Lens purchase on the bay

Deiberson · 02-02-2010, 05:56 AM

i'm debating pulling the trigger on a lens that is being sold on ebay. the seller gave me the order number from amazon and i called to confirm it. it was purchased in november. however, there is no warranty.

can i get an extended warranty through pentax , do i have other options....?

looking for some piece of mind. the price is right, but i don't really know what i'm getting.
thoughts?

**Rondec** · 02-02-2010, 06:02 AM

I don't know of any options. Pentax doesn't offer extended warranties on lenses and Mack Warranties have to be purchased at the time of purchase. Not sure what else would be available. Depending on the lens, it might not be that important.

wallyb · 02-02-2010, 06:07 AM

Usually there will be a SquareTrade warranty offer email sent to your email address after winning an item on eBay. If not, maybe you have to subscribe to them. Their warranties are a little expensive since they cover used stuff too, but otherwise they seem just like any other warranty service.

Deiberson · 02-02-2010, 06:09 AM

i guess if it doesn't work, ebay takes my side so i would be refunded correct? i really want to pull the trigger on this...but for 125 more, i can get something new and a piece of mind. man this is tough.

wallyb · 02-02-2010, 06:16 AM

Originally posted by Deiberson

i guess if it doesn't work, ebay takes my side so i would be refunded correct? i really want to pull the trigger on this...but for 125 more, i can get something new and a piece of mind. man this is tough.

If the lens doesn't work? Sure, you have 45 days to return a defective item, no questions asked (as long as it's truly defective) with all PayPal purchases. What lens is it? Like Rondec says, for a lot of stuff you don't even need to worry about failure.

Deiberson · 02-02-2010, 06:59 AM

Originally posted by wallyb

If the lens doesn't work? Sure, you have 45 days to return a defective item, no questions asked (as long as it's truly defective) with all PayPal purchases. What lens is it? Like Rondec says, for a lot of stuff you don't even need to worry about failure.

its a 10-17 fisheye

Deiberson · 02-02-2010, 07:06 AM

i bought it. $375 shipped for a 10-17mm fisheye that's 2 months old from amazon. it can't be that bad right?

go ahead now.....tell me, that's the one lens i might have a problem with.

wallyb · 02-02-2010, 07:10 AM

Originally posted by Deiberson

i bought it. $375 shipped for a 10-17mm fisheye that's 2 months old from amazon. it can't be that bad right?

go ahead now.....tell me, that's the one lens i might have a problem with.

I wouldn't say in particular, no. I would be more worried about long tele lenses, or some of the more cheaply-made lenses. The 10-17 is a well made lens and I doubt you'll have problems with it. Enjoy!

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-02-2010, 07:15 AM

one thing to consider with E-Bay and other internet sales, is that some offer a trial and return period.

This is especially true if the lens turns out to be other than what is advertised, i.e. not in the condition it is claimed to be in, or perhaps has an obvious defect, like it does not focus, etc.

You need to be somewhat careful, but in the end most purchases are probably exactly what you wanted. A good lens (allthough no m,anufacturer's warranty) and a low price

Deiberson · 02-02-2010, 07:32 AM

i've done my share on the bay....but it was this particular seller who seemed shady. we'll see.

GerryL · 02-02-2010, 09:14 AM

Originally posted by Deiberson

i guess if it doesn't work, ebay takes my side so i would be refunded correct? i really want to pull the trigger on this...but for 125 more, i can get something new and a piece of mind. man this is tough.

This is not always the case as they would prefer the seller more if they are selling a lot of items since they can make more money from those seller than you, the buyer.
This has happened to me on a HongKong shop.
I bought a camera grip strap and it was different from what was on the photo or from what was advertised as being sold.
It did not have small differences, it was totally different!
They sided with the seller even if I sent the item back, so the seller got the item and my money!

wallyb · 02-02-2010, 09:32 AM

Originally posted by GerryL

This is not always the case as they would prefer the seller more if they are selling a lot of items since they can make more money from those seller than you, the buyer.
This has happened to me on a HongKong shop.
I bought a camera grip strap and it was different from what was on the photo or from what was advertised as being sold.
It did not have small differences, it was totally different!
They sided with the seller even if I sent the item back, so the seller got the item and my money!

That makes no sense, and that isn't how eBay nor PayPal operate. I can guarantee that you are not describing the situation fully or properly. PayPal will always side with the buyer if the item is considerably different and you make a clear point of that.

Blue · 02-02-2010, 10:20 AM

You will probably be o.k. with that particular lens. There is the possibility of getting a 3rd party warranty. However, that usually is only cost effective for a more expensive lens from a risk management stand point.

02-02-2010, 05:56 AM	#1
Deiberson Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 734	Lens purchase on the bay i'm debating pulling the trigger on a lens that is being sold on ebay. the seller gave me the order number from amazon and i called to confirm it. it was purchased in november. however, there is no warranty. can i get an extended warranty through pentax , do i have other options....? looking for some piece of mind. the price is right, but i don't really know what i'm getting. thoughts?

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02-02-2010, 06:02 AM	#2
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	I don't know of any options. Pentax doesn't offer extended warranties on lenses and Mack Warranties have to be purchased at the time of purchase. Not sure what else would be available. Depending on the lens, it might not be that important.

02-02-2010, 06:07 AM	#3
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881	Usually there will be a SquareTrade warranty offer email sent to your email address after winning an item on eBay. If not, maybe you have to subscribe to them. Their warranties are a little expensive since they cover used stuff too, but otherwise they seem just like any other warranty service.

02-02-2010, 06:09 AM	#4
Deiberson Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 734 Original Poster	i guess if it doesn't work, ebay takes my side so i would be refunded correct? i really want to pull the trigger on this...but for 125 more, i can get something new and a piece of mind. man this is tough.

02-02-2010, 06:16 AM	#5
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881	Originally posted by Deiberson i guess if it doesn't work, ebay takes my side so i would be refunded correct? i really want to pull the trigger on this...but for 125 more, i can get something new and a piece of mind. man this is tough. If the lens doesn't work? Sure, you have 45 days to return a defective item, no questions asked (as long as it's truly defective) with all PayPal purchases. What lens is it? Like Rondec says, for a lot of stuff you don't even need to worry about failure.

02-02-2010, 06:59 AM	#6
Deiberson Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 734 Original Poster	Originally posted by wallyb If the lens doesn't work? Sure, you have 45 days to return a defective item, no questions asked (as long as it's truly defective) with all PayPal purchases. What lens is it? Like Rondec says, for a lot of stuff you don't even need to worry about failure. its a 10-17 fisheye

02-02-2010, 07:06 AM	#7
Deiberson Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 734 Original Poster	i bought it. $375 shipped for a 10-17mm fisheye that's 2 months old from amazon. it can't be that bad right? go ahead now.....tell me, that's the one lens i might have a problem with.

02-02-2010, 07:10 AM	#8
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881	Originally posted by Deiberson i bought it. $375 shipped for a 10-17mm fisheye that's 2 months old from amazon. it can't be that bad right? go ahead now.....tell me, that's the one lens i might have a problem with. I wouldn't say in particular, no. I would be more worried about long tele lenses, or some of the more cheaply-made lenses. The 10-17 is a well made lens and I doubt you'll have problems with it. Enjoy!

02-02-2010, 07:15 AM	#9
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	one thing to consider with E-Bay and other internet sales, is that some offer a trial and return period. This is especially true if the lens turns out to be other than what is advertised, i.e. not in the condition it is claimed to be in, or perhaps has an obvious defect, like it does not focus, etc. You need to be somewhat careful, but in the end most purchases are probably exactly what you wanted. A good lens (allthough no m,anufacturer's warranty) and a low price

02-02-2010, 07:32 AM	#10
Deiberson Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 734 Original Poster	i've done my share on the bay....but it was this particular seller who seemed shady. we'll see.

02-02-2010, 09:14 AM	#11
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by Deiberson i guess if it doesn't work, ebay takes my side so i would be refunded correct? i really want to pull the trigger on this...but for 125 more, i can get something new and a piece of mind. man this is tough. This is not always the case as they would prefer the seller more if they are selling a lot of items since they can make more money from those seller than you, the buyer. This has happened to me on a HongKong shop. I bought a camera grip strap and it was different from what was on the photo or from what was advertised as being sold. It did not have small differences, it was totally different! They sided with the seller even if I sent the item back, so the seller got the item and my money!

02-02-2010, 09:32 AM	#12
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881	Originally posted by GerryL This is not always the case as they would prefer the seller more if they are selling a lot of items since they can make more money from those seller than you, the buyer. This has happened to me on a HongKong shop. I bought a camera grip strap and it was different from what was on the photo or from what was advertised as being sold. It did not have small differences, it was totally different! They sided with the seller even if I sent the item back, so the seller got the item and my money! That makes no sense, and that isn't how eBay nor PayPal operate. I can guarantee that you are not describing the situation fully or properly. PayPal will always side with the buyer if the item is considerably different and you make a clear point of that.

02-02-2010, 10:20 AM	#13
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	You will probably be o.k. with that particular lens. There is the possibility of getting a 3rd party warranty. However, that usually is only cost effective for a more expensive lens from a risk management stand point.