Strange prices on eBay cameras

Tomwlkr · Sep 2, 2023

awty said:
Good, I have too many cameras now, high prices take the temptation away. ....unfortunately there are still heaps of cheap cameras luring me in.
What gets me is how much expired film goes for, it's often selling for as much as fresh film.

I used to buy expired refrigerated film, it wasa cheap, now a roll of fresh film is $10 and ebay sellers want $15 for expired non refrigerated film

Arthurwg · Sep 2, 2023

Note the seller of the Nikon F5 has a 91% rating. Not exactly inspiring.

neilt3 · Sep 3, 2023

Tomwlkr said:
I used to buy expired refrigerated film, it wasa cheap, now a roll of fresh film is $10 and ebay sellers want $15 for expired non refrigerated film

They must write "LOMO" in the listing title!

ericB&W · Sep 3, 2023

I see the craziest prices with small point and shoot ,
i bought a Yashica T5 before Euro come in and payed about 400.000 italian Lire ,
that was at that time, about 200 EU, now they sell in a range from 400 to 500 Eu, sometimes
even more than 500, i ask who buy at that prices but prices don't go down so it means that
they sell at that prices .

Sirius Glass · Sep 3, 2023

Sometimes eBay prices have nothing to do with the market nor reality. I view those pricds as a source of amusement.

Marcelo Paniagua · Sep 9, 2023

ericB&W said:
I see the craziest prices with small point and shoot ,
i bought a Yashica T5 before Euro come in and payed about 400.000 italian Lire ,
that was at that time, about 200 EU, now they sell in a range from 400 to 500 Eu, sometimes
even more than 500, i ask who buy at that prices but prices don't go down so it means that
they sell at that prices .

Probably they stay unsold? Waiting for someone to actuallly pay the price?

bags27 · Sep 9, 2023

I'm sort of ebay-adicted. I love to scroll through a product. And I think I've had reasonable luck. It's a great way to search for a rare item.

But the past couple of years, what's sad is the inflationed descriptions. The Japanese have been tremendously responsible sellers on the whole. But they've surpassed us Americans in inflating the condition of their products. "Mint" now means something like--well, just a bit of haze on the lens, but it won't affect the shot. And maybe a touch of mold. But again, otherwise in mint condition. They're all honest with what they actually say and usually point out problems through pictures. But the headlines are really exaggerated. Still, the Japanese generally are fantastic about accepting returns within 30 days, usually with no questions asked and often they pay return postage even if the product is as described. Hard to lose with that.

There are places like Roberts Camera here in the U.S. that, on the other hand, offer extremely conservative estimates of their products. I just got a Soligor II spot meter that they scored as VG and that I'd score as mint, except it lacked the cap and the wrist band...for $75! I knew going in that it lacked those things, but I was stunned by how otherwise perfect it was. Then, on ebay, for $7 I got a zone system stickie fitted to the Soligor. And for a few bucks, I got the wrist band for the meter. It's my new pride and joy toy for under $100.

That kind of stuff is a lot of fun.

neilt3 · Sep 9, 2023

Marcelo Paniagua said:
Probably they stay unsold? Waiting for someone to actuallly pay the price?

Or finally sell it for a fair price when someone makes an offer , after sitting on it trying to sell it for a daft price for several years!

xkaes · Sep 9, 2023

Arthurwg said:
Note the seller of the Nikon F5 has a 91% rating. Not exactly inspiring.

EBAY's rating system has always been way off. They should simply use their current method for calculation, but in the end, just subtract 90 -- and have a scale from 0 to 10. That seller of 91% would now be a ONE. Someone like me -- who is 100% -- would be a TEN.

I know, I know, NOT going to happen.

But if you want to see some crazy sale prices -- from auctions -- head on over to GOODWILL.COM. People regularly pay TWICE what common cameras & lenses sell for on EBAY.

Still, I've found some REALLY GOOD deals on EBAY and GOODWILL. I just got a MAXXUM 5 on EBAY for $3. A STEAL DEAL.

leigh4175 · Sep 9, 2023

gone said:
There's a Canon AE-1 camera w/ the usual FD 50 1.8 lens for sale on eBay for $278, a Pentax K1000 w/ a 50 lens for $268, a Canon AE-1 Program w/ a 50 1.8 lens (Rare! the ad states) for $268.....and then there's a Nikon F5 (tested, near mint) w/ no lens for $299. Does that make any sense? 3 nice but admittedly old, consumer SLRs w/ budget lenses, and then there's that F5, which is a pro camera in every way. It looks beautiful in the pics too. All priced essentially the same. Bizarre.

I'd go for the NIKON F5!!! [I have one and it's a great camera]

Sirius Glass · Sep 9, 2023

leigh4175 said:
I'd go for the NIKON F5!!! [I have one and it's a great camera]

Welcome to ~~APUG~~ Photrio!!

BobD · Sep 9, 2023

ericB&W said:
I see the craziest prices with small point and shoot ,
i bought a Yashica T5 before Euro come in and payed about 400.000 italian Lire ,
that was at that time, about 200 EU, now they sell in a range from 400 to 500 Eu, sometimes
even more than 500, i ask who buy at that prices but prices don't go down so it means that
they sell at that prices .

The Yashica T-series P&S cameras and some others really do sell at those insane prices. I've sold a few myself. Even though there are many other cameras with comparable or better specs that sell for a fraction of that.

Once a camera achieves "cool" status, the prices really take off.

runswithsizzers · Sep 10, 2023

xkaes said:
EBAY's rating system has always been way off. They should simply use their current method for calculation, but in the end, just subtract 90 -- and have a scale from 0 to 10. That seller of 91% would now be a ONE. Someone like me -- who is 100% -- would be a TEN.

Good point! I try to deal with 99%-plus sellers if at all possible.

runswithsizzers · Sep 10, 2023

Communication can be a problem with all online sales. One seller on eBay said his camera was "film tested." After questioning, I discovered his definition of "film tested" means he put an exposed roll of film in the camera, and proved the film transport mechanism works. But proved nothing about the functioning of the meter / shutter, like actually exposing and developing some film would have done.

Recently, I have been shopping for 35mm film cameras on Etsy. I can't say there is a huge difference between Etsy and eBay, but my first impression is that the Etsy sellers seem to operating on a slightly higher level. Maybe a few more cameras which are cleaner than average, and a few less out-of-focus photos and nonsensical descriptions(?) There are fewer film cameras for sale on Etsy, compared to eBay, but more that I might actually be interested in.

I just bought a Konica Autoreflex T-3n from an Etsy seller who replaces the light seals and does battery upgrades if needed (Schottky diodes), on all of the cameras he sells.

wiltw · Sep 10, 2023

film_man said:
You will be amazed how lazy people are and only go on ebay. In the UK there are a number of reputable shops selling second hand film equipment, yet people keep buying stuff on ebay for prices over what the shop asks for, despite the shop giving you a warranty and a returns policy.

Still, lots of bargains to be found on ebay if you're careful and know how to ask questions.

I am curious about the price difference in countries with VAT inflating the New price of cameras, so that USED cameras are more expensive there as well...and how that affects sales prices seen on eBay, which might assume that a buyer in EU might be more willing to pay the 'inflated (vs. USA used market)' price.
For example, I see eBay ads for an Olympus OM-1 film SLR with 50mm lens for $150, yet some for up to $250, while a local ad on Craigslist asks $100 for a black good condition body needing new foam light seal. Would you comment on where prices fall in EU??

Twotone · Sep 11, 2023

My main gripe with sellers on eBay/marketplace/wherever is those that have found a camera in their Grandad's loft, they have no idea what they are looking at, it's condition, whether it works at all, whether the battery compartment is swollen with a 30 year old battery, and just list it up for absolute top dollar.

Then the other type that list the broken stuff as untested, when they clearly have the means to and routinely test their other 'working' items.

Facebook marketplace is the worst for that given it's free cost and ease of listing. I've seen too many bundles of seized up old Agfa Silettes and Brownies listed for £500

If I hadn't already learned enough lessons buying old cameras, I could easily be fooled into thinking that these various cameras were in perfect working order because some randomer listing it says so.

As film_man said, there are some fantastic, reputable shops selling various film cameras, that have been checked, come with warranties etc for the same/if not cheaper prices!

If I buy a camera/gear now from eBay etc, it'll be for a price that factors in a full CLA or something I can repair myself.

Sirius Glass · Sep 11, 2023

Twotone said:
My main gripe with sellers on eBay/marketplace/wherever is those that have found a camera in their Grandad's loft, they have no idea what they are looking at, it's condition, whether it works at all, whether the battery compartment is swollen with a 30 year old battery, and just list it up for absolute top dollar.

Then the other type that list the broken stuff as untested, when they clearly have the means to and routinely test their other 'working' items.

Facebook marketplace is the worst for that given it's free cost and ease of listing. I've seen too many bundles of seized up old Agfa Silettes and Brownies listed for £500

If I hadn't already learned enough lessons buying old cameras, I could easily be fooled into thinking that these various cameras were in perfect working order because some randomer listing it says so.

As film_man said, there are some fantastic, reputable shops selling various film cameras, that have been checked, come with warranties etc for the same/if not cheaper prices!

If I buy a camera/gear now from eBay etc, it'll be for a price that factors in a full CLA or something I can repair myself."

Then the other type that list the broken stuff as untested, when they clearly have the means to and routinely test their other 'working' items. Translated to eBayese becomes: "I do not know anything about cameras, but everything appears to be working correctly. Very minty!"

One must learn to translate eBayese to English or any other language properly.

BobD · Sep 11, 2023

Twotone said:
My main gripe with sellers on eBay/marketplace/wherever is those that have found a camera in their Grandad's loft, they have no idea what they are looking at, it's condition, whether it works at all, whether the battery compartment is swollen with a 30 year old battery, and just list it up for absolute top dollar.

Then the other type that list the broken stuff as untested, when they clearly have the means to and routinely test their other 'working' items.

That describes about 90% of the film gear on eBay.

Many of these sellers go to estate sales, see a camera, look it up on their phones and see the inflated high prices. They buy it (often paying too much) and then try to sell it at the inflated price they saw before buying it. They often just list the camera with no information about its condition (because they don't know). These cameras rarely sell or are sold and returned so the seller learns a lesson. Unfortunately, a new clueless seller takes his/her place and it all continues.

ant! · Sep 11, 2023

wiltw said:
I am curious about the price difference in countries with VAT inflating the New price of cameras, so that USED cameras are more expensive there as well...and how that affects sales prices seen on eBay, which might assume that a buyer in EU might be more willing to pay the 'inflated (vs. USA used market)' price.
For example, I see eBay ads for an Olympus OM-1 film SLR with 50mm lens for $150, yet some for up to $250, while a local ad on Craigslist asks $100 for a black good condition body needing new foam light seal. Would you comment on where prices fall in EU??

Not sure how VAT vs non-VAT countries used markets are, but I feel the origin of the camera plays a role.
Finding a German-made camera is easier in Germany (maybe not for a Leica, but for an Agfa Ambi Silette, Praktina, Steinheil Casca or other not super common models), not only the prices are better, but they are also just much more common. To a certain degree it is as well true for Japan (I buy my Pentax 645 gear in Japan and not here in Canada, just a bigger market with better prices). I imagine this is similar for other countries (e.g. Flexarets in Czechia and Slovakia, Kiev in Ukraine and around, Argus in the US...).

xkaes · Sep 11, 2023

I've been lucky with these "Retired Estate Sale Hobbyist" EBAY sellers.

They live in "Over-55 Communities" where people pop off every day. The kids hire an auction company to clean the place out, and all the local retirees show up to get stuff to list on EBAY -- their hobby.

And there is always some camera gear.

Sure, some are listed at foolish prices, but I've got some great deals where the starting price is one-step-above-free, and the seller admits they know nothing about cameras. If they take good pictures, that helps. What also helps is that they often list it in the wrong category, and don't know what it is, let alone what it does, what it fits, or how to turn it on.

It's a risk, but it works both ways.

ags2mikon · Sep 11, 2023

I'm liking these ebay prices. I started to add up my camera equipment assets and learned I was a millionaire. My son said I should use the past sales for prices and I would be homeless.

takilmaboxer · Sep 11, 2023

Last year I bought an Ikoflex on the Bay. I experienced a lot of sellers who picked up the cameras at estate sales and promptly listed them at top prices without any inspection at all. The usual warning was "I know nothing about cameras but it looks great." Finally found a collector/user who knew all about Ikoflex cameras and gave an accurate description. I bought it for half the price that the estate sellers were asking and am now enjoying it. "Caveat emptor" is the motto for Ebay!

BobD · Sep 11, 2023

On the other hand there are a lot of sellers that list camera gear "for parts or repair" simply to be cautious. They don't know if it's OK or not but at least they know that they don't know and take the safe approach of selling it for parts.

ags2mikon · Sep 11, 2023

And they don't have to take it back if it doesn't work. If priced right sometimes that's okay.

BobD · Sep 11, 2023

ags2mikon said:
And they don't have to take it back if it doesn't work. If priced right sometimes that's okay.

I agree and I've bought things with that understanding and it was fine. Last week I bought a Retina for very little and it works fine.

Strange prices on eBay cameras

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