A warning about buying Gear from MPB.com. Stay away HORRIBLE COMMUNICATION. And Lies (Page 4): A few transactions over the last 3-4 yrs. - all have been as advertised or looked new...

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

A few transactions over the last 3-4 yrs. - all have been as advertised or looked new, and for a couple items I traded in it was a crisp/clean/quick (and I'm in Florida), no surprises. I don't do trade ins anymore, as I can do better selling outright - I'd rather have all the money than split it with any vendor. All items have been price locked once ordered, no surprises, packed well, delivered fairly quick considering a 1,000 miles w/free shipping. Have never had to return an item to them, KEH and UsedPhotoPro(Roberts) have both had several items returned to them, but they are no problem to deal with, no complaints on either.

If there were an MPB in Florida, I'd certainly drive to the store, rather than ship everything 14 (28 both ways) miles. Why place your gear into the shipping quagmire to go 14 miles, I'd re-think that next time. And if a transaction seemed off, I'd certainly drive/cab/uber the short trip..... Note, a trip to an actual camera store (a real store and not some hole-in-the-wall/fly-by-night) in Florida - from where I live is a major excursion........14 miles, I should be so lucky..............

Re-think your methodology next time. My $.02

BebuLamar

whatdat wrote:

I was wondering the same thing. Would seem much easier & less time consuming.

The OP tried but the MPB only deal thru the web not in person.

Bison Bud

I had some issues with a recent used camera purchase from MPB and I have to admit that their communication and customer service is pretty bad. They don't even list a customer service phone number on their website which probably should have been a hint prior to purchase! Anyway, I will state that in the end they did right by me and the purchase, but it took 6 weeks from my initial purchase and many attempts to communicate with them to get it done. Frankly, I'm not sure I'd go back to them again and would have to want something really bad to even consider it if there were any other options. Good luck and good shooting to all.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I have bought 6 items from MPB. One of the items shipped from the UK to the USA. Generally all merchandise arrived better than advertised. MPB does state on their website that what you see is what you get and if it isn't written on the description you dont get it i.e. original box, lens caps, etc. Luckily I have received a couple of lenses that came with expensive filters still intact, extra pieces (bonus!) on a macro package, etc. The one time I did need to communicate with MPB regarding a sale clarification, they emailed me in a prompt fashion and were very honest and did what they said they would do to correct the situation. I have never sold anything back to them but all my purchases have been better than good or like new quality. I wouldn't hesitate doing business with them again. I have had same luck with Samy's Camera in Pasadena, CA and Adorama as well as B&H. Luck of the draw sometimes.

Dwiggy Loc: Dunedin, FL

donie95 wrote:

I tried using the web first. Then when I did get n... (show quote)

First of all learn to communicate well. Your notes here are misspelled, etc. MPB has been nothing but professional in my dealings with them…always delivered what was expected. Never had a problem. Perhaps your impatience and expectations are too high…most places are slow today due to under staffing and remember they do deal in “used” equipment!

walkurie Loc: East Stroudsburg, PA

Sorry for your difficulty. I've purchased and sold multiple cameras & lenses with MPB. Only service/communication issue was in December 2021 after Christmas. Otherwise, no problems.

V2volk Loc: St. Louis area

Interesting thread for me. I have done business selling stuff to them several times including recently. I have never had an issue to be very honest however this last transaction was indeed quite slow I thought. In their defense I relieved an email stating they were moving part of the operation and there were delays because of this. They did pay me exactly as we agreed but just slower this last tomfoolery the equipment evaluation.

Hip Coyote

So far this is a discussion on peoples’ experiences with no solutions. Those are
All immaterial because the facts are different in your case. It’s like when a dog bites someone and people say, “he never bit me!” Well, we’re not talking about the instances he did not bite, we’re talking about the instance he did. I gave you a strategy that might work. So far that is all is see. Either enact a strategy or hope they make good.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

rook2c4 wrote:

I'd be far more surprised if there actually was customer service at MBP.com! When I think of MBP.com, I imagine a huge warehouse with a minimal, low-paid staff - barely enough people to keep up with receiving and shipping stuff out. A constantly ringing phone no one has time to answer, emails piling up, etc. Keeping prices low usually means keeping operational costs low. And performing adequate customer service costs money.

Lets stick to fact rather than imagination.

turp77 Loc: Connecticut, Plainfield

donie95 wrote:

To be fair I first want to say that the Camera I purchase was as described new condition and that was the only thing that was correct. However I did purchase it at the same price as I could have from anyplace else. $2895 not the $2695 that it started at when this debacle began over 1 month ago. I had decided to trade three cameras I had and finally go mirrorless. I am a Nikon guy and and I decided for my budget and shooting a Z7II was what I wanted. I wanted something Used and I wanted to trade at the same time. However non of the usual suspects I deal with Adorama, B & H, or KEH had a non Gray market Z7II. Along comes MPB, they have one if fact more than one listed on the website. I try to call and find out if any are USA models. No return call so I email after a week I get an answer. They have one for $2695 near new and it will cost me $650 plus my gear to buy, I tell the I want it. After several Hours and finally a call to figure out how to print a label to send my gear. Its done and off to them. I live in Staten Island NY, their US store is in Brooklyn NY which is 14 miles from my home. Days go buy and many phone calls I cannot get a confirmation that they have my stuff. Finally after 10 day they I get a email that they need my address to process the order I answer the email immediately. They say the have everything now and should be able to process the order. 4 days go by no email i call and email everyday. No return call no email. Finally I get an email with a confirmation and price. For what every reason they are charging $200 more for the camera. No explanation as to why. It was now $2895 which is what everyone is selling new ones for in my area. I was not going to suffer thought saying no and having to wait forever for my gear to get back to me. I just Bought the dam thing. Sorry for the long winded story but I has to get off my chest. I could have summed it up by just writing MBP CAMERAS STAY AWAY TERRIBLE COMMUNICATION AND POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. Oh and they gave me a battery charger with no plug

To be fair I first want to say that the Camera I p... (show quote)

I’ve made many purchases from them and never had any issues. I feel they are as good as KEH, B&H and Adorama for used gear

leftj Loc: Texas

donie95 wrote:

To be fair I first want to say that the Camera I purchase was as described new condition and that was the only thing that was correct. However I did purchase it at the same price as I could have from anyplace else. $2895 not the $2695 that it started at when this debacle began over 1 month ago. I had decided to trade three cameras I had and finally go mirrorless. I am a Nikon guy and and I decided for my budget and shooting a Z7II was what I wanted. I wanted something Used and I wanted to trade at the same time. However non of the usual suspects I deal with Adorama, B & H, or KEH had a non Gray market Z7II. Along comes MPB, they have one if fact more than one listed on the website. I try to call and find out if any are USA models. No return call so I email after a week I get an answer. They have one for $2695 near new and it will cost me $650 plus my gear to buy, I tell the I want it. After several Hours and finally a call to figure out how to print a label to send my gear. Its done and off to them. I live in Staten Island NY, their US store is in Brooklyn NY which is 14 miles from my home. Days go buy and many phone calls I cannot get a confirmation that they have my stuff. Finally after 10 day they I get a email that they need my address to process the order I answer the email immediately. They say the have everything now and should be able to process the order. 4 days go by no email i call and email everyday. No return call no email. Finally I get an email with a confirmation and price. For what every reason they are charging $200 more for the camera. No explanation as to why. It was now $2895 which is what everyone is selling new ones for in my area. I was not going to suffer thought saying no and having to wait forever for my gear to get back to me. I just Bought the dam thing. Sorry for the long winded story but I has to get off my chest. I could have summed it up by just writing MBP CAMERAS STAY AWAY TERRIBLE COMMUNICATION AND POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. Oh and they gave me a battery charger with no plug

To be fair I first want to say that the Camera I p... (show quote)

Highly suspect story. 14 miles from your home? Why didn’t you just go to the store.

Hip Coyote

leftj wrote:

Highly suspect story. 14 miles from your home? Why didn’t you just go to the store.

Per others on this thread they do not have a walk in for customers. It would be like going to an Amazon warehouse trying to get a return on an single item. Not happening

MDI Mainer

Bison Bud wrote:

I had some issues with a recent used camera purcha... (show quote)

It looks like the customer service phone number has been replaced with a live chat service, which is fine with me. But the phone number is still listed with the warranty information. 646-513-4309

MDI Mainer

Hip Coyote wrote:

Per others on this thread they do not have a walk in for customers. It would be like going to an Amazon warehouse trying to get a return on an single item. Not happening

What I find amazing is the number of people who feel the need to pontificate about what to do, obviously without having read much if any of the thread.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

MPB’s service has diminished in the past year and at times I have been very frustrated with their lack of communication but they have delivered a quality lens or camera every time I have placed an order and they did so at an excellent price. I have bought, sold and traded with them and I recommend that you perhaps either buy or sell separately but not trade with them because the transaction seems to be much longer if you trade. I ranted about my frustration with them over poor, confusing and non existent communication a few months ago but other than Roberts Used Cameras I haven’t found any “used” on line store that competes with them on price and quality equipment. I would have been very frustrated with your situation. Sorry for your troubles.