How to value and best place to sell SLR lenses?

[cannedheat]

Hi,

I've got a 70-200 F4 L IS and 17-40 F4 L IS which I'm looking to sell but not sure what they're worth second hand or where the best place to sell them is...

Had an offer of £915 for the two from an online used camera gear website but this seems a little low compared to the current RRP of the lenses. Both are in top condition, boxed, bagged..etc.

I'm not a member of any photography websites which I could sell on (they seem to require minimum post counts anyway for the classifieds) and I'd rather not use ebay...

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[mythos]

Have you had a look on ebay? Particularly the `Completed Listings` bit. BTW, that offer is waaaay too low for good copies of those lenses!

Edited by mythos on Tuesday 19th April 22:18

[cannedheat]

It's been so long since I've used ebay - how does one find the completed listings?

[mythos]

You need to log in to see that bit. It's one of the filterable choices on the left side, under `Show Only:`

[Simpo Two]

Love it or loathe it, eBay does seem remarkably good for s/h lenses. Bear in mind you'll lose about 15% in fees, but the sale prices often justifies it and you're selling to a massive global market.

My second finest achievement is buying a lens from Grays for £200 and selling it on eBay for £220!

[cannedheat]

I've just had a look at the completed auctions on ebay and it seems that the 17-40 goes for about £480 and the 70-200 about £720.

Allowing for £15 p&p on each and 15% fees, thats about £1045 for both - I'd certainly be happy with that!

Would be making about £20 on the 17-40 and £100 on the 70-200 based on what I bought them brand new!!

[mythos]

Good lenses really do hold value. I've just sold one on ebay for £20 more than I paid for it four years ago.

[AndWhyNot]

Simpo Two said:

My second finest achievement...

So what's your first?

[*Fletch*]

Talk Photography, no ebay fees.

[pstruck]

I have bought and sold plenty of photography kit on Talkphotography and AVForums. I believe you need to have a certain number of posts/been a member for a certain period before you can advertise though.

[crmcatee]

Although - you can get a new 17-40 for about £40 more.

[james_tigerwoods]

crmcatee said:

Although - you can get a new 17-40 for about £40 more.

That's never stopped eBay though - I've seen ebay listings where items there sell for more than you can get them for on the high street...

[cannedheat]

*Fletch* said:

Talk Photography, no ebay fees.

I was looking to sell on there but I've never really used that forum so would need to build up sufficient post count/be registered for long enough.

The prices I've seen on the ebay completed auctions seem to be much higher than Talk Photography anyway - 17-40's struggle to make over £400 on TP but the completed listings for used lenses on ebay all seem to be £450+

Same with the 70-200 F4 IS - saw one struggle to make £600 on TP but going for £700+ on ebay.

[Simpo Two]

AndWhyNot said:

Simpo Two said:

My second finest achievement...

So what's your first?

Well as you ask...

I sold a 15 year-old used toilet for £40



It surprised me too.