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Would you take advantage of an uninformed seller?

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Fred A. Fotoman dies. His widow, Exa, is selling his Leica M3 at a yard sale for $20

  • Just take it, since no one is looking anyway.

    Votes: 3 3.4%

  • Haggle the price down to $5, telling Exa it's an old film camera no one would use anymore.

    Votes: 4 4.6%

  • Buy it for $20 and congratulate yourself on a good deal.

    Votes: 19 21.8%

  • Tell Exa it's worth more than $20 and offer a larger amount (e.g. $100-$500).

    Votes: 25 28.7%

  • Tell Exa it's worth much more and mutually research & decide on a price.

    Votes: 29 33.3%

  • Something else (explain).

    Votes: 7 8.0%
  • Total voters
    87
  • Poll closed .
RobC said:
So tell us, if you knew the yard sale was because her husband died and she was getting rid of his camera gear, would you go to it and why?
Click to expand...

I would go to it because it is there.

I would go to it in the hope of finding an interesting camera that is not already in my vast collection, such as a Leica R3 Safari kit or a Hasselblad 205FCC system. I would not be going there to get something for pennies on the dollar.
 
MattKing said:
If it was a Kodak Medalist, it might have even been the murder weapon:whistling:.

By the way, I didn't respond to the poll - just the discussion.
Click to expand...

I couldn't resist laughing at this post. I picked up one of these Medalist cameras and held in my hands once. Saw it used 620 film which I wasn't that interested in pursuing. It also looked "like" a Kodak 35 which I hated so I didn't buy it, even though the price was just $15 dollars US. Can't go back and get that one, though now I recognize it was worth at least 5 times that.

As for the Leica. I would take the camera and run.

I cannot lie. You know that. And I can't misrepresent myself either. I can't get very far saying I would do otherwise, because I know what I'd do.

Because I've done it.

Flea market comes around twice a year. It's a big deal so I bring plenty of cash. For me $100 dollars US is plenty of cash.

On the table early morning sits an M2 with three lenses, meter and flash. This is a vendor I recognized from previous flea markets. Usually has filters for aquarium pumps etc. Without thinking I had much of a chance with what I have in my pocket, I ask. "How much?" He says "I don't know." Twice... Twice I tell him it's worth a lot of money. He still doesn't have a price. I say I've got $100 and he says OK. Of course the darn thing was busted. But Youxin Ye fixed that up quick.
 
Bill Burk said:
Twice... Twice I tell him it's worth a lot of money. He still doesn't have a price. I say I've got $100 and he says OK.
Click to expand...

Congratulations on a really nice deal. Use the camera and lenses with a clear conscience. You did everything right.

:smile:

Ken
 
Bill Burk said:
On the table early morning sits an M2 with three lenses, meter and flash. This is a vendor I recognized from previous flea markets. Usually has filters for aquarium pumps etc. Without thinking I had much of a chance with what I have in my pocket, I ask. "How much?" He says "I don't know." Twice... Twice I tell him it's worth a lot of money. He still doesn't have a price. I say I've got $100 and he says OK. Of course the darn thing was busted. But Youxin Ye fixed that up quick.
Click to expand...

but was it a fake worth about $5, and youxin said: this isn't a leica but a licca...
i'll fix it anyways,
 
Bill Burk said:
I couldn't resist laughing at this post. I picked up one of these Medalist cameras and held in my hands once. Saw it used 620 film which I wasn't that interested in pursuing. It also looked "like" a Kodak 35 which I hated so I didn't buy it, even though the price was just $15 dollars US. Can't go back and get that one, though now I recognize it was worth at least 5 times that.
Click to expand...

Lucky you. If you had bought it, you would have had to track down the seller to give them more money once you found out what it was really worth. :wink:
 
Bill Burk said:
...
Flea market comes around twice a year. It's a big deal so I bring plenty of cash. For me $100 dollars US is plenty of cash.

On the table early morning sits an M2 with three lenses, meter and flash. This is a vendor I recognized from previous flea markets. Usually has filters for aquarium pumps etc. Without thinking I had much of a chance with what I have in my pocket, I ask. "How much?" He says "I don't know." Twice... Twice I tell him it's worth a lot of money. He still doesn't have a price. I say I've got $100 and he says OK. Of course the darn thing was busted. But Youxin Ye fixed that up quick.
Click to expand...

That is one of the oldest tricks in the flea market bag-o-tricks. He had a number in mind. They always do. It probably wasn't nearly as high as what you offered... otherwise he would have flinched. He probably even knew that it was busted.

Similar situation happened to me once at a UK boot sale. (I was there with my American accent, Levis, and my "big bag-o-RichAmerican-money".) Vendor had a Rollei lens hood I wanted/needed but he "didn't know" what he was asking for it and wanted me to make an offer. So I offered 5 pounds and he reacted immediately -- "Are you kidding, you'd pay that much." Calling his bluff I said "sure", grabbed the hood, and dropped 5 pounds on his table as I strolled away while he was still trying to catch his breath. I surely showed that old fool who knew the value of money (and Rollei lens hoods).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Considering that I'm about to buy a mint Rolleiflex 2.8D with case for $300 then yes I guess you could say I'd take advantage of an uninformed seller. No I don't feel bad about it, the seller posted it on the internet therefore they have the ability to research the value on the internet. I've already met with the seller and looked the camera over, just have to wait till payday tomorrow.
 
Kyle M. said:
Considering that I'm about to buy a mint Rolleiflex 2.8D with case for $300 then yes I guess you could say I'd take advantage of an uninformed seller. No I don't feel bad about it, the seller posted it on the internet therefore they have the ability to research the value on the internet. I've already met with the seller and looked the camera over, just have to wait till payday tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Given the facts, I'd guess it's stolen. Did you record the SN and ask local police? :D
 
Old-N-Feeble said:
Given the facts, I'd guess it's stolen. Did you record the SN and ask local police? :D
Click to expand...

It's a guy I went to high school with, the camera belonged to his grand father who recently passed away. He was going to hang on to it for sentimental reasons but needs the money because he's having some financial issues. He figures it's not worth much because as he said "it's an old film camera." I've seen people luck out and buy Hasselblads for $200 because people think the same thing. I got my 500C for $600, and for that price I'd have figured it was stolen if it hadn't come from a dealer. First 500C I've seen in this condition go for under $850-$900.
 
Kyle M. said:
...yes I guess you could say I'd take advantage of an uninformed seller. No I don't feel bad about it...
Click to expand...

Kyle M. said:
It's a guy I went to high school with, the camera belonged to his grand father who recently passed away. He was going to hang on to it for sentimental reasons but needs the money because he's having some financial issues.
Click to expand...

..
 
There's no point, Ken. Those who don't already understand never will. Those on the other side of this dividing line feel the same way about those on this side of the line. And they're right... we'll never understand their point of view.

What I come away with is always the same: With some people you have to guard your back very carefully and diligently... and it doesn't matter if the other party is a complete stranger or your best friend or brother. When it comes to power, sex or money some folks have no conscience or loyalty what-so-ever.
 
BrianShaw said:
That is one of the oldest tricks in the flea market bag-o-tricks. ...

"Are you kidding, you'd pay that much." Calling his bluff I said "sure", grabbed the hood, and dropped 5 pounds on his table... I surely showed that old fool who knew the value of money (and Rollei lens hoods).
Click to expand...

We really showed them, didn't we?
 
Kyle M. said:
Considering that I'm about to buy a mint Rolleiflex 2.8D with case for $300 then yes I guess you could say I'd take advantage of an uninformed seller. No I don't feel bad about it, the seller posted it on the internet therefore they have the ability to research the value on the internet. I've already met with the seller and looked the camera over, just have to wait till payday tomorrow.
Click to expand...

I was going to say you played the "going to a good home" card well...

Then I saw you wrote he was an old high school acquaintance...

Hopefully the $300 is enough to get him out of the jam he's in...
 
sorry .. Kyle m...
the seller is in financial difficulties and you will still screw him over without a second thought
because you can, sorry, that is lame.
 
Sounds to me like Kyle M. is giving what he can afford...
 
Bill, how did you come to that conclusion? Anyway, he could tell the seller what it's worth and suggest he try for more money. If the seller doesn't want to bother then he should buy it for the asking price.
 
Bill Burk said:
Sounds to me like Kyle M. is giving what he can afford...
Click to expand...

maybe i misunderstood the story ...
and this was the guy's comeuppins seeing
when he was in HS he gave wedgies and swirlies ...
so $300 was actually a fair price ...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Actually he wasn't the nicest guy in school and we weren't friends just acquaintances. I didn't even realize it was him selling the camera until after I answered his craigslist ad and went to look at the camera. He needs around $200 to get out of the jam he's in and ask an extra $100 so he's got a little extra. $300 is about all I can afford, and I did mention he could probably get more, but it's one of those I need the money and I need it now situations.
 
jnanian said:
hi kyle,
sorry for jumping to conclusions ...

john
Click to expand...

It's ok it happens, I'm sure theirs still somebody out there who won't agree with what I'm doing. But then again you know what they say about opinions.
 
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