photobizzz
Speak of the Devil
Sorry ya'll, just got worked up. I deleted the thread, thanks for your support and now I have a few offers for a Canon 7! Thanks!!
Deleted the KEH thread
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Tuolumne
Veteran
Don't worry. It happens to the best of us.
/T
/T
photobizzz
Speak of the Devil
Yea, I do like their gear, just pissed me off that I didn't get an email or phone call to say that they didn't have the camera I ordered, 5 days later I had to call them. Normally it wouldn't have been a big deal but I am about to go on vacation and move to Alaska, and for sure don't want to miss those photo ops! I am sure I will buy from them again in the future.
ethics_gradient
Well-known
Without trying to start a fight, I've had a bad experience with KEH myself (OM-4 came with battery drain issue, wasted $30+ on a $120 camera between batteries and shipping both ways). If you check reseller-ratings there are plenty of dissatisfied customers. Aside from that bum transaction, the other things I've bought from them have generally been alright, but I definitely check everywhere else first before I deal with them.
maddoc
... likes film again.
I have bought once from them ... a 50mm Summicron Rigid (BGN rating). Focus barrel was partly loose, focus stiff and heavy worn. They agreed to exchange the lens and sending me another copy but I had to pay shipping costs for returning the lens, sending the second lens to me and twice import tax to Japan.... :bang: Altogether it added $100 to the original price... :bang:
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
Interesting. Ive only had one trans I can recall and I returned the lens as not acceptable. At least they took it back. They have a good return policy.
Tuolumne
Veteran
I've never had a problem with them. Conservative ratings, good service. I always buy at least "Exc" quality. If you go below that problems may increase, but that's just speculation from me.
/T
/T
kermaier
Well-known
I've purchased a couple dozen things from KEH over the past year or so, and the success rate is about as good as eBay. Selection is great and return policy is no-hassle (unless you buy something graded UG), but quality on average is no better than any other online seller and worse than some.
Their condition grading has become a lot less conservative of late. For example, I bought a Summaron 35/2.8 graded EX condition for $750 -- top dollar for that lens. It turned out to have focus action that was stiff in some spots, rough in others, oil on the diaphragm blades and haze in the front element group. Sure, all that could be taken care of with a $100 CLA, but for that price and that condition rating, it should have been in much better shape, IMO. I returned it, no trouble, but it was an annoyance and waste of shipping costs.
The main problem, I think, is that items are graded quickly in large volume at the warehouse, and the sales staff never sees the physical objects they're selling. There's no possiblity of asking detailed questions about the item or its condition before purchase. In the old days, you could reliably assume that a lens graded KEH BGN would be as good as something rated EX+ on eBay -- no longer, I'm afraid.
All that notwithstanding, I'm perfectly happy to buy smaller accessories, caps, hoods, etc. from KEH, which tend to work fine even if cosmetics aren't what I'd hoped.
::Ari
Their condition grading has become a lot less conservative of late. For example, I bought a Summaron 35/2.8 graded EX condition for $750 -- top dollar for that lens. It turned out to have focus action that was stiff in some spots, rough in others, oil on the diaphragm blades and haze in the front element group. Sure, all that could be taken care of with a $100 CLA, but for that price and that condition rating, it should have been in much better shape, IMO. I returned it, no trouble, but it was an annoyance and waste of shipping costs.
The main problem, I think, is that items are graded quickly in large volume at the warehouse, and the sales staff never sees the physical objects they're selling. There's no possiblity of asking detailed questions about the item or its condition before purchase. In the old days, you could reliably assume that a lens graded KEH BGN would be as good as something rated EX+ on eBay -- no longer, I'm afraid.
All that notwithstanding, I'm perfectly happy to buy smaller accessories, caps, hoods, etc. from KEH, which tend to work fine even if cosmetics aren't what I'd hoped.
::Ari
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
I did buy a Makina 67 handle for $33 that are going for $150+ on ebay. I'll provide good ratings.
JohnTF
Veteran
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I have seen them buy $70K at a small show in one day, they are evidently dealing with a significant amount of material, but I hate the shipping price shuffles that sometimes occur with just about any company.
My good friend lives in Atlanta, and has the advantage of lurking about. ;-)
I bought a 9+ Fuji Folder from NY once, the front had a large ding with a dab of paint, so it takes a bit of time to find out how some places grade.
Of course, the bad stuff really sticks in the memory.
Regards, John
My good friend lives in Atlanta, and has the advantage of lurking about. ;-)
I bought a 9+ Fuji Folder from NY once, the front had a large ding with a dab of paint, so it takes a bit of time to find out how some places grade.
Of course, the bad stuff really sticks in the memory.
Regards, John
palec
Well-known
I have bought only once and it was spot meter which turned out to be not working after 5 minutes and with scratch on the lens. KEH accepted the return and refunded the price, but I have lost on shipping which they do not refund outside US even it was not my fault that the meter had not been as described.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
I'd love to have a KEH-like shop over at my side of the big puddle, I'm stuck with eBay all the time when trying to buy something interesting. There's a number of shops selling second hand Leica, but The Netherlands are notoriously expensive on Leica gear. Dutch customs slap me with import taxes on anything outside EU, real dealbreaker 🙁
Usually, when selling on something Leica, I lose money. It's buying and selling other stuff that makes me a slight profit, so I can at least buy some of the stuff I love.
Usually, when selling on something Leica, I lose money. It's buying and selling other stuff that makes me a slight profit, so I can at least buy some of the stuff I love.
