Buying a M3 from KEH?

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fbf

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I see some of the M3 SS listed in Keh selling for 5xx$ in bargain conditon and I just talked to a representative from keh, he says there are "some" m3 with serial number above 1mil available there. So, my question is that is it worth to buy one from keh and then get a CLA somethere or should I just wait here and evilbay to hope for a decent deal? :rolleyes:
All opinions are welcomed.

btw. is there any ds m3 with serial number above 90k or more? I actually thought the ds is more durable and robust than the ss one. not sure if it is true though.


Chris
 
KEH bargain condition is in all actuality near perfect especially their rating on bodies. I'd trust KEH over ebay any day of the week, however the best quality camera is most likely going to come from here. But if you don't want to wait....and 500 bucks is a superb deal....don't worry about KEH...their rating system is extremely conservative.....something with a scratch the size of a hair for them makes it go to ex-.
 
Some KEH BGN bodies have dings, some are very clean.

You can always return to KEH, easily.

Plan for a CLA in any case, Youxin Ye does a great job on the M3.

Roland.
 
As long as you get a live body to go over the camera before you pull the trigger you will be fine. I have got some stuff from them over the years and it's always come much better than they said. I got a trashed Nikonos that has cost me more than I thought to get back into great shape (good working order). It was an inside problem that no one saw. The father was over in the service and so I did not want to return it (they needed the money).

If I were you, KEH is the way I would go.

B2 (;->
 
I have done many purchases from keh before (usualy lenses with bargain grades), and I have never had any problems. But then I searched this forum, and it seems like more than 3 or 4 people had problems with leica bodies from keh. That kinda making me hesitated.

Roland, I have actually just talked to Youxin on the phone yesterday, a very nice guy indeed.
 
Mine came yesterday...sn 864xxx...double-stroke. It was "BGN" and for the first time in a number of orders from KEH, I was a bit disappointed in the condition. There is a very noticeable "ding" on the door of the body. True to their word, the ding in NO way will affect the performance of the camera. It's just that it is there.

In the past I've bought at least a half dozen cameras from them, always in BGN condition, and have had to search for the blemishes. This is the first one that the blemish is so obvious on.

But, if I order another one tomorrow, it'll be in BGN condition.

BTW...how does one contact Youxin Ye?

dc3
 
DeeCee3 said:
Mine came yesterday...sn 864xxx...double-stroke. It was "BGN" and for the first time in a number of orders from KEH, I was a bit disappointed in the condition. There is a very noticeable "ding" on the door of the body. True to their word, the ding in NO way will affect the performance of the camera. It's just that it is there.

In the past I've bought at least a half dozen cameras from them, always in BGN condition, and have had to search for the blemishes. This is the first one that the blemish is so obvious on.

But, if I order another one tomorrow, it'll be in BGN condition.

BTW...how does one contact Youxin Ye?

dc3
Click to expand...

That's what I am worrying about... I know the exchange policy is great, but you will still have to pay for the s&H.

The phone number is [FONT=&quot]781-830-9141 and he works in the daytime so you'd better call him after 5pm.

Chris
[/FONT]
 
And to answer Chris's further question, yes, DS M3's exist with serial numbers higher than 9nn,nnn. Mine, for example, is serial number 902,nnn and it is a DS. I've forgotten now exactly when the change to SS occurred but it was something like 915,nnn or thereabouts (and if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will chime in here).

-Randy
 
vrgard said:
And to answer Chris's further question, yes, DS M3's exist with serial numbers higher than 9nn,nnn. Mine, for example, is serial number 902,nnn and it is a DS. I've forgotten now exactly when the change to SS occurred but it was something like 915,nnn or thereabouts (and if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will chime in here).

-Randy
Click to expand...

Thank you Randy. I am kinda in favor of the ds version but I believe it's relatively harder to get a ds m3 with a high serial number.

btw. is yours for sale? :D

Chris
 
Used to be the KEH person on the phone would fetch the exact item and answer questions about dents and dings; I don't know if they would spot a cloudy finder or misaligned RF. It's worth calling and asking. My transactions with them have always gone well but most have been for Nikon stuff.
 
DeeCee3 said:
Mine came yesterday...sn 864xxx...double-stroke. It was "BGN" and for the first time in a number of orders from KEH, I was a bit disappointed in the condition. There is a very noticeable "ding" on the door of the body. True to their word, the ding in NO way will affect the performance of the camera. It's just that it is there.

In the past I've bought at least a half dozen cameras from them, always in BGN condition, and have had to search for the blemishes. This is the first one that the blemish is so obvious on.

But, if I order another one tomorrow, it'll be in BGN condition.

BTW...how does one contact Youxin Ye?

dc3
Click to expand...

Hi Dee,

I don't want to post his email (robots, etc), PM if you need it please.
He is very responsive by email. Youxin might be able to replace the
M3 back door for you cheaply, too.

I have bought many BGN items from KEH. Even though they rate
conservatively, there usually is a reason
for their rating, like slight haze in a viewfinder or lens, generally
worn lens bodies, etc.

Best,

Roland.
 
fbf said:
Thank you Randy. I am kinda in favor of the ds version but I believe it's relatively harder to get a ds m3 with a high serial number.

btw. is yours for sale? :D

Chris
Click to expand...

Sorry, Chris, but I wasn't planning on selling mine. Besides, I've probably got too much into it (specialized Lugi case for buddah ears, neck strap, wrist strap, etc.) for you to want to buy it. But I'll let you know if I change my mind.

-Randy
 
The thing to remember about BGN is that it's basically anything that doesn't make the (high) cut for EX. Some are almost EX (very clean), others are exactly as described. Also, I don't think that KEH grading takes account of viewfinder fog or similar issues, which is perfectly fair, but something to be aware of. Last time I asked them to get a specific body in hand they told me they weren't really doing that any more, but that may have been the specific sales rep rather than a change in policy.

SS vs DS - remember that a lot of DS M3s have been converted over the years.
 
I never hesitate to buy bargain items from KEH. In fact, I would say that I pretty much only target their bargain items. They grade very conservatively and have never let me down.
 
I lucked out with my BGN M3 from KEH:

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I was looking specifically for a body in the S/N range 854,001 - 915,250 which (per Sartorius) would be DS with the later "standard" shutter speed progression. My sales rep at KEH took the info on what I was seeking and called me back the next day with three candidate bodies from the warehouse. He checked each one out and recommended the one I bought. It proved to be a good'un!
 
I am so jealous of you, Ken...
I talked to one of the reps and he said there is No way to know the serial# since they are all stored in the warehouse. I guess I will try to call them back tomorrow...

Chris
 
I have have bought several lenses from KEH as Bargain and even lower graded,and each item turned out to be beautiful.
 
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