>>3443606Of course the camera store knows more than I do, but your condescending post has a number of flaws:
- If I bought a lens brand new, used it only a handful of times, stored it well and can't see any flaws whatsoever then it's a safe bet that it's in good condition. If I then check the prices of at least 10-20 similar listings online then, again, it's a safe bet that I have a good estimate of its value. Point is, anybody who had done even cursory research would know that the camera store's offer was shit.
- If the camera store's used department doesn't want to buy used camera gear then that's their prerogative, but there are plenty of people who do and an increasing number of ways to connect with them.
- The camera store can use the fact that they know more about gear against you. If they see any weakness in you then of course they'll try to exploit it. There are nice people working there, but the second you say you want to sell a lens they'll direct you to speak to "bob", who just happens to be the big scary guy with tattoos. Now "bob" isn't necessarily the store's gear expert but that's not the point; he just wants to intimidate you into accepting the lowest price. Some would call this shrewd business, and others might call it sleazy behavior. There's often a fine line between the two.
- There are some scenarios where the camera store is the best option (e.g. people with shit-tons of gear, people too rich to care, people prone to getting scammed online) but your "people with real jobs" statement is BS. I do have a "real job" but I can still find time to research and sell my modest stash of gear. Yeah, it's a drag dealing with obvious scammers but you do learn something too, so it's not a total waste. And the "having scumbags in my house" thing is totally avoidable with sufficient communication before the meeting. Overall, apart from the scenarios listed previously, I'd say you have to be either dumb or lazy to sell an item at a third of its value.
