Classic British Flight Sim

Hi All,
I recently bought another F24 reconnaissance camera for the museum.
This varied from my original in that the front section had been cut off, and the lens bolted onto the resulting surface.
It also came with an original A*M storage box. The internal blinds were in better condition than my original too.
Purchase price AU$95, plus freight.
Then I came across an Ebay UK item, being described as a rare lens as used in aircraft F24 cameras. Asking price £495.00.
It's quite amazing how prices vary. Last year I landed a compass in its wooden case for AU$115. There's someone trying to offload one presently, in a broken box, for AU$395.00.

I have always considered Ebay to be somewhat of a consumer rip off. I have heard quite a few stories when buying from private sellers has all gone pear shaped. Can't blame them for trying to get more money out of people but certainly won't be me!!

Regards
Nigel.

Hi Nigel,
You have to know what you are looking at, and what is a reasonable price. We have never felt ripped off.
We've bought heaps of things, from sewing needles to books, and of course, aircraft collectibles.
Once I asked for, and received, a partial refund because a magazine about the Airspeed Oxford was missing the centre page. No, it wasn't a centrefold!
Most people are really pleasant to deal with, and if the estimated postage exceeds the final actual cost, you generally get a refund without even asking.

Oh, the tyranny of distance!
Take a look at this little snippet from the USA:

What really gets me is the way the CC sharks will not treat an overseas purchase as one transaction. They break it down to three pieces and charge overseas purchase fees plus currency conversion fees plus authorising bank fees, on the item cost, any sales taxes, and the postage and packing.
These days I only buy from dealers who accept PayPal, and offer free postage; using the CC is a very reluctant last resort.

Yes, everybody wants a slice, MikeW.
Even paypal, who I use regularly, rip you off on their currency conversion, it's always a couple of cents per dollar below the rates on the ABC TV finance report.

Tbh, at least now they have to list all the different fees. It used to be the case it was just one extortionate number. There are some card providers that are better than others in that respect, but it depends on how much you trust them with your money.

Just had a thought;
Those scammers who ring up and tell you that your tax file number has been suspended, blah blah....
They should just set up as payment processors.

Yet another apparent bargain, though I haven't physically inspected it yet:
I bid AU$85 on an azimuth compass last night, but got it for AU$51.