Which is BEST? (Page 2): Absolutely correct. I've bought a bunch of stuff from Adorama and B&H, personally developed a relationship with one of the sales people at Cameta (Long Island...

jeffhacker Loc: Dallas, Texas

jerryc41 wrote:

Sorry, but you're not going to get a good answer. If someone buys dozens of items from all those companies you mention, he will have a basis to form an opinion. I bought one lens from KEH - perfect transaction. I could have bought from another seller and had a bad experience, but that doesn't mean that other seller was bad.

All the dealers you mention have very good reputations, and for good reason. Decide what you want, see who has it in stock, check shipping prices.

Absolutely correct. I've bought a bunch of stuff from Adorama and B&H, personally developed a relationship with one of the sales people at Cameta (Long Island - I fear they're shut down now, I don't know if it is permanent) and loved them. But if you're buying name brand equipment (i.e., Cannon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Olympus, etc.) those are all "Fair Trade" priced so the price is the same wherever; if you've got a good full service camera store in your area you might try them as well. They charge the same and can often give you a better hands on experience in the process.

Canisdirus

They are all great. It depends on what you are buying. meaning...if you want brand new ...B&H or Adorama.
Used...I prefer KEH, but the other two are the backup.
I have found Adorama packages a lot of good gear with their high end for little or zero money...they edge out B&H there.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

miked46 wrote:

I have had good luck with KEH and also MPB out of NYC and UK
www.mpb.com

Another kudu here for www.mph.com

Customer service and return policy is excellent, but more importantly, for both buying and selling, I have never seen them bested by anyone. Highly recommended.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

tca2267 wrote:

I know that lot's of you have used these....I would just like to know "which" you feel is the "BEST"
for both used and new cameras....lenses and gear.

Which had the best "return" policy?

Roberts......B and H........Adorama.....Keh

Thanks

All of the listed merchants are reputable and and make good business partners. B&H had decided to take the low road on the sales tax issue and may experience future problems with govt. agencies but they are still worth doing business. B&H, Adorama, and KEH seem to rate their gear lower than it actually is, and most customers seem to enjoy the fact. I have received pieces from each that could have passed for new. Never had a problem returning anything to them. Adorama went out of its way to make a deal with me "right".

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

tca2267 wrote:

I know that lot's of you have used these....I would just like to know "which" you feel is the "BEST"
for both used and new cameras....lenses and gear.

Which had the best "return" policy?

Roberts......B and H........Adorama.....Keh

Thanks

They are all very good, and I’ve used them all. In general, I prefer to use B&H so I don’t have to pay tax. I have their PayBoo credit card and it works fine.

gwilliams6

Adorama and B&H are super, I have used them for decades as a pro. Never used KEH, but it has a good reputation. Never used Roberts. For my favorite mom and pop dealer I choose Allen's Camera https://allenscamera.com/ Allen's Camera is my absolute favorite for new and used gear, also the favorite of Jared Polin "Fro-Knows"

Canisdirus

47greyfox wrote:

Another kudu here for www.mph.com

Customer service and return policy is excellent, but more importantly, for both buying and selling, I have never seen them bested by anyone. Highly recommended.

it's www.mpb.com

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

tca2267 wrote:

I know that lot's of you have used these....I would just like to know "which" you feel is the "BEST"
for both used and new cameras....lenses and gear.

Which had the best "return" policy?

Roberts......B and H........Adorama.....Keh

Thanks

I have used Adorama and B&H and have been eminently satisfied with both.

For some purchases I used a local source to help local businesses. Since I lived in MA I bought stuff from Hunt's Photo Video and would recommend them also if you are near one of their stores. (Alas, I have moved out of the area).

dick ranez

Take your pick - they're all good experienced retailers. No "best", just good!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I've been dealing with B&H and Adorama for 30 or more years. (Remember when you chose gear from the many pages of ads in the back of Shutterbug or Popular Photography magazine?)

Many good transactions over the years... they're still my main "go to" for new stuff. One major screw-up... I won't say exactly who or go into details, but they jumped through hoops to make it right.

I've also bought from Beach Camera and Hunt's. Good stuff.

For used stuff, I've had a number of positive transactions with KEH.

Some years ago I bought a brand new camera through Lensrentals.com, too! I don't know if they still sell new stuff. But they do sell off their rental stuff periodically, though I've never bought any from them. (Note: they are very thorough about maintenance and sell things before they get too old... so probably some good deals.)

More recently I've had several purchases from Roberts... vintage/collectible gear through their used dept.

I've also made several purchases... both new and used... from Henry's in Canada.

Vintage and collectibles I've bought a number of things from Pacific Rim Camera (in Oregon, if memory serves).

MPB.com looks interesting, but I haven't made any purchases from them yet.

Locally...

I really, really miss Keeble & Schuchat (Palo Alto, Calif.), who closed a year or two ago. What as great store that was!

Gasser's Photo (San Francisco) was another excellent store that closed and I really miss.

Dammit.... Kamera Korner (near San Jose State Univ.), a jam packed "old school" store , is gone too.

The folks in all three of those stores lived and breathed photography!

I've had a couple online purchases from Cameras West in Walnut Creek. Sometime I want to visit that store, to check it out. From their web site, it looks good.

Some other local shops.... I won't mention by name or ever patronize... are still in business somehow.

gasstro Loc: Indiana

Roberts works good for me as I'm local. Always a positive experience buying and selling!

Bill_de Loc: US

tca2267 wrote:

I have dealt with these three without any issues.

B and H........Adorama.....Keh

As for B&H we go back to when they were working out of a loft.

In the past few years I have also been buying Nikon gear from Amazon. They are also an authorized dealer with fast delivery, and 5% back on my credit card. That can add up.

---

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

MPB.com...they send u a shipping label etc for fedex...drop it off ur done....immediate response...KEH a close second

Zyphod

I have used three of them, and been pleased each time, accurate descriptions of condition, and saved a significant amount over new.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

47greyfox wrote:

Another kudu here for www.mph.com

Customer service and return policy is excellent, but more importantly, for both buying and selling, I have never seen them bested by anyone. Highly recommended.

I think you mean:

www.mpg.com