Buying off Craigslist?

[g0_command0]

Would you guys ever buy camera bodies off craigslist? Idk what to look for

[sungoban]

Would you guys ever buy camera bodies off craigslist? Idk what to look for

If I could add onto your question, I was wondering the same thing about camera lens off craigslist.

[Code20photog]

I don't trust anything off of Craigslist.

I just bought a used EOS-1D mkIII from another photographer on Ebay, and ended up spending another $200 having a circuitboard replaced a week after I got it. And this from a guy with high ratings on Ebay. I went back and forth with the guy, basically telling him he cheated me.

Craigslist to me is a glorified Pennysaver. You have no idea what kind of condition the equipment is going to be in.

If it's a body at a low price, I'd bee leery, and if it's not much cheaper, I'd go the more reputable route like Samy's used department.

[Realbigtaco]

I have a fellow co-worker who was going to buy a camera body off of Craigslist and he went to check it out, and he brought all of his lenses with him.  When he showed up he asked to test out the camera and of course the guy was hesitant about letting him try it first (which was basically saying it's broke).  He finally got around to testing it and the auto-focus gears were stripped and it made a terrible noise.  The funny part is he told me he just took off the lens and gave the body back to the guy and walked out the door without saying a word.  He was a little upset that they guy wasted his time, by claiming the body was in good working condition.

I guess that would be my advice to you, is bring your equipment with you.  Even a lap top to look at the shots after you take them to make sure the camera is in good working condition.  Also if you're buying a used camera body, I would make sure it is going to be your second body.  You don't want to get caught without a working body if your new used camera does go butts up.

[Titanium Man]

I have not bought off Craig's list, but had good results buying and selling equipment from KEH.com

[rammsteinmatt]

I've bought and sold lenses on craigslist.  Lenses worked as advertised, I of course tested them.  My 17-55 was at least 25% under a "new" price.  sure there are some superficial scratches on the barrel, but who cares?  The glass is clean and the AF-S motor and zoom/focus rings works fine.

Unless there is some good deal in NY, im losing interest in buying equipment new.  All three of the lenses in my signature were either from CL (or in the case of the 200-400) a refurb from Adorama.  The D40x was procured used, is currently working better than my purchased-new D80.

Would you buy a used car?  Maybe.  Would you buy it sight unseen or without a test drive? Hopefully not.  Cameras and lenses are computers integrated into machines just like cars.  They can be broken and appear to be working, but a little diligence on the buyer's part goes a long way.  Like many members here, my lenses generally cost as much or more than some used cars.

That being said, I dont think im going to wait for the new D7000 to hit the used market.  That is purely a time matter though, not because I wouldnt trust a used body

[Code20photog]

But one thing you don't have with used equipment, is warranty. I had a problem with my 40D, fixed no charge. I had a problem with my Tamron 200-500, fixed no charge, I lost a piece on my wireless transmitter, covered because it simply fell off. 

I also like to buy new because there's less chance of a hidden problem. As I mentioned, my EOS-1D MkIII, that I bought used, took a dump on me less than 2 weeks after I got it. I was stuck, $140 to fix it, on top of the $2200 I paid for it. The guy I bought it from swore up and down he never had a problem with it, but sure seems odd that I have to have an entire circuit board replaced right after I bought it.

It's a great idea to test the equipment, but like with my EOS-1, my problem started after the seller's 3 day return policy. You buy it used, and you have no warranty to cover your butt.

[nmcbride]

Co-workers daughter just got screwed with a cheap laptop she bought off of somebody from Craig's List.    Brought it to me to install some software and I found that it was clearly stolen from somebody who needed it back.

The daughter called up the phone number of the woman whose files I found all over the hard drive and sure enough, somebody had smashed in her car window and stole the laptop about 3 weeks earlier.

At the very least, remember if that price seems to be too good to be true, it probably is.

[g0_command0]

thx for the info guys!