Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with craigslist and used

How-to buy a camera lens off craigslist?

docgonzo — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 09:32:07 -0800

Buying a used dSLR lens via craigslist: What to look for? How much to offer? I'm looking at buying a 28mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor lens for my Nikon d70s that I've found on craigslist. Intended use is nature/landscapes and low-light/night photography -- the kit lens is great but not very fast.

My questions: When I go to see the lens how do I check out its quality? I'll bring along the body and my Powerbook to check test shots. How best to tell the optics are still good and all the mechanics are in good working order? Also, the seller advises the lens was "made in Japan" -- What's the importance of this? Is it a good thing/bad thing?

Is this a good lens for my intended use or should I hold out for the 35mm f/2.0D AF?

Finally, if it's in good shape, how much should I offer? The lens retails new in Canada for $279.00

Fatwallet.com or craigslist-equivalents for Vienna, AT?

sdis — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:15:08 -0800

Are there deal sites like Fatwallet.com for Europe? (Vienna/Austria, specifically) How about populated sites for used stuff like craigslist (I know there's a craigslist vienna, but its not very populated)?

Best places (beyond ebay & Craigslist) to sell old PowerBooks and other used tech gear?

lorimer — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 23:24:34 -0800

Right now, what are some good places -- in addition to ebay & Craigslist -- to sell used tech gear (such as old PowerBooks and any other excellent-condition but old stuff)? As a current example, I was given a Wallstreet G3 and a 1400cs that I want to turn into cash. (I'll test them well, but so far they seem to be in excellent operating/cosmetic condition with various upgrades beyond factory specs -- in other words, for me to buy identical models on ebay or a used-Mac site would be c. $300 for the Wallstreet and $130 for the 1400.)

Ebay could work (I have a 100% positive rating with 30+ sales, but it's only from selling cheap stuff like my books and CDs), and right now I'm spending my time in active Craigslist cities (mostly Detroit & NYC). Where else should I be looking to sell? Broader suggestions would also be much appreciated, since I often get or salvage other such things I could sell.

My first camera got stolen last year around 4th of July as well

Brainy — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:32:08 -0800

Canon 350D Rebel Filter: I am probably buying a used one off craigslist. When I go to see it what should I look for? The seller seems honest, everything seems fine. But since I'm buying this used instead of new I figured I'd waste my question of the week on this. Is there anything specific that can go wrong with the 350D's I should look for specifically? Worn flux capacitor, bad thermo-gyro-thingy, etc? Heck, I'll take any other advice on buying used cameras too.