Buying a AG-DVX100B on Ebay

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dickfritz

New member
sammys is more expensive and has nothing but the camera, ebay ont he other hand is selling the camera and loads of accesories (sp) for around the same price or cheaper. I am not afraid of losing the money or being cheated and never ecieving a camera, things like that are guaranteed. What im worried about is the camera not being the same as the one i would buy at a camera store, panasonic told me it was grey market if it was PAL and NTSC was was american. Assuring me that if its NTSC then it cant ever be grey market. however the cameras are SO cheap with so many things added to the package.

if it looks like a rat and smells like a rat...

so has anyone purchased off of ebay? is it worth it? it seems to good to be true! the replies ive read all say it was fine when they purchased the camera from any one of the online stores. i want response from someone from the site if possible however. just dont know if i should invest in a camera that may be faulted.
 
The camera is most likely grey market, meaning you get no warrantee, Magic Bullet software or Barry's book. Also the accessories that come with it are usually crap (especially the lenses). Stick to an authorized seller like www.evsonline.com.
 
"I am not afraid of losing the money or being cheated and never ecieving a camera, things like that are guaranteed. What im worried about is the camera not being the same as the one i would buy at a camera store, panasonic told me it was grey market if it was PAL and NTSC was was american. Assuring me that if its NTSC then it cant ever be grey market. however the cameras are SO cheap with so many things added to the package. "

If you are not worried about losing the money then why take the chance? Believe me, nothing on EBAY is guaranteed. Scams come in many shapes, sizes and colors. You could lose your money. Or, you could tie up your money playing the bait and switch game. Or, you might get the product as promised; but because of clever wording and salesmanship, NOT what you wanted.

I am going to suggest to you, like everone else on this board can attest, Evsonline is a VERY reliable way to go. Rush, who frequents this site ALL the time is very knowledgeable and hes not going to scam you. He's a great resource and there might even be a DVXuser discount in there somewhere. Call him and find out.

dickfritz said:
if it looks like a rat and smells like a rat...
Click to expand...

...looks like you're answering your own question.
 
I've bought cameras on ebay, and usually get what I am expecting, but you have to do alot of homework, and be choosey. Here's some advice:

Ask where he bought it, and if he still has a receipt that he can give to you (If it is a personal seller).

Ask if you can come by and inspect it before buying it (even if you don't intend to).

Check recent feedback from buyers, and make sure you go look at what it was (if it is a recent sale). I try to buy from sellers who have a track record with larger ticket items. If he got great feedback for selling four keychains, this could be a scam in the making. And don't buy from anyone with no buyer feedback.

Don't--repeat, NEVER--do goofy payment options like western union, etc. These are scams and you will never see your camera. If he is not PayPal verified, consider going elsewhere.

Ask how many hours are on the heads, condition of the lens, LCD, viewfinder, Firewire port, and what tapes he used in it; How did he store it?

It will probably be grey market, but if that's OK with you, go for it. If it enables you to get a camera you otherwise wouldn't be able to, and you can live with no warranty, you're ahead of the game.

One final thought worth considering. I usually don't get my primary equipment eBay. If this is your big purchase, and you can scrape the extra dough, I'd call Rush at EVS and get the DVXUser discount. You will never regret it: you are guaranteed to get first quality, you get the warrantee, a fair price, and are developing a relationship with a proven, long-time DVXUser. You also improve resale--oh, and keep EVERYTHING--box, plastic, foam, advertisements, etc. People feel better when/if you resell it with all that in it.

Hope you can join us in paradise!
 
I buy a lot of stuff on ebay, but this was just too big and personal a purchase to trust to ebay. I bought one from EVS (thanks Rush and Ramzi) which is currently at the Fedex location in Fort Worth.... (Friday I get my grimy hands on it...:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:). I know I paid more than had I bought on ebay, but EVS has a great rep here (as does other companies such as Abel, BHPhoto, etc) and I felt it was worth a little more to make sure I did not get taken (I have been taken on ebay on some smaller items and no, it is not guaranteed you will get your product or your money back).
 
Cryogenic Filmworks said:
I buy a lot of stuff on ebay, but this was just too big and personal a purchase to trust to ebay. I bought one from EVS (thanks Rush and Ramzi) which is currently at the Fedex location in Fort Worth.... (Friday I get my grimy hands on it...:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:). I know I paid more than had I bought on ebay, but EVS has a great rep here (as does other companies such as Abel, BHPhoto, etc) and I felt it was worth a little more to make sure I did not get taken (I have been taken on ebay on some smaller items and no, it is not guaranteed you will get your product or your money back).
Click to expand...

Thanks Cryo! It was our pleasure as well. Thank you for choosing us, sir.
 
dickfritz said:
I am not afraid of losing the money or being cheated and never ecieving a camera, things like that are guaranteed.
Click to expand...
Really??? then I've got a couple brand new, still in the box HVX's that I'll sell ya for $4,500 including two 8gig P2 cards...... :evil:

dickfritz said:
panasonic told me it was grey market if it was PAL and NTSC was was american. Assuring me that if its NTSC then it cant ever be grey market.
Click to expand...
I'm sure Jan would like to know who at Panasonic told you you could NOT get a grey market NTSC DVX100B????

NTSC/PAL has nothing to do with the warrenty. Panasonic will only honor the warrenty for the cameras sold by factory authorized dealers, period.

dickfritz said:
however the cameras are SO cheap with so many things added to the package.

if it looks like a rat and smells like a rat...
Click to expand...
Trust us, it's a scam. That's how they make up the money by adding these stupid crappy $20 accessories and charging you $400 for them.

dickfritz said:
so has anyone purchased off of ebay? is it worth it? it seems to good to be true! the replies ive read all say it was fine when they purchased the camera from any one of the online stores. i want response from someone from the site if possible however. just dont know if i should invest in a camera that may be faulted.
Click to expand...

I personally have a $100 limit on eBay. I will NOT buy anything off eBay that cost more than $100 because more than that if I get screwed I'm likely to go ballistic and want to kill someone. Others here have been burned and many, many more have not.
Your best bet is to go with Rush at EVS and be done with it.
Remember that many of the Brooklyn scammers you see in mags, 42nd street, Abes of Maine, etc... also sell on eBay.
If you are buying a used DVX from an individual on eBay you have a much better chance of getting what you want then from one of the eBay stores based out of Brooklyn.
 
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