Lens buying and selling question

squareballoon

I want to upgrade my 70-200L 2.8 (non IS, mark1) canon lens to a 70-200L 2.8 IS mark11
I would have this lens and my Macro 100mmL 2.8 to trade for the new one.

Would I be best to sell the two lenses on adverts.ie and then buy the new one online OR go somewhere like Conns or Birminghams and do the whole deal in one shop?

I imagine that I will have to pay about €800 although I am stoney broke so it may be something I will put on the long finger.
I know that posts like this are boring to read and to answer but I've always been steered in the right direction on boards.ie so I had to ask.:)

Pete67

In my experience you would do better by selling privately - you will get a better price than a shop would offer on trade in, and you will also get a better price for the new lens online. The downside is it might take a little longer. You could always bring your lenses to Conns and/or Berminghams and see what they offer on trade in and how much you would need to add for the 70-200 IS Mk2 and then make up your mind. Also Gunns have a very good reputation for a bricks and mortar shop in Dublin, but I'm not sure if they take trade-ins. And Ian Kerr (Kerso) runs a very good online business here.

squareballoon

Thanks so much Pete. The price for that particular lens seems so high in Conns that I'm sure I could do better online. My 70-200 is from Singapore and was bought in 2008 so I'm not sure how well I'd do with that one. I'll bring it into town this week and see what they say. I'm also going to sell my grip and monopod because I've barely used either of them.

bullpost

I sold some kit to Conns recently and price I got was pretty rock bottom. Would have done better selling privately but was interested in a trade-in with Conns so went with it in the end.
I would try sell privately first If I were you but no harm in getting a price from Conns as it will help you settle on a price for a private sale.

sink

The problem for retailers is that they have to add 23% VAT onto the cost when they resell your gear plus whatever margin they take for themselves.

squareballoon

I like the idea of getting it all done in one transaction and I also like the idea of shopping in Ireland. I'll price it up and see which is more affordable.
Thanks everyone.

magicbastarder

sink wrote: »

The problem for retailers is that they have to add 23% VAT onto the cost when they resell your gear plus whatever margin they take for themselves.

and then add the cost of a six month warranty too.

mdebets

magicbastarder wrote: »

and then add the cost of a six month warranty too.

Not just 6 months, but for the full legal warranty time (up to 6 years from the original date of purchase)

djgaillimh

Even the camera stores will recommend a private sale if you ask them. Camera Centre told me they almost never get trade-ins anymore.

Anyway, if you're buying online, T-Dimension are a really great Hong Kong based eBay seller. They offer one year warranties with most of their stuff and do fast (and free) delivery via fedex.

My camera arrived in three days and cost 300 euro less than in the Irish stores.

Just watch out for VAT. Almost everything seems to get caught these days.

squareballoon

so Conns said they would give me €500 for the Macro and €600 for the 70-200. I think the 70-200 price is what I was expecting but I thought more for the Macro.

bernard0368

I would think €500 is about right for that lens from a shop. If I was buying that lens second hand i would be looking to pay €640 ish. based on a saving of 20% off the new price.