I’ve noticed recently that selling my lenses have been quite difficult. I keep getting young kids asking all sorts of questions that could be answered if they googled the model number. “Is it autofocus?” “Is this for full frame?” “Will this work on my camera?” “Is it good for real estate?”
It’s like a whole younger generation of photographers don’t know how to research things and get their information from youtube and tiktok where you can’t search model names or technical specs.
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.
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:
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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
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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
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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.
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.
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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.
😆 I’m unfortunately running a nikon D5500 (not fancy but good enough for me) Nikon F series.
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.
Cell phones for photography? That’s like having a phone to call someone. Damn, we are living in great times. But yeah. There’s no patience for this stuff anymore and it might be for the better.
True, but its not like 1994. Resources abound in the good 'ol dystopian 2023! This is a matter of plain old laziness and the demand for effortless information on-demand plain and simple.
I’m relatively new to photography, but have been into buying/selling/restoring sportbikes for a bit. You can easily change the thread title and subject body of every single post here to '07 GXS600R and it would still be relatable, LOL! Some folk are fuckin lazy is all.