lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

I was browsing the KEH offerings for something in a walk around zoom with a little better range than the 35-80 I've been using on my Pentax K20D when I came across a Tamron 28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 Aspherical LD IF. Condition was listed as UG (ugly). Cost was $20. For $20 I can do ugly as long as it works (it's AF, all my other lenses of this range are manual only). With shipping it came to a little less than $28. You can hardly buy lens caps for that, but I thought what the heck and placed the order.
It came today and once again KEH has absolutely confounded me.
The lens is far from UG, it's BEAUTIFUL!!!! I can't find a mark on it. All the printing on the scales is perfect. The glass is spotless. There are no scratches or marks on the mount. Even the little red dot is perfect.
I've only tried a couple of shots with it and at both ends of the range the focus is tack sharp. Okay, 67 year old eyes that need bifoc's probably have a different definition of tack sharp, but really, it's good.
I'm speechless (but obviously not typeless).
I bought the K20D from KEH, too. With it and this new lens, I have a really nice DSLR camera for just a few bucks over $200.
I'm pretty sure I'm a KEH customer for life.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

That’s what I’ve come to expect from KEH. Great place for buying used.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I recommend to my friends about KEH, and they tell me stories that are similar to yours. Good Customer Service is always appreciated.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

KEH is a good source for used equipment. I fave bought several out of production Nikon lenses from them and have never been disappointed.

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

You and a bunch of other people, including me.

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

I have never been disappointed with anything I have ordered from KEH. One camera body was advertised as sticky, which I found to be true but with alky-hall, a rag and some effort I was able to remove that.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

I also saved a lot of money and was quite nicely surprised with the 400mm lens I purchased from them recently. Not a scratch on it and the lens case looked as though it was never used........go for it.

ggab Loc: ?

I don't understand why KEH shows lenses with a price range, yet when you click on the lens perhaps only one lens is available. It is always at the top of the price range, even if it is a BGN item or as in the example below multiple items are available in the middle of the range.

For example, Canon 300mm f/4 L IS USM listed range is from $278.00 to $1349.00. When I click on the offerings I see prices from $648.00 for BGN to $849 for EX+.

leftj Loc: Texas

Don't you know that at KEH UG means Unusually Grand!

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Ggab - since KEH has such good prices on used equipment, their lowest price items, move pretty quickly. The Canon 300mm f4 L IS USM sells for $1349 brand new. When you asked to see the Used ones, that's why the $1349 lens was dropped out. The one that went for $278 - obviously "went" and the KEH web folks had not yet had time to update.

ggab Loc: ?

AH, so it's poor inventory feedback to their eCommerce Site.
This is something that the most rudimentary sites with inventory control have automated.
Inventory updates are not done manually in today's online world. I assumed better.

Thanks for the info.

ggab Loc: ?

Sorry, I'm not buying it.
I just went to the site and searched lens.
My criteria were:
Canon
F/2.8
Prime
Bargin
Ugly
As Is

I got 20 lenses with again, quite a range of prices and quality ranges. None that had Ugly or As Is and 16 that actually show "out of stock". Why have search criteria, if it is not accurate?

While I do not know this to be true, I believe they provide the price range and inaccurate search criteria so people searching low price will at least look at what they have to offer. The hope is that the actual price will be close enough to a max price a buyer will deal with so they get a sale.

While this is frustrating, I don't believe it to be illegal. I find it to be a frustrating marketing practice.

Anyway, they are good from a customer service perspective. I have never had an issue with anything I purchased.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

KEH is small … not like Amazon, or, even - B&H. But, then, B&H gets a whole lot more for used equipment.

You roll with the punches … accept worse web inventory management, and pay a whole lot less, or pay a whole lot more, and then see automatic inventory updates … your choice, Ggab …

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Ggab - my feeling is that the "ugly" lens Isaguy managed to get for twenty bucks - was already sold, by the time he made his order, so they substituted a more-or-less perfect lens, to avoid the complication of false advertising. KEH wants to establish long-term relationships with its customers, and doing things this way will guarantee repeat business. KEH is gaining a lotta respect for its business practices, Ggab ….

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

I second all the nice comments regarding KEH - good outfit.