How to avoid scams?

fatso said:

The only reason I'm considering it is that it's a rather rare camera thst doesn't come up for sale very often and it's in pristine condition. I would have flown there myself but covid...

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• you can ask for a video chat with demonstration
• in case you want to secure yourself against the item shipped not being the one shown, you can use a forwarding service with the additional "assisted purchase". Ie. you pay a local to buy the item for you, and have it checked, so it matches the description, pictures, video, serials, etc. For Russia, then use https://en.aukciony.com/ (they are russians/georgians/etc) not yanks working with someone over there.
• if you want a check-up, that would be tricky. Will depend where seller is and if he will bother, optionally for a fee, and you won't be able to pick a technician by yourself so add another fee/service for a translator. In MSK and SPb there are couple well known technicians with extensive expertise who may take a camera for diagnostic but they have lot of work and it will take time. Alternatively you could contact yourself some big specialized store like Foto Kutuzov in MSK, see if someone answers an email in english, but then in this case seller should be in MSK, for other cities the bigger (like Eka, Rostov, etc) the better, but you'll have to find who and where (forums on runet, etc).

Bill Burk said:

Leicas aren’t really rare, at least not so rare that there might not be another one like it to be had.

Obviously sharing details here would run a risk of getting a bidding war going.

Good luck, I hope it goes well

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jeffreyg said:

Several thoughts come to mind. Where did you learn about the equipment? Is there a known dealer with a good track record selling the same equipment? Have you seen photographs and serial numbers? The only used equipment I have purchased (years ago) was from established dealers with published return policies so I was able to test the equipment (lenses). Fortunately they were as represented and still function perfectly. This was before EBay etc.and what seems to go on these days. ASs the saying goes "buyer beware".

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

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antonio_b said:

• you can ask for a video chat with demonstration
• in case you want to secure yourself against the item shipped not being the one shown, you can use a forwarding service with the additional "assisted purchase". Ie. you pay a local to buy the item for you, and have it checked, so it matches the description, pictures, video, serials, etc. For Russia, then use https://en.aukciony.com/ (they are russians/georgians/etc) not yanks working with someone over there.
• if you want a check-up, that would be tricky. Will depend where seller is and if he will bother, optionally for a fee, and you won't be able to pick a technician by yourself so add another fee/service for a translator. In MSK and SPb there are couple well known technicians with extensive expertise who may take a camera for diagnostic but they have lot of work and it will take time. Alternatively you could contact yourself some big specialized store like Foto Kutuzov in MSK, see if someone answers an email in english, but then in this case seller should be in MSK, for other cities the bigger (like Eka, Rostov, etc) the better, but you'll have to find who and where (forums on runet, etc).

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BrianShaw said:

Best way to avoid scam, if you have even a hint of one, is not to do the deal.

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