I’ve been running PhotographyTalk for more than 16 years, and in that time I’ve heard countless stories from photographers who thought they’d found a bargain on Craigslist, eBay or OfferUp, only to lose money, equipment—or worse.
As someone who has been around the photography block for decades, I’ve seen the excitement of getting new gear tempered by the anxiety of dealing with strangers, shipping headaches and the very real possibility of fraud. That’s why I’m passionate about sharing safer alternatives when they exist.
In the world of pre‑owned cameras and lenses, one platform stands out for reducing nearly all of that risk: MPB.
Table of Contents
The Problem With Peer‑to‑Peer Marketplaces
Photo by Oberon Copeland @veryinformed.com on Unsplash (license)
Let me start by sharing a few examples that will sound familiar to anyone who’s bought or sold camera gear online…
One story tells of a student photographer in the UK who sold his camera on a popular classified site. After the buyer claimed to have overpaid, the student got a series of convincing emails supposedly from PayPal asking for a refund. By the time he figured out it was a scam, the camera was gone.
Another professional photographer shared how she sold a brand‑new mirrorless camera through a marketplace and ended up embroiled in a fraudulent return scam. The buyer provided staged photos of the wrong camera as “proof,” received a refund and returned the cheaper camera while keeping the expensive one. Even though the marketplace eventually resolved the dispute, it was a massive headache and left her without her gear for weeks.
Those are just two stories among the many horror tales circulating in photography forums and social‑media groups. In my experience, scams often follow patterns: fake payment confirmations, chargebacks after equipment is shipped, or buyers who claim the item arrived damaged and demand partial refunds.
Photo by fizkes via Shutterstock
Meeting locally to “avoid shipping” isn’t foolproof either. Scammers using Facebook Marketplace and Venmo have stolen videographers’ kits and caused losses estimated between $25,000 and $100,000. I’ve heard other stories of photographers robbed during meet‑ups or coaxed into unsafe situations.
When you rely on these platforms, you’re dealing with unknown individuals, and you must handle everything yourself: pricing, listing, photographing the gear, negotiating, shipping, collecting payment and resolving any disputes. Listing fees, payment‑processing fees and the possibility of returns or chargebacks can quickly eat into your profits.
Because I’ve seen so many deals go south, I tend to approach peer‑to‑peer sales with caution. They may offer the ability to set your own price, but they also demand a level of vigilance and risk tolerance that many of us just don’t have the bandwidth for.
How MPB Camera is Different
This is where MPB enters the picture. If you’re unfamiliar with the company, MPB isn’t a peer‑to‑peer marketplace; they’re a global platform that buys, inspects and resells pre‑owned photo and video equipment. Every piece of gear they list—be it a camera body, lens or accessory—has been inspected individually by a product specialist. They check performance, look for scratches or mildew and photograph the item from every angle so you can see exactly what you’re buying. When you buy an MPB-approved camera, you aren’t relying on a seller’s description or stock photos; you’re looking at the actual item, complete with a six‑month warranty.
From a seller’s perspective, the biggest difference is that MPB buys gear directly. You don’t have to create a listing or wait for a buyer. You simply enter the model and condition of your camera or lens on MPB’s website and receive an instant quote based on real‑time market data. That quote is guaranteed for fourteen days, giving you time to think without worrying about the price changing.
Once you accept, MPB arranges free pickup and brings the gear to one of its facilities for inspection. If the condition matches what you described—or is better—you get paid within a few days. If the condition is worse, they’ll adjust the quote and let you decide whether to proceed. There are no listing fees, and you don’t have to photograph your gear; MPB handles all of that.
For many photographers, the best part is the payout: according to MPB’s data, the average person who sells to MPB earns $900 per transaction. That’s not chump change when you consider the time and hassle saved. Having spent years tracking used gear prices across forums and marketplaces, I’ve found MPB’s quotes to be fair and competitive. You might get a bit more on eBay or Craigslist if you’re willing to spend time negotiating, but you also run the risk of fees, fraud and delays. For me, that $900 average is a reflection of MPB’s middle‑ground approach: they take a cut to handle all the logistics, but they also pass on a substantial amount to the seller.
Breaking Down MPB’s Benefits
Photo by Kulkova Daria via Shutterstock
Beyond the core buying and selling process, MPB offers several advantages that make it particularly appealing to someone like me who has been burned by shady buyers:
- Quality assurance: Every item is graded and photographed by MPB’s in‑house specialists. You get exactly what you see, and if something goes wrong, you have a six‑month warranty.
- Transparency in pricing: The quote system uses real‑time market data, so you’re not guessing or haggling. Buyers can filter by condition and price, making it easy to find a camera that fits their budget.
- Environmental sustainability: MPB recirculated 485,000 items of photo gear last year. The company uses plastic‑free packaging and is working toward 100 % renewable electricity across all its buildings. Buying a used MPB camera instead of new helps reduce e‑waste and your carbon footprint.
- Trust and reputation: MPB enjoys a Trustpilot score of 4.87, an impressive feat in an industry often plagued by dissatisfied buyers and sellers. More than 625,000 visual storytellers have bought or sold gear through MPB.
- No hidden fees: There are no listing fees, no shipping charges and no haggling over price. You know your net proceeds before you send your gear.
- Fast turnaround for buyers: If you’re shopping, MPB adds around 3,000 new products each week. Newly released cameras typically hit the platform within three months, and “like‑new” items often cost about 30 % less than brand‑new gear. That’s a significant saving.
Why I Trust MPB Camera Over Craigslist, eBay and OfferUp
Over the years, I’ve listed gear on nearly every platform out there. Craigslist meets sometimes felt like a Craigslist thriller: meeting a stranger in a parking lot, cash in hand, hoping they’d show up and hoping they were legitimate. eBay offered more structure, but the fees kept adding up, and I always worried about chargebacks. OfferUp was convenient for local sales, but the vetting process for buyers and sellers always felt thin.
My own experience with MPB camera has been on the buying side. I’ve picked up a couple of used lenses through the platform, and each time the process was seamless. I could browse high‑quality photos of the exact lens I was purchasing, choose the condition that fit my budget, and check out knowing the lens came with a six‑month warranty. When the lenses arrived, they were exactly as described—no surprises, no undisclosed scratches or haze. That kind of transparency is rare when you’re dealing with anonymous sellers on general‑purpose marketplaces.
I’ve also spoken with dozens of photographers over the years who have sold their cameras and lenses to MPB. They tell me the same story: they entered the model and condition, got an instant quote that was guaranteed for two weeks, and MPB arranged free pickup of their gear.
After inspection, MPB camera either confirmed the quote or, in some cases, even offered a bit more if the condition was better than expected. They were paid quickly, and they never had to deal with listing fees or endless questions from strangers. One friend said he netted close to $900 selling a couple of lenses, a figure that aligns with the average payout MPB cites for a typical transaction. For them, the convenience and security far outweighed the possibility of squeezing out a few extra dollars on an auction site.
When I contrast these experiences with the many horror stories I’ve heard about fraudulent buyers and time‑consuming disputes on other platforms, it’s easy to see why MPB has become my go‑to. As someone who spends his days writing about photography rather than chasing down buyers, that peace of mind is priceless.
Tips for Safe Transactions—Wherever You Buy or Sell
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Of course, not everyone will use MPB, and that’s okay. If you do decide to sell or buy through other channels, my years of experience have taught me a few safeguards:
- Use secure payment methods. PayPal Goods and Services or an escrow service provide some buyer and seller protection. Avoid wire transfers or “friends and family” payments.
- Document everything. When shipping, record a video of yourself packing the camera and showing serial numbers; this proof can be invaluable if a buyer claims the item was damaged or swapped.
- Meet in public places. If you’re selling locally, choose a busy, well‑lit location—preferably with cameras—and bring a friend.
- Beware of too‑good‑to‑be‑true offers. Scammers often lure sellers with overpayments or buyers with low prices. If an offer seems too good, it probably is.
- Communicate through the platform. Don’t let a buyer or seller pull you off‑platform to text or email; this is a common tactic to avoid platform protections.
Even with these precautions, you’re still on the hook for a lot of work. That’s why platforms like MPB camera exist: to handle the logistics and reduce the risk.
Final Thoughts
Photo by Magargee Films via Shutterstock
When I reflect on the last 16 years of running PhotographyTalk, I can see how far the photography community has come. Cameras have evolved, social media has transformed how we share images, and the used‑gear market has exploded. But the one constant has been the need for trust. Photographers, whether hobbyists or professionals, invest not just money but also their creative vision into their equipment. We deserve a marketplace that respects that investment and protects us from fraud.
After hearing so many horror stories and experiencing my own share of frustrations with peer‑to‑peer marketplaces, I’m relieved to have a reliable option like MPB. By offering instant quotes, 14‑day price guarantees, free shipping, a 6‑month warranty, and an average $900 payout per sale, MPB removes most of the barriers and risks associated with selling used gear. They handle the legwork while promoting sustainability and transparency. That peace of mind is worth more to me than squeezing out a few extra dollars on an auction site.
Ultimately, whether you decide to sell or buy through MPB or venture onto Craigslist or eBay, be smart and protect yourself. Cameras are tools of our craft, and losing them to a scam or dispute is not only costly but also demoralizing. As someone who’s spent decades photographing and building a community around this art form, I encourage you to prioritize safety and consider platforms that share your values. In my book, when it comes to buying or selling used camera gear, the MPB camera experience is hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much can I expect to get when selling my camera gear to MPB?
According to MPB’s data, the average seller earns $900 per transaction. The exact amount depends on your equipment’s brand, model, condition, and current market demand. MPB provides instant quotes based on real-time market data, and these quotes are guaranteed for 14 days.
Is MPB’s pricing competitive compared to selling on eBay or Craigslist?
While you might potentially get slightly more on peer-to-peer platforms through negotiation, MPB’s quotes are fair and competitive. The difference is often offset by the time saved, reduced risk of fraud, no listing fees, and the convenience of not having to handle the entire sales process yourself.
What happens if my gear’s condition is different than what I described to MPB?
If your equipment is in better condition than described, MPB may increase their offer. If it’s in worse condition, they’ll adjust the quote downward and give you the option to proceed or decline. You’re not locked into the sale if the revised quote doesn’t meet your expectations.
How long does MPB take to pay sellers?
MPB typically pays sellers within a few days after their gear passes inspection at one of MPB’s facilities. The process includes free pickup of your equipment and professional inspection to verify condition.
What kind of warranty do MPB buyers get?
All equipment purchased through MPB comes with a six-month warranty, providing protection that you typically don’t get when buying from individual sellers on other platforms.
Are there any hidden fees when selling to or buying from MPB?
No, there are no listing fees, shipping charges for sellers, or other hidden costs. The quote you receive is what you’ll be paid, and buyers see transparent pricing with no surprise fees at checkout.
How can I avoid scams when using other platforms like Craigslist or eBay?
Use secure payment methods like PayPal Goods and Services, document everything with photos and videos, meet in public places for local transactions, be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, and always communicate through the platform rather than switching to external messaging.
What makes MPB more environmentally friendly than buying new gear?
MPB recirculated 485,000 items of photo gear last year, reducing electronic waste. They use plastic-free packaging and are working toward 100% renewable electricity across all facilities. Buying used equipment through MPB helps extend the life cycle of camera gear instead of contributing to new manufacturing demands.
Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.
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