Am I getting played?

[ozwalt]

I have to preface this post with the standard "I don't really know anything about cameras" disclaimer. I'm sure those of you who know what you're doing have seen a bunch of these, but here's another one.

My wife inherited an old Rolleicord from her father when he passed on about 10 years ago. He was proud of the camera and used it on occasion, working on it from time to time to keep it clean, etc. The wife decided she wanted to sell it and asked me to do some research re: value & potential buyers -- I like doing that sort of thing, and she knows it. In additional, we found a local collector who looked the camera over and said "the shutter is a little gummed up, but that's normal for an old camera. Pretty easy to clean up, but it would eventually gum up again. It's not a big deal." Then said he'd think about whether he wanted to buy it or not and would get back with us. That was a couple of weeks ago. Today he said he'd rather we put it on Ebay so he could bid on it on the open market, but he said we should definitely disclose in the listing that "the shutter is jammed".

My gut tells me a couple of things. First, he wants the camera. Second, he doesn't want anyone else to bid on it, which is why he thinks we should say the shutter is "jammed" rather than "a little gummed up" and "normal" for an old camera and "not a big deal". And, truth be told, I don't know if he knows what the heck he's talking about. The shutter could be in perfect shape, for all I know, and he could just be looking for a steal.

I'm interested in hearing opinions and suggestions.

Thanks!

[nikonbob]

Camera shutters can get a little sluggish to totally non working after sitting unused for long periods of time. That said, have you checked the shutter out yourself to confirm if there is anything wrong with it? Just stop the shutter down to say F16, cock it and start from the high speeds and work down the speed scale. If there is any trouble with sluggishness it normally shows up at the slower shutter speeds. As you have done the research on the value of the camera you could also determine what a CLA (Clean,Lube and Adjust) for the camera costs from a reputable/knowledgeable repairer. If there are any shutter problems the CLA should eliminate them. A fair selling price would be the value you have determined less the cost of the CLA for a camera with a sticky shutter. Lastly, I think you should trust your instincts in this case.

Bob

[ozwalt]

If it's not too pricey, I'll probably go ahead and have someone do a CLA so I can make THAT note in the auction listing. Thank again for the help.

[nikonbob]

I would if possible check out the shutter yourself before you decide on anything to make sure any work is necessary. If you do have a CLA done it may not increase what you would get for it on ebay and you would be out that expense too.

Bob

[John Parry]

You don['t mention which year of manufacture the camera is. If you're sure you want to sell it, stick it on eBay with an 'as seen' rider, and a reserve of around the equivalent of £50 and see what you get. The Rolleicords aren't worth anything like the Rolleiflexes.

I had a nice Rolleicord but I gave it away - I've forgotten who to...

Regards - John

[Andrew]

Ditto what Stephen says,

there's the possibility that you are hoping for a higher price than what he thinks it is worth or what he is willing to pay, which price is right or fair is impossble to say seeing how we dont know the condition or model.

if he did want it keenly, he would of got back to you quickly, there is no reason for him to want you to place it on the world market with more competition to him; unless he doesn't particularly really want the camera, or he thinks your asking price is more than it will fetch on ebay.

he may well be interested in bidding on it and so said for you to make clear you say the shutter is in need of a service, no one (collector or not) likes to pay top dollar and then discover the shutter isnt working. he may of exagerated with the hope of having a chance of winning an auction by now saying the shutter is jammed (unless it is?) compared to a little gummed up, but you havnt said if the shutter works at all.

when he says 'its no big deal', that is from his perspective as he may well fix or service his own camera to some degree and considers it par for the course and easy to fix. however, to many other people it means having someone else service the camera which can cost reasonable dollars

It really depends on what model it is and its value, if its only a small amount of difference between what he would be willing to pay and what you would get at auction then you may as well sell it to him...at least if you think he was trying to be helpful in the begining