Buying a scope off ebay? The "real McCoy" or a clone

[dieseldogg]

Like a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14*50

I would like to think I could spot a cheap copy

However I might have more difficulty with a good copy

And have absolutly No previous exp with Zeiss stuff

Signed

I used to be undecided, now i'm

Edited February 4, 2010 by dieseldogg

[cleaner4hire]

is it new or used? You can only really go by whether or not you trust the ebay seller until you receive it - i presume its coming from the US if new.

 

I would have thought it would be pretty easy to check once you have it using the sn - ring zeiss and ask. If you know someone who has one you could always compare.

 

Optically they are very good and its pretty easy to spot the difference when looking through one and a cheaper scope. I can clearly see a difference between mine and a bushnell 4200 for example (although this will always be a bit subjective).

 

If you want a bit more cover buy it on a credit card as they usually have extra insurance.

 

Ive never heard of anyone getting a clone zeiss (unlike leupolds which seem very well copied). Is this something youve heard of/know someone its happened to??

[steve_b_wales]

I bought a 'TASCO' scope off ebay because the asking price seemed too good to be true. It was! Total rubbish. It would have cost me more to send it back (America) than I paid for it. Reported the sale to Paypal, but lost out in the end.

[al4x]

as said the tasco fakes are ten a penny on there, look at the scope and check out the seller in detail, if its cheap there is usually a reason but you can spot most decent private sellers as they usually buy other shooting goods on there. Ignore anything from abroad, though isn't the conquest a model not produced for the UK market I believe. If so most will have been privately imported

[dieseldogg]

Yes I was aware the Conquest was a US only model of Zeiss.

I actually had a comment ( on my origional post) to the effect that there would not be much point contacting Zeiss with the Ser No as they would perhaps not unreasonably ignore me But it was a bit longwinded

I have never done business on ebay before, but have heard the horror stories.

It would be from sportingsuppliesuk, who have an ebay shop

and yes I would pay with a credit card ( the lack of copied/cloned Zeiss is a comfort at least)

************

If my back was stronger I might consider a 2nd hand IOR

On the other hand I could go to that show in Newark at the end of Feb, and try hands on/haggle face to face

**************

gibber/twitch/drool etc

[al4x]

go for it, maximum feedback UK seller with an address registered so about as safe as it gets. Scope is a sensible price looks totally fine

[dieseldogg]

Thanks al4x, for the reassurance

I'll talk myself into it yet

might go to that show first though

might miss a bargain

cheers

M

[steve_b_wales]

You will, or should have the backing of Paypal if you have bought the item using this method. Even after you have the item, and the seller has your money, you can still get all, or most of your money back.

[Beardo]

i wouldn't have an issues buying that scope.

[garyb]

I bought a New Swarovski 8x56 from eBay, for less than 1/2 of the UK RRP

 

And it's no fake

[al4x]

you've got to be a bit lucky with the bargains on ebay, some get listed wrongly with spelling mistakes etc and they are the ones to try and find as most people miss them. Decent scopes do seem to sell well on there recently as I'm looking for one like Garys but most are making £350 - 400 and I'd like one a bit cheaper

[Vince Green]

In our club we have had a spate of buying scopes off ebay from Hong Kong. Mainly Bushnells, they are very cheap and appear to be the genuine article but they take about a month to arrive.

 

I know our local dealer buys scopes direct from Hong Kong to sell in his shop because he can get them cheaper than from the UK distributor. I'm sure other dealers are doing the same.

 

I'm very pleased with the one I bought, its not up to the standard of a German scope but it only cost £25 and not bad at all. Its advertised for £98 in Britain. Its working well on my .22

 

Many of the branded scopes are made in China anyway and all you are doing is short circuiting the supply chain. Cutting out the middle man.

 

A friend of mine bought a bipod from there recently, although its not branded as Harris thats clearly what it is. They are not clones, it comes off the same production line I'm sure of it. Everything is totally identical.

Edited February 4, 2010 by Vince Green

[Evil Elvis]

All my bipods come from china and are £21 for a 9-21" bloody great!! you have to wait for delivery, the only way you know they are not harris is they ping out and harris ping in!!

[dieseldogg]

And I'm still waiting for the lady on the left to "ping out" there Elvis.

However that aside

I spent some time on tinternet last night reading a USA site with scope reviews.

Fasciniting stuff incl the relationship between Kahles & Swaro,( and I KNEW Swaro did NOT make scopes, when I were a lad) where the different scope brands are made. Who makes scopes for whom etc etc, etc etc

Like the "launch in Japan/Japan manufactured" build a reputation and quitetly outsource production to the Phillipines or whereever. ie Brand "x" might have been excellent quality three years ago, now its merely medicore.

Scheesh

Ma heid is whirling ( prob from watching Rab C. last night)

Edited February 5, 2010 by dieseldogg

[Vince Green]

Its not just scopes that are like that. All sorts of things are not made where you think they are made or by the people you think are making them (ie the name on the box).