[Hooky]

Hi,

I am just wondering what you make of this listing?

NIKON D3 NO RESERVE on eBay, also, Digital Cameras, Photography (end time 29-Apr-08 08:49:26 BST)

I asked the question about lack of recent feedback and selling such high value goods without really knowing what they were worth. Do the sellers responses add up to you?

TFL.

Alan

[WOODY]

SOUNDS MUCH TO IFFY TO ME. NOT EVEN A MENTION OF WHAT THE LENSES ARE.

[Dabhand16]

Me too. It would be more believable if the camera was not a state-of -the-art latest model.

[silkstone]

Supersized bargepole needed for that one, methinks.

[Charlotte]

Looks genuine to me. He explains how he got the items + why he's selling + why he doesn't know much about them or the history, i.e. he's not a photographer.

Feedback shows he's not the most reliable for fast delivery.

If it should go bad ... Paypal protection is a good thing, although only £150, but your credit card company should cover you anyway. The fact that you can pay by Paypal is a good sign that this is a genuine sale. Fraudsters will only accept direct bank transfers, not Paypal, to avoid a "paper" trail (credit card record)

I would say go for it, except if the price goes any higher, seeing as this is second-hand equipment

Edit: You could always just watch this auction, as it is the first of 2, and if you see this one went ok (look out for feedback on it) go for the next one.

[silkstone]

Does your credit card give protection for PayPal transactions?

I have this vague recollection of reading that the Consumer Credit Act offers credit card protection only if you use the card directly with a retailer, rather than through PayPal, on the basis that the card companies have no control over the vendor. With a conventional c/c transaction they can cancel the account of rogue traders.

[Charlotte]

I had two bad experiences a couple of years ago whereby I had to file a dispute with Ebay/Paypal (got my money back in both cases). I researched terms + cond's at the time, and credit card company cover was in place then. It might have changed since then, however, so thanks for raising that question Silky, and this info should definitely be investigated before proceeding! Thinking about it, it seems that a lot has changed on Ebay in the last couple of years *

PS One of the terms/cond's for claiming from Paypal was first notifying the credit card company. Whether this still stands I don't know.

* Edit: e.g. Ebay no longer seem to offer their own protection, other than through Paypal, but since so many sellers are boycotting Paypal ...

[silkstone]

If the c/c company does give protection for PayPal transactions, it would be easy to work a scam...

Bill and Ben are mates.

Bill sets up a PayPal a/c with a false address and advertises a widget on eBay for only £5000.

Ben buys the widget and pays Bill £5000 by PayPal.

Ben then says he never received the goods, and complains to PayPal who tell him that the maximum protection is £150. They pay him the £150 and discontinue Bill's account.

So Ben then claims from the credit card company. They agree to reimburse and pay Ben the balance of £4850.

Bill and Ben meet down the pub. Bill returns Ben's original £5000 and they split the £5000 from PayPal and the c/c company.

They then do it all again using other names. Etc.

[Charlotte]

That's why Paypal now insist on confirmed addresses only Also Ebay have new rules for sellers, all helping to avoid fraud.

I'm not saying fraud is not going on, on Ebay but they are trying to minimise it, and Paypal is definitely still the safest route. It's just a pity the limits (£150-£500) don't cover expensive items like this one.

[Hooky]

The seller states,

"yes it is for a Nion D3 the lenses are 12mm-24mm 17mm-55mm and 14mm-24mm wideangle all in as new condition"

Thats why my suspicions were so great. Appx £5k -£6k of camera gear and no idea.......

Are the replies he is giving valid enough to warrent coughing up my life savings??

Alan

[Hooky]

Silkstone, thanks for the tip

[Charlotte]

Originally Posted by silkstone

... Ben then says he never received the goods, and complains to PayPal who tell him that the maximum protection is £150. They pay him the £150 and discontinue Bill's account ...

When Paypal pay out a claim, it is not from their own money, it is from money they recover from the seller. It is a lengthy procedure to claim from Paypal, they don't just pay up to every buyer who asks

Found this site which seems to support what I said about credit card protection, in particular :

"Paying for goods online - It may be worth paying by credit card. If the goods or services you are buying cost over £100 and you pay by credit card, you may be protected by the Consumer Credit Act. This states that the credit card company is equally liable for any defects. Therefore, should a problem arise, you can claim either from the trader or from the credit card company."

and

"Internet Auctions - If possible, you should use a credit card (check your details are protected) because it offers the most protection if there's a problem."

Edit: That's not to say there is no risk. Best thing is to read your own credit card terms & cond's.

[silkstone]

Originally Posted by Hooky

Silkstone, thanks for the tip

First you'll have to change your name to Bill or Ben.

[Charlotte]

Here's a safer bet for you Hooky.