To Ebay or not to Ebay, that is the question...

[Tim Miller]

Hello again,

Thank you for the valuable info from the last post about whether to get a editing system or to get a camera.

So where to get a camera?

I know I shouldn't get it used but should I buy it new from Ebay???

I checked this link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20332&item=7518511188&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Thier feedback is pretty legit. I called to ask if it was a US camera and they said it was (and it came with the US warranty). I asked if I received the Magic Bullet Software and book, the gentlemen that answered said he didn't know. He did say that it is the same camera that you would buy at any store you would buy this camera. I couldn't get the serial number, because the box was sealed...I thought I could try though.

I would like to talk to the guy from EVS, so if someone could pass me his name, that would be super. But this seems like a good deal, not for the dog crap tripods but for the UV filter and cases.

So close to getting it, I can just imagine.

Thanks

[JY_Blue]

not to ebay.
this camera will not be a US unit and you will not be entitled to a $300 rebate, Barry's Book, Magic Bullet, a battery, and tapestock. as such, it isn't such a "steal" as the price would indicate. also those accessories are junk and to advertise the package as a $5K value is false. the person you called lied to you and will continue to do so once he has your money.
try reading the authorized dealer thread on this board or just call EVS. www.evsonline.com

[Sirius_Doggy]

Zack - don't do it. I hate to see people get ripped off with crap like this. Just pay the little bit more for the real US copy and get all the other cool items that are going with the new ones.
Rush is the name of the person to speak to at EVS - Toll-Free: 800.238.8480

[reservoir]

Checked into it.....just another NY scam artist. Steer Clear!!

Buy from EVSonline.com

Unless you are just a very charitable person and can stand overpaying for useless junk.

~reservoir~

[taubkin]

I don't get ebay...

There s a guy selling a 535 kit with "few acessories" (basically everything except the lenses) for 2000 dollars.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4691&item=7519110588&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

What's wrong with ebay?!

[Tim Miller]

Once again, thank you folks, I will definately take this info to heart.

Resevoir, what kind of backgrounding did you do, if you don't mind me asking.

Ebay has treated me okay, I got a brand new DVX100 for $2500 right before the release of the DVX100a, that was a pretty sweet deal. But because of some bad business with a few of us and a threat to my wife and I by one of the business partners, we no longer have the camera.

Thanks again.

Any other opinions?

[pookie_old]

Ebay is OK to buy off, you just need to watch out if you buy from those "store" types.

Personally I buy from individuals primarily, they are less likely to cause to a bad purchase.
Always use a credit card through something like Paypal, no numbers ever cross hands, and if something does go bad, you can get your money back.


btw guys, not everyone here can afford to buy brand new, you need to keep that in mind when you direct everyone to EVS.

[thisiswells]

There s a guy selling a 535 kit with "few acessories" (basically everything except the lenses) for 2000 dollars.

In all fairness that auction started today and is a seven day auction.. Though, it does
seem odd to have such a valuable camera for sale on an eBay auction. Very odd indeed.

I'll be intrigued to see what it goes for. Wonder if it's those guys from South Africa again?
They ripped the serial numbers from an rental inventory SRIII and tried selling it through
online venues on several occasions. A friend of mine called Arriflex in Munich and found
out the serial numbers had been falsified..

What's interesting is that he was the 4th or 5th person to call. Yikes!!
Bet it's those same guys this time around, only the stakes are higher. (more $$ camera)

[Kirk Gillock]

eBay is a market with bad vendors and good vendors. Just like any street, in any town, in any country, or at any car dealership. You just need to be careful who you buy from.

Just avoid the "too good to be true" scenarios. If they're selling it cheaper than everyone else then something's not right. There's a reason it's cheaper. I think EVS said they only make $35-$50 from each camera sold. If places are promising LOW LOW LOW prices then how are they making a profit? I agree with pookie, if you can't afford B&H or EVS then buy a used camera from an individual. I got mine for $2000 and, once I got Barry's book, I'd never been happier.

Good luck Zack! Let us know what happens.
-pk

[galt]

Yah, buy used thru the forums here or eBay, buy new from a knowledgeable authorized vendor. I buy alot of stuff from B&H, but bought my DVX from EVS. Rush probably saved me a few hundred dollars with good advice about add-ons and such, since he owns a DVX himself and uses it. Starting with telling me NOt to buy an extra battery from him ($80 savings right there).

[taubkin]

In all fairness that auction started today and is a seven day auction.. Though, it does
seem odd to have such a valuable camera for sale on an eBay auction. Very odd indeed.

I konw, but shouldn't the guy put like a minimum price on it? What if it goes for 5K? The guy actually bought it for less than that? I mean, c'mon!

Now this could be stolen, but how the heck would someone steal a 535??? And if so, why couldn't the guy sell his stolen cam to me in Brazil? ;)

Anyway, still knowing tis can't be good, it woud be funny showing a 535 around...

[jared05]

I wouldn't go the ebay rout. For one you don't know what your truly getting, and two its a lot of money to intrust in someone and I would hate to see anyone get scammed. Going through a trusted authorized is usually the best option, B&H is my preference.

[thisiswells]

how the heck would someone steal a 535???
EASY. Rent one. Take a couple pictures. Write down the serial numbers. List item.
Buyer pays. Seller disappears. Plain and simple. This one looks sort of legit, though.

[Videoguy1]

eBay is a market with bad vendors and good vendors. Just like any street, in any town, in any country, or at any car dealership. You just need to be careful who you buy from.

Just avoid the "too good to be true" scenarios. If they're selling it cheaper than everyone else then something's not right. There's a reason it's cheaper. I think EVS said they only make $35-$50 from each camera sold. If places are promising LOW LOW LOW prices then how are they making a profit?

-pk


Don't believe for one second that places like EVS make $35.00 to $50.00 on each and every cam sold. Some deals are very low profit but others are very good. It averages out to be pretty good for a high volume dealer. There are incentive programs and back end rebates for video dealers just like car dealers. The real money on an individual sale is being made on accessories and shipping for the most part. Things like extended warranties, batteries, cases, etc. is where you have your negotiating power. Don't ever just buy a camera no matter where you buy from. Always buy your accessories with the cam if you can afford to. If you go back and buy the tripod, and lens adapter later on, you won't get as good of a deal. Keep in mind also that the sales guy is on commission so he'll do everything to keep you from buying at a competitor. Don't be shy about negotiating. You'll find that there is more room than they let on sometimes.

The places like Broadway, CCI and D-head Camera rely on rip off tactics to make money as has been well documented on this forum. Don't ever buy anything new from them. One more thing: There are many other good dealers out there besides EVS and B & H. Shop around before you settle.

[Kirk Gillock]

Like I said, they make $35-50 on just the "camera" sold. I didn't explain myself well. Videoguy1, you're right, places make their REAL money in volume and in the accessories. That was some good advice you gave.

-pk

[Videoguy1]

Glad to be of help pk. Funny biography on your website by the way.

[Kirk Gillock]

Videoguy1 - Hey, my biography wasn't suppose to be funny! Being raised by monkeys wasn't a barrel of laughs. You try being second banana to the alpha male. Ok, enough puns. Thanks! :)

[Rush]

Don't believe for one second that places like EVS make $35.00 to $50.00 on each and every cam sold. Some deals are very low profit but others are very good. It averages out to be pretty good for a high volume dealer. There are incentive programs and back end rebates for video dealers just like car dealers. The real money on an individual sale is being made on accessories and shipping for the most part. Things like extended warranties, batteries, cases, etc. is where you have your negotiating power. Don't ever just buy a camera no matter where you buy from. Always buy your accessories with the cam if you can afford to. If you go back and buy the tripod, and lens adapter later on, you won't get as good of a deal. Keep in mind also that the sales guy is on commission so he'll do everything to keep you from buying at a competitor. Don't be shy about negotiating. You'll find that there is more room than they let on sometimes. The places like Broadway, CCI and D-head Camera rely on rip off tactics to make money as has been well documented on this forum. Don't ever buy anything new from them. One more thing: There are many other good dealers out there besides EVS and B & H. Shop around before you settle.

We have set DVXuser prices, whether you buy a package or individual components, that way no one ever feels like they are under pressure to spend more money. Buy what you need, when you can. We also give a cash/wire/check discount, because we don't have to pay the credit card fee. And we also honor the 3.25% tax rate for California customers.

PK is correct in his statement, which he read from my previous posts. We do make only $35-50 per DVX sold, and I have posted many times that if it weren't for the accessories like cases and tape, we would have been out of business a long time ago. This is nothing new, no hidden secrets. I have also said in the past, that we sell cameras practically at cost, and don't force the customer to buy accessories, because we hope that they will come back and buy accessories from us in the future. This will be due to good customer service, not forcing accessories down people's throats.

I have posted many times that Panasonic gives a small dealer rebate, but only for local customers, and that is why local customers buying a DVX within 150 miles of LA get a lower price from us, because we give them that rebate up front. This is entirely separate from the end-user $300 rebate.

We charge cost on shipping, and we match B&H's Fedex rates to the Midwest and West Coast even if it means we eat $10.

We are a business, and as all our educated DVxusers know, we cannot survive without some form of gain. The critical part though, is that it has to be a fair gain, with nothing hidden from the customer, and nothing ever forced on the customer. That is the way we do business.:thumbsup:

[Bigmagic]

Rush I tried to call you last week you were busy. I need a couple of things I'll try to call tomorrow.

[Rush]

Hi Bigmagic, I am not in the office tomorrow, you can PM whatever you like through the site, and I can answer immediately.:)

[galt]

I have posted many times that Panasonic gives a small dealer rebate, but only for local customers, and that is why local customers buying a DVX within 150 miles of LA get a lower price from us, because we give them that rebate up front.
Did I mention when I bought my DVX that I live in LA?? I have just never been there! :grin:

[Rush]

:laugh:

Dang it, I shoulda charged you tax!