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Dealings with Adorama
Jan 25, 2018 07:20:04 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
davidp wrote:
Has anyone had any dealings with Adorama? Thinking of trading some old equipment for a new camera and just wondered if they are trustworthy?
Yes, they are trustworthy, but, you will get about 50-75% more for your stuff selling yourself on Ebay, here, or Craig's List. Your money, your choice.
Jan 25, 2018 07:27:08 #
I give high marks to Robert's in Indianapolis. That is mostly because I've visited their store and met their extremely helpful staff.
My suggestion would be to visit a brick and mortar store nearby and have them appraise it. Just don't feel insulted when they tell you it is worth a lot less than you think it is. They will notice that scuff mark you can't see. They won't look at the $1,000 you paid; they will look at what they can sell it for. It costs a lot more to handle, appraise, and stock your one item than it does to order several units that will sit in square boxes in the back room until sold.
My suggestion would be to visit a brick and mortar store nearby and have them appraise it. Just don't feel insulted when they tell you it is worth a lot less than you think it is. They will notice that scuff mark you can't see. They won't look at the $1,000 you paid; they will look at what they can sell it for. It costs a lot more to handle, appraise, and stock your one item than it does to order several units that will sit in square boxes in the back room until sold.
Jan 25, 2018 07:30:54 #
I get prices from all of the reputable ones; used photopro, mpb, adorama and b&h. It’s like trading in your car, they’ve got to make money when they sell it and provide a warranty.
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Jan 25, 2018 07:47:36 #
jeep_daddy wrote:
They are a good company, but like all companies that take camera gear in trade, you don't get much for it. You'd be much better off selling it private party on eBay or Craigslist. But if you are willing to take about 1/4 what it's worth, then trade it.
Adorama is one of the 3 or 4 "Nation Wide" companies that I would trust to buy or sell high end equipment to. They are (not in any particular order) Adorama, and B&H somewhat for selling used equipment to but I mainly purchase new from them, and Cameta Camera. I tried to buy a camera strap from Sammy's Photo, it seemed like a simple online purchase, but after they took my order, and I waited 3 or 4 weeks for it to ship, I canceled it and got it from B&H 3 days after I purchased it. B&H was $3 higher. If you are interested in purchasing and or selling used equipment, you might also look at KEH. Keep in mind that no one is going to offer you top dollar as they have to be able to sell it as used later for a reasonable profit, so selling it yourself might be the best choice.
Jan 25, 2018 07:48:50 #
peterg
Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
davidp wrote:
YesHas anyone had any dealings with Adorama? Thinking of trading some old equipment for a new camera and just wondered if they are trustworthy?
Jan 25, 2018 07:49:01 #
Jim Bob wrote:
I recently ended up selling a lens to KEH after first sending it to Adorama. KEH offered almost $100 more than Adorama. Although I have been an Adorama customer for over 2 decades, because of this event, in the future I will first look to KEH to sell equipment.
Water under the bridge, however, if you'd requested an estimate from KEH first, Adorama's used department would have matched or beaten it....
Jan 25, 2018 08:05:05 #
HelenOster wrote:
Water under the bridge, however, if you'd requested an estimate from KEH first, Adorama's used department would have matched or beaten it....
Might be "water under the bridge". But if you are not careful, that bridge may be burned.
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Jan 25, 2018 08:07:17 #
Joe Blow wrote:
I give high marks to Robert's in Indianapolis. Th... (show quote)
Agree. And n the case of my local store, they are required to hold it for 30 days (to check the police reports of stolen gear-a good thing). Of course if you bought it from them— this is not required....
Jan 25, 2018 08:07:25 #
The one thing you have to remember is that in anyone that takes trade-ins, the name of the game is profit. You're better off using an auction site like eBay or a Facebook classified site to get closer to what you think your item might be worth.
Jan 25, 2018 09:17:56 #
jeep_daddy wrote:
They are a good company, but like all companies that take camera gear in trade, you don't get much for it. You'd be much better off selling it private party on eBay or Craigslist. But if you are willing to take about 1/4 what it's worth, then trade it.
I checked with B&H, KEH, and Adorama and all were similar in offered price. Retailers are in business to make money, so they have to have some profit in a deal. They do not generally offer one thing online and change it when the equipment is sent in. If you are accurate in descriptions, they will generally give you that amount when they see it. I generally got 25% of original cost, but would not have received much more selling by myself, depending on the age and condition. Age is a significant factor, as well as desirability in a current market. If you have kit that has little appeal in todays market, don't expect much for it.
All the companies I mentioned can be considered honest, and it is just up to you if you want one type of risk over another. Just be realistic...
Jan 25, 2018 09:33:06 #
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Jan 25, 2018 09:48:53 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
Just remember that ALL THE STORES are buying to resell and will be less than if you sell directly.
Jan 25, 2018 09:57:25 #
Most recently, I have used Cameta Camera to sell my used equipment to, and it was in connection with a purchase. In each case, I was able to negotiate a bit more on the trade since I was making a purchase. In each case, I used on line quote tools of Cameta, KEH and Roberts, and Cameta and KEH were always close, Roberts offering the lowest value, and Cameta usually a few dollars more. Others may have had different experiences, but these are mine, for what they are worth.
Jan 25, 2018 10:25:32 #
I trust Adorama explicitly, have done so for 20 some years. I seldom buy new camera equipment anywhere else. I will mostly deal with KEH for used equipment.
Jan 25, 2018 10:51:36 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
davidp wrote:
How do you find out what your equipment is actually worth?
You check places like eBay, KEH and B&H and Adorama used department just to mention a few.
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