DVX100 with 300 hours on it at DVinfo.net

Robbie Smolinsky · March 17th, 2004, 07:59 PM

Hi All,
I was looking into buying a DVX100 and I found one for a good price ($1900) but it has 300 hours on the meter and I'm not sure whether this is too much to be worth the saved money or not, I need to make my decision pretty quick so any feedback will be greatly appreciated!

Robbie

Stephen van Vuuren · March 17th, 2004, 08:05 PM

300 hour is considerable but if it's great shape, it might be a deal. I would call Panasonic and ask them what a complete overhaul would cost and factor that into the deal.

Matt Gettemeier · March 17th, 2004, 08:25 PM

That sounds like some pretty good advice.

Maybe I'm nuts, but I don't think 300 hours sounds like a whole lot. Is it nearly 300 or is it pretty well OVER 300?

I've been in situations several times now where my camera is on for 3 or 4 hours straight... even though it's only on a tripod and shooting maybe 1 or 2 tapes total.

Considering you're getting the camera for a third off of a good price for new I think that's not bad. I'd want the camera to look really good... but that's approaching play money for a camera of this caliber.

See if you can get the price a little lower and if the cam looks great and operates properly... call it a steal.

Bryan Roberts · March 18th, 2004, 10:50 AM

Is this what we're talking about here - the total amount of time the camera is powered on or the total amount of time it has been in record mode? I guess it's a question of head wear time or electric wear in general...

Robbie Smolinsky · March 18th, 2004, 12:39 PM

Hey guys,
Thanks for the replies! I believe that it is operation hours (whatever the meter in the DVX keeps track of, I'm really not sure). But it doesn't really matter now, the seller contacted me today to set up payment, and he told me I needed to pay a 3% surcharge for using my credit card (about $60), and 8.25% sales tax (which I didn't even think of). SO in the end with shipping this would cost me close to $2100, which is a good price for a DVX, but I'd rather spend a few hundred more on one with less hours. But thanks for the help everyone!

Ken Tanaka · March 18th, 2004, 04:01 PM

I think you made a good decision, Robbie. That old credit card "surcharge" is a bit of an old-time scam. You can do better.

Matt Gettemeier · March 18th, 2004, 10:32 PM

Boy that guy was a joke! I was thinking it was a private seller and that you may get the cam for $1800 or maybe a little off the $1900 including shipping.

If it's $2100 then you're only $650-$700 from a BRAND NEW one and then those hours are totally unacceptable.

Scott Plowman · March 19th, 2004, 10:50 AM

As a merchant I am charged 2.5% for taking a credit card.. This is what he is referring too.. It isnt a scam..
The only thing is from a marketing perspective one would not include tax and other fees ie. shipping etc.. built into the advertised cost of a product.. If he wants to pay cash or an instrument theroff then he wouldnt presumabley incur that fee.. The word scam means dishonest and un reputable.. Thats kinda unfair to say.. The seller doesnt know what form of payment the customer would use.. Otherwise he may have priced it for CC purchases.

Anyways 300 hours would be uncomfy.. It probably needs a nice overhaul as they said .. my 2 cents

Ken Tanaka · March 19th, 2004, 11:29 AM

Scott is correct that "scam" may not have been an entirely appropriate word. Merchants are indeed charged mark-ups for credit card processing.

The inspiration for my use of the word, however, derives from mail order houses in the 1970's and 1980's who would list low prices in magazine ads. When you phoned to place an order they would suddenly hit you with a credit card surcharge (typically for American Express cards). I do not see much of that shoddy practice any more so it surprised me to see someone try to pull the stunt on a used camera sale.

March 17th, 2004, 07:59 PM	#1
Robbie Smolinsky Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 142	DVX100 with 300 hours on it Hi All, I was looking into buying a DVX100 and I found one for a good price ($1900) but it has 300 hours on the meter and I'm not sure whether this is too much to be worth the saved money or not, I need to make my decision pretty quick so any feedback will be greatly appreciated! Robbie

March 17th, 2004, 08:05 PM	#2
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	300 hour is considerable but if it's great shape, it might be a deal. I would call Panasonic and ask them what a complete overhaul would cost and factor that into the deal. __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

March 18th, 2004, 04:01 PM	#6
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I think you made a good decision, Robbie. That old credit card "surcharge" is a bit of an old-time scam. You can do better. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

March 19th, 2004, 11:29 AM	#9
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Scott is correct that "scam" may not have been an entirely appropriate word. Merchants are indeed charged mark-ups for credit card processing. The inspiration for my use of the word, however, derives from mail order houses in the 1970's and 1980's who would list low prices in magazine ads. When you phoned to place an order they would suddenly hit you with a credit card surcharge (typically for American Express cards). I do not see much of that shoddy practice any more so it surprised me to see someone try to pull the stunt on a used camera sale. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

March 17th, 2004, 08:25 PM	#3
Matt Gettemeier Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 936	That sounds like some pretty good advice. Maybe I'm nuts, but I don't think 300 hours sounds like a whole lot. Is it nearly 300 or is it pretty well OVER 300? I've been in situations several times now where my camera is on for 3 or 4 hours straight... even though it's only on a tripod and shooting maybe 1 or 2 tapes total. Considering you're getting the camera for a third off of a good price for new I think that's not bad. I'd want the camera to look really good... but that's approaching play money for a camera of this caliber. See if you can get the price a little lower and if the cam looks great and operates properly... call it a steal.

March 18th, 2004, 10:50 AM	#4
Bryan Roberts Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 436	Is this what we're talking about here - the total amount of time the camera is powered on or the total amount of time it has been in record mode? I guess it's a question of head wear time or electric wear in general...

March 18th, 2004, 12:39 PM	#5
Robbie Smolinsky Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 142	Hey guys, Thanks for the replies! I believe that it is operation hours (whatever the meter in the DVX keeps track of, I'm really not sure). But it doesn't really matter now, the seller contacted me today to set up payment, and he told me I needed to pay a 3% surcharge for using my credit card (about $60), and 8.25% sales tax (which I didn't even think of). SO in the end with shipping this would cost me close to $2100, which is a good price for a DVX, but I'd rather spend a few hundred more on one with less hours. But thanks for the help everyone!

March 18th, 2004, 10:32 PM	#7
Matt Gettemeier Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 936	Boy that guy was a joke! I was thinking it was a private seller and that you may get the cam for $1800 or maybe a little off the $1900 including shipping. If it's $2100 then you're only $650-$700 from a BRAND NEW one and then those hours are totally unacceptable.

March 19th, 2004, 10:50 AM	#8
Scott Plowman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kansas City, Kansas, USA Posts: 85	As a merchant I am charged 2.5% for taking a credit card.. This is what he is referring too.. It isnt a scam.. The only thing is from a marketing perspective one would not include tax and other fees ie. shipping etc.. built into the advertised cost of a product.. If he wants to pay cash or an instrument theroff then he wouldnt presumabley incur that fee.. The word scam means dishonest and un reputable.. Thats kinda unfair to say.. The seller doesnt know what form of payment the customer would use.. Otherwise he may have priced it for CC purchases. Anyways 300 hours would be uncomfy.. It probably needs a nice overhaul as they said .. my 2 cents