Selling P&S on ebay?

[irene67]

Hi! I am new to this forum, although I have been scouring this site for months now. I love it!

I bought a Fuji Finepix S8000 FD late last year. I had just started getting really interested in photography but didn't want to spend the extra bucks on a dSLR at that time. So we decided to upgrade our old Canon 2 mp p&s to big zoom P&S.

Well, my interest has since grown tremendously, to say the least. I LOVE photography and am really remorseful that I didn't get an SLR.

My Fuji has taken some really nice pics and has a nice 18x zoom, but I want the additional features and flexibility of the SLRs.

I was thinking of trying to sell my Fuji on ebay and upgrading. I did some research and noted that the only Fuji's being sold now are new. I don't want to lose a ton of $$ if I do this. But then I think if I sell now, while the camera is still fairly new, I will get a lot more of my money back.

So my question is whether anyone has any suggestions. Is ebay a good option? Or is there a better place online to sell? Selling locally is not an option - way too small of a town.

Or, my last option is to just stay with the Fuji for a couple years and upgrade then.

Thanks!

[RexK_Cozumel]

you can also try craigslist instead of ebay. it will allow you to sell the cam more locally so you might be able to get a better price for it.

As for selling now and upgrading or saving and upgrading later on.. that really depends on you. Do you find that the camera you have now is limiting you and holding your back as a photog? If so then sell now and get a new camera but if you feel that the camera can do more than what you can then I would wait.

[irene67]

The camera definitely is holding me back. I read a lot about photography and then when I want to replicate a shot, I find my camera isn't capable.

I am not sure Craigslist would work well out here in rural USA.

[TarheelRambler]

Craig's List is still an option, even in rural America! :-) Just choose an urban area relatively close to you and list your camera in that section.

Another option is still eBay as well. Just set your reserve for the minimum you feel you want for the camera. If you get at least that, your in business and anything above your reserve is gravy. You never know until you try. Another drawing point would be to offer to pay for all shipping. That is usually an added incentive to draw bidders because shipping costs is the way some people make their profits on eBay.

[mattdm]

I've never had good luck with this. A two-year-old camera is basically Worthless In the Eyes of the Buying Public. The more you spend originally on it, the worse off you are now. :)

You can try it, but set your sights low. I've ended up giving my old cameras to family members instead.

[klew]

Ebay would be the best option if you want to get the most money for your item (by virtue of a bigger audience). Craigslist is another option for a simpler transaction: not having to wait for the money, no chance of item getting lost in the mail. Digital cameras are so plentiful and have so many models that most people looking on ebay just want a cheap camera, they wouldn't really care what kind it is. I know my 7 year old camera would only be of interest to someone looking for repair parts, or someone whose identical model broke and wants to keep using the familiar. I'd rather gift it to a family member/friend before trying to sell it.

Another option is to possibly donate it to a school or other non-profit for a potential tax deduction (depending on where you live).

[irene67]

Thanks for the input! I posted this same question on another forum (non-photography), just inquiring about selling cameras on ebay and I immediately got a reply from a person interested in purchasing my camera.

Two days later, I have the money in my paypal account (did fairly well), shipped the camera, and already purchased my first dSLR - the Nikon D40. I am eagerly awaiting its arrival. It sounds like a great first dSLR. But now I feel lost without my camera! Hopefully the new one will arrive fairly soon.

Now my next venture is learning about and investing in lenses.....this is going to be a pricey, but oh so fun, hobby!

[wulf]

A D40 is a good starting point. Is the camera coming with just the 18-55mm kit lens? My advice would be to discipline yourself to ignoring all the temptation to immediately buy more lenses because the kit lens is a good starting point. Get all you can out of it (including learning how to use the camera in full manual mode), set aside a little money each month and soon you will be ready - cash and experience - to make a good second lens choice.

Wulf

[Saralonde]

Thanks for the input! I posted this same question on another forum (non-photography), just inquiring about selling cameras on ebay and I immediately got a reply from a person interested in purchasing my camera.

Two days later, I have the money in my paypal account (did fairly well), shipped the camera, and already purchased my first dSLR - the Nikon D40. I am eagerly awaiting its arrival. It sounds like a great first dSLR. But now I feel lost without my camera! Hopefully the new one will arrive fairly soon.

Now my next venture is learning about and investing in lenses.....this is going to be a pricey, but oh so fun, hobby!

Congrats on the new camera and selling your old one. It can be pricey, but if you're careful, you will be amazed at what you can do spending very little.