Wasted $200 on a 'mystery box' of old film cameras from an estate sale guy

I saw this guy on Craigslist selling unopened boxes of cameras from a retired photographer's collection for $50 each. Bought 4 of them thinking I'd find some rare vintage Leicas or something. Turned out every single box was full of broken Polaroid OneSteps from the 90s with moldy leather and dead batteries. Has anyone else gotten burned by those mystery auction lots where the seller clearly picked through everything good first?

3 comments

3 Comments

finleyl3927d ago

I read somewhere that those Craigslist estate lot guys will always grab the good stuff first, like any Leicas or high end Nikons, before they even bother listing the boxes. I think the trick is they leave all the junk Polaroids and broken plastic cameras in there to fill weight. You basically paid $200 for a trash haul that someone else already picked through like a vulture. Next time I'd ask for photos of the actual camera brands inside the box before handing over cash, or just skip those mystery lots entirely.

juliarodriguez27d ago

Oh man, that's rough. Sounds like you paid $50 for the privilege of holding someone's broken trash.

blakestone26d ago

Exactly, you paid for the privilege of hauling their junk to the dump too. Next time try messaging them first to ask what brands are in there, most people will just tell you if it's all broken garbage.