How to Prepare for the Video Call Condition Check When You Sell by Courier

How to Prepare for the Video Call Condition Check When You Sell by Courier

September 13, 2026

When you sell a camera to us by courier, nothing is packed until we have seen the camera working on a video call. That call is where the price is agreed. It is also the part of a courier sale that sellers feel least sure about: what do they want to see, how close, and in what order?

This guide answers that. It follows the same list we use for every courier sale, explains why each item is on it, and gives practical tips so the call is short and there are no surprises when the parcel arrives.

Why the video call matters to you

The video call replaces the check our agent does in person at a doorstep pickup. It protects both sides:

• The price is agreed after the check and before you send anything, so the conversation about condition happens while the camera is still with you.
• When the parcel arrives, we open it and match the item with what we saw on the call. The remaining 10% of the price is paid after that match. The first 90% is paid in advance, before your parcel reaches us.

So a clear call is the best protection you have. Anything you show properly on the call cannot become a question later.

Before the call: a five-minute setup

1. Charge the battery fully. You will need to show the camera powering on and firing the shutter. We do not buy dead cameras.
2. Find good light. Daylight near a window is best. A dark room hides scratches and makes the call longer.
3. Clear a table and lay out everything you are selling: body, lenses, box, charger, battery, bill and bag.
4. Use a second pair of hands if you can. One person holds the phone, the other handles the camera. It is much easier than holding both.
5. Wipe the camera and the lens glass with a dry cloth, so marks you are asked about are real marks, not dust.

What to show, and how

This is the list we ask every courier seller to show. It is the same sequence our agent follows at a doorstep pickup.

The front of the camera

Hold it straight on, with the lens attached, so the model name is readable. Then turn it slowly so the grip is visible.

The back, with the screen on

Switch the camera on and show the screen lit. Tilt it slightly so we can see scratches on the screen surface. If the screen flips or swings out, move it through its range.

The top plate

Show the mode dial, the shutter button and the hot shoe from above.

The base, with the serial number

Turn the camera over and hold the serial number label close enough to read, and keep it steady for a few seconds.

The sensor and mount, with the lens removed

Switch the camera off first. Remove the lens with the camera pointing down, so dust does not fall in, and show the mount and the sensor or mirror for a few seconds. Do not touch or wipe the sensor. Put the body cap or lens back on straight after.

Powering on and firing the shutter

Switch on and take two or three photos so we can hear and see the shutter work. If the camera has autofocus, half-press first so we can see it focus.

The information screen

Open the camera's information or status screen. This is the same screen our agent records at pickup. You do not need to know your shutter count, but if your camera shows one, it will appear here or can be read later. Our shutter count guide explains more.

The lens and accessories you are selling

For each lens: show both ends of the glass, ideally with a phone torch shining through, and turn the zoom and focus rings. Then show each accessory: box, charger, battery, bill and bag. Our guide on checking a camera lens before selling tells you what fungus and haze look like, so you can mention them before we find them.

Be upfront about faults

If there is a scratch, a sticky button or a mark on the glass, point to it on the call. The price is agreed after the check, so a fault shown on the call is already part of the price. A fault that first appears when the parcel is opened is what causes a problem. The condition grades on our price form are Flawless, Good, Average and Below Average; choosing honestly before the call keeps the figure close to your online quote.

After the call

1. Pack only the items you showed on the call. If a spare battery was not on the screen, it should not be in the box.
2. Pack it well: memory card out, body cap and lens caps on, each item wrapped separately in bubble wrap, the original box inside a stronger outer carton, empty space filled.
3. Take a few photos or a short video while you pack, for your own record.
4. Book the courier. The charge is shared half-half, and the courier details are confirmed with you before the parcel is sent.

The full step-by-step, with the packing list, is on our sell by courier page. If you are still deciding, read is it safe to sell a camera by courier.

Who uses courier

Anyone outside our pickup cities. We offer free doorstep pickup in cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, and walk-in stores in Delhi, Pune and Chandigarh. Sellers in cities like Lucknow, Patna, Guwahati and Dehradun can read our guide for those four cities. Popular courier models are the same as everywhere: entry DSLRs such as the Nikon D5600 and mirrorless bodies such as the Sony ZV-E10.

Related guides: Selling a Sony FX3 or FX30: What to Check Before You Sell

Frequently asked questions

How is the price decided in a courier sale?

You check your price on the model page first, and the price is agreed with you after the video call check, before you send anything.

Do I need to know my shutter count for the call?

No. You show the information screen on the call; the count is not required to sell.

What if my camera has a scratch I did not mention online?

Show it on the video call. The price is agreed after the check, so it is taken into account before you pack.

When is the remaining 10% paid?

After the parcel arrives and we have opened it and matched the item with what we saw on the video call.

Ready to start? Check your price on your model's page, or send one photo and we will identify the model: get an instant photo quote.