Amateur Photographer Magazine

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I also think it somewhat outrageous that almost without exception, sebsandiego splits original camera bodies from their matching lenses and even their ever ready cases .....

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That is/was a fairly common thing, amongst both the bigger high street shops (when they dealt in used gear) and the smaller ones too.

On the wider points, the real problem is that the UK & EU Distance Selling Regulations (2002) and Companies Act (amended 2007) which regulate mailorder traders and commercial websites, appear to apply to EBay traders who operate as a businesses, as well as to other internet and mailorder traders. Also, while is EBay ostensibly an "auction" it does not appear to be excluded from the aformentioned laws.

So, enforcing the pertinent regulations is difficult, as this is largely the responsibility of local authorities "Trading Standards Departments"; and they are under-resourced, understaffed and often reluctant to take on petty "internet crime" ..... From my discussions with Trading Standards Officers some seem to be unclear about the detailed implications of the 'new' legislation and how to apply it to internet trading in practice.

As a result, many EBay traders can flout the law with virtual (and actual) impunity, especially as EBay itself is essentially rather powerless (and largely unwilling) to impose higher standards - it also regularly claims it has no responsibility to do so. The answer is to be very cautious about volume sellers with dubious ratings, and maybe to deal with EBay Power-sellers (who are sort-of regulated) wherever possible. Good luck. .T.

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