Best place to sell used camera gear

[J_Allen]

I am an experienced Ebay seller, though I have not sold much over the past few years. I have a Nikon Z50, two kit lenses, 2 other prime lenses, a wide angle lens, and an FTZ adapter.

Half of this stuff I purchased in new condition and the rest I purchased in like new and it still is, and I take care of it. A approached MPB for quotes and they typically offered me about 40- 50% of what I could receive in a retail sale of these on a site such as ebay.

Now is will say that it is super convenient, they send you a label, and you don't have to worry about returns, fraud, etc. Though I have heard several stories about these companies arguing about the actual condition when it was clear and even receiving back damaged goods. Who the heck knows how much truth there is to this?

I have been holding on to my Z50, DX lenses, as well as my Sony RX100V. It would great to be able to recycle these for new gear, but I'm still reluctant to sell, especially for this price. What avenues are others taking to sell their used gear?

 

[JoeQuinoa]

facebook market place

if you sell for the same lowball prices as the websites will offer you, you can get professional resellers show up and pick up from your doorstep with cash ready the same day.

but of course you might have to figure out who's a professional and who's not, because everybody will message you as soon as you post the ad.

 

[Doug J]

A recent tread on the topic with some suggestions and observations.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4735417

Cheers,
Doug

 

[grsnovi]

I've used MPB and have been happy with both their estimated value as well as their acceptance of the condition of my items. I photograph the stuff in detail as well as the packaging and insure it. I've had them give me more than they estimated upon receipt of the gear (which has always gone to them in the original carton with all of whatever came with it in the first place).

I've never sold on eBay (although I buy from them).

I'm not interested in trying to sell locally and having people respond to ads or come to my house.

MPB is convenient and it works for me.

I've bought and sold guitars for years. I never expect to get more than half what I paid for an item. You can talk yourself into believing that your items are worth more than they really are.

- Gary

 

[John KM/linhof]

Re-sellers will buy what they believe will sell quickly. If it is other than that they will low ball you hoping you are desperate and if you take the bate the seller will pass the item on in the trade. Just like the used car industry.

I have used Ebay since the late 1990's. It works well most of the time if you price the item realistically based on recent sold items. You must detach yourself from your items and really want to sell, even at a great loss.

 

[J_Allen]

Re-sellers will buy what they believe will sell quickly. If it is other than that they will low ball you hoping you are desperate and if you take the bate the seller will pass the item on in the trade. Just like the used car industry.

I have used Ebay since the late 1990's. It works well most of the time if you price the item realistically based on recent sold items. You must detach yourself from your items and really want to sell, even at a great loss.

Why would I want to sell at a great loss? These are desirable, recent items in like new condition. I use my full frame 90% of the time, but I still occasionally find a use for the Z50. With that said, if I'm getting only 40% of retail price I'd rather hold on to the items and is not worth to sell. I'm looking to finance some new lens purchases.

I am a watch collector and the watch forum websites have areas where trusted members buy and sell to each other without all the crazy fees. Is there something like this for camera gear? If not I'm considering Mercari or Ebay.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

----

Why would I want to sell at a great loss? These are desirable, recent items in like new condition. I use my full frame 90% of the time, but I still occasionally find a use for the Z50. With that said, if I'm getting only 40% of retail price I'd rather hold on to the items and is not worth to sell. I'm looking to finance some new lens purchases.

I am a watch collector and the watch forum websites have areas where trusted members buy and sell to each other without all the crazy fees. Is there something like this for camera gear? If not I'm considering Mercari or Ebay.

You might check out the Fred Miranda forums. I've never used them, but have often seen them recommended.

You ask why sell at a loss, but the flip side is why have money tied up in gear sitting on a shelf and losing value? A year or two from now odds are that gear will be worth even less, and you've had your money sitting on the sidelines neither earning income nor giving you pleasure.

As far as price, if you sell to a dealer you essentially get a wholesale price. That's typically around half what they expect to sell it for. It's basic capitalism - they are in business to make a profit. Why would someone sell that cheap? Because for many it's the quickest, simplest, safest way to go.

If you sell direct in a large market, like ebay or ads in a large city, you should be able to get a market price, but you have more hassles and more risk. With ebay you have individual shipping of items, plus seller fees and the risk of returns. Locally you have the time and risk of meeting strangers face to face.

So it's your choice.

Gato

 

[InkedMarie]

Why would I want to sell at a great loss? These are desirable, recent items in like new condition. I use my full frame 90% of the time, but I still occasionally find a use for the Z50. With that said, if I'm getting only 40% of retail price I'd rather hold on to the items and is not worth to sell. I'm looking to finance some new lens purchases.

I am a watch collector and the watch forum websites have areas where trusted members buy and sell to each other without all the crazy fees. Is there something like this for camera gear? If not I'm considering Mercari or Ebay.

I want nothing to do with eBay. From what I’ve read, they tend to side with buyers in a dispute, not sellers, even if they’re in the wrong. I’m all set selling locally. Even in a safe spot, I don’t want to meet people.



So, I choose to sell mostly to MPB. I still get quotes from KEH but my quotes from MPB are much more.



For us who sell or trade in our gear, we want the most money for the gear and we want to pay the least for new gear. We can’t have it both ways.



Marie

 

[Bob A L]

We all need to just do what we are comfortable with, but thus far, the prices MBP have offered me have been perfectly adequate especially when I consider that they are no hassle deals. And have certainly been way more than 1/2 what I think I could get by selling myself when I consider ebay fees, and shipping and insuring costs and trouble. I typically have traded equipment with them vs out right sale, but the price they offer seems to be the same either way. I personally would not consider selling something like camera gear on e-bay, and even FB marketplace is somewhat sketchy unless you find a prospective buyer that you either personally know or can verify just who they are. I will usually ask around among friends and individuals I know that are involved in photography for possible buyers of interest first.

You can also advertise your equipment here on dpr buy and sell forum.

 

[ARCA Racing shooter]

I am a watch collector and the watch forum websites have areas where trusted members buy and sell to each other without all the crazy fees. Is there something like this for camera gear? If not I'm considering Mercari or Ebay.

There is a buy and sell page here on this forum.

 

[Plankowner110]

J_Allen,

Look at NikonUSA Trade-in deals on their website. (Select Deals then Trade In Program.) You can trade in Nikon cameras or lenses. I used this trade in plan a while back when I bought my Nikon Z5. No hassles at all and so easy.

--
Nikon since 1969

 

[john isaacs]

I am an experienced Ebay seller, though I have not sold much over the past few years. I have a Nikon Z50, two kit lenses, 2 other prime lenses, a wide angle lens, and an FTZ adapter.

Half of this stuff I purchased in new condition and the rest I purchased in like new and it still is, and I take care of it. A approached MPB for quotes and they typically offered me about 40- 50% of what I could receive in a retail sale of these on a site such as ebay.

Now is will say that it is super convenient, they send you a label, and you don't have to worry about returns, fraud, etc. Though I have heard several stories about these companies arguing about the actual condition when it was clear and even receiving back damaged goods. Who the heck knows how much truth there is to this?

I have been holding on to my Z50, DX lenses, as well as my Sony RX100V. It would great to be able to recycle these for new gear, but I'm still reluctant to sell, especially for this price. What avenues are others taking to sell their used gear?

So why don't you sell the gear on eBay? You know what to expect for your gear by comparing with sold items. You know what eBay fees will be. You should know how to assess risk of a bad buyer. And you know what your time (to list, pack and ship) is worth.

I sell often on eBay, but I also like the no-hassle take it to the camera store and get value for trade-in. Or list it on craigslist, and hassle with buyers that want to low-ball you when you meet with them. But it eventually gets sold, one way or another.

 

[lumigraphics]

EBay sucks. I have had great results on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, doing face to face transactions.

 

[Mackiesback]

Re-sellers will buy what they believe will sell quickly. If it is other than that they will low ball you hoping you are desperate and if you take the bate the seller will pass the item on in the trade. Just like the used car industry.

I have used Ebay since the late 1990's. It works well most of the time if you price the item realistically based on recent sold items. You must detach yourself from your items and really want to sell, even at a great loss.

Why would I want to sell at a great loss? These are desirable, recent items in like new condition. I use my full frame 90% of the time, but I still occasionally find a use for the Z50. With that said, if I'm getting only 40% of retail price I'd rather hold on to the items and is not worth to sell. I'm looking to finance some new lens purchases.

I am a watch collector and the watch forum websites have areas where trusted members buy and sell to each other without all the crazy fees. Is there something like this for camera gear? If not I'm considering Mercari or Ebay.

As stated, the Fred Miranda forum. There is a small fee to sell there, but it is a really solid group.

You might want to look there at values though to see if it is worth it. You say your items are desirable but really its a 4 year old crop camera with kit lenses. That's not that desirable in photo forums. People on photo forums are usually transitioning out of gear like that rather then into it.