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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-21-2010, 01:11 AM
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I have never seen anything that has more desirable bokeh than the Vivitar Series 1 90mm "Bokina".
I have seen several lenses that come close. The latest one that really impressed me was the Vivitar 85mm f/1.4 (made by Samyang) that sells for under $350 new.
It was a well-built solid feeling manual focus lens with "A" contacts.
Very similar focal range to the Bokina, a little "faster", and a lot easier to find than the "Bokina"... but I wouldn't call it a Bokina replacement.
I have never used the Pentacon 135mm but I can say that I don't really care for that focal range on a APS-C DSLR camera.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-16-2011, 05:28 PM
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First, my apologies for you having to go through this... I know it sucks! I have dealt with this type of situation before. Here is how it worked in my situation (and I am assuming it will be VERY similar in yours):
Listed item on ebay with "no returns accepted". Item clearly explained and sold as is.
Sold and shipped to buyer via USPS Priority Mail (fully insured).
Buyer received it and contacted me stating that the item was broken (not as described).
Since this was a DSLR camera (not cheap), I had dated photos/videos of it working the day before I shipped it, and I was unsure of how to handle the situation... so I refused the return/refund (stating that the item was in working condition when I shipped it and was sold "as-is" with no returns.
Buyer opened a claim with eBay for "item not as described". Ebay got statements from both of us along with photos and other evidence to support our claims.
Ebay sided with the buyer. I escalated/appealed the claim. Ebay still sided with the buyer, leaving me no other choice but to refund the buyer (ebay automatically charges your credit card on file with them for the refund and pays the buyer once the buyer provides proof that they have shipped the item back to you).
There is no person at ebay that you can speak to or communicate with directly. Don't even bother trying to email them. You receive an auto-generated email saying they will get back to you within 48 hours and you will never hear from them. Also, ebay ALWAYS sides with the buyer because of their new "buyer protection" policy. Another part of ebay's policy (which they will try to tell you is the policy of USPS and that isn't true) is that USPS will only pay the claim to the original sender of the package. It clearly states in the USPS policy that either the sender or recipient of the package can file the insurance claim and receive the payment for it. However, it would be in your best interest to have the lens returned to you and file the USPS insurance claim yourself (so the buyer doesn't get that PLUS the automatic ebay refund).
I received the broken DSLR camera back and opened a claim with USPS (thank god it was fully insured)!
It is all done online (usps.com) and there is nobody at USPS that you can talk to on the phone to file/check on your claim.
You basically provide them with the shipment tracking number, information about its contents (ebay page screen print or link showing item was not broken at time of sale helps BIG TIME), written statement from the recipient (buyer) *email works fine* stating that the item was broken when they received it, and that is about all.
Took a few weeks for USPS to approve the claim (and the status of the claim seemed to never update, EVER). They never contacted me for additional info or anything.
After the claim was approved, I received a check in the mail from USPS after a couple more weeks for the total insured value (that I paid for on the initial shipment).
I hope that helps you in your situation. I definitely wouldn't issue a refund to the buyer through Paypal, or by any other means, until an eBay claim has been settled. The buyer could end up getting refunded twice (and nothing you can do about it). Communicate with the buyer and let them know that you are willing to refund their money but it has to be done correctly through eBay so you have written documentation that the item was broken during shipment to provide to USPS for the insurance claim. Other than that, make sure your address on your eBay account is correct and current as that is where eBay will instruct/require the buyer to send the lens back to. Also, make sure you get a written statement (email) from the buyer stating that they noticed the item was broken immediately upon opening the package (doesn't really matter if the package is dented or otherwise damaged... but if it is, get photos or video of that for sure!
The ebay claim does not negatively affect your account in any way. It is not like negative feedback. The other thing is making sure to communicate with the buyer throughout the process is key. You should reassure them that you are fully willing to refund their money (as long as the proper steps are taken) and hopefully they will be willing to leave you positive or no feedback for the transaction.
Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions!
P.S. - Ebay sucks for selling. They offer absolutely no protection for sellers and their policies/involvement with paypal gives them a lot of power to just "freeze" your money or accounts with either website for issues/problems with one or the other and take money from your bank account, credit cards, or any other form of payment that you have on file with either website. Doesn't seem right (or even legal to me in some instances)... but I guess that is what we all agree to when we *digitally* sign the 50+ page Terms of Service agreements.
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