Hopefully it will be worth the hassle

[kiev4a]

As I noted in the digital forum I shot a few photos with the Nikon D100 camera I purchased on Ebay. After I shot the photos I noticed that the cover for the I/O ports was missing from the camera. Then I looked at the ad and confirmed the seller had stated that the camera he was selling was "virtually new" and the photos were of the actual camera. The camera in the photos looked newer than mine and had a different SN!!!

I sent the seller an email asking what was going on? He replied that he was really sorry and had sent me the wrong camera. Said if I would send this one back he would reimburse me for the postage and send the right camera. Very apologetic. One wonders if he thought he might get by with something but he only has one bad feedback in almost 500 and that came when he was starting out and was the buyer, not the seller.

PART DEUX:
Right after I got home tonight the phone rang. The caller was the D100 seller, located in S. California. He had requested my phone number from Ebay. He said he was very sorry about the mix-up because he has always prided himself on doing things right in business--not just on Ebay. He admitted he no longer has the camera that was actually advertised and got things fouled up because he was trying to do too many things at once. But he guaranteed me he would have a D100 of the advertised quality in my hands by this time next week. Also said he wanted to compensate me for my trouble and asked what lenses I have that fit the D100.

So, we'll see how things turn out but it appears there are some folks on Ebay who really believe in doing the right thing. I'm optimistic--especially since he took the time to track down my phone No. and call me.

Still, right now all I have is the super examples of shots taken with the wrong camera. Boy I'll be disappointed if the "new" camera doesn't perform as well.

[herron]

Hopefully it works out well, Wayne. Let us know.

[doubs43]

Wayne, the seller sounds like a person who really cares and I hope it all comes out in the wash. I make notes of two types of sellers: those with whom I'll never do business again and those who make the extra effort. Your seller sounds like the latter. Let us know how it goes.

Walker

[kiev4a]

As noted in a digital post yesterday, after promising to get me a D100 as advertised, the seller refunded my money on Saturday. A disappointment but at least he didn't sting on for a long time. Went back to the auction and found another--this seller swearas it's mint and it also comes with a brand new MB D100 battery grip. Had to pay a little more but figured with the grip is was worth it if the camera is in advertised condition. Should be here Wednesday or Thursday. The sage continues.

[John Parry]

We had a couple of posts mentioning this Wayne. Some came out in favour of everything in pristine condition - others don't care as long as it works. Personally, I'd go for 'as long as it works', but ask for a substantial refund as it wasn't in pristine condition!

Regards - John

[doubs43]

Wayne, hopefully the next one will meet your expectations cosmetically and still take pictures as nice as those you posted from the first one.

Walker

[kiev4a]

I told the first seller in retrospect I wish I had just kept the first camera and negotiated a lowering of the price (which he would have done). Probably being a little anal on condition but I usually don't spend this much money for an Ebay item so I'm picky. A lot of the D100s were used commercially--seem to be a favorite of wedding photograohers--so I'm trying to make sure I don't get one that's 1,000 shutter clicks from a crash.