Do you think this was a scam?

campy51 · Dec 19, 2023

I just bought this. I know I am either the greatest shopper or the biggest sucker. Ebay has never let me down on any purchase or sale I have had, so I will trust the process. I will video opening the box in case there's a brick inside.

Rolleiflex 2.8 FX GX (expression or rare) 5+ | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Rolleiflex 2.8 FX GX (expression or rare) 5+ at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

BrianShaw · Dec 19, 2023

I hope this works out for you as it’s a great deal and will be a swell camera. Zero feedback is always a bit of a red flag yet I’ve made such deals (not nearly as good, though) and it’s worked out. Every seller starts at zero…

Keep us informed!

MattKing · Dec 19, 2023

This line in the description is what would concern me:
"Selling because It’s no longer suitable for film".

Dan Daniel · Dec 19, 2023

MattKing said:
This line in the description is what would concern me:
"Selling because It’s no longer suitable for film".

" Condition- Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections."

"The condition is close to new, and technically everything works perfectly and accurately."

Although it's a scary sale, hopefully Ebay will cover his b*** if it is a scam. It doesn't seem the seller is a native English speaker.

Rick A · Dec 19, 2023

The seller has 0% feedback, RED FLAG. It's listed as an SL66, it isn't, RED FLAG.
I'll be watching for your results.

mshchem · Dec 19, 2023

Oh Boy

campy51 · Dec 19, 2023

I saw all those red flags which is why I also think it might be a scam. I will probably know by Christmas or a couple days after.

GregY · Dec 19, 2023

Best of luck.... the price is definitely in the too-good-to-be-true category.

250swb · Dec 20, 2023

The seller appears to know how rare it is yet doesn't seem to know what it's value is? Even a charitable foundation collecting for a cats or dogs home knows how to pitch prices on eBay. Scammers don't want to make things difficult so $850 is designed to make a fast sale and not for them to be asked multiple questions about an item they probably don't have. Good luck, but 'no longer suitable for film' also contradicts the knowledge the seller implies.

railwayman2 · Dec 20, 2023

I'd also be a bit concerned by the note "Sellar does not accept returns" ?

Hassasin · Dec 20, 2023

While surely red flags, eBay should cover any non-delivery / not what was pictured. Also, by "not longer suitable for film" might have meant "the seller was no longer interested in shooting film"

But I especially like the "+ there is a native fast platform with a ball"

Kino · Dec 20, 2023

To me, the description looks like a bad Google Translation; English might not be a language the seller speaks.

I agree with @Hassasin and add that it seems to imply something to the effect that the seller does not feel film is viable anymore and they would rather see the camera being used than rotting on a shelf.

"Native fast platform with a ball" sounds like a branded ball head.

Anyway, no guts, no glory! Good luck!

Rick A · Dec 20, 2023

railwayman2 said:
I'd also be a bit concerned by the note "Sellar does not accept returns" ?

It doesn't matter what the seller states regarding returns, eBay makes them accept returns and refunds. "Not as described or advertised" claim and eBay takes over.

campy51 · Dec 20, 2023

I have taken some risk on ebay the last week. I also bought a 2.8E that was listed at buy now $500 or best offer. I offered $275 and he quickly accepted which was my first red flag. He says it's been shipped but ebay has no tracking info. After several emails back and forth he finally gave me a number but the tracking is off. It's shipping from Miami and dropped off at 4:09 pm on Monday. As of this morning it's says it's in Opa Locka FL that's 14 miles from Miami. Not looking good.
I am self employed selling and servicing copiers and printers so taking some financial risk on used equipment is not unusual for me.

BrianShaw · Dec 20, 2023

I admire your spirit… very different from me. I rarely take big risks like that.

Saganich · Dec 20, 2023

Look for the "incorrect label scam" and the "tracking number scam." I did a google reverse image search and no exact dups were found that I could see.

Dan Daniel · Dec 20, 2023

campy51 said:
I have taken some risk on ebay the last week. I also bought a 2.8E that was listed at buy now $500 or best offer. I offered $275 and he quickly accepted which was my first red flag. He says it's been shipped but ebay has no tracking info. After several emails back and forth he finally gave me a number but the tracking is off. It's shipping from Miami and dropped off at 4:09 pm on Monday. As of this morning it's says it's in Opa Locka FL that's 14 miles from Miami. Not looking good.
I am self employed selling and servicing copiers and printers so taking some financial risk on used equipment is not unusual for me.

The market on used Rolleiflexes is cooling down, it seems. Items stay unsold even at pre-Covid prices. I keep looking at this listing wondering what is going on... low-res photos but an E3 should sell at that price. Maybe the lens is as worn as the rest of the camera. Peak non-metered 'Flex, basically an F without all the meter mechanisms mucking it up. Maybe the seller won't come down at all. I need to keep saying no!

Rolleiflex Rollei DBP 3,5E3 2384771 DBGM Planar 75mm f/3.5 Lens PLS ACCESSORIES | eBay

Rolleiflex 3.5 DBP Accessories in Leather Case. Rolleiflex Rolleicord Plate Adapter in Original Box. Rolleiflex Leather Strap Accessory Cases. The case works perfectly but is scratched, dinged, dented, shows rust spots, and age wear.

www.ebay.com

Marcelo Paniagua · Dec 20, 2023

Dan Daniel said:
The market on used Rolleiflexes is cooling down, it seems. Items stay unsold even at pre-Covid prices. I keep looking at this listing wondering what is going on... low-res photos but an E3 should sell at that price. Maybe the lens is as worn as the rest of the camera. Peak non-metered 'Flex, basically an F without all the meter mechanisms mucking it up. Maybe the seller won't come down at all. I need to keep saying no!

Rolleiflex Rollei DBP 3,5E3 2384771 DBGM Planar 75mm f/3.5 Lens PLS ACCESSORIES | eBay

Rolleiflex 3.5 DBP Accessories in Leather Case. Rolleiflex Rolleicord Plate Adapter in Original Box. Rolleiflex Leather Strap Accessory Cases. The case works perfectly but is scratched, dinged, dented, shows rust spots, and age wear.

www.ebay.com

Yep. This started happening a few months ago. Tried to sell some Rollei's and went unsold at a pretty reasonable price so decided to keep them for the time being.

campy: Usually Ebay sides with the buyer. It may be hassle but hang in there, return/refund process could be slow ones. If something goes wrong, your best bid is to request a refund based on "not as described" basis. Even if seller states no refund/returns allowed, seller is still bound to refund/return items on "not as described" basis.

Marcelo Paniagua · Dec 20, 2023

MattKing said:
This line in the description is what would concern me:
"Selling because It’s no longer suitable for film".

Yep thought the same. There is a risk it may be a display non working model?

BrianShaw · Dec 20, 2023

Does anyone have recent experience with eBay “not received” claims? That seems like it might be more challenging than “not as described “, especially if tracking info is being forged. Hopefully these are academic questions and a decent camera gets delivered.

Hassasin · Dec 20, 2023

More speculations than even OP had in mind ?

In a not so distant future it will all clear up.

MTGseattle · Dec 20, 2023

@Dan Daniel Based upon that sellers' other items, they are an estate buyer or something who landed a formerly loved camera kit but know nothing about cameras minus the cachet of the Rolleiflex name.

I had a recent experience where I bought and paid for an item. The tracking never got updated. Seller unresponsive to email. ebay forced me to wait until the predicted item arrival date had passed to escalate matters. I think elapsed time from auction close to me getting my refund was 6 weeks. It was another seller who had a bit of camera stuff but was clearly a car parts seller. They had a mix of good feedback with a few "no item received." I think they had listings that were on automatic relist with no one ever updating or checking on things (i,e; I bought an item that the seller no longer had).

ant! · Dec 20, 2023

I had once a scam where the seller took text and images from another ad from a few years earlier. This wasn't photo related, but a significant amount. I jumped on the "good deal" a bit too fast, it was not on ebay and I did the research after I paid, but the payment was by credit card, so I gave my bank a call and have the transaction cancelled (credit card transactions can be cancelled still months later). Was still a lesson for me, now I do reverse image searches if something looks off.

campy51 · Dec 20, 2023

There is at least a tracking number based on the pre-shipment, awaits item, which is usual after creating a label. I also bought a 3.5F on the same day as the 2.8E and that arrived today with just a few marks and in better condition that I thought it was. One second a little slow but a fairly accurate meter from what I can tell or maybe 1/2 stop off.

BrianShaw · Dec 20, 2023

The 3.5F sounds like a complete success!

Do you think this was a scam?

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