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General discussion

Which would you choose....

Apr 13, 2005 9:14AM PDT

Olympus E-300:
1. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43457&item=7507214609&rd=1

2. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43457&item=7506306640&rd=1

Nikon D70:

3. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43456&item=7506925617&rd=1

4. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43456&item=7506976647&rd=1

5. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43456&item=7506863556&rd=1


I am going to need a flash too cause most of my shots are in low light. Any suggestions on that?
PS.... Assume that Ebay was the ONLY place to buy these things. I know it's the last place I should get it from and I'm going to get blasted for suggesting that I'm going to buy it on ebay so let's just assume for this post that there is no other place to get it. I'm just trying to combine affordability and practicality.

Discussion is locked

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Nikon D70 - Olympus E300
Apr 13, 2005 12:53PM PDT

I would select the D70 because of the large number of lenses available.

There are not a lot of lens choices for the Olympus eVolt...yet.

..........

Flash unit.....I would hold off on the flash for now.
See if you really need it. The inbuilt flash on the D70 is rated for 36 feet.

...
..
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eBay
Apr 13, 2005 11:57PM PDT

I am an eBay user and I have bought and sold on eBay. However, I want to strongly caution you against buying such high priced items on eBay.
First of all, despite all hoopla about things beeing cheaper on eBay, it is NOT true. I have seen people paying for used items (especially electronics) more than what they cost brand new. Alot of it ignorance and the thrill of winningt a bid.
Secondly, read the ad very very carefully. There are lots of people there who are trying to mislead buyers as to what you are getting. Mind you not all are like these and a majority are honest and reputable, but invariably you will meet some of these crooks and you will regret it.
Read the fine print, S&H, insurance etc. I have noticed some people put a low price on a product and then add a S&H price of an ammount 5 to 6 times more than what it would really cost to ship. Sometimes the bidders forget this and keep on bidding it up and when they win it they realise how much they end up paying.
Remember, if there is a problem, and occasionally they will replace it, you will have to pay for shipping it back and receiving it again. So you will pay 3 times the shipping.
My suggestion: Try Amazon.com and their partners. I recently purchased something in error through them, it was shipped to me through Ritz Camera, and they could not have been nicer. They took it back at their expense, they gave me full credit and Amazon gave me a $15 gift certificate to use towards a future purchase.
Their prices are as competitive as anyone on eBay, plus you have a solid name behind it.
Just remember, people who only sell on eBay will never see you, if they get too many negative feedback will switch names and start under a different name.
Here again, I am only talking about a small percentage of eBay users but I would never buy big price items on eBay unless I know the merchant will take it back at their expense if there is something wrong with the item, and not make me pay for return S&H.
Most of my items I traded on e bay has been under $100 and a couple of them around $125. Even if I got screwed, I could live with it.
Sometimes to pay a bit higher for the peace of mind is worth it. Remember, you get what you pay for.

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Oh yeah
Apr 14, 2005 9:54AM PDT

That is very true. You have to be alert and pay attention to get a good deal! Don't bid over what you would pay for it new! And watch the shipping charges.. some of those ******** are sneaky.. Yep. Read everything. Know what you are getting into first. If you do all that, ebay is great.

It's probably bad that I do this, but.. If I didn't do it someone would do it to me.. Sniping is best! I don't understand why people always keep bidding so far from the auction end date and raising the price just to lose to a sniper! So you might as well snipe or at least bid closer to the auction end! Then newbies come on and outbid themselves all the time.. lol.. People bid kind of stupid sometimes and end up paying so much more than they need to!

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What's wrong with ebay?
Apr 14, 2005 9:46AM PDT

Ebay is great.

Just make sure you buy from sellers with great reputations and use paypal or escrow or whatever makes you comfortable. I get all kinds of wonderful deals there and never have any problems. But I always pay with paypal and buy from sellers I know are trustworthy.

I think you ought to check out the Canon Rebels too. They are really nice.