Red6

That is certainly not my experience. I have sold AND purchased equipment from KEH and have had excellent experiences with them every time. Much of my equipment over the years has been purchased from KEH.

When I sell used equipment I always go to at least 2-3 websites for estimates and then go with the one that returns the best offers. Sometimes the offer will go down when they receive it but usually not much. But that happens with all the used dealers not just KEH.

Red6

Now there is a place I do NOT trust. Had a close friend who purchased what he thought were some quality hand tools from an ebay seller. What he received was a box of worn-out screwdrivers. When he tried to get a refund the seller had left ebay or renamed his business.

This seems to be pretty common on ebay now as I have read of other scams happening. No, no more ebay for me.

capmike Loc: New Bern, NC

Lots of replies, some of excellent interest, far too many discussing people (me) thinking my used gear is worth more. That was never in my post. I have no idea what it is worth, only what I paid for it, and what others (KEH) are selling it for ($ 900). I only know what they "quoted " me, a number I accepted, and then what they "offered" me, a substantially different number. That by itself could be understandable, IF they had given a reason. Speaking in person over the phone, no such reason could be given.

I too have had good transactions with this company , IN THE PAST. I simply have posted my current results of dealing with them, and to let everyone know, something has changed at KEH.

Take it for what it is worth.

CM

joemcl1

Thank you for sending the link.
Joe McL

Jack56 Loc: Florida

KEH has a network of buyers who travel around the country to purchase used cameras and gear. Try to find out when a buyer will be in your area for a face-to-face transaction.

You bring your cameras and gear to the appointed location. The buyer evaluates everything and makes you an offer. If you accept the offer, the buyer will write you a check then and there. Easy-peasy.

I recently sold a large quantity of cameras I had accumulated/collected over the years and received a nice fat check in exchange.

ken.toda

Yes, agree with had done business with KEH, They were once the biggest USED camera dealer in the world. I bought quite few things from them as prices were very fair and reasonable. But we must realized camera technology and used market has been changing. As a small independent dealer broker operating repair shop, ALL micro processor control gears are gong away or price to nothing. The reason is, they can not be repair or restore by human. My motto is I only deal with "THINGS WORK W?O BATTERY". Yes, mechanical hand made cameras and lenses. Noticed, how p/c can not be repair or rebuilt after several years of use? Is there collectible p/c that appreciate its market value? Camera equipment is originally made function without "BATTERY" (some light/exposure meter, which are not image making device). Noticed Leica and Hasselblad prices are still going up. Yes, they are like famous ROLEX watch. Very precision hand made machine today while digital cameras are no longer true camera, rather computer with optical device built in. You must realized, a day after you buy modern digital imaging gears, what you paid id going down steep hill. I see AUTO focus film cameras are in dump, I think next ones are operating with BATTERY.

Chrisfarr

My experience selling equipment with them is just the opposite. Both times I got more money than they originally quoted for my used Sony gear. I rated it "good"; they rated it "excellent" and paid accordingly. I'd have no hesitate both buying and selling from them again.

tgreenhaw

I think the market is changing quickly these days. I develop software for the retail industry and am seeing some dramatic shifts, especially with resale channels like eBay.

I sold my Canon 5Ds recently and although I didn’t get what I hoped, I feel lucky that it found a good home.

Ichiban365

Let me echo what the original poster said: it is all about RECENT experiences. I always had good luck buying and selling from MPB. But earlier this year I got a quote from them on a Sony video camera. I sent them the camera, and they emailed me saying that they did not deal in that model - their web site had substituted a different model number from what I had entered and quoted for the different model. They sent the camera back, missing the instruction manual and one of the two microphones I had sent them. When I contacted them, they refused to investigate the missing items unless I sent them a copy of my driver's license and a recent bank statement. Neither of which they needed unless they planned to sell the information to criminals. They used to be pleasant to deal with, now they are just downright nasty.

I did post here about my experience and got the usual responses about how great they are and how it is all my fault. All I can say is that companies change, the industry is changing, prices and profits on used gear are down, so look at RECENT experiences and reviews before making a decision.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I seldom sell any of my gear. It's not that I am a hoarder- the issue is, by the time I am through with most of it, it has virtually disintegrated. When I do sell somethg that is still intact and usable, I sell it privately.

I don't know the inner workings, ownership, management, or policies of many of the popular buyers like KEH but I realize there are, at the end of the day, retailers, not users. They have to buy equipment at "wholesale" rates so they can add a reasonable markup and earn profits. So, we become their "wholesalers".The same thing goes for the camera stores and trad-ins.

We get less money for any given item but we do not have to spend time and effort to advertise, list the equipment on buy and sell websites, etc, and deal and bargain with potential buyers. We send in the gear away and get a cheque! You pay for the convenience!

I was fortunate. When I sold off all my old medium-form and large-form film gear, the was a good neice market a the time so I did OK.

I understand why the OP is upset. Wahtever the dealer wants to pay they should put forth an HONEST quote up front- no monkey business, thereby giving the seller options in advance.

My local dealer is 100% honest. He will advise me the leave unwated gear with him on consignment. He will get more money and split the profits or take a known percentage determined in advance.

It is sad when supposedly reputable buyers begin to act like "hock-shops"!

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I have bought from KEH many times, But I think that used photo pro is much better. I really like MPB, and B&H is another great source.
I have found that MPB and Used Photo Pro have the best prices. They are my first choice, first and second. I almost never got to KEH anymore.

Just Shoot Me Loc: Ithaca, NY

Agree completely. They did the exact same scam on me. 2 lenses in original packaging with B&H proof of purchase, and they dropped 200 bucks off of their original offer after 3 weeks time. I told them to send them back also.
Ron

Jeannie88

I just sold a bunch of ear to KEH and what they are giving me is far less than the estimate, But I really don't want it back, so just accepted, But it is a lesson learned

Jeannie88

I just sold a bunch of ear to KEH and what they are giving me is far less than the estimate, But I really don't want it back, so just accepted, But it is a lesson learned

capmike Loc: New Bern, NC

Just received my lens back today. On the upside, it is my lens, with everything I sent returned. Now posted in the For Sale section, then off to B&H.

Mike