KEH ratings

[Pfreddee]

I'm not sure where to post this, but since I'm looking to buy an SLR, I'll put it here.
KEH has a number of grades for the cameras it sells. I'm curious about the Bargain rating. Does this mean that the case's appearance is rough, but the innards are fully functional?
Thanks to all who reply.


Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[rulnacco]

I'm a long-time KEH buyer. A Bargain lens from KEH will *not* look rough, at all. You will probably notice some signs of use, but almost everything I have bought from them in "Bargain" condition is the kind of thing that some Japanese eBay sellers would describe as "Near Mint ++++". Plus, they have an *excellent* return policy.

Buy Bargain from KEH entirely without fear. It'll probably look better than you expected. And if it doesn't, or there is any other problem with it, returning it for a full refund (or exchange) is entirely hassle free.

We're lucky as aficionados of older cameras that we have a business like KEH, which actually under rates a lot of its gear, whose prices are generally quite reasonable, and whose customer service is absolutely top notch. I've been buying from them for nearly 25 years, and they'll continue to be my go-to spot for as long as I'm still shooting, if they keep up the standards they've always demonstrated.

 

[Mackinaw]

I've had good success buying bargain-grade cameras and lenses from KEH. Cosmetically they show minor use, and mechanically/optically are in great shape.

Jim B.

 

[Bingley]

I agree with the replies above. One more anecdote: some years ago I clicked on “new arrivals” on the KEH website and saw a bargain grade Leica M2 for a very attractive price (about $550 USD if memory serves). I grabbed it, and when it arrived I was amazed at what good condition it was in. The chrome was in beautiful shape. There were a few pieces of vulcanite missing from the cover, but in time I had the camera recovered anyway. I’ve had similar experiences in the years since. KEH’s grading policy is still pretty conservative and their return policy is still excellent.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

I will chime in with a wholehearted confirmation of the above posts. Believe me, if every business conducted itself with the integrity and honesty of KEH, the world would be a much happier place!
Buy "bargain" from them with complete confidence. I do.

 

[rumbliegeos]

I have bought quite a bit of equipment from KEH and had experiences as described above until a transaction earlier this year. I ordered a Bargain grade Nikon digital slr as a gift for a relative. When it arrived the on-off switch could barely be moved, so I sent it back. The next one they sent looked heavily used, you know with a ton of hand polish. I checked out the shutter count with Opanda and found out it had very high mileage; something like 170,000 actuations. So, I sent it back and the next one they sent worked fine and its shutter had plenty of life left (in theory). They are still great with exchanges but the grading is not so predictable.

 

[x-ray]

I’ve been a customer since they opened their doors and mostly had good luck but in recent years had some bad luck. The issues I had came around the time King Grant sold the business.

The most notable was a 400 f3.5 AIs Nikkor in EX condition that was totally worn out mechanically and looked it. Also there were two major circular scratches in the front element. They were circular and went about 80% around the circumference of the element. One scratch was quite deep.

I returned the lens with no issues.

 

[splitimageview]

I have bought all varieties from AS-IS to EX and LN, they have all been conservatively rated. The AS-IS was a Contax SLR that simply was missing its original leatherette (which on this model is usually deteriorated/disintegrated anyway.) In all other aspects it looks unused and works perfectly.

Recently bought a GoPro which turned out DOA, they shipped a replacement overnight to a nearby fedex office while I was on vacation.

Can't go wrong with keh.

 

[Pál_K]

I think KEH went through a rough period when they were sold, people left, and new people were hired. Since then, they have improved.

Generally I’ve had good luck - I always buy EX or better. One disappointment, which they can’t really be blamed for not noticing, was a camera which appeared pristine but the frame counter wouldn’t go much beyond 24. Another was a rangefinder with a slight upward bend and separation in the top plate assembly - visible once it’s pointed out, but a neophyte wouldn’t notice it.

The only bad experience was a “like new” rated item which was not only beyond ugly when it arrived, it didn’t work either. It looked like someone had dragged it along a gravel road for a few miles. Even so, I would’ve kept it had it worked. I called KEH, described the problem, sent photos of it (with serial number), plus the plastic KEH bag (with serial number and “like new” rating. The accepted it back, refunded me, and I was told they had a meeting inside KEH to discuss and correct how this happened. So - much credit to them for handling this the proper way. In my long experience employed with high-tech companies making consumer products, problems are always going to occur - it’s how you handle it and help the customer that counts. So KEH does it right.

My last item, a few months ago, was rated EX+ and when I received it, it was like new - like it had never been used. So I was happy to get that and it reinforces the notion they grade conservatively.

 

[Canyongazer]

KEH buys at a lower price, sells at a higher price compared to some other venues.
Nevertheless, I still deal with them.
To me, no hassles and peace of mind make them worth the "premium."
and, as others have pointed out, their grading system really favors the buyer.

 

[rulnacco]

I agree with the replies above. One more anecdote: some years ago I clicked on “new arrivals” on the KEH website and saw a bargain grade Leica M2 for a very attractive price (about $550 USD if memory serves). I grabbed it, and when it arrived I was amazed at what good condition it was in. The chrome was in beautiful shape. There were a few pieces of vulcanite missing from the cover, but in time I had the camera recovered anyway. I’ve had similar experiences in the years since. KEH’s grading policy is still pretty conservative and their return policy is still excellent.

Keeping an eye on the New Arrivals is definitely a good strategy. A bit over a year ago, they had a chrome Hasselblad 500ELX come in, which they listed in Excellent condition. And it coincided with a 10% off sale. Yes!

I snagged it for a measly 300 bucks (a bit less actually with the discount), and it arrived looking practically brand new, with front and rear caps, 9V battery adapter, and late-model self-erecting finder in place. (Try finding a Blad on eBay nowadays at a reasonable price where the seller hasn't taken off the finder and flogged it separately.) It had the original-style CM screen, not the acute matte, but it came complete and ready to use (most eBay sellers also take out the bloody screen, too, particularly if it's an acute matte).

So yeah, they'll frequently have excellent bargains in there, and you've got to jump on them quick, cos they won't stay long.