Ebay or Amazon? - DPChallenge Forums

04/23/2014 02:23:11 PM · #1

I love buying things online.. I have purchased things from both, but the last few camera things I have purchased was from Ebbay

I am looking at upgrading to a Nikon D7100 however, I am trying to debate if I should just go to a camera store in town, but I really, really love the bundle kits that are on Ebay and a few I have seen even have the huge telephoto lenses 500-1000mm that I want for when I go take pictures of my eagles in the winter...

Feels good to want huh LOL

Anyway, For purchasing THAT much money, I am kinda leary about it.. I never had an issue with Ebay or Amazon before and I have been an Ebay since 2002... For full bundle kits is it better just to purchase things separately? I already have a 0-55 and a 70-300 so I don't need those lenses again.. I have filters and a bag but just wanted to know thoughts on full purchases .. kinda makes me a bit nervous..

I am thinking about this purchase in the future.. but for now I am just getting used to using a DLSR, settings, what it means and all the rest of the basics..

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

04/23/2014 02:27:18 PM · #2

be careful with bundles, a lot of time you don't need all that comes with it or its junk (e.g. tripods) i prefer amazon personally but i have prime, so free 2-day shipping and returns are easier, of course now that hey charge me taxes in NJ i look for the best deal.

Message edited by author 2014-04-23 14:30:39.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

04/23/2014 02:27:58 PM · #3

Not doubt about it: Amazon.

I'm a prime member, so maybe this is a bit different for me, but their customer service has been nothing short of absolutely amazing.

04/23/2014 02:33:17 PM · #4

I have had wonderful customer service from amazon as well..

Thank you Mike on that feedback for bundles because I was wondering about on the quality of the bundle items.. hate to put out that extra money just because its available.. but it makes it look like a great deal.. it was those huge telephoto lenses that caught my attention on the bundles

04/23/2014 02:34:30 PM · #5

B&H Photo

But, if I had to choose between eBay & Amazon, going with Amazon is a no-brainer.

Message edited by author 2014-04-23 14:35:08.

04/23/2014 02:51:53 PM · #6

Originally posted by jgirl57:

it could be worth it. price out the items you want and see if it is.

best buy etc. run packages of a body and a lens all the time. also check rebate from the manufacturer, i cant speak for nikon but canon will offer rebates on a lens and body purchase throughout the year.

04/23/2014 02:52:58 PM · #7

all the major retailers will have just about the same price for bodies and lenses.. if you find one waaaay cheaper on ebay or another site, run.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/23/2014 03:11:42 PM · #8

You may also save some money buying refurbished. Nikon & Canon both sell refurbished direct. Canon offers a one year warranty, Nikon 90 days:

//www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Store/Refurbished-Cameras.page

caba

Nikon D800

04/23/2014 03:24:00 PM · #9

Costco has an awesome return policy if you want to just try it out.

04/23/2014 03:28:18 PM · #10

I wish we had a costco :-) that would be so awesome, we do have a Sam's club which I have purchased large items from ..

Would you guys trust refurbished cameras?

04/23/2014 03:36:25 PM · #11

Originally posted by jgirl57:

Would you guys trust refurbished cameras?

I asked the same question a few months ago when looking to buy a lens. As someone pointed out, the manufacturer (provided you buy factory refurbished), has physically touched and inspected the equipment. Quite often, the equipment is nearly unused. Once it gets opened & returned, it can no longer be sold as new. The Canon one year warranty is nice, but Nikon needs to step up their game and offer more than 90 days.

Message edited by author 2014-04-23 15:36:42.

MEJazz

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

04/23/2014 03:39:22 PM · #12

Originally posted by jgirl57:

Would you guys trust refurbished cameras?

If refurb by the manufacturer directly (Nikon/Canon) - absolutely. I have been purchasing refurb gear from Canon directly and never had any bad experience. And all item look and function just like new. One year warranty from Canon is also a plus.

04/23/2014 03:42:43 PM · #13

Originally posted by MEJazz:

Originally posted by jgirl57:
Would you guys trust refurbished cameras?

If refurb by the manufacturer directly (Nikon/Canon) - absolutely. I have been purchasing refurb gear from Canon directly and never had any bad experience. And all item look and function just like new. One year warranty from Canon is also a plus.

After my experience with the refurb lens I bought, I'm not sure I'll ever buy new Canon equipment ever again.

04/23/2014 05:06:24 PM · #14

I was really leary about buying refurbished things just because of it breaking and not knowing exactly what was wrong with it..

Does the company ever tell you what was wrong with those items or do they just say here ya go buy it.. LOL

RayEthier

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

04/23/2014 05:28:06 PM · #15

Originally posted by jgirl57:

Would you guys trust refurbished cameras?

Most definitely... and in some instances I would prefer a refurbished over a brand new out of the box model.

The reason is that I honestly believe that a refurbished unit has undergone even closer scrutiny than a new one... they really don't want to have to deal with that specific unit again.

Ray

bmatt17

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/23/2014 05:36:09 PM · #16

I can't speak for Nikon (and in fact the one time I had to deal with their warranty support (binoculars) ensured I won't ever buy from them again) but I just recently got a 10-22 refurb from Canon, saved about $100 and I can't distinguish it from new. So I'd buy refurb from Canon again for sure.

As for the original Topic, I'd feel much safer buying something direct from Amazon than ebay. Amazon is great if anything goes wrong and you have to send it back.

RayEthier

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

04/23/2014 06:42:11 PM · #17

Definitely Amazon... much easier to deal with.

jab119

04/23/2014 10:20:17 PM · #18

I'm an amazon prime member and the $79 a year membership fee I paid last year is well worth it, the yearly membership is going up to $100 a year. you get free 2 day shipping on Amazon Prime items. sometimes the price might be a few bucks more than elsewhere, but their customer service is great. I have had to return a few defective items and had zero problems with returns and such. also you get access to free streaming movies and such.
I know that $100 a year membership sounds like a lot, but I more than make that up in free shipping for all the ordering we do.

Lydia

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

04/23/2014 10:23:49 PM · #19

definitely Amazon...

04/24/2014 07:09:45 AM · #20

another vote for refurbs. most of the time they are just returns (from costco shoppers trying them out) and have nothing wrong with them, if they are in need of repair, that repair has already taken place and its unlikely that it will happen again or if something else will go wrong.

also i think Canons warranty is 90days, not a year, unless they changed it.

I bought my 5d2 refurbed over a yr and a half ago and it came looking brand new and has never failed me.

04/24/2014 07:46:49 AM · #21

Originally posted by Mike:

also i think Canons warranty is 90days, not a year, unless they changed it.

It's a year:

//shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-products?afsrc=1&WT.mc_id=C126149

Erastus

04/24/2014 10:24:43 AM · #22

Originally posted by jab119:

I agree Amazon is still your best bet. Much less chance of being scammed out of your money there. If you buy expensive lens and camera items on eBay it's just a matter of time. But...... I've canceled my Prime membership. The increased cost and fact I already have video streaming with Netflix makes it redundant. Plus lately they seem to be MUCH slower in shipping. They use FedEx SmartPost, and UPS SurePost, which ship to USPS and then USPS mails to your home. Both blame the other when something goes wrong. The problem is much worse at some USPS offices than others and my area insures an almost 3 to 5 day delay over what I was getting a year ago or more. 2 day shipping for me is usually 4 to 6 business days on average now. I can get that without paying the Prime 99 dollar fee.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

04/24/2014 11:36:29 AM · #23

Originally posted by LN13:

Originally posted by Mike:

also i think Canons warranty is 90days, not a year, unless they changed it.

It's a year:

//shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-products?afsrc=1&WT.mc_id=C126149

well then they changed it, it used to be 90 days.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

04/24/2014 02:53:03 PM · #24

Originally posted by Mike:

well then they changed it, it used to be 90 days.

Yes, it did! I think they changed it some time last year. Makes the refurb program a no-brainer, IMO. In fact, just last night I ordered a Canon 6D refurbished body! My final cost was $1367.28 (plus tax). I used the Canon Loyalty Program (CLP), trading in a 10-year-old Powershot S410 for a 10% discount. The CLP is not advertised, but the phone number is 1 (866) 443 8002. Any ol' P&S will do for a trade, working or not!