Just state all necessary info in the description and ignore questions like that. They’ll just have to learn to research if they want the deal.

I’d recommend checking out the photomarket subreddit

only because E-youknowwho is such a PITA … the whole buyer is never wrong thing…

It’s this way with everything on marketplace. I have a project bike listed for about 20% of what’s it’s worth. Had a guy come by and nitpick everything it needs fixed and offered me half of what the listing is for. Everything he pointed out is listed in the ad along with pictures of everything.

I have to admit that if I’m buying something more expensive and the seller’s profile isn’t perfect, I’ll find a way to ask a question to see how responsive they are and whether they are pleasant.

If they don’t answer or are rude, I’ll run away from the deal.

I wonder if it’s some type of buying strategy to try to influence you to lower your price, similar to negging. They ask about things your lens doesn’t have or is not suited for as a way to subtly influence you into thinking your lens is not as good as it is, that there is lower demand for the lens, that it won’t sell well, to get you to lower the price or be willing to negotiate on the price.

i sold someone one of my nishika cameras that has 4 lenses for a wigglegram linticular effect and stated clearly in the listing and also via messaging that is a film camera and would need to be edited in post to do the effect.

Looks like this basically

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anyway the dude bought the camera and took the pix, took the film to a local drug store for developing and messaged me asking for a refund because his printed photos weren’t moving.

this guy was like 24, he’s the reason I feel like some people shouldn’t be allowed to vote or drive

I sell my gear on eBay and not once have I encountered that of which you speak. Is this more a Marketplace / in person thing?

I think this applies to anything used. I once posted a free working vacuum on a forum and got asked if it worked for both carpet and tile. I responded that I’ve only tried it on carpet. They got offended that I didn’t know if it worked on tile. I reminded them it was FREE. Regardless to say, they didn’t pick it up.

Why wouldn’t you just include that info in your ad in the first place? Takes 30sec to type that kind of info into your ad, and save yourself the trouble and time of dealing with questions & buyers who don’t even have the right camera.

Okay, so basically there are three people who ask questions:

1. They find asking questions easier than just googling. It’s not faster but they just type one question in message to you and you do all the answering part for them instead of them doing all the research

2. People who are looking for engagment. They just are looking for human connection, usually you seem them asking general questions online but maybe some will bother you

3. People who can’t decide. They ask “Is it good for real estate” because they want someone to tell them yes or no. Maybe they’ve done their reasearch, maybe they didn’t. In the end they are not sure and will accept answer of any person. It might also be that they made their decision but are looking for confirmation because they don’t trust they made a good choice.

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And I can’t really say if things have gotten more difficult over the years as I don’t have decades of experience but I think there were times when there was less choice so things were easier.

This is why I seek out collectors whenever I have something scarce for sale. Collectors do not ask common questions, like will this fit my Retina or Cannon Sure Shot.

I still have a Hypergon with the star fan. I thought about selling it and those that would want it, know what a star fan is.

No

I’m selling an FD lens, and I’ve had like 5 people ask me if it will fit their random camera.

No one has mentioned gear complexity and cell phones.

First, gear has been getting more complex over time. For a while there were mostly digital SRL cameras with APS-C sensors, then full-frame cameras came into the mix, then mirrorless, and the number of options continues to multiply. So the abundance of distinct mount systems can be pretty darn confusing for newcomers.

Second, most hobbyists shoot with cell phones these days and so the number of people with sophisticated knowledge of cameras has diminished. Just take a look at the camera industry as a whole. Ever since the cell phone era they’re not selling as many units. As a result, people looking to pick up photography as a hobby probably don’t know where to start.

Thirdly, the further along you get in your career, the more knowledgeable you are, the less patience you have for basic questions and the more you forget what it was like when you were a beginner.