gilpen123
Gil
I buy from Adorama mostly new items and now I want to get an EX condition item. How would you rate their rating? This is digital RF thus I need to be more careful. Thanks.
Adorama Used
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sanmich
Veteran
Optimistic
gilpen123
Gil
So an EX may be a KEH BGN?
sanmich
Veteran
No idea frankly, and don't get me wrong, they are not bad guys.
I once received a DR Summicron rated as Ex+ or whatever definition that included perfect glass was. It arrived with a scratch and a few spots of coating marks. The defects were small, and the deal was good, so I kept it (they offered to send it back) but I now know that their inspection can be iffy, and I would not buy from them from outside the US any old item for which the inspection is very important to me.
OTOH, I also had items returned to KEH...
Sometimes it's better to deal with reliable, small dealers from whom you can get detailed information on your gear.
gilpen123
Gil
I did send them an email asking if the RF is aligned and if they have some actual pics. They replied, RF aligned and that's it.
sanmich
Veteran
IMHO, that only means that someone checked the camera when they bought it.
I wouldn't count on a very deep inspection though.
My guess is that they are ruling out big problems and then count on the customers to return the few problems they missed.
Again, it may work for you if you are in the US. If you are not, it's an entirely different story..
DamenS
Well-known
I have not used them before, but have read through enough forum posts (many of which were set up to specifically discuss Adorama's Used Dept "practices") to suggest Adorama have certainly had problems in the past with their Used department descriptions and return policies. In these same threads, people used to point out "KEH" as the antithesis of Adorama, and people who described the goods in an ultra conservative fashion (the condition of the actual goods being far better than described).
batterytypehah!
Lord of the Dings
Their used equipment comes with a 90 day warranty so I don't quite understand what the hand-wringing is all about.
Also, Adorama's customer representative is an occasional poster here and has helped members with used equipment issues in the past.
Also, Adorama's customer representative is an occasional poster here and has helped members with used equipment issues in the past.
Steve M.
Veteran
I've never had any issues returning an item to them. The problem is, in every instance, what they've sent me has either been substantially not as described, or was not the item that I ordered.
Personally, I quit buying from them, B&H, and other large East coast photography stores years ago for a lot of reasons, and usually buy from KEH and Freestyle if I need something I can't find on the auction sites or here. Life is better now.
Personally, I quit buying from them, B&H, and other large East coast photography stores years ago for a lot of reasons, and usually buy from KEH and Freestyle if I need something I can't find on the auction sites or here. Life is better now.
gilpen123
Gil
I'm not from the US though I buy all my used and new from there. So far never had issues of return due to items not as described. I bought from KEH, BH and RFF used items. This time I see what I'm searching for at Adorama and I'm very much tempted to get it but the item is known to have alignment issues when mishandled. Actually the item is an RD1x at Ex condition which may be gone by the time I decided to go for it.
HelenOster
Established
All used units rated D, V, E+, E, and E- now come with a 6-month warranty - which does include a 30-day returns period. Lower ratings come with a 90-day warranty.
For actual photographs of units advertised on our website I'm right here: Helen@adorama.com
Giant Ginkgo
Established
I've bought a bunch of new and used equipment from Adorama over the years, and only had problem with one camera body.
Last year my wife and I went to Adorama, and purchased a lovely black Nikon FE body, which was in excellent condition - nothing seemed out of whack so we bought it and left the store. Upon loading some film in it, we discovered that the ISO dial was loose, and wouldn't lock. So we promptly turned around, walked back into the store, and ended up getting a full refund on the spot after they confirmed what we'd found. It wasn't worthwhile to them to fix it, and they didn't have any other FE bodies at the time.
Their customer service was excellent, there wasn't any hassle (other than trying to steer us to the FE2, which doesn't work with the old NAI lens....) and we continue to purchase equipment from them. In this case we walked over and ended up getting a better deal at B&H for a similar body, with slightly more wear.
That being said, I've only ever bought used equipment when I can personally check it out in the store, I hate dealing with the hassles of returning things by shipping.
Last year my wife and I went to Adorama, and purchased a lovely black Nikon FE body, which was in excellent condition - nothing seemed out of whack so we bought it and left the store. Upon loading some film in it, we discovered that the ISO dial was loose, and wouldn't lock. So we promptly turned around, walked back into the store, and ended up getting a full refund on the spot after they confirmed what we'd found. It wasn't worthwhile to them to fix it, and they didn't have any other FE bodies at the time.
Their customer service was excellent, there wasn't any hassle (other than trying to steer us to the FE2, which doesn't work with the old NAI lens....) and we continue to purchase equipment from them. In this case we walked over and ended up getting a better deal at B&H for a similar body, with slightly more wear.
That being said, I've only ever bought used equipment when I can personally check it out in the store, I hate dealing with the hassles of returning things by shipping.
batterytypehah!
Lord of the Dings
Helen, that's great, but I checked the website just before I posted. First off, the only warranty info I could find was hidden in the FAQs, and secondly, it only said 90 days.
You may have heard this before but the website is simply terrible.
You may have heard this before but the website is simply terrible.
I Love Film
Well-known
If you're talking about the R-D1x, I've seen it and tried it, and it looks like new. I might buy it myself.
If you have questions, call them and ask for Andy.
If you have questions, call them and ask for Andy.
slowbicycle
Established
gil, i'm another one who has tried it out in store. having an R-D1 myself, i was pleasantly surprised to see it last week and had to check it out. from what i could tell it was in clean shape and the rangefinder was spot-on. hope that helps.
gilpen123
Gil
Great thanks I'll check if it's still there.
Thanks Helen for posting in this thread.
Thanks Helen for posting in this thread.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
First off Adorama has an unconditional return policy, so in this manner buying from them is just like KEH, but I have to agree that their rating system can be loose at times. I have seen gear represented as excellent that was not, but I also have benefited by getting exceptional gear that was underated. The same can be said for B&H.
I live in NYC so I frequently do fly-bys to personally inspect anything I purchase. Over the years I have gotten good/great deals. Returns are easy for me and never a problem. BTW the great deals sell fast. Check frequently.
Cal
I live in NYC so I frequently do fly-bys to personally inspect anything I purchase. Over the years I have gotten good/great deals. Returns are easy for me and never a problem. BTW the great deals sell fast. Check frequently.
Cal
I Love Film
Well-known
I personally disagree with all the crybaby complaints about Adorama.
When you buy used, everything isn't always perfect, even if it has been inspected. You have to expect the occasional problem.
95% of the time the stuff is excellent. People like making mountains out of molehills.
When you buy used, everything isn't always perfect, even if it has been inspected. You have to expect the occasional problem.
95% of the time the stuff is excellent. People like making mountains out of molehills.
gilpen123
Gil
Ordered the item already. Thanks guys for the help. hope it is what it should be.
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One of the ways I also judge a company is how well they fix problems. Problems occur, it's a fact of life. A lot of companies have changed over the past five years, some not for the better, a few IMHO have gotten better. Having Helen out there answering questions and reaching out to people has made me move Adorama from a ok place to buy from into my short list of place I would send my sister, sons, mother or friends..
B2
B2
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