How do you sell your gear?

[JPL_1020]

Hello all.

New to the forum, but I've been a long time visitor to the site.  I'm sorry if this has been discussed before, but I'm having a tough time selling some gear.  I'm trying to sell my canon ef-s 17-55.  I've had it up on Craigslist for a few weeks with about 1 or 2 interested in buying that have backed out of at the last minute.  I really don't want to put it on ebay to avoid fees.

I was just curious if anyone knew of any other outlets to sell used gear. 

Thanks for any suggestions.

If you have no luck with Craigslist, go to this forum site: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/. Just read the forum rules, and get yourself established - no fees or charges.
I would say 90-95% of the members are canon users (from amateurs to pros), so you should be able to sell you lens quick as long as you price it fairly. Payment wise, you'll have to set up a paypal account.

I mostly sell on this website, if not CL.

[robbymack]

Timely post. I too have some gear up on craigslist but should try fred miranda as well.

[preppyak]

I sold my 17-55 a couple months ago on Ebay and netted about 750.  The fees may be higher, but the market is a lot bigger too.

Yeah, the beauty of Ebay is you tend to get the highest selling price...but, the fees cut into that. That's why its down the list for me unless I need to move something quickly.

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I usually end up selling on ebay, but sold my 5D Mark II on Craigslist a couple of days back.
A tip for selling on ebay ...  Set a fair price, have awsome photos and a description that shows you know the lens.
Then, sell for a fixed price.  The fees are much lower.  I am normally able to sell for enough extra on ebay to cover their fees and then some.  If you follow the Paypal Rules, you are covered from scammers.
Fred Miranda sellers typically get a lot less than ebay sellers, and end up paying the Paypal fees.  There is no protection from scammers, so its the riskiest way to sell.

[bp]

go to this forum site: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/.

I'll second this.  Have bought and sold a LOT of gear there, with great success.  I just sold my 100-400 yesterday, for the same price I paid for it (listing was up for less than a day).  While back, I sold a 50L (again, for the same price I'd paid about a month earlier), in 22 minutes.

When you're brand new to the forum marketplace, people can be a bit wary of you.  Once you've built up some feedback, it's no longer an issue.  Also, on the buying side, it's very important to check their feedback - I've never been ripped off, but every now and then of course, you hear stories

[HughHowey]

Speaking of selling gear, my brand new 5D3 just came in! $3,200, and I don't take it out of the box! 

[neuroanatomist]

I use CL exclusively.  You need to decide what you're willing to take.  Personally, I only buy for 70% or less of the current new item price.  I've had good luck selling at 75-80% of new.  Include good pics in your ad, product -type pics ('seamless' white background, a piece of paper works just crop tight).  Ask for a phone number in the reply.

LOL.  Now I know why I feel the resell value of my gears were so bad.

Indeed.  But, I should say that buying used is how I 'test drive' lenses.  I've re-sold far more used lenses than I've kept (in one case buying a new copy of the lens, but that was the 24-105, which was break even at the kit lens price) - that's why I only buy 'cheap'. I get to try the lens for as long as I want, and usually for no net cost (and several times, net gain!).  Plus, I can afford to wait for the good deal, and have cash to jump on it when I see it.

[cliffwang]

I use CL exclusively.  You need to decide what you're willing to take.  Personally, I only buy for 70% or less of the current new item price.  I've had good luck selling at 75-80% of new.  Include good pics in your ad, product -type pics ('seamless' white background, a piece of paper works just crop tight).  Ask for a phone number in the reply.

LOL.  Now I know why I feel the resell value of my gears were so bad.

Indeed.  But, I should say that buying used is how I 'test drive' lenses.  I've re-sold far more used lenses than I've kept (in one case buying a new copy of the lens, but that was the 24-105, which was break even at the kit lens price) - that's why I only buy 'cheap'. I get to try the lens for as long as I want, and usually for no net cost (and several times, net gain!).  Plus, I can afford to wait for the good deal, and have cash to jump on it when I see it.

Great idea to try some gears.  I want to try some lenses which I don't really need.  Maybe this is a good way to let me try them.  Thanks for sharing the idea.

[RLPhoto]

Hello all.

New to the forum, but I've been a long time visitor to the site.  I'm sorry if this has been discussed before, but I'm having a tough time selling some gear.  I'm trying to sell my canon ef-s 17-55.  I've had it up on Craigslist for a few weeks with about 1 or 2 interested in buying that have backed out of at the last minute.  I really don't want to put it on ebay to avoid fees.

I was just curious if anyone knew of any other outlets to sell used gear. 

Thanks for any suggestions.

Craiglist

Good Friends

Evil Bay

Fred Miranda

Lastly, Pawn Shops. 

[emag]

For the record, I'll plug FredMiranda.  Bought a few things there.  Another site I do business with is Astromart - heavy on astronomy stuff (duh) but photo gear is on there also.  Bought and sold astro gear and bought photo gear several times there.  One time fee for membership, though.

[elflord]

Hello all.

New to the forum, but I've been a long time visitor to the site.  I'm sorry if this has been discussed before, but I'm having a tough time selling some gear.  I'm trying to sell my canon ef-s 17-55.  I've had it up on Craigslist for a few weeks with about 1 or 2 interested in buying that have backed out of at the last minute.  I really don't want to put it on ebay to avoid fees.

I was just curious if anyone knew of any other outlets to sell used gear. 

Thanks for any suggestions.

I've used fredmiranda and am quite happy with it. No such luck with craigslist, just got lowballers, bottom feeders and flakes.

[Promature]

Are you talking 17-55 f2.8?  If so, and it's in good condition, I'm willing to pay $750 for it (Canon refurb price minus 20%).

[elflord]

I am normally able to sell for enough extra on ebay to cover their fees and then some.  If you follow the Paypal Rules, you are covered from scammers.
Fred Miranda sellers typically get a lot less than ebay sellers, and end up paying the Paypal fees.  There is no protection from scammers, so its the riskiest way to sell.

Last I checked, and last time we discussed this, this was not true.  If, as a fredmiranda seller, you use paypal non-gift, the paypal agreement provides the same level of protection from scammers  that it provides to those who use their service via  ebay. 

It is true that the fredmiranda site itself does not provide any protection. In general, it is as risky or safe as the method that you use to collect payment given the parties with whom you transact. Much like ebay, it's possible to check the bona-fides of counterparties. Since it's a forum, you can also check if your trading partners appear to be legit (e.g. do they participate in the forum outside of trading gear ? Do they have a professional website or a flickr or smugmug page ?)

Ultimately, how "risky" the different methods are is an empirical question (e.g. what is the expected loss per transaction for a buyer/seller for each method ?) I don't believe anyone has posted much in the way of hard facts on this (here or anywhere else).

[michi]

If you are near a large population center, Craigslist is fantastic.  It has definitely gotten worse over the years though.  People want ridiculously high money when selling and too little when buying and you have all the scammers.  But it's still the best way in my opinion.  When selling, pick a air price, and be willing to drop a little further.  I think it's psychological, if you drop the price a little, the other person thinks they were able to work themselves a deal and they will buy.  I have gotten so many great deals buying and selling on Craigslist, it's worth the effort.

[SteveCSmith]

Indeed.  But, I should say that buying used is how I 'test drive' lenses.  I've re-sold far more used lenses than I've kept (in one case buying a new copy of the lens, but that was the 24-105, which was break even at the kit lens price) - that's why I only buy 'cheap'. I get to try the lens for as long as I want, and usually for no net cost (and several times, net gain!).  Plus, I can afford to wait for the good deal, and have cash to jump on it when I see it.

LOL - Yep, the Craigslist "rental".  Great way to go!