Buying lens on eBay

[Amekaze]

Would like to hear from those who have purchased lenses on eBay before.

I'm looking to purchase a 2nd hand lens that definitely costs more than SGD1,000 from an international seller.
Do I have to pay the 7% GST to customs even if it's a 2nd hand item?
Are there any other fees/taxes to pay?

And the bottom-line, how secure and worth it is eBay for high priced items such as this?
I've done purchase over eBay but never at such high prices.

I would want to purchase locally if given the chance but I can never find one, more so at such a good price.

[YOL925]

Anything with value S$400 and above will need to pay GST, doesn't matter new or used.

There are always risks involved when buying high valued items through eBay.

Some tips:
1. study seller's eBay records very carefully. avoid if he has any negative or neutral records (not even a single one). Check if he is specialised in the product which you are going to bid. Is he always selling small items and suddenly lists a high value item with very attractive price (if so, avoid!)

2. Send the seller a message/question before the end of auction and see how he responds. You can gather quite a bit from his speed/style of response to gauge what kind of seller he is.

3. Read the description of item very carefully. Ask question before (not after) the end of auction. Request of the right of return.

4. Make payment through paypal, not bank transfer, western union, never send cash!!

BTW, I have done more than 100 deals in eBay and only got hurt twice (luckily, only slight injury ) The highest value that I ever paid for an eBay item is $3,500. Totally problem free.

Good luck!

YOL

[Amekaze]

Many thanks for the tips.

Have read up on the seller and so far seems good. Will read more at a later time.

So just to clarify, it's just GST to pay and nothing else ya?

[Amekaze]

Oh yes, what do you mean by right of return?

[takeshi.lum]

Originally Posted by Amekaze Oh yes, what do you mean by right of return?

meaning u can request to return the item within a specific number of days if there are nay problems with the item.

[ManWearPants]

If you are going to spend so much on lenses, why not just get it locally? The risk is really in the courier services. Imagine the shakes and knocks the lens have to go through. I would classify DSLR as delicate equipments.

Also what if you lens turn out to be a lemon. The process of having it returned and refund would take the joy out of whatever discounts you may get.

[Lord Soth]

How about buying from KEH.com instead?

It's highly rated for selling used lenses and has a very good returns policy. According to online reviews, their bargain "BGN" lenses are optically flawless and may have external scuffs which do not affect image quality. Other higher ratings would be almost in a pristine condition by EBAY standards.

As for EBAY, you'll be playing Russian roulette.

[Amekaze]

Originally Posted by ManWearPants If you are going to spend so much on lenses, why not just get it locally? The risk is really in the courier services. Imagine the shakes and knocks the lens have to go through. I would classify DSLR as delicate equipments. Also what if you lens turn out to be a lemon. The process of having it returned and refund would take the joy out of whatever discounts you may get.

Yes, it's cause of that I'm a hesitant to buy online.
But the lens I'm looking for like suddenly disappear from second hand market in singapore.
Maybe I should be patient.

But yes. I'll be keeping a lookout. Thanks for the advice guys.