Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I dont have many experience with craiglist trading, i am selling some lens there now, and a guy just called me that he can pick up the lens in 1 hour, but he asked me to bring my camera so he can test lens...

okay is it normal? cuz i thought buyer should bring their own camera to test lens...cuz the lens might work well on one camera, but not so well in the other one. Is it a sign of danger?

thanks

Agree, I'd be concerned as they should bring THEIR camera...it doesn't matter how it works on your camera.

Anyway, you could lie and say that you've sold all of your "X" brand equipment so you don't have a camera to test the lens with, and they should bring their camera if you want to business with them.

oh i dont mind he uses my camera to test it tho it doesnt make sense at all .But my main concern is my own safety (I dont want to get into something strange or being rxbbed)


yeah i told him that he should bring his own camera to test it, but he said he's on his way to my place...

You should always meet in a public place where there is a lot of people, for safety reasons. I hope all goes well.

I would always meet someone in a public place which is safe for all involved. I agree with Mikefellh about telling them you sold you camera body.

If someone is too eager or it smells funny to you it is OK to turn down a buyer. There are always other buyers out there if things are priced competitively. GLWS!!!

I sold a lens to a guy who was in the midst of switching systems so he didn't have a body to test it on. It wasn't a problem as far as I was concerned.

We met in a public place with lots of people around (coffee shop), and the transaction went smoothly.

hmm... the guy asked $20 off, well no problem for me...it's normal in trading i think.

then he took out at least 20 one hundred $ bill from his pocket...it really scares me. the lens is only $350...and one hundred dollar bill is so rare these day even ATM and bank counter dont give $100 bill unless you ask. He couldnt exchange those $100 bill, so i canceled it...

$100 bills aren't that uncommon. As long as you check out the money and it's not a counterfeit....

That's why I said it.

If he just tries your lens on his camera and runs off all you've lost is your lens...but if you have the lens on your camera and you hand it to him to try and he runs off, you've lost BOTH!

I hate when people do that. Act like they're poor, then whip a huge wad of cash out of their pockets. I don't negotiate on the spot like that anymore. The price in person is the price in the ad. Im not afraid to walk away.

I did a transaction for a $1500 lens in a Costco parking lot one time.

I brought a few friends with me just in case any sh*t went down. Turns out the guy was super nice and ran into some hard times, so he was selling everything he had.

Every experience is different. But always meet in public spaces and/or bring a friend. If you drive (and the purchaser) leave some of your money in the car, meet with the person to check out the goods, then go back to your car to get the cash.

Meet in public, check serial numbers on the item and on box and if you have a smartphone check online with google to see if anything pops up.

Most of the time there arent any issues, but you never know.

And always remember Caveat Emptor, do your own research before buying.