eBay buyer claims lens has fungus!

[Mark Barton]

Like the rest of you good souls, we are an eclectic mix of characters who know super 8, 16mm etc very well. As an experienced seller of cine kit on Ebay, I can tell that camera has not a hint of fungus (the dreaded Brazilian Fungus) The image is more than close up, and if it was 'full of fungus' it would definitely show up. Some cine cameras can have some areas of fungus, but they are so light that it will not affect your picture in the slightest, I know as I've filmed with a variety of cameras that have some haze, and all fine. The buyer is trying it on, the problem is eBay will automatically issue a right for refund, as there is no mitigation, and there is a 30 day refund policy. The buyer is just one of many fraudenty using Ebay, Ive had items returned as 'doesn't work' , only to find it in perfect order yet , in the case of video cameras, the hour meter has gone up??? I had to accept a return recently on a Beaulieu 6008 super 8 camera, shot a video showing it working as part of the auction description. 2 days after receiving I get the want a refund doesn't work, camera powers up but doesn't run. OK refunded and the camera is back, guess what , they obviously forced the trigger when it was locked and cracked part of the housing securing the trigger. Yes I could send it to Bjorn in Sweden, but it'll cost more than its realistically worth, so the camera is fubar due to an inexperienced user who didn't bother to RTFM!!! Im thinking of setting up my own cine film selling site but to buy you have to prove you are not an idiot. Let us know how you get on dealing with the idiot buyer and the fraudulent Ebay.

[Mark Barton]

This is fungus!

[Shane C. Collins]

He just responded after 3 days of silence. He said when the time permits he'll take a photo of the fungus and send it my way. This ought to be good LOL! Can't imagine what he's seeing. I didn't do a flashlight trick because visually there's no fungus like in the above photo. So not sure if he has bad eyes or doesn't know what he's looking at. I'll post the results from this message when I get said photo.

[Bill Phelps]

"when time permits".....he's probably looking for a lens that has fungus so he can take a picture of it or searching the internet for a picture to send you....I am so glad I stopped selling things on eBay.

[Shane C. Collins]

So I finally received some photos from the buyer last night. This is the fungus he claims resides inside the lens of the Canon I sold him. I think he's pulling my leg! I would have definitely noticed fungus this bad or this bright inside the lens. Again compare his photos to my photo from the listing. What does everyone else think? I haven't responded back just yet. It took him 3 days to send these so why should I be in a hurry.
PS: I'm not even sure this is the same lens. Anyone here a photo expert? I'm trying to verify the position of the screws from the lens in the camera I sold him, to the one in his photos.

[Melvin England]

Shane - Apart from the fact that the outer shell of his camera looks shoddier than yours (which is very non shoddy!) it is difficult to draw a comparison unless you post photographs in exactly the same position / close up as he has. I have an awful sneaking feeling that the two screws that are visible within the lens are different sets but cannot be certain. One of his (top photo, right screw) looks different to yours (now bottom photo and, after turning the lens, bottom LEFT screw). The thread looks damaged on his as if the lens has been reassembled. What do you think ?
One other problem is that on his camera, photo 2, there is another screw on its own 25% in an anti clockwise direction from the double screw and clamp. On your photograph there is too much reflection to see whether yours has the same or not.

Come on everyone else..... we need your opinions!!!!

[David Baker]

Shane , in doing a blow-up and overlay of both pictures ....you are being scammed !

[Shane C. Collins]

Thanks Melvin and David!
Melvin I am also examining the screws and they do appear to be different, I'll keep looking.
David thanks for your input! I feel I'm being scammed too! I had the camera pointing at the sun just before I placed it in the package. I did not see any fungus at all! Also his one photo appears to have overlapping colors that don't seem to match.

[Shane C. Collins]

Should I also be suspicious that his address was a PO box and no first name. Just Mr. Nelson!

[Melvin England]

In the UK I do not think we are allowed to use a Box number.

If you are happy that this is not your camera he is trying to return, what I would suggest is to report him to Ebay BEFORE you reply to him. Explain to them your concerns, tell them you will be replying to him telling him you are refusing to refund him and on what grounds. It would be interesting to know their response.
In that way, when the brown paste hits the rotating blades which it will do, they will clearly see that you got in there first and should see that this is a case of dodgy buyer NOT dodgy seller.

I wish you the very best of luck.

[Bill Phelps]

Looks like the switcharoo to me....he wants to return HIS camera and keep yours. I would do as Melvin has suggested.

[Terry Sills]

Shane
it would help us all if you could supply the EBay id of this buyer so that we can block him from future sales. It's pretty obvious that he is a scammer that's hoping you will relent and give a refund and allow him to keep the lens into the bargain.
Years ago EBay was a great platform to sell and buy, but it has become a one sided monster that changes the rules constantly and always in favour of the buyer.

[Mathew James]

...look at all the dirt around the outer rubber in his pic #2 compared to your much cleaner rubber in pic #3.
It cannot be the same. too filthy.

[Mark Mander]

Definitely as Melvin says to give yourself a chance Shane, definitely pulling a fast one, that's not the same camera, Mark

[Maurice Leakey]

Shane

Irrespective of the alleged fungus shown on the two returned photos, the lower photo does seem to show a lens with its perimeter in poor overall condition. It's rather close to ascertain a comparison. But it seems nowhere as neat and clean as the original photo taken of your lens.

I agree with Melvin's suggestion that you get in touch with Ebay immediately and give a full explanation of the situation.

A Post Office box is rather suspicious and only a surname. Surprising that eBay allow it.


Maurice