Avoiding pitfalls when buying used microscopes

okay is a wonderful venue for buying and selling used microscopes and microscope parts. You can find vintage accessories that are not available any other way, and bargains on classic scopes for beginners. However, there are some issues of which both buyers and sellers should be aware, especially involving the nomenclature used in ads, terms of sale, and item descriptions.Description of microscope grade Let us begin by considering the terms used to describe the type of microscope. Sellers will sometimes use terms like "research," "professional," "lab," etc. However, these terms have no absolute meaning and can vary depending on someone's opinion of what the word means as applied to microscopes. Unless you are talking about a Leitz Ortholux, Zeiss Universal, or a handful of others, it is usually not considered a research microscope. The term "professional" has no particular definition in this context, either. Instead of using these vague words, consider describing in detail the features of the scope: for example, is it a modular stand, does it have a trinocular for photomicrography, does it have true Khler illumination, etc. These facts are more useful to the buyer in determining the grade of the scope and its intended usage. Buyers, it helps to know what you want from a microscope, and make your bidding decisions based on specific features, not on general terms.Description of condition Both buyers and sellers need to be particularly aware of terms like "perfect condition." If an item is used, it is rarely perfect. A disappointed buyer may leave negative feedback based upon buying something described in perfect condition that is actually not. For sellers, you should describe only what you evaluated. For example, you can say that "the exterior of the objective is shiny, free from scratches and corrosion, and appears to be in perfect cosmetic condition. I was not able to evaluate the optics." Several times I have purchased items that were described to be in perfect or excellent condition, only to find that they were far from that. This often happens when a seller is not a microscopist, and has no frame of reference for evaluating the function of an obscure part or for using an objective in conoscopic view, for example. For buyers, if you have any doubts, ask specific and polite questions. If the seller does not answer or begees hostile and defensive, as I have seen several times, reconsider whether you want to bid. If someone is honest and tells you they don't know much about the item, you can work with them if you know how to describe what to check. In this way, I have discovered that nosepieces were missing essential parts, or that polarizers were delaminated or burned. The sellers in these cases simply had not known what to check but were cooperative when asked, and even updated their listings to reflect the new information.Right of return This is a tricky subject. A seller has every right to advertise a used item "as-is," especially if there are obvious flaws or if the seller is not entirely certain what the part is or how to check if it is geplete or working. The buyer needs to read all the terms carefully. In my experience, however, a polite query to the seller may bring forward a promise that you can return the item if it is significantly not as described or if there is a hidden flaw. Now, if the seller is absolute about having no right of return under any circumstances, the experienced buyer needs to ask as many questions as possible before taking a calculated risk on the item; the new buyer may wish to avoid such risks so they do not begee burdened with an item they cannot use.Keyword spamming I will say first and foremost that all buyers and sellers should read okay's keyword spamming policy and take the keyword spamming tutorial. This is one of the big pet peeves on okay. Microscope searchers already have to deal with the keyword spam created by people selling trading cards, used clothes, collectible figurines, and jewelry. Many buyers are searching for a specific brand and do not want to see listings for other brands of microscopes and their accessories. For example, I saw one ad for a Leitz microscope that stated something like: "Zeiss, Reichert, Olympus, Nikon. These have nothing to do with this microscope but I am trying to attract as many buyers as possible." The seller was obviously not aware of the policy or else they would not have admitted to this clear violation of the policy. Sellers, if someone is searching for a specific brand, they do not want their time wasted with irrelevant clutter and are not any more likely to buy your item just because you put it in front of them against their will. If they are searching for microscopes in general, they will see your item. As a frequent buyer I regularly report keyword spam. Now, the topic of objectives requires special mention. It is true, for example, that many objectives are RMS threaded, but that does not mean they will function in all microscopes. First, objectives gee in a variety of effective tube lengths, such as 170mm, 160mm, and infinity; second, many objectives require matching gepensating eyepieces for a proper image. For a seller to list an objective of Brand W and then state that it is RMS threaded and will therefore fit Brands X, Y, and Z, is deceptive because the objective may not work properly in those brands. This is especially true if it is a specialized objective such as differential interference contrast, which is meant to be part of a specific system from a specific vendor. Experienced buyers know these things, but a beginner may not, and may obtain a product that does not meet their needs. Buyers, when in doubt, ask if the seller has tested the objective in all those brands, and with what eyepieces. You can make a bidding decision based on the answer.Seller history I need to state this very clearly: there are many good-hearted and honest people who gee across microscopes in the attic or through inheritance and list them on okay. However, through no fault of their own, the item could be misdescribed, or there is little information to reveal the condition of the optics or the internal parts, etc. Most sellers will reveal their level of knowledge about the item, and this gives buyers confidence. Buyers, if you have any doubts, take a look at the feedback and see what the seller usually lists. In all but one case, my polite queries to sellers have garnered straightforward responses about their level of knowledge, and many have been helpful with extra photographs or with checking specific features of the item. Buyers, when in doubt, ask questions; sellers, if microscopy and microscopes are not your regular line of business, it helps to be straightforward about that in the listing, and with an offer to supply additional photos or functional checks on request. I have purchased a number of items from such sellers, mostly with positive results. Buyers have confidence in sellers who are forthgeing and helpful. Conclusion Microscope discussion groups are filled with happy tales from people who obtained fantastic microscope bargains or hard-to-find parts on okay. Occasionally, however, one will see a tale of woe, usually from a new buyer who bought a microscope or part from a seller who does not routinely sell or use microscopes. By following the guidelines above, both buyers and sellers will be more wise about placing ads and making purchases. Sellers should note that there are discussion groups outside of okay where auctions are discussed and sellers are rated; buyers should know they must never assume and always, always ask questions if there are any doubts or confusion about a listing. My goal is to see the right microscope items get into the hands of the right people, with both buyers and sellers happy and trouble-free.