when the clueless sell cameras

[BobD]

I saw this listing on eBay ...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140385107312

... of a Retina Reflex being sold by a camera-clueless seller. The listing
mentions that more pictures are available on request so I requested them.

Here are 2 of the pictures of this item I received from the seller:

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/5636/003ye.jpg

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/9693/002svm.jpg

 

[jgjbowen]

So would this camera be in good condition or for parts????

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

There is going to be one very surprised, and very pissed, ebay buyer when this puppy gets unwrapped.

 

[Sirius Glass]

It looks like the camera needs a lot of work.

Steve

 

[Anscojohn]

He's also got a Canonet QL 1.7. The neverready case is shot; perhaps it protected the camera though.

 

[jcorll]

I bought an Argus 21 from a local antique store for about $10. Ends up its worth about $80. I'd say thats a good deal!

 

[Ektagraphic]

From the photo included with the auction and the description it looks to be in good enough condition but nothing like the photos you got.

 

[mgb74]

That's not clueless - that's out and out deceptive. It's one thing to say it may or may not work. It's quite another to show a picture that does not reflect the cosmetic condition. I feel like bidding on it just so I can give them their first "negative".

As to the Canon case, they are often found in that condition even if the camera is in fine shape.

 

[mikebarger]

Wow!, that's all I can type....

 

[Christopher Walrath]

The seller does admitin the fine print that they cannot test it and the consignor cannot say that the camera is fine so it is being sold as-is. But that's kinda buried. Not really on the deceptive side unless it has been changed since this thread was started.

 

[LyleB]

The seller does admitin the fine print that they cannot test it and the consignor cannot say that the camera is fine so it is being sold as-is. But that's kinda buried. Not really on the deceptive side unless it has been changed since this thread was started.

But the photo in the listing is definitely deceptive. An honest seller would put up a photo that truly represented, to the best of their ability, the condition of the item. This seller would definitely get completely negative feedback from me, plus would have a dispute lodged. This listing is not honest and IS deceptive.

 

[BobD]

^ I'd have to agree with Lyle. It's the same as someone advertising a car
and showing a picture of it in profile and when you arrive you see that the
other side of the car is smashed.

I don't think this seller intentionally set out to be deceptive but that won't
do much to calm the poor buyer who buys this piece of junk.

 

[sandermarijn]

Arghhh, I'm angry and I haven't even bought the thing or placed a bid (not that I will).

Funny thing is that the seller has a 100% rating and 5,000 sold. Obviously this guy has some tricks up his sleeve to quiet the occasional disgruntled buyer.

That's the shitty thing about ebay (and anywhere else for that matter): a small number of crooks messing things up for a majority of honest people. And the pro-crooks getting away with their crookeries, of course.

It's impossible that you put up such an auction and not know that you are pulling legs. This guy *is* a crook.

 

[Rick A]

I like the description of "focus type"-manual and automatic. Hmm... autofocus Retina.... hmmm.......
I orta git it, soze I kan haz a one-r-a-kind. I always wanted an autofocus cam.

Rick

 

[mgb74]

In general, I don't like buying from these "consign" type locations. They either have no clue about what they are selling or can pretend to.

But this situation is a bit different - this is an antique dealer who can be reasonably expected to accurately describe the external physical condition of an item. To say nothing in the description of mold, corrosion, and covering lifted off, and to include a photo that hides those, is deceptive. In the case of an antique dealer, you'd have to assume it's intensionally deceptive.

The seller can't hide behind protestations of not knowing technical condition or not being a camera expert - it's basic common sense.

 

[BobD]

At this moment there are 3 bids on the item. It will be interesting to see what,
if any, feedback ends up being posted on this transaction.

 

[Rick A]

I'm watching the item, very interested in the final sale price.

Rick

 

[BobD]

I like the description of "focus type"-manual and automatic. Hmm... autofocus Retina.... hmmm.......
I orta git it, soze I kan haz a one-r-a-kind. I always wanted an autofocus cam.

Rick

It also says the color is black. I didn't notice that before. If this really were a
black Retina Reflex that would be a find in itself but, of course, it isn't.

So, the seller is advertising a moldy junked camera with misrepresented
condition and falsely saying it's black and auto-focuses!

 

[Anscojohn]

[
As to the Canon case, they are often found in that condition even if the camera is in fine shape.[/QUOTE]

************
My point.

 

[apkujeong]

Having seen this thread, I contacted the seller and they added the extra photos to their listing. I'm not sure why some people have a fascination with badly described ebay listings. If people see something odd, why not do everyone a favour and contact the seller about it.

 

[BobD]

Having seen this thread, I contacted the seller and they added the extra photos to their listing. I'm not sure why some people have a fascination with badly described ebay listings. If people see something odd, why not do everyone a favour and contact the seller about it.

I'm afraid that unless you plan to investigate and police all this seller's
camera listings, all you've done is delay the inevitable.

 

[John Hermanson]

I bet camera is beyond repair, now a funny conversation piece. John

 

[railwayman3]

I swear I can smell that camera from here....ughhh!

 

[5stringdeath]

That is some fine looking cheese.

Oh wait, its a camera!

 

[BobD]

The lucky winner will pay just $57.44 for this lovely item!