How is KEH to do business with?

[CSG123]

Either the search doesn't work on three letter words or it's never been discussed here but I'm interested in getting an older M, either a 3 or 2 and like that they have a 14 day return policy and a 60 mechanical warranty.

Never owned a Leica M (I do have an unused C3) but grew up using rangefinders (Minolta 7sII and Olympus Pen). Anyway, I'd like to give an older Leica a try along with either a 35 or 50mm lens for B&W film.

Biggest concern is if and when it needs servicing based on what I read in this forum. Perhaps repair people are competent in that regard but I haven't read much positive regarding turnaround and/or communication.

I'd love to get the thoughts of you experienced owners not only on KEH but other dealers that will offer a fair price and warranty on a used M.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

KEH is great to do business with. You are not going to lose a dime with them.

 

[David R Munson]

Essentially, KEH is without question the best used equipment dealer I have ever dealt with, by mail or in person. I have been buying from them for more than 10 years and they remain the absolute first place I look when buying equipment. I cannot speak highly enough of them.

 

[not_in_good_order]

All of my experiences with KEH have been positive--buying and selling.

 

[kshapero]

In 25 years I have never had a problem.
Returns are fast and friendly and in my experience Bargain means excellent.

 

[JMQ]

I echo many of the comments made. I have bought from KEH many times. In all cases, their used equipment ratings are very conservative. I have also returned items several times because I changed my mind. In all instances, they take back the items with absolutely no hassles. I recommend KEH without hesitation.

 

[ray*j*gun]

KEH is BY FAR the best in every way. I bought a Nikon F from them and after 2 years I noticed a small screw had fallen out of the Photomic meter covering.....they found one for me and shipped it free... I mean WOW!!!

 

[leicashot]

1. They don't EVER have boxes with their Leica lenses.
2. They can't tell you specifically what the condition is like.
3. If they have 3 lenses they can't even compare them for you.

I've called them to ask about whether a particular lens had scratches on the glass or body only. They said they couldn't answer that question cause thats not the way they do business.

Dale Photo is one of the best when it comes to used Leica equipment and their service is fabulous.

 

[Gray Fox]

Monday I received a C/Y Yashica 28-80 ML lens I ordered this past Friday. It was listed as "bargain", but when I got the bubble wrap off it looked like any new lens I've ever bought--not a sign that it had ever been used. I mounted it on the Contax 137 MD I bought from Grayscale here on the classifieds the week before (and that deal went perfectly, BTW) and did my usual neighborhood walk around that I do to test lenses, film and cameras. What a lens! I have no 28mm zoom or fixed, including the one for my Contax G2 with less distortion. Oh, and the KEH folks on the phone put the service back in customer service. They should run seminars for everyone else I deal with. GF

 

[Argenticien]

Either the search doesn't work on three letter words or it's never been discussed here ...

Try this: http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=%2Bsite:rangefinderforum.com+%2BKEH
i.e., doing a search on Google using +site:Rangefinderforum.com +KEH
It avoids dealing with the search engine on this site (and its 30-second re-search limit etc.) and will probably be almost, but not quite, as up to date. In the case of searching for "KEH", we have a user by that handle here so posts by him may confound your results on searching for KEH the store, but generally using the Google works.

More on topic: +1 for KEH the store. I've received great product from them and had no FCIs.
--Dave

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Worst problem I had was buying a Nikon F3HP listed with a non-working meter.

They were wrong, the meter worked fine.

 

[Shac]

Buy with confidence and remember they have an excellent return policy - I have made many purchases with them. No problems.

 

[CSG123]

Wow! Thanks for all the quick responses. And leicashot, thanks for the referral to Dale Photo. I just got off the phone with Josh there and liked the personal touch and being able to discuss specific inventory.

 

[leicashot]

Wow! Thanks for all the quick responses. And leicashot, thanks for the referral to Dale Photo. I just got off the phone with Josh there and liked the personal touch and being able to discuss specific inventory.

Yes Josh and David Farkas are very knowledgable on Rangefinders and great to deal with. They also have very fair pricing on their used gear.

 

[Ken Ford]

Either the search doesn't work on three letter words or it's never been discussed here but I'm interested in getting an older M, either a 3 or 2 and like that they have a 14 day return policy and a 60 mechanical warranty.

Never owned a Leica M (I do have an unused C3) but grew up using rangefinders (Minolta 7sII and Olympus Pen). Anyway, I'd like to give an older Leica a try along with either a 35 or 50mm lens for B&W film.

Biggest concern is if and when it needs servicing based on what I read in this forum. Perhaps repair people are competent in that regard but I haven't read much positive regarding turnaround and/or communication.

I'd love to get the thoughts of you experienced owners not only on KEH but other dealers that will offer a fair price and warranty on a used M.

Step by step, closer and closer...

(Hi, Chris! 😀 )

 

[Rangeman133]

My experience with KEH has been fantastic! And I'm not surprised others think so too. I usually go on that site to see if they have anything interesting. Sometimes you can get really lucky with deals. And the always underestimate the condition of their products (imo), meaning if its labeled as 'very good', its probably 'excellent'. That's just been my experience. As of now, can't say anything bad about them.

 

[CSG123]

I guess this thread was moved as it disappeared from the forum I'd posted in. Thanks for further comments.

And Ken, quit stalking me! 🙂

 

[Ken Ford]

Hey, I was here first! 😀