eBay advice

[Golaboots]

Hi

I bought a second hand Dslr on eBay last week. It turned up ok, if a little slowly but has an issue where autofocus is slightly off. Also the viewfinder grid lines do not switch off.

I contacted the seller who was ok about agreeing to return and refund.
Since then I've asked for their address three times without reply.

What should I do? Even if they give me their address now I'm in two minds about posting the camera back, I'm not sure I trust them. I would send by recorded delivery but is there anything stopping them de registering from eBay in the meantime? Would eBay refund me if that happened?

Perhaps I should just sell it on with an honest description but wouldn't want to take a financial hit if I'm guaranteed protection by eBay for returning.

Any advice?

[MartinP]

Did you pay using PayPal? They very much favour the buyer in any disputes so they would be my first port of call if the seller is being unreasonable.

[Simpo Two]

On autofocus - does it do it with all lenses? Sometimes AF is not always perfect for a number of reasons.

On VF grid - I have mine on all the time but I agree that if they can be turned off then that function should work.

On their address - if you paid by Paypal you should find their address in the payment details (or somewhere close) - did they not send it with a return address on the parcel? (ie SD etc)?

If you paid by Paypal and file an 'item not as described' case you'll almost certainly get your money back BUT you must return it by a tracked service.

[Golaboots]

Hi

Thanks for the replies.
The back focus only happens with fast lenses, but these are fine on my old camera. It isn't noticeable on slower lenses with their larger depth of field.

I did pay by PayPal but can't find their address anywhere. Im mostly concerned about returning it and their cancelling their account in the meantime. Do PayPal gaurentee under those circumstances?

[Gad-Westy]

You need to formally raise the issue as a dispute through eBay. The seller then has a procedure to follow. Once you have gone through the motions, ebay will almost certainly find in your favour and you will receive a refund. Could take a few weeks though.

[Simpo Two]

Golaboots said:

The back focus only happens with fast lenses, but these are fine on my old camera. It isn't noticeable on slower lenses with their larger depth of field.

This is not uncommon with fast lenses. That's why mid/higher bodies have an AF fine tune which can be set for each lens - does yours have this? Entry level bodies may just not work to such fine tolerances.

[Golaboots]

It's a nikon d90, so midrange but it doesn't have this adjustment sadly. My old d80 is fine however.
Either way the seller originally agreed to a return before becoming evasive.

[TooLateForAName]

a quick google shows that many people have issues with the grid lines - usually seems to be a case of rtfm.

What have you actually done to try and change the setting ?



You can actually adjust the focus on a D90, but not for individual lenses. There is a small hex key which activates a cam that alters focus.

see http://leongoodman.tripod.com/d70focuspart3.html