Questions about Item Numbers

[norma_lyl]

I am looking for a camera and although a lot of them have the same image of the product, the Item Numbers are all different!. Does that means that they are all different items with the same picture?

[wooden_flower]

Yes, each item # should be a different item.  It is possible that the sellers are using a stock photo, which is common when selling new items.  Used items should always show the actual item being sold.

I have seen posts about multiple sellers listing the same guitar out of Japan, but never about cameras.

[eburtonlab · Accepted solution]

If different item numbers use the same picture, that should mean that the items are different.

Some of those listings may be from different sellers using the same stock images. Some may have their own inventory, while others may be drop-shippers that have items shipped to customers directly from a wholesaler.

Some of the sellers may be brokers that intend to buy the item from a third party if someone buys from them; some sellers may be scammers that intend to ship nothing. A look at the seller feedback should provide an indication of which is which. Brokers are often registered in Japan and have high feedback for similar transactions, possibly with a few negatives for cancelled transactions where the broker was unable to obtain the item in question before it was sold to someone else. Scammers tend to have little or no feedback for selling similar items, though some may have some feedback for selling cheap trinkets like keychains.

Good sellers tend to stick around for a long time and build up a good track record; scammers come and go quickly.