Would you buy a lens off of ebay?

In my previous question, I said that I need a new lens for my Nikon D50 and pointed out some of the specifics of what I'd like… Someone mentioned the Nikkor 18-200mm VR lens, and I've read reviews and almost everyone is extremely happy with it, and it seems great for what I want to use it for. I don't have the money to buy it new, since it's like $800 or so new. But I see them on ebay going for around $400-500. Since my mom was going to replace the faulty lens anyways, and christmas is coming up, I'm thinking of asking for this as an early christmas present from both my parents. But I'm not going to ask them to spend $800 on my christmas present this year, no matter how amazing the lens is supposed to be! So I'm wondering if you guys have had any experience buying a lens off of ebay? Do you think that might be a good option?

Make sure you get like a 30 day return policy just invase! I always make sure no matter what I get off ebay it has that option! EBay is a good site to order from just make sure you go through pay pal so that way if anything happens they will take action! I love eBay I always order phones off eBay! I haven't had a problem so far!

I buy electronics on ebay. Use a reputable store with a high customer satisfaction rating and be sure it can be returned within a reasonable time (30 days.) Also, try to buy from the US. China is cheaper, but it's easier to resolve a problem with a US seller.

I bought my AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR off ebay for $850.00 (It costs $1050.00 retail) and am very happy with it. Check out the seller and make sure he has good reviews, a high rating and some kind of return or follow up process.

A novice spending $800 on a lense is a mistake, just saying. They love it because they can afford it and justify having it by their skill, their job, and their income. If you think by getting the big boys toy you'll be one step up, you might be disappointed. Question is, are you going to be doing the same kind of shoot that the pros and serious photographers are doing with that lense?

An item of $800 value going for 400-500 has to be suspicious. So I looked on ebay. There's one for $400, but reading the details, there's dust inside the lense and the VR does not work. There's another for $477, it has a lot of wear on the barrel and nearing the end of its life. The one for $483 looks best out of the 3 I looked at.

It is always a risk to buy used items off the internet. I do not buy used gadgets online that are over $200. At that price, it is an investment and worth paying a little more to have a new item that will last longer and comes with the manufacturer's warranty. I can take that risk because if I bought a bad lense, I still have my other 2 to work with. If you bought something that breaks after 2 months, do you have a backup to fall back on?

The second mistake in buying a used lense is you'll have no warranty. Its used life is already shortened, and in a novice's hands it does not justify the price. I'm not a fan of putting all your eggs into one basket when there are so many options that are cheaper and just as good. Well that's just my opinion, peace.

Yes I have bought several.

Just buy from a reputable seller who will accept returns if it is dfective.

Edit:
@«imagi» I disagree with you on so many levels. First, the 18-200 is not one of the "big boys." I doubt any pro would consider buying this lens. It is designed for the serious amateur/hobbiest, which sounds like the asker. A serious 200mm lens is going to cost $2500 or more.

Second when you buy a used lens, you expect it to be about 20-30% cheaper than new, so $500 would be perfectly in line for this lens.

I don't agree with <imagi> either. The lens is not a 'pro' lens but a good consumer lens (I have one, but it's not as sharp as my primes).

I have bought quite a few lenses off eBay - I always go for sellers with 100% feedback, I don't buy out of country and I pay using PayPal. I look at previous feedback to see if there are consistent issues with delivery/quality of goods. When the lens arrives I test it out within a day or two. So far I have not had any issues with lenses, but with other (faulty) goods I have been able to get a refund on sending the item back. The only dispute I had to raise was with an item bought from Hong Kong & that was resolved successfully via PayPal.

I often buy lenses off Ebay.
I have no idea how to buy a lens off of Ebay.