What is the best place to sell your equipment?

[mirekti]

I don't have any experience is selling the equipment online at all.
I'm a legal citizen in the US, but I don't have an account in the American bank. Are there other options available?
Would it be the easiest option to open an account here?

[neuroanatomist]

I use Craigslist.  Meet in a public location (Starbucks, etc.), get paid in cash.

[hemidesign]

The best options are: Craigslist or Ebay.. but, there is Pros and Cons..

The GOOD about Craigslist: You can sell fast and have cash in hands, you meet the person eye by eye anywhere (if both parties agree)

The BAD about Craigslist: You might don't wanna see strangers going to your house, (something you can't carry on) , you can have a lot of e-mail scam and hackers, you can sell only in your area, not good and not safe for shipping, only local pickup..

The GOOD about Ebay: 100% protected by Ebay, Paypal system is safe, buying on Ebay can be the best deal today ever, you can sell in the entire US, you can make more money (for bid) than you expect, you don't have to meet the person for selling or buying anything!

The BAD about Ebay: IMO, Ebay and Paypal fees for selling stuff is way too HIGH, you have to be very professional for packing and shipping your goods, some buyers bid from your item IF you have enough positive feedback history, you might not sell for the money you're asking (for bid with no reserve), Paypal requires your bank account info

So you decide..

[Mt Spokane Photography]

In the USA, list your equipment on a local Craigslist.  To sell on ebay, you will need a bank account and credit card, and a new seller will get very little for his equipment, buyers know the risk of buying from a first time seller.

Just because you use craigslist does not mean that you give your home or apartment address.  Arrange to meet someone in a public place, I usually use a Starbucks, since they seem to be on every street corner here in Spokane.

Set a reasonable price, viewing prices of completed sales on ebay is one way to get a actual selling price, another is here: http://www.jcolwell.ca/photography/lens$db/index.htm

Since you so not have to pay a selling fee on Craigslist, be prepared to take a few dollars less.

Another place to sell is on FM Forums (fredmiranda.com).  Its riskier, particularly for a first time seller.  You can check asking prices for equipment there as well.  They tend to be realistic and often sell within a day.  However, a selling reputation is a must, so if you sell something there, allow a buyer to see and pick it up locally.

Good Luck!

[Zv]

I have sold on amazon marketplace. The fees are high but more chance of a quick sale. Very easy to do, i even managed to sell on amazon.jp, for small items that people buy regularly its good but specialist stuff won't go so fast. I sold a 320 ex for almost same price I bought it but lost money on my 10-22 that was unexpected but my fault as I wanted a quick sale.

I have an ebay account but I just don't trust ebayers that much and I don't like the anxiety of bids. Though they have a buy it now option but you need to have 10 stars before you get that. Not good for new sellers.
You could build up your rep by selling small unimportant stuff like CDs and DVDs and then move on to camera lenses etc.

There was a new site called Sell canon gear or something, werent they advertising on CR? Does anyone know what happened with that? They gave me five bucks just for listing! Didnt sell jack but the fiver was nice!

[DianeK]

If you sign up for membership here: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/ you can post on their buy/sell forum.  They don't charge like the Fred Miranda site does.  That's where I've gotten most of my used equipment.

[bycostello]

ebay by far... 

[crasher8]

In a van, down by the river…

But seriously, I have had really good luck with KEH.com for lenses and ebay for all else. There is a lot of ebay hate out there and I understand why, it just has worked out well for me personally and I have no problem with paying a cut to those who provide the platform.

[RMC33]

CL isn't bad but I have had a few interesting people try to "buy" my gear. They demand, berate and treat you poorly (possibly just the Reno/Tahoe area). I went to meet a guy today to look at my 70-200 f/2.8 Mk1 and he just jammed it into his 6D and took one shot and said "Too soft... I can't shoot my first wedding with crap like this! $1200 is a ripoff I'll give you $400 tops" making everyone in the Starbucks stare. On the flip side, I got a RRS versa 2 for $450 and the RRS foot for my 200 f/2 for $25. Managed to get a 100 f/2.8 Macro IS for $700 because the guy used our local store as a "free lens rental service" and did not get it back in time. Had a few other good scores over the years but these are my recent goodies.

Ebay has been good to me as well.. Just got a full gimbal PG-02 RRS head for $600. Sold my 24-105 for $125 more then I paid. The fee's do suck but the convenience of the service isn't bad. Don't mind having my bank linked to pay pal as I accept payments through the service for some of my Consultancy and Photography services. It makes for a good method of saving money for new camera gear for me as well.

[docholliday]

keh.com

[crasher8]

I have had good luck with high end road bike parts on Craigslist but I would never sell or buy camera gear there. Too many creeps and like rmc33 said, folks who work you hard. And NEVER meet at yours or their house.

[Mt Spokane Photography]

He does not have a US bank Account.  This means that you cannot use Amazon, Paypal, ebay, or a lot of other places.  They require a bank account, and usually a credit card as well.

[NYCPHOTO]

I've gotten rid of a ton of equipment thru Craigslist.

Usually meet at starbucks.

No fees, no shipping....easy peasy

[KyleSTL]

I have used eBay and Craigslist exclusively (60/40, respectively). I've bought stuff from KEH, but never sold anything to them because the prices I've been quoted on their site have been WAY below market value. I'm always stalking CL and eBay for excellent deals an broken equipment (I fix broken lenses, bodies, etc in my spare time).  Most of my equipment has been repaired or purchased by money I make by repairing and selling.

[DianeK]

Just to reiterate, having just read some of the "experiences" others have had with CL and eBay, I haven't had a single unpleasant transaction yet using: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/] [url]http://photography-on-the.net/forum/[/url]  In fact, have met some really nice people.