Far east v European Ebay sellers

[bfitzgerald]

I have been using ebay for a good few years now, as a seller and a buyer.
In that time, I have for many small items, memory cards, straps, the odd camera bag..batteries, phone cases etc.. been using mostly Hong Kong/China based sellers.
My experience is so far at least, very good.
In contrast, in Euroland, it has not been so rewarding.
Recently I sold the 2nd Sony 18-70mm Kit lens, I got a decent price for it..shipped to Scotland the next morning, I mailed the seller to tell it it was sent off (registered post), I then sent mailed them after a few days, just to check they got it ok, and he was happy...nothing..zero. Of course it got there, I checked the tracking number. Weeks later still nothing at all, and he didn't bother to leave any feedback. I don't leave feedback until I am left it..always worked that way..probably always will. Strange..

Other buying experiences, bought a film 5 from a guy in Holland, described as "mint", took 3 weeks to arrive. Not only that but it was far from in mint condition, it had a cracked case..which I replaced myself (I have a complete 5 for spare parts). Not only did the guy not bother to tell me he was going on holiday, which is what he should do..he put up a photo that was a different serial no. than the one that turned up. Not that it would matter if it was mint..but well used is what I would have called it. I did get much of my cash back, so in the end, it works..and cost very little. But I for the life of me cannot understand how some folks can be so misleading in the ist place. You are asking for trouble.

When I sold my film 7, I very clearly stated the focus screen was scratched, I got less money for it obviously. But the prospect of dumping the camera on a potential buyer, without letting the know, and in big letters..about the condition..never crossed my mind. It's simply called being "honest"

I have too many other minor bad experiences to list..from Europe

Not to say all my euro ebay experiences are bad, they are not..but they are not on the same level as the far eastern ones. They mail you to say thanks as soon as you buy something, if you have any questions they are fast to respond (allowing for time zones etc), they mail you when they have sent it out.., and they say thanks very much..the level of service is far better than most UK/Eu sellers. A little note, I am constantly astounded at the prices some german sellers have for cameras stuff, bodies and lenses, far off of real market value (ie a lot more)

These folks in Hong Kong and China know how to do business, they are focussed, and they take it very seriously..compared to Europe, they are in a different league to some of the grumpy/lazy non responding sellers/buyers out there. To be blunt, I am not even slightly shocked, and the fact the far east is so strong in a business/commercial sense. They deserve to be...

[pakodominguez]

Have you ever sell something to our friendly friends in the far east?
I sent a 20mm to somewhere "under the map" in Russia and it was ok (even if the guy took a couple of weeks before he answered if he already got the lens while the tracking said so)
At the same time I sent a Beercan to Malaysia or Singapore, I don't recall, and the buyer answered the same day he got the lens (and he seamed happy with it)
But I had similar good experiences selling stuff to people in Spain and France (from here, NYC) so probably is a "northern Europe issue"?
People I work with (...) sold a bunch of Hasselblad stuff to somebody in China who, when he'd realized he had to pay too much in custom fees, just refused the package and sent it back to NYC -and part of the equipment didn't endure the way back home
In general, buyers think that they are in a stronger position. That's the first mistake: any transaction/relationship is better based under a 50% giving-receiving understanding IMHO.

Regards

[Dusty]

I have a friend who's living is buying whole lots of auction items locally and e-baying them. He has strict rules about where he sells to and how he sells certain items. For most places outside of the US, and for very large/expensive items, he accepts only Western Union payment, and doesn't ship until after it clears. He's had too many people lie and say - even when the tracking says otherwise - that the item never arrived, or arrived damaged.

Of course, he goes into detail on expensive items, and makes sure - via PMs - that the buy knows exactly the item and condition he's getting.

Dusty