Info on ebay cameras

[porlypopz]

Firstly, Hi everyone.

I'm a long(ish) time lurker who (still) finds that just about any question I could want to ask has already been ANSWERED on this excellent forum! I've picked up heaps in the last few months (eg the excellent article on White Balance by Trevor Newman). Any way thanks to the team who make d70 run!! Now, to the question, of sorts. Even tho' a very good friend briefly lent me his, I'm still in that most unfortunate group that is yet to get a D70 (I just get by with the ol'FM2 Yuck! Film!) . I've read reviews about the specific ebay sellers but I'm trying to get my head around the source of the cameras themselves and any possible impact that may have on quality/warranty/life expectancy, oh, and the meaning of life!! Most seem to come out of HK but some from Perth?? others Melbourne?? Some specifically mention "AU". Does this matter? I got a bit of a scare when Mr Birddog mention a camera with 45000 cycles (was it that much??) so as much as I would like to get a 70 for a 'nice' price I''m a bit wary of them. If it's just a case of "caveat emptor" then so be it, but from what I've read on here I'm sure you'll be fair and informative.
Thanks for reading this far thro' my first (a most likely last!) waffle.
be kind
paul

[huynhie]

Welcome Paul,

I think most of the ebay sellers you have been reading about are found in Hongkong, so the source of your D70 should you purchase from them is HK. Birddog can probably give you more info on purchasing or warranty issues than I could so I allow either him or some on else explain to your that component.

You can also puchase D70 from shops in Australia which will include Australian warranty. BTW there is also a AUD200 cashback offer with the cameras at the moment, all you need to do is logde a claim wit Maxwell after your D70 purchase.

With regards to purchasing item from HK ebayers, I have made several purchases from several HK ebayers with item ranging from a tripod to a Holga meduim format camera. I have had no issues with those guys at all

oh by the way the FM2 rocks

[phillipb]

porlypopz, I think Birddog was referring to a particular Ebay vendor who specialises in selling factory refurbished cameras. Buying from them you never know if a camera went beck for repair after 40 shots or 40000.
If you buy brand new you shouldn't have any worries.

[sirhc55]

Welcome Paul

If you have been um! lurking you will probably seen that the members of this forum have obtained there D70s from all over the place. I myself bought out of Melbourne on eBay but the camera came from Singapore.

Obviously, for complete mind satisfaction and of course warranty, buying local is a good idea - just means looking around on the web for an Aussie dealer with a good price and as Birddog mentioned in another thread Maxwell have extended the $200 cash back until the end of March.

I am sure others will come in on this thread and point you in the right direction

[Glen]

Firstly welcome

Hi Birddog has a link with HKsupplies and can supply gear at a very good price. Whilst we put up opinions on many ebay traders in the past, the majority of members now go through Birddog for the below reasons, so there are not as many opinions now.

A) HKsupplies & Birddog have very competitive prices, usually the sharpest

B) Birddog stands behind all imports or local goods and he is in Belmore Sydney

C) He is a member in good standing who will make sure you are happy and can loan gear or get problems fixed. We can trust him and many members have been to his house. Compared to an unknown risk this is very reassuring.

Ask him in a pm any questions you have. I personally have a lens arriving tomorrow or Monday, depending on the Aus Post contractor and have probably spent $5k with him in the last few months.

Good luck and ask any questions you wish.

[Glen]

ps the ebayer Birddy was referring to was Cametta, I tried to get a "refurbished lens" through them, it was $400 before delivery to Aus, ended up getting new to my door by fedex for $420 through Birddy. I would not recommend them to an aussie buyer.

[gstark]

Hi Paul, and welcome.

Glad you've come out of the closet, so to speak.

Glen has mentioned the link we have through Birddog with HK Supplies. One minor point he omitted is that Mr Poon, who runs HK Supplies, actually made a trip from HK to Sydney in December last year to join us for our Sydney Christmas dinner.

The relationship we thus have with Poon is far better than one would have with any other ebay trader, and so, if you were to deal directly with HK Supplies, be sure to mention your membership here whilst engaging in those transactions.

Beyond that, Birddog is an accredited Maxwell's dealer, and is able to supply stock ex-Maxwell with a full Au warranty, or ex-HK, with the HK warranty.

Between Briddog and Poon we have a situation that is far better than any retail channel you can hope to find in this - or probably any other - country, and where we enjoy strong personal relationships with the people with whom we're dealing.

While you're not yet eligible to fully access or bargains section, you might want to email Birddog when you're ready to purchase to see how he's able to help you. And I stress the point of when you're ready to purchase; Birddog has his own business to run, and what he does for us is additional to that; please respect that he needs time to look after and enjoy his business and family interests as well.

[porlypopz]

Thank you everyone for your prompt replies.

Glen, yes, I have picked up from my readings that the group, you are so capably shepherding, does have some good friends on the "other side" of the counter; definitely an asset!
It would also appear from the replies to date that the purchasing "wheel" has already been invented, fine tuned and is lapping at pb's!! no need for amateur hour to try and invent it!
Thanks again for the advice.

paul

[the foto fanatic]

Firstly, Hi everyone.

I'm a long(ish) time lurker who (still) finds that just about any question I could want to ask has already been ANSWERED on this excellent forum! I've picked up heaps in the last few months (eg the excellent article on White Balance by Trevor Newman). Any way thanks to the team who make d70 run!! paul

Welcome Paul - I hope you will enjoy your time here.
Glad to see that the articles are read, and more importantly, considered useful.
Trevor