lucianj

Has anyone sold their used film gear to one of the big stores like B&H or Adorama?

I have used both for the purchase of new gear since 1977 without any problems or disappointments.

About the only use I have for my medium format gear is a history lesson in class. So I've decided to try and sell it. Would it be worthwhile to send it to B&H or Adorama?

Quixdraw Loc: x

B&H, Roberts, others, here at UHH. Some years ago I sent a lot of gear to Adorama - offer was very low, had them return it. Three pieces sold through a local camera shop brought more than they offered for boxes of good Nikon stuff. Just my experience. Retailers do require a healthy margin to stay in business.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I've got at least $5,000 in MF gear and at current value its worth a couple hundred at most. I chose to keep it in my closet at this rate of return. Mamiya 645 (not AF) with three lenses and a small pile of accessories. Best of luck

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's a good way sell. I sell everything on eBay. First, do a search for what you want to sell. Then click on "Sold items" down the left column. You will see what similar items have sold for.

For example, the Nikon D5000 -
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=nikon+d5000&_sacat=31388&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

henryp Loc: New York, NY

You can begin the process here: https://bhpho.to/2lP86MY

vonzip Loc: cape cod

mpb. Fair prices and they pay for shipping, vz

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

You will most likely get better money selling on eBay or right here on the Hog. I have sold on the Hog but sometimes it takes a while to find a buyer. I have also sold to B&H a couple of times. Quick, easy, no hassle, but, you will almost certainly get a lower price.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I have gotten quotes from them, but ending up selling on eBay ( made about 5 times the quotes)!

cascoly Loc: seattle

I've sold mostly on ebay & amazon - had some tire kickers here, but no sales.

advantage on first 2 is protection for buyer & seller

johnst1001a Loc: West Chester, Ohio

i sold through Amazon. you get a list of other identical items and can price accordingly, i sold a lens valued around $800. lowest price on list was $775, so i listed for $750 and it sold same day. may have given no a few bucks if i listed a bit higher but i wanted it sold. Amazon handles the money side, you get paid pretty quickly, i believe as an Amazon credit. Amazon provided shipping label, i paid for packaging and shipping which wasn't that much.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

B&H and Adorama both are businesses, designed to make a profit. You will not get much for your gear.
If you want to know what it is worth, go to ebay, look up your gear, and in the left column, find "sold for" and you will find what you can expect to get for your gear.
I always sell on Ebay, have done so for over 10 years and have had great experiences. I get about 50-75% more than selling it to B&H or Adorama. Yes, you pay for a commission, but it is about 10%. Plus I use paypal for all of my dealings there.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Don't expect to much, I had KEH & Adorama quote me on roughly $10,000 worth (to me) of gear a couple years back...a couple Nikon F2A Photomics and a bunch of glass. $700 was the top dollar offered, It's now on display in my family room. Looks good under glass.

JDG3

I have sold and traded gear in several ways - ebay, Craigslist, local stores, flea markets, B&H etc.

Craigslist is worthless, people call saying they are definitely interested and then never show up, I was almost scammed once when someone gave me a fake cashiers check. ebay is about as bad and their rules and fees make it almost not worth it. Have not used local stores very much since they are few and far between and are usually small mom and pop stores with little incentive to invest and stock used gear.

My best experience has been B&H. I know they price their trade in prices on a healthy profit margin for them but that is business. You can get the quote on line, ship it to them and they usually pay the shipping. I am different I guess from others, I do not keep outdated or obsolete equipment around just because I think they are paying too little. In my opinion it is only going to go lower in price the longer you keep it so why clutter your house up with it. Once I decide to sell or trade, it's gone.

I recently decided to trade in all my Nikon gear and go Sony. I contacted B&H one day and shipped it all out the next day. I had my new Sony gear within 10 days. No hassles.

Nikon1201

KEH , very fair

Carnpo Loc: North Carolina

What do you have?