Buying camera equipment off eBay

[Mark R]

Their prices are much, much lower than the high street.

They look resaonably reliable - some dealers have 20-30k feedback, much of it on high ticket items, with feedback comments saying that the item arrived as described at the price promised.

Several of them promise to 'avoid' import duty and VAT (sales tax) - which together come to about 25% or something crazy. I suspect this is the real reason why they are so cheap.

I really want a new lens for my DSLR, and if these places are reliable I could get genuine canon glass for the same price as clone glass.

What are people's experiences?

 

[CrackRabbit]

Just know you are buying grey market goods that will have no warranty with the manufacturer.

 

[yllus]

I've bought a bunch of filters (circular polarizers) from HK dealers. Worked out fine, but those are < $100 items.

What lens?

 

[Koing]

The high feedback ones are good from 'whath I have heard'.

Koing

 

[Mark R]

Originally posted by: yllus
What lens?

17-55 2.8 IS

 

[PokerGuy]

I wouldn't do it for something you expect warranty support for (for example, digital SLR camera) since you don't know if they are grey market. For other stuff like lenses they are fine....