Buying a Used Scope - Pitfalls, and Tips (3 Viewers)

[bluesinlondon]

Hi All,

On the face of it, it's possible to save some money buying second hand, but going via ebay, or BirdForum means try-before-you-buy is not an option...

What are the things I need to watch out for?

Thanks in advance.

 

[woodhornbirder]

`BirdForum means try-before-you-buy is not an option... `

depends how close you live to the seller.

 

[Kevin Purcell]

Depends on what you negotiate with the seller too.

You could negotiate to buy with a no-questions-asked return option for a limited period (perhaps for a premium price?) but it would be on the buyer/returner to pay shipping costs in both directions if the item is "as described" and you still return it.

I find buying through BF a very good experience for all the people I've dealt with (pretty much all regulars here). Better than the potential eBay experience. People here have reputations to keep so the "shadow of the future" falls on "the regulars" here. And if they don't have a reputation to worry about then that's when I'd be more wary.

In the UK (more than the US) you have a decent chance of meeting up to try the kit out too.

 

[bluesinlondon]

Thanks guys - so it's definitely worth trying before I buy... and if at all possible, buy from here on BF...

Beyond that, what sort of things should I be looking for when checking out a used scope? Even if I can try a potential purchase out, it's probably going to be in less than ideal field conditions, so what tests can I do to make sure I'm not getting a dud?

 

[Parker]

I would recomend buying used optics from other BF members, I've bought a Swaro ATS65HD & a couple of EP's. I was lucky enough to buy the scope from someone who was only 40 miles away so we met in the middle & I was able to have a good look before buying.
All the optics I've bought second hand are in mint condition, I think most birders look after their optics after all they are very expensive.

So good luck.

 

[Sancho]

I´ve bought (and sold) a lot of kit via BF. Only once have I been a bit disappointed, on all other occasions the prices have been great, and the kit well cared-for and dispatched promptly and efficiently. I think there´s "honour among birders", despite the occasional flaps that occur about woodpeckers or lists or whatever. If you want to buy a nice 2nd-hand scope from a BF member, you could always ask before buying if a return would be accepted, and if it´s bought from the UK where you live, this probably wouldn´t be too difficult.