KEH Item condition grades

[CPDST]

Hi,

I was looking at a few "BGN" grade items on KEH.com, and I wonder: If an item is listed as being of "BGN" grade, but there is nothing on the listing describing functionality of, say the meter, or the shutter, does that mean the item is fully functional? I would be interested in buying kit from KEH.com, as I have heard good things about them on this forum, with respect to their item condition, and customer service/return policy.

Regards,
Craig.

 

[msbarnes]

Yes. Everything should* be fine: shutter speeds, meters, etc.

 

[DNG]

KEH has the best CS on earth!!
BGN should not need repairs, it should be fully workable, but, with a lot signs of use. chip paint, small dents, scratches. But, in my experience, I'd get a unit with at least a "E" rating.. That way, that gives KEH some leeway on CS if you feel it is not an "E"

I bought a "E+" Nikon FE for $156 and when I got the camera, the Rewind shaft was bent, the EC dial did not move, the Shutter Speed had stops in between speeds, The ASA dial was very hard to change... I called and explained the problems, and they said the camera was listed wrong.. and should have been as Ugly. They sent me a MUCH nicer Nikon FE that look like a demo!!! and runs like one also. BUT, that is the only time I had to return anything and they where a pleasure to work with. Very Professional and Honest.

 

[pagpow]

Hi Craig,
If you go to the KEH website and choose any item, then click on the grade itself. That'll bring up their explanation of their grades. Many of us think they are very conservative with their cosmetic grades -- BGN often seems very lightly used, unlike their own definition of the grade. UG is where the possibility of functional problem starts. I used to order on BGN, but recently, as a result of their very good return policy have started ordering UG lenses. On a sample of two -- very nice cosmetically, no functional problems.

Giorgio

 

[ramosa]

I purchased a lens from KEH a couple years ago. It was rated "E," but had only one small blemish on the focus ring. Otherwise, it was mint cosmetically, mechanically, and optically. However, I do find it problematic that KEH doesn't list the serial numbers for products and doesn't seem interested in checking them when I have called twice more recently. That sure has discouraged additional purchases.

 

[redisburning]

the sales people don't have access to the warehouse.

KEH has traditionally been very conservative with rating, I feel that lately they have sort of slipped into just being honest rather than being their overly nice selves of past.

 

[Vics]

Remember their returns policy. If you buy something and don't like it when you get it, they'll take it back. These things can change, so read their returns policy on their page.

 

[CPDST]

Thanks for clearing that for me! By the way, does anyone know if KEH.com allows people to have a separate billing and shipping address - my debit card is registered to a different address to where I currently live, but I would like my camera to be delivered to where I live, not my billing address. the website isn't very clear on this either.

Regards,
Craig.

 

[Tom33]

KEH rocks in my experience, albeit a small sample of four lenses and one camera body. I think their ratings are still pretty conservative, and they will take it back if you don't like it. Also, returns are less trouble than returns on the bay usually turn out to be. Just sayin...

 

[Vics]

Thanks for clearing that for me! By the way, does anyone know if KEH.com allows people to have a separate billing and shipping address - my debit card is registered to a different address to where I currently live, but I would like my camera to be delivered to where I live, not my billing address. the website isn't very clear on this either.

Regards,
Craig.

Call them and order from a person. That should solve that.

 

[dap]

Thanks for clearing that for me! By the way, does anyone know if KEH.com allows people to have a separate billing and shipping address - my debit card is registered to a different address to where I currently live, but I would like my camera to be delivered to where I live, not my billing address. the website isn't very clear on this either.

Regards,
Craig.

It has been awhile since I ordered from KEH, but at that time they did allow separate billing and shipping addresses.

 

[Dirk]

Thanks for clearing that for me! By the way, does anyone know if KEH.com allows people to have a separate billing and shipping address - my debit card is registered to a different address to where I currently live, but I would like my camera to be delivered to where I live, not my billing address. the website isn't very clear on this either.

Regards,
Craig.

They will only ship to your billing address. I know because I tried, having been in a similar situation to yours. What you can do to get around it is to redirect Fedex to deliver the package to a Fedex location near you, after KEH has shipped it. That way you can pick it up at your convenience.

 

[CPDST]

How does one get Fedex to be redirected?

Craig.

 

[mathomas]

KEH is a good place. It's funny, though: I've always heard great things about KEH's "conservative" ratings. But honestly, they just seem right-on to me. I usually buy BGN grade, and the stuff I get tends to look pretty "bargain", IMO, never nicer than that. I don't complain because it's as-rated. Maybe my standards are too high.

 

[loquax ludens]

If you want to see good closeup pictures of the item you are buying, from all angles, with serial numbers, then buy from the KEH ebay sales listings. The same guarantees apply on most items.

If you buy from their normal online sales, you only have the grade to go on. If there is a picture, it will be generic.

I called KEH about an item they had listed on ebay, and I also asked about similar items they had listed in excellent grade on their web site. I was told that 1) all items are at the warehouse, and they cannot go look at an item listed on the web site in order to answer specific questions about it, and 2) that the inventory for the ebay sales is separate from the online web site (warehouse) sales.