Used Camera, No returns. Described as perfect & nothing wrong with it. Dust & smears; returnable?

simc-23
Community Member

I recently bought a used camera off eBay.
It was described as used once, perfect condition and nothing wrong with it. However when I looked at the sensor, there is alot of dust, & I mean alot! There is also dust and smears on the back of the lens that came with it.
I've used the automatic cleaning function, but it's still really bad.
I will have to now have to pay to go get this professionally cleaned. Aside from that I'm more worried that dust has got into other sensitive areas of the camera body.
What would be the best course of action? Would this be considered 'item not as described' and eligible for return/refund?
I've attached a photo to show the extent.

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Re: Used Camera, No returns. Described as perfect & nothing wrong with it. Dust & smears; re

simc-23
Community Member

So the seller replied to me today.

They said they got the camera checked out before they sold it and the store said it was fine :S
The seller was quite shocked about the whole thing and does not seem to want to accept a return. I don't think they quite understand that this level of dust isn't a quick fix.


@simc-23 wrote:

I recently bought a used camera off eBay.
It was described as used once, perfect condition and nothing wrong with it. However when I looked at the sensor, there is alot of dust, & I mean alot! There is also dust and smears on the back of the lens that came with it.
I've used the automatic cleaning function, but it's still really bad.
I will have to now have to pay to go get this professionally cleaned. Aside from that I'm more worried that dust has got into other sensitive areas of the camera body.
What would be the best course of action? Would this be considered 'item not as described' and eligible for return/refund?
I've attached a photo to show the extent.




I don't want to get eBay involved, but I think it may come to that.

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Re: Used Camera, No returns. Described as perfect & nothing wrong with it. Dust & smears; re


simc-23 wrote:

So the seller replied to me today.

They said they got the camera checked out before they sold it and the store said it was fine :S
The seller was quite shocked about the whole thing and does not seem to want to accept a return. I don't think they quite understand that this level of dust isn't a quick fix.


 

The camera may in fact be fine as in perfectly functional. Did the description say no dust etc? I notice the sample image you put up says it was shot at f22. If the seller nor the store (who checked the camera) did not shoot their own pics at f22 there is a chance they may not have actually noticed the dust on images to suspect a potential issue. I have taken images where dust registered at f11 or f16 but not f2.8 etc.

 

How much does it cost to get a sensor 'professionally' cleaned? I have never used the service myself, these days I rely on the camera's own cleaning function or use other appropriate cleaning tools such as rocket blower brushes, lens wipes, isopropyl alcohol etc (used with care and with items that are out of warranty). Oh and I always remember that if I am going to shoot at small apertures I am risking specks of dust showing up no matter which camera or lens.



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