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Jul 16, 2020 10:50:19   #
NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State
 
I use KEH mostly ( D7000, lenses) but have also used Adorama and B&H. They are all reputable and give excellent sales support. I don't like eBay as much since there are no guarantees and I've had to return items that were not as described.

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Jul 16, 2020 11:04:31   #
GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl
 
B&H.com, Adorama.com, MPB.com& KEH.com...I never consider E~Bay...Amazon is very iffy

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Jul 16, 2020 11:06:38   #
uhaas2009
 
B&h, adorama, robertscamera are safe to buy used. I bought some equipment from pawnshop. I learned when it’s a Nikon error, abuse or screw me over deal.......the best advice I have is to read eBay review.....the 75-300 5.6-6.3 VR the focus engine broke( Nikon error) I got it fixed and was lucky they but a way better engine in than the original. A darn good working lens today........

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Jul 16, 2020 11:08:23   #
drobvit Loc: Southern NV
 
AutoISO wrote:
I often see the suggestion “see if you can find a good used copy” referring to lenses, bodies, tripods etc. Would appreciate any and all suggestions as to where are the best places to find good used equipment.


B&H, Adorama, KEH, MPB
All carry used gear and are all reputable.

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Jul 16, 2020 11:11:07   #
FL Streetrodder
 
All my camera gear with the exception of my tripod and monopod was purchased used and has never given me any problems. This allows me to put only new parts and accessories into my two collector cars!

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Jul 16, 2020 11:40:06   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
burkphoto wrote:
https://www.keh.com
https://www.mpb.com/en-us/
https://usedphotopro.com
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Used-Equipment/ci/2870/N/4294247188
https://www.adorama.com/Used

These are recognized by many here as top tier used photo equipment dealers. If you peruse all their sites' inventories, you'll likely find what you want, unless it is rare or in high demand. Read their return policies and used equipment warranties carefully.

Generally, I've never found much of a difference between a highly-rated used item and a new one. Sure, there is no *manufacturer* warranty, but someone else has taken the depreciation "hit" on the item's value.

Then there's the "bathtub curve" of product failure — Most products that fail will do so during the first days of use, or at the end of a long, useful life. If you graph the failure rate over time, the curve looks like a cross-section of a bathtub... Gently used gear typically has a very low failure rate.

Also consider refurbished gear from the equipment manufacturer's site.

Be sure to check the current selling price for a NEW item before purchasing used. It's rare, but occasionally, a sale will price a new product at or below the price of a used one. Especially towards the end of a product's market life cycle, manufacturers drop the price dramatically to clear the inventory and make shelf space for a replacement item. If the product meets your needs, it is a particularly good value, since the "bugs" in the firmware have been swatted, features have been added via firmware updates, and the product has been refined mechanically for optimum stability. It's like buying the last model year of a car... Reliability is likely to be as good as it gets for that generation of design.
https://www.keh.com br https://www.mpb.com/en-us/ ... (show quote)


You forgot Hunt's Photo, a name very familiar to New Englanders. They have Brick and Mortar stores, support local camera clubs and the like, and their pricing is always fair. I check them even before the others in your list - they may have a smaller inventory, but they're great to deal with.

https://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/promotions.cfm

Andy

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Jul 16, 2020 11:53:25   #
epd1947
 
AutoISO wrote:
I often see the suggestion “see if you can find a good used copy” referring to lenses, bodies, tripods etc. Would appreciate any and all suggestions as to where are the best places to find good used equipment.


Some legit places:

B&H Photo
Adorama
KEH.com

There are others as well - the ones I mentioned have decent return policies (in case you are not satisfied with your purchase) as well as provide reasonable warranties for the equipment purchased. I would avoid buying used gear from individuals, especially on sites like EBAY, Craigslist, etc. While many people are honest about the gear they are selling some are not - and if the gear you buy works initially but fails a few weeks later you are usually on your own for repair - not so with a good retailer.

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Jul 16, 2020 12:01:09   #
Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana
 
quixdraw wrote:
Roberts Used Photo Pro https://usedphotopro.com/ No enormous difference from B&H or KEH, but the best I've used by a whisker.


👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

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Jul 16, 2020 12:51:02   #
MikeFast
 
I have been super happy with ebay.

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Jul 16, 2020 13:26:09   #
rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA
 
When looking for used equipment, patience is key! Many people seem to lack patience nowadays; when they decide they want a particular used lens or camera, they want it immediately. And they then end up either overpaying or giving up the search entirely after only a short period.

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Jul 16, 2020 13:34:02   #
Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA
 
Almost all my electronics and camera gear are from ebay. If you know what you are buying and doing (look at the description carefully, make sure it says the item is working in good or excellent condition, buy from top rated sellers who don't have any negatives - other than maybe a trivial comment, avoid sellers with weasel words like they haven't tested the item) you can get some great bargains on ebay. And if the item is advertised as working in excellent condition, and isn't, Paypal will refund your money, including a postage paid return label. It's not unusual to get a used item for 30% to 70% less than new list prices. I research the item with reviews on B&H and Amazon, then search for the item on ebay from a top rated seller to make the purchase.

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Jul 16, 2020 13:37:40   #
Quixdraw Loc: x
 
rook2c4 wrote:
When looking for used equipment, patience is key! Many people seem to lack patience nowadays; when they decide they want a particular used lens or camera, they want it immediately. And they then end up either overpaying or giving up the search entirely after only a short period.


Absolutely dead solid advice! You may miss something occasionally, but watching and waiting will usually get better price for the same condition and item.

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Jul 16, 2020 13:42:25   #
MikeFast
 
Bobspez wrote:
Almost all my electronics and camera gear are from ebay. If you know what you are buying and doing (look at the description carefully, make sure it says the item is working in good or excellent condition, buy from top rated sellers who don't have any negatives - other than maybe a trivial comment, avoid sellers with weasel words like they haven't tested the item) you can get some great bargains on ebay. And if the item is advertised as working in excellent condition, and isn't, Paypal will refund your money, including a postage paid return label. It's not unusual to get 30% to 70% less than new list prices. I research the item with reviews on B&H and Amazon, then search for the item on ebay from a top rated seller to make the purchase.
Almost all my electronics and camera gear are from... (show quote)


I agree 100%

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Jul 16, 2020 13:51:36   #
cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast
 
I can say I have had excellent results buying used gear from B&H, Adorama, mpb.com and KEH. And I got a good price selling a lens to KEH.

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Jul 16, 2020 15:04:17   #
Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio
 
AutoISO wrote:
I often see the suggestion “see if you can find a good used copy” referring to lenses, bodies, tripods etc. Would appreciate any and all suggestions as to where are the best places to find good used equipment.


Mpb. I bought my d500 with less than a thousand clicks and box manuel and all the trappings. Looked new with a year warranty at the time. Normally 6 months.

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