eBay is a popular marketplace for all kinds of photo gear, from the newest digital cameras to rare antiques and accessories. And since photography is one of the most popular and accessible hobbies in the world, I find that my company's consignment sellers, called FoundValue eSpecialists(TM), are often asked by clients to sell camera equipment.
As is often the case with consumer electronics, the technology is steadily improving while prices are dropping, leading many shoppers to eBay in search of newer models at bargain prices. There is still a market for digital cameras that are a few years old or have fewer than 2 megapixels; however, prices are relatively low. I advise our eSpecialists to research the specific camera model online before accepting it for sale. Best-selling brands include: Canon, Fuji, Kodak, Leica, Nikon, Olympus and Sony.
When creating a title for a camera listing, include the following information as keywords: Brand name; Model name or number; Resolution (number of megapixels); Optical zoom (2x, 3x, etc.); Amount of memory; Format (SLR, Compact "Point-and-Shoot", etc.); Lenses (make and sizes); Memory card, carrying case and other accessories; and NIB if New In Box.
Cameras are delicate instruments that can easily be damaged in shipping. These tips will help you securely package the camera:
Don't store the equipment in a place where it will be subjected to extreme temperatures or changes in humidity (e.g. near a window, radiator or air conditioner).
Remove all lenses, straps, and other external accessories from the camera body.
Turn off the camera and remove all batteries.
Whenever possible, use the original packaging. Most photography equipment (especially high-end gear) is sold in thick blocks of styrofoam that have been cut to fit the specific item. These should hold the item firmly in place, cushion it against blows and protect it from being crushed. Always ask your customer if they have the original box and styrofoam inserts; if they do and the inserts are in good shape, use them.
If the inserts are in poor condition, don't use them. Instead, wrap each item with bubble wrap. You may want to use several layers, especially for camera bodies and lenses. Make sure that the item is completely covered with bubble wrap in order to prevent packing peanuts from getting inside the item.
Detach the lens from the camera body and wrap each piece separately. Lenses are sold with two screw-on or snap-on caps, one to cover the glass at each end; put them both on before wrapping the lens in bubble wrap. If the lens caps are missing, cover the lens glass with a soft, clean cloth; don't use facial tissues or paper towels, because these can scratch the glass. Cut the cloth large enough so that covers the edge completely, lay it over the lens, then wrap with bubble wrap and secure with tape.
Place straps batteries, manuals and other accessories inside sealed Ziplock bags.
If the camera came with a bag, you might be able to fit the bubble wrapped items inside it. Don't force them, though - it's better to leave some items out of the bag than squeeze them into a tight fit.
Cushion the bag and all loose items with packing peanuts on all sides (including in between items - even though they're wrapped in bubble wrap, items placed next to each other in a box may be damaged in transit). Some people prefer to use air pillows instead of peanuts, since these don't hold static charges and are too large to get stuck inside delicate electronics. Whichever packing materials you choose, make sure the box is big enough to hold a sufficient amount of them. (Don't use crumpled newspapers or other items that can be easily compressed.)
Moisture protection is very important when shipping cameras and lenses. You can add a few small packages of desiccant (moisture-absorbing silica gel) to the box, or place each item in a large Ziplock bag. Cameras should not be stored in plastic bags, but its fine to use them for shipping.
Like other delicate equipment, cameras and lenses should be insured during shipping.
About the author:
Stella Kleiman is the founder and CEO of FoundValue(http://www.foundvalue.com), a
leading national network of independent eSpecialists who sell merchandise online for individuals, businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Stella is an expert on what sells online and has written a book called, "The FoundValue Guide to What Sells Online: Finding Value in Everyday Things,"an excerpt of which can be found at
(http://www.foundvalue.com/pdfs/book_excerpt_electronics_1.pdf).
Prior to starting FoundValue, Stella was Vice President, Business Development for Excite Network properties including excite.com, Blue Mountain Arts and Webshots.
