KEH - disappointing lately

Just following up as well.

My exc rated mamiya 6 just arrived today. I would say cosmetically it rates between exc+ and like new. I will put a roll of film through it to make sure all is ok, but to me this camera feels great. Meter works, winder feels nice and smooth and the bellows feel stiff like they are alot newer than on my other mamiya 6.
 
I've had a very disappointing recent experience with KEH. I ordered a collapsible Summicron from them about 3 weeks ago that I have never received. About a week after my order I began emailing them but received no reply. Then, I received an email from another KEH customer who had received my lens by mistake. No harm done if KEH would have promptly had the lens picked up and sent to me. However, neither the customer who received my lens nor I have had any success in getting KEH to follow through. We've both had numerous conversations with Ken at KEH, who promised to take care of it but never did. Finally a couple of days ago we decided to just handle the shipping cost between ourselves and I should receive the lens tomorrow. At this point, dealing with KEH has been so frustrating that I don't think I'll even bother trying again to contact them to get reimbursement for the excess postage.

This is my initial transaction with KEH. I decided to give them a try based on recommendations here and elsewhere, but I have to say I'm not pleased so far.
 
I picked up a Nikon AI 50/1.2 from them about three weeks ago. Everything went very well. I got the lens earlier than I expected and the condition was as advertised.

🙂
 
I bought 50mm Rigid Summicron (BGN) from KEH and received a lens with stiff and squiking focus ring. Returned the lens and received a second copy of the Summicron, this time with a slightly wobble in the lens barrel. Due to the return I payed now three times for the postage, first time receiving, sending back, receiving the second copy. The lens is sharp but I guess that I will sent it for CLA to somebody. This was my first purchase from KEH ...
 
Guys, do communicate with them. I have had some problems twice, I called them, told them that the problem was not described, and they replaced it -- they fedex'd the item for free, and on top of that, they paid me $10 for return shipping! (I'm in Canada, which means they gave me a total of $35+$10, each time). One of the problems was just slight mis-alignment of an Hexar RF rangefinder (which could have easily happened during shipping!).

So, once again, if it is supposed to work (and be scratch free , etc.), but not, then they will pay the shipping both ways -- just make sure you tell them to do so. However, I'm not sure whether it applies to cosmetic condition (paint loss etc.).
 
I recently bought a IIf from KEH. They shipped it quickly, and it was in better condition than its rating would indicate. I.e., KEH seems as good as ever.

Richard
 
Well ... about returning the item. I payed for returing the first lens and received a invoice from FedEx Japan that I have to pay for receiving the second copy from KEH. Summicron 50 in BGN condition with postage 470 USD, sending back 20 USD, receiving second copy 20 USD, totally 510 USD for a lens with wobbling barrel. I don't care about scratches on the barrel (that's why I bought a BGN lens in this case) but I care about the mechanical condition of the lens. About communication with them, if I would call them by phone from Japan, I would have to pay a lot of money additionally....

I bought my M4-P from map-camera in Tokyo, from the internet without seeing it, described as bargain and received a like-new camera, shipping was included in the price...
 
i've been extremely happy with KEH, very UNhappy with Adorama and will never deal with them again. I bought a lens from KEH recently that was billed as "EX" and I got what looked like a brand new lens! I was astonished.
 
When I complained to KEH that they sent me a TTL M6 instead of the 'Classic' M6 I ordered they send me a Classic M6 by overnight mail and when they got back there TTL they credited my acct. for the cost of returning their TTL. Last week I got a used (but never used) LeicaTime 1/2 case and strap for $50. Tonight I got several original leather Canon lens cases for $4 each. I can't complain. Jim
 
I recently bought a Canon 50 1.8 LTM from KEH. It was listed as a bargain. When I got it, I was surprised to see that it looked practically mint to me. The same thing happened with a Canon IVSB I bought earlier this year.

A couple of weeks ago I bought a Canon 25mm finder decribed as being in ugly condition. I expected the worst, but I was not going to buy another VC finder, after having my current one come apart on me. It does have a crack in the glass, but is otherwise excellent-no fungus etc. It is a lot more usuable than I would have expected for something that had their lowest rating.

Richie
 
KEH had some Pentax 645 film inserts at great price, so I ordered a couple of 120 and a couple of 220. One of the 220 inserts was defective, so I arranged to send it back. In the meantime the price had dropped from $29 to $25 for these, so I got the replacement for $25 and received $29 credit on the returned one. They've always given me excellent product and service.
 
KEH has one main problem...THEY USE STOCK PHOTOS! It drives me nuts. I know it is time consuming to take picture of everything in what is probably a large warehouse, but still it would be nice. I Don't trust their rating system either, I would rather see specific descriptions. They could at least do what ritzcam.com does.
 
I recently ordered a Leica IIIc and Elmar 50/3.5, both in BGN. A little bit of wear on the finish of the lens, and some brassing on the top of the camera. Good shape for a 61 year old camera and a 70 year old lens, and they work just fine. Most dealers would have rated them significantly higher, and all around I can't find any fault with the transaction.

I'd love a photo of the item. Serial numbers would be nice, as would even a brief description of what earned a low grade.
 
I just received the wrong lens from KEH, again. This is the third time they shipped me the wrong lens. When am I going to listen to my own advice and stop buying from these @#$%^&* (edited by me)...
 
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Wow. I better find some wood to knock on. I've been having great results with KEH. I just bought and received a Nikon 85/1.4. It arrived on time in great condition (as advertised), and this is probably the 3rd or 4th such transaction I've had with them over that last 4 months. Now if you want to talk eBay deals gone awry, I can easily oblige.

🙂
 
I am just frustrated, that's all. I am sure they have thousands of customers who havenever had a transaction go bad. But it sucks to be the designated bad-luck-customer, which I think I am with KEH.
 
My experience with KEH has been outstanding and while there have been problems they've taken care of everything so far, shipping replacement items at their cost every single time.

I buy Ex+ and LN items and while the Hasselblad items have always been in mint condition the Leica items, while showing little use, have had a number of problems: the M6TTL I ordered about 4 weeks ago had a problem with the lens release not latching the lens in place and the 50mm f2.8 Elmar lens I received Monday had a damaged locking tab on the collapsible lens shaft. The M6TTL I exchanged for a mint M4 and I returned the 50 Elmar for a refund.

KEH's sales staff is top-notch, knowledgeable and very helpful. Prices are a little high but, given the excellent return policy, I'm willing to pay them.

My only gripe with KEH is that I can't get descriptions or photographs of the actual items and for this reason I sometimes choose not to buy something.
 
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