# Can I get some opinions on these ebay auctions for a camera I want to buy? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 24, 2014, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-opinions-on-these-ebay-auctions-for-a-camera-i-want-to-buy/696345 "2014-08-24T03:18:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2014, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-opinions-on-these-ebay-auctions-for-a-camera-i-want-to-buy/696345/1 "2014-08-24T03:18:26Z")
Hi. I’ve decided to buy a Nikon D3300, which goes for about $600 on amazon for just the camera body and lens. After checking ebay I’ve found several auctions that appear to be way better deals, but before I make a decision I’d like some input from others. Pretty much I want to make sure there are no catches that I’m overlooking in any of the auctions, and from other photographers I wouldn’t mind opinions on which one you’d personally choose. [Here’s](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HQ4W326/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&colid=2CUDRFVPLH3WN&coliid=I2UIDNV7Z1989X&me=) the camera on amazon. [This](http://www.ebay.com/itm/121306588487?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_6991wt_1153) is the ebay auction I’m most interested in. It’s not much more and comes with a bunch of accessories. A few others I’ve watchlisted: > **[Nikon D D3300 24.2MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Body Only) for sale online |...](https://www.ebay.com/p/215368289?iid=171246768376)** > > Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nikon D D3300 24.2MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Body Only) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! > **[Nikon D D3300 24.2MP Digitalkamera - Schwarz (Kit mit AF-S DX VR II 18-55mm...](https://www.ebay.com/p/177904402?iid=191098589302)** > > Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nikon D D3300 24.2MP Digitalkamera - Schwarz (Kit mit AF-S DX VR II 18-55mm Objektiv) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! Does the fact that this one says it’s an import mean anything important? [http://www.ebay.com/itm/151371122817?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&\_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht\_5728wt\_1153](http://www.ebay.com/itm/151371122817?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_5728wt_1153) This one is a bit cheaper and comes with a few extras: > **[Nikon D D3300 24.2MP Digitalkamera - Schwarz (Kit mit AF-S DX VR II 18-55mm...](https://www.ebay.com/p/177904402?iid=151385491721)** > > Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nikon D D3300 24.2MP Digitalkamera - Schwarz (Kit mit AF-S DX VR II 18-55mm Objektiv) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! This one looks like it’s just the camera and lens like on Amazon, but it’s about $75 cheaper. It does say it may be an import: > **[Nikon D D3300 24.2MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Kit w/ AF-S DX VR II 18-55mm...](https://www.ebay.com/p/177904792?iid=321320576828)** > > Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nikon D D3300 24.2MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Kit w/ AF-S DX VR II 18-55mm Lens) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! Is there any reason not to go with one of the ebay choices? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2014, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-opinions-on-these-ebay-auctions-for-a-camera-i-want-to-buy/696345/2 "2014-08-24T03:44:07Z")
I don’t like buying photo gear from eBay, though it might be perfectly good. Number one for me would be B&H, above Amazon even. [http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1023353-REG/nikon\_1532\_d3300\_dslr\_camera\_with.html](http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1023353-REG/nikon_1532_d3300_dslr_camera_with.html) Theirs is the same price, but they bundle a bag, SanDisk memory card, and a multi-coated circular polarizer. It has been my experience that those bundles you see with lots of stuff are lots of cheap crappy stuff that you normally wouldn’t buy or would want a better one. For example, I don’t think the tripods are going to be nice ones. The flash is definitely a cheap manual one, the two converter lenses will be low quality. The filters are not coated (otherwise they would have bragged about it), and that is sometimes a problem. In contrast, note that the accessories from B&H are actually decent quality (name brand memory card and a multicoated polarizer. don’t know about the bag). In addition to the bundled stuff, when you see a lowball price, look at USA vs. international warranty (gray market) and annoying tricks like not including the battery/charger. I’d go for B&H if I were you. They don’t play games, and you can buy better accessories. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2014, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-opinions-on-these-ebay-auctions-for-a-camera-i-want-to-buy/696345/3 "2014-08-24T03:48:47Z")
I would not buy an import (AKA ‘grey market’). The warranty is iffy and service by USA Nikon would likely not be covered (I’m assuming you are in the U.S.) Also, I know it’s tempting when you see all the goodies that are included with the kits you linked to, but all those goodies are crap. Amazon would be fine, but I would steer you toward [B&H Photo](http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1023353-REG/nikon_1532_d3300_dslr_camera_with.html) out of New York. I’ve been dealing with them exclusively for many years; their customer service is exemplary. Free shipping, too. [Adorama](http://www.adorama.com/INKD3300S.html) is also widely respected by pros but I’ve only used B&H. Good luck! mmm ETA: Or what **minor7flat5** said 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2014, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-opinions-on-these-ebay-auctions-for-a-camera-i-want-to-buy/696345/4 "2014-08-24T04:15:58Z")
Okay, thanks. I’ll go with that company instead.