moved to managed payments]

    The only scammers you will get are people trying to get your money via some out of band method - they won't want the lens as it's hardly a semi-liquid asset.

  • deme on 02/04/2022 - 20:52

    Gumtree and sell it via bank transfer to some person on an oil rig.

  • 2esc on 03/04/2022 - 10:09
    +1

    Pickup for items has varying success based on location. If you are in a major city with access to a huge population and no one is interested your price may be high. If your 4 hours away from a major city yes post but include signature and insurance.

    To avoid negative feedback etc list all faults honestly and good clear photos. Nothing worse than a seller only putting in one photo in the ad. Use all the photos your allowed and different distances from time and all faults. It really irritates me if a seller puts a 1 line description of a item when its a pricey secondhand item. I just ignore those ads as it's going to be a hassle asking for more info or photos.

    I've never had a problem with buyers after nearly 20 years on ebay

  • hasher22 on 05/04/2022 - 00:53

    I may have been lucky on my end, but I have sold 3 x new phones which are samsung S10, S9 and iPhone 6 when they were all brand new and in their packaging. But I sold them on gumtree and cash in-person. I would never sell it on eBay, never post it and will never accept paypal or bank transfer. I wanted cash in hand. That's the safest option these days but I hope OP can find a buyer locally to do cash in hand.

    Even though it's not an Apple, Samsung or a popular tech item, I still wouldn't risk it cause its $700 lens.

    Gumtree or Facebook marketplace - cash in hand is prob my go to preference first. But as others said, the lens may be a low scam item because it's used.

    I don't know if paypal disputes accept this, but if you do end up shipping it, I would video you putting the lens in the box and wrapping it up and also clearly showing the to and from labels. Also video tape australia post putting on the shipping label. I have done this to back myself up instead of pictures, but no disputes came out of it and who knows if a dispute did arise, if my videos and tracking number state it's been delivered is enough proof cause most claims ends up with the buyer.

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