Barn Owl

Don't think I have seen B&H mentioned as a dependable source to sell used equipment. Any rate, I called in my used 5D Mark III and talked with a used sales agent. I rated my camera as a 9 on a 10 point system. The 9 means the camera is 100% in working order but has a few scuffs. I was given what I thought was an estimate. No, if you agree to e-mail figure and request a prepaid Fed-X shipment form, that is considered a contract by B&H--unless B&H determines the rating of the camera by the seller is inaccurate. In my case, the rating was accurate. If you include extra booklets, batteries, and a charger in the shipment that were not discussed in the contract, you should have done so.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

I have found that mpb.com offers better prices when you want to sell some of your gear.

Almostageezer Loc: USA

Could you get more for it by selling locally, like CL?

Black Elk Peak

I am not sure where you are getting your info. This is the scenario:

1. I go to their site, enter the gear to sell/condition. They give me a initial quote an I accept.
2. They send me a mailing label.
3. I pack and send.
4. Upon arrival they determine the gear is worth less than the initial offer and send a counter offer.
5. i am not satisfied and request they return the gear.
6. They return the gear and pay the return postage (if in the USA).

They say to include accessories/manuals; return shipping is free.

Off their web site.
"This is a preliminary estimate for your equipment. Place quote to accept this offer.
We assume that the merchandise is in working order, and is supplied accurately with manufacturer's accessories including instruction manual(s).
Please understand that the figure(s) listed above are only an estimate. A conclusive trade-in price for any item can only be set after examination by one of our technicians. If we are unable to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement after inspection, we will return your merchandise, fully insured.
You will receive an email confirmation with shipping instructions if your gear passes inspection.
*Free shipping is available for the contiguous (lower 48) United States only."

Vaughan K.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

What place are you talking about? You didn't quote anyone, so don't know who you are responding to.

Black Elk Peak

Barn Owl. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Vaughan K

Barn Owl

Vaughan K., Thank you for your specific information about a trade to B&H. Those facts are what I had assumed until I called B&H Used Sales and talked with an agent. I told him that I wanted to discuss the price B&H was offering for my Mark III. Honestly, I did not think the payment was high enough. He told me in direct terms that I had agreed to the contract price when B&H shipped my Fed-X mailer to B&H. I told him I had understood that our exchange was open for mutual agreement, "No!" was the agent's response. The check has been mailed. As I understand it, B&H records phone calls. If someone at B&H were to call me, I could better verify what I am reporting is true. This is the first time in All my photography exchanges with B&H, after many years, that I felt I was not dealing in total honesty and courtesy.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

They are ok, but you cut yourself short selling to them, you be better off, selling on eBay!

William Royer Loc: Kansas

Have worked B&H on selling/buying used equipment several times. Never a problem such as described.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

This is good to know. I have never tried to sell used equipment to them. I have dealt with Adorama with fair results, but required negotiation, and I will probably not trade there in the future. Cameta Camera has been excellent on trades, as has been KEH. My experience is that both of these firms will give an estimate on line, have you send equipment in for final evaluation, offer a final quote based on evaluation, and then give you the option to accept or reject. If you reject their final quote, they will return all to you insured.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I just sold my 7DII to B&H a few weeks ago. I went through the quick and simple on-line estimate procedure, was satisfied with the offer and accepted it. B&H e-mailed me a copy of the estimate and a FedEx shipping label. Boxed it up, shipped it out, and they had it the next day. Simple and easy. Took a bit longer for the check to get here then I expected, but I got it last week and deposited it yesterday. The last time I sold them something, a couple of years ago, I asked for a store credit and got it almost immediately. Both times they honored the estimate with no questions.
During the estimate procedure you are asked to indicate what accessories you will be including. Battery, charger, cables, etc. Each one will make a small difference in the price quote.
I know, I almost certainly could have made more money selling by other means, which I have done in the past, but sometimes I just don't feel like being bothered with that. This was one of those times.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Pricing and ratings vary by vendor, I always contact at least 3 for an estimate, prior to doing anything. You will get (possibly) much more money privately, but there is more hassle. If you were not happy with the price offered, just walk away. I don't buy in to it being a "contract", or even an "implied contract", I love B&H but that sounds more like a hustle.

Even if it were somehow a contract, those can be mitigated. If you didn't do an electronic signature, or physical signature, it is not a "contract" by Florida law (Florida does not recognize verbal agreements as contracts, last time I checked into that, agreeing to a number and requesting a mailer doesn't sound like a legal binding contract). I don't know current N.Y. contract law, but that does not sound like a legal contract. Maybe someone from N.Y. can weigh in.

My contract experience comes from being a Contracts Writer/Administrator/Procurement Agent during my Military/Space Program tenure, although I've been out of the contracts arena for probably 14 years now.

So far I have found offer prices vary, and most of the biggies give you nothing extra for items beyond the body/battery/charger when I asked about that (but they will keep everything you send). Better to sell each item separately, rather than bundle.

I still love B&H, but I would have just walked from this one, if I wasn't happy with the offer.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Perhaps you spoke with an agent who did not know all the facts! Did you ask if he had authority to negotiate? If not, he should have forwarded your call to the right person. In all my dealings with B&H, they have always been forthright, helpful, and honest. Their estimates do feel low to the seller, but they are in the business of making a profit from merchandise they purchase. Everyone likes to sell high and buy low! This means that B&H has to find the right balance to ensure a good selection of desirable goods that they can sell at a reasonable amount below the new price and still make money on the deal. If they broke even, it would not be worth it to go to the trouble.

If you agreed with the offer, but changed your mind before sending the camera, all you needed to do was let them know. The online form does not appear to be a firm contract to which you are bound. After all, it is open-ended for them, so why not for you? Plus, the true acceptance of the offer is in effect only when you actually send them the camera!

Calling them after accepting their offer and asking for more was not going to get you anywhere! What you should have done is call before sending back the acceptance.

If you have not sent the camera, you can withdraw. If you have sent the camera, the rules are clear - you get either a new estimate or a check. With the new lower estimate, you can then reject the offer and they will send it back to you.

henryp Loc: New York, NY

I'd be happy to have the used dept manager look into this. Please email me - henryp @ bhphoto.com and include the used dept's transaction number.

tropics68 Loc: Georgia

B&H is my preferred seller no doubt. I buy from them whenever possible. However I would never sell anything to them or any of the other well known camera stores that buy used gear.

You will be far far better off to put it on Ebay at no reserve. It will be sold and in the majority of the cases for a lot more moola. Case in point. I purchased a lens from B&H last fall for $2000. I did not use it much so I called them to see how much I could get for it either in cash or trade in on something else. They offered me $900. That was about 45% of what I paid them for that lens just a few months earlier and they were the high bidder. To me that was an insult. I sold it two weeks later on Ebay and got $1500. Convenience may be nice but it comes with a huge price tag. In my case $600.00

Too rich for my blood.