How Safe is the Japan Ebay site for Purchasing

**rollsman4** · 02-18-2015, 07:26 PM

How safe is it to purchase camera equipment from the ebay Japan Sellers? I was looking at the Pentax 645 FA 45-85 f4.5 zoom.
They seem very reasonable. Thank you

kp0c · 02-18-2015, 07:37 PM

I purchased a limited from eBay from a Japanese seller. Extremely good service - I had a tracking number the next day or so, shipping was fast (to Canada - about 5 days) and the item was off course exactly as described. No offense to anyone, but I would trust a Japanese seller over a US seller on eBay any day of the week (or a Canadian for that matter).

**sergysergy** · 02-18-2015, 07:37 PM

All my experiences have been good.

calsan · 02-18-2015, 07:40 PM

I see you didn't say which seller, and fair enough, someone here could snipe your lens before you buy it...

Anyway:
Make sure they take paypal. It's pretty much impossible to do bank transfers to Japan - due to anti money laundering legislation. You wouldn't want to do bank transfer on ebay anyway.
Also, just check for positive feedback and make sure the feedback is actually for selling camera equipment. (and not for example as an excellent buyer of pokemon cards)

JayBee451 · 02-18-2015, 07:43 PM

Have bought 10+ Lenses from Japan through eBay and all have been great experiences.
I have no hesitation in doing it again if the right Lens turn up.

bull drinkwater · 02-18-2015, 08:09 PM

Originally posted by calsan

I see you didn't say which seller, and fair enough, someone here could snipe your lens before you buy it...

Anyway:
Make sure they take paypal. It's pretty much impossible to do bank transfers to Japan - due to anti money laundering legislation. You wouldn't want to do bank transfer on ebay anyway.
Also, just check for positive feedback and make sure the feedback is actually for selling camera equipment. (and not for example as an excellent buyer of pokemon cards)

so far good.

**rod_grant** · 02-18-2015, 08:11 PM

+1 on the Paypay advice.
It hasn't saved me very much (so far); but on the one occasion that I did need a refund PayPal did what they say they do.

panoguy · 02-18-2015, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by rollsman4

How safe is it to purchase camera equipment from the ebay Japan Sellers? I was looking at the Pentax 645 FA 45-85 f4.5 zoom.
They seem very reasonable. Thank you

Enjoy the weakness of the Yen!

If they sell lots of camera stuff with decent feedback, then odds are in your favor. A while back, I bought a new Sigma SD1 with SA lenses ($$) from a reputable eBay seller in Japan. The kit arrived in a week, exactly as described (except Li-ion battery unpacked for shipping purposes), all for about $2000 less than the North American prices!

Don Boyd · 02-18-2015, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by rollsman4

How safe is it to purchase camera equipment from the ebay Japan Sellers? I was looking at the Pentax 645 FA 45-85 f4.5 zoom.
They seem very reasonable. Thank you

I have bought 3 or 4 645 lenses from Japan on ebay in the last 6 months. All of the lenses were carefully packed and in extremely good condition. I used PayPal for all 3 transactions.

**gofour3** · 02-18-2015, 10:29 PM

Originally posted by kp0c

No offense to anyone, but I would trust a Japanese seller over a US seller on eBay any day of the week (or a Canadian for that matter).

Amen!

Never had even the slightest issue with any seller from Japan.

Phil.

RAART · 02-19-2015, 12:04 AM

I had issues with japanese ebay seller (100% feedback) and had to involve Ebay resolution center. They simply send me wrong lens (Mamiya 645 format lens) and told me that I exchanged the lens however I was able to find the same lens they send me that it has been sold to someone else by same seller by serial number on provided pictures. After I confronted them and involved Ebay then they got very responsive... I kept the lens while I got very generous refund (shipping back price + 50% off the price) but none than less everywhere you have good and bad sellers. You just have to be careful.

Neville · 02-19-2015, 12:16 AM

I've just purchased a brand new Pentax D FA 100mm Macro F2.8 WR lens from the Japan Shop on Ebay, and paid via PayPal.

The experience was very friendly, polite and efficient and the packaging was superb. The seller even enclosed a handwritten note, thanking me for my business, as well as an origami flower!

On top of it all, the price was amazing, only $498 with no delivery charge from Japan to South Africa!

AquaDome · 02-19-2015, 12:20 AM

There are a few Japanese ebay sellers that I buy equipment and film from. They have a great selection of equipment and it is always in extremely nice condition. Stick to the ones that specialize in camera stuff and you should be fine.

Femtometer · 02-19-2015, 01:47 AM

I have a dumb question: how did you search for items/browse the website? Did you use Google Translate, or some other method?

vivavegas · 02-19-2015, 03:30 AM

Are there any import/duty fees when you buy lenses from Japan ?

02-18-2015, 07:26 PM	#1
rollsman4 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 459	How Safe is the Japan Ebay site for Purchasing How safe is it to purchase camera equipment from the ebay Japan Sellers? I was looking at the Pentax 645 FA 45-85 f4.5 zoom. They seem very reasonable. Thank you

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02-18-2015, 07:37 PM	#2
kp0c Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 761	I purchased a limited from eBay from a Japanese seller. Extremely good service - I had a tracking number the next day or so, shipping was fast (to Canada - about 5 days) and the item was off course exactly as described. No offense to anyone, but I would trust a Japanese seller over a US seller on eBay any day of the week (or a Canadian for that matter).

02-18-2015, 07:37 PM	#3
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	All my experiences have been good.

02-18-2015, 07:40 PM	#4
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,548	I see you didn't say which seller, and fair enough, someone here could snipe your lens before you buy it... Anyway: Make sure they take paypal. It's pretty much impossible to do bank transfers to Japan - due to anti money laundering legislation. You wouldn't want to do bank transfer on ebay anyway. Also, just check for positive feedback and make sure the feedback is actually for selling camera equipment. (and not for example as an excellent buyer of pokemon cards)

02-18-2015, 07:43 PM	#5
JayBee451 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 379	Have bought 10+ Lenses from Japan through eBay and all have been great experiences. I have no hesitation in doing it again if the right Lens turn up.

02-18-2015, 08:09 PM	#6
bull drinkwater Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: pontiac mi. Posts: 392	Originally posted by calsan I see you didn't say which seller, and fair enough, someone here could snipe your lens before you buy it... Anyway: Make sure they take paypal. It's pretty much impossible to do bank transfers to Japan - due to anti money laundering legislation. You wouldn't want to do bank transfer on ebay anyway. Also, just check for positive feedback and make sure the feedback is actually for selling camera equipment. (and not for example as an excellent buyer of pokemon cards) so far good.

02-18-2015, 08:11 PM	#7
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	+1 on the Paypay advice. It hasn't saved me very much (so far); but on the one occasion that I did need a refund PayPal did what they say they do.

02-18-2015, 08:14 PM	#8
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by rollsman4 How safe is it to purchase camera equipment from the ebay Japan Sellers? I was looking at the Pentax 645 FA 45-85 f4.5 zoom. They seem very reasonable. Thank you Enjoy the weakness of the Yen! If they sell lots of camera stuff with decent feedback, then odds are in your favor. A while back, I bought a new Sigma SD1 with SA lenses ($$) from a reputable eBay seller in Japan. The kit arrived in a week, exactly as described (except Li-ion battery unpacked for shipping purposes), all for about $2000 less than the North American prices!

02-18-2015, 09:08 PM	#9
Don Boyd Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Socorro, NM Posts: 68	Originally posted by rollsman4 How safe is it to purchase camera equipment from the ebay Japan Sellers? I was looking at the Pentax 645 FA 45-85 f4.5 zoom. They seem very reasonable. Thank you I have bought 3 or 4 645 lenses from Japan on ebay in the last 6 months. All of the lenses were carefully packed and in extremely good condition. I used PayPal for all 3 transactions.

02-18-2015, 10:29 PM	#10
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,090	Originally posted by kp0c No offense to anyone, but I would trust a Japanese seller over a US seller on eBay any day of the week (or a Canadian for that matter). Amen! Never had even the slightest issue with any seller from Japan. Phil.

02-19-2015, 12:04 AM	#11
RAART Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oakville, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,095	I had issues with japanese ebay seller (100% feedback) and had to involve Ebay resolution center. They simply send me wrong lens (Mamiya 645 format lens) and told me that I exchanged the lens however I was able to find the same lens they send me that it has been sold to someone else by same seller by serial number on provided pictures. After I confronted them and involved Ebay then they got very responsive... I kept the lens while I got very generous refund (shipping back price + 50% off the price) but none than less everywhere you have good and bad sellers. You just have to be careful.

02-19-2015, 12:16 AM	#12
Neville Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Durban, South Africa Photos: Gallery Posts: 561	I've just purchased a brand new Pentax D FA 100mm Macro F2.8 WR lens from the Japan Shop on Ebay, and paid via PayPal. The experience was very friendly, polite and efficient and the packaging was superb. The seller even enclosed a handwritten note, thanking me for my business, as well as an origami flower! On top of it all, the price was amazing, only $498 with no delivery charge from Japan to South Africa!

02-19-2015, 12:20 AM	#13
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	There are a few Japanese ebay sellers that I buy equipment and film from. They have a great selection of equipment and it is always in extremely nice condition. Stick to the ones that specialize in camera stuff and you should be fine.

02-19-2015, 01:47 AM	#14
Femtometer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 25	I have a dumb question: how did you search for items/browse the website? Did you use Google Translate, or some other method?

02-19-2015, 03:30 AM	#15
vivavegas Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 41	Are there any import/duty fees when you buy lenses from Japan ?