KEH QC on the wane?

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I don't know what other people's experience is, but I have just bought my third defective/badly described item from KEH. First it was an EX+ SMC Takumar M42 lens that was miscalibrated and didn't focus to infinity. Next it was another EX+ SMC Tak, the 50/1.4, which was severely yellowed from the Thorium problem...I didn't return this one, since it's fixable with a month of sunlight, but I was still annoyed. And now I bought an EX+ Pentax ME Super from them, and the film counter doesn't work.

These are not difficult things to test. If you took more than thirty seconds to examine each item, the problem would be instantly obvious. I don't mind paying a premium for stuff that's guaranteed to work, but it doesn't seem they're bothering to check anymore.

 

[Rey]

This has been going on for a while. A few years ago I purchased an ex+ OM-1 body. When I received it: A) it was more like an EX than an EX+, and B) the meter was off. Concerning the second problem, unknown to them, the previous owner has the circuit converted to accept 1.5volt batteries. When I called them about the meter the kid who answered said that he doubted the meter electronics had been converted. This indicates to me that they didn't even check it. I kept it because of the conversion, but otherwise i would have returned it. What I hate is that the customer eats the shipping costs as a result of their errors.

 

[feenej]

Lots of times with Keh, you don't really know what you are gonna get. Plus one time I had a problem and could not get through on the phone at all.

 

[JohnL]

My experience with KEH was excellent until my last purchase, an EX-rated Mamiya 50mm RB67 lens. It works fine, but the aperture ring is *extremely* stiff. I have not complained because I decided to keep the lens anyway, but I was not pleased.

 

[CorreCaminos]

I've had to return one camera and at least one lens that I bought from KEH in the 18 months. The camera was an easy to detect problem but the one on the lens was harder to spot. Still, they took the items back w/o any drama and all the rest (more cameras, lenses, and other stuff) has been as described or better.

I'm a very satisfied KEH customer and recommend them to everyone I meet.

 

[tbarker13]

For the most part, my dealings with KEH have been fantastic. I did have an issue with them recently where i was trying to get more info from them on a 50 summilux they had listed. The photo didn't show the serial number. I called to ask about it, but the salesman said there was no way for him to check it since it was in a warehouse somewhere.
I don't think it's asking all that much to get a serial number to verify which version of a lens you are buying.

I still have quite a bit of confidence in ordering bargain grade equipment from them. In 7-8 such purchases, I have never been disappointed. (But don't get me going on Adorama)

 

[grainhound]

I've posted in another thread about my experience with KEH and an M3. What's relevant in this thread is that the M3 I got obviously received nothing more than a glance to determine BGN condition. (No take-up spool, winder clutch slipped, and other, less conspicuous, though much more serious problems...) My take is that they depend on their liberal return policy for customer satisfaction, but as noted above, you pay the shipping back and forth. Inexperienced at that time with shopping via the inet, I allowed the camera to sit for too long to get a refund. I would advise other Canadians to look elsewhere because if you do return the item, you also get into sales tax refunds that take a very long time, and if you put the charge on VISA, you lose twice on the exchange.

 

[ferider]

Among my many purchases at KEH, I have had several that show that stuff is only inspected very quickly.

Non-infinity focusing SLR lenses, meters in EXC cameras not working, etc.

But: from the US stuff is really quick and easy to return - no questions asked.

Also, in many cases you do NOT pay a premium. For example Canon RF, non-Leica LTM or M lenses, CV bodies or Olympus OM stuff are typically similarly priced or cheaper than the going rate on ebay.

Best,

Roland.

 

[Tuolumne]

I have never had a problem with them. Everything I have bought has been in much better condition than they rated it.

/T

 

[Rayt]

KEH charges 5 times more than B&H for UPS international shipping so I don't return anything unless the piece is really expensive or I just can't live with it. I buy a lot of stuff from them pooling orders with friend to share shipping costs. They charge around $120 to ship two lenses for example. I just bought a Hasselblad, two backs and a lens and the shipping charge was $220. They usually give me store credit or partial refund when they send me something broken and I appreciate that. I would rather not shop from KEH due to their high shipping rates but what are the alternative? Neither B&H, Tamarkin nor Igor has that level of inventory. Other places like Ph***village and Arsenal have insane prices.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I'd been a happy customer until this past month--I dunno what's going on. They are very friendly and apologetic when you call to complain, but you know, they give you this whole "we're better than eBay" schtick, and lately, for me, it just ain't so.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Are camera shows completely gone? I never went to one...I only became a complete gear slut recently.

 

[tbarker13]

I guess time does fly. I say a decade, but I guess i really mean two. Though early on I used to shop at a place in California, I think it was called Dale's or Dell's, or something like that. They used to take out big ads in Shutterbug. Lots of Nikon SLR gear. I've always wondered what happened to them. I'm venturing a little OT here.

But wow. Ok, I see that we have entirely different shopping criteria.
Heck, I usually aim for bargain/user grade gear. Generally because I know there's a decent chance it'll look that way in the end if I spend enough time with it.
I can't imagine a collector or someone looking for mint gear doing much business with KEH.
My wallet appreciates the fact that I don't usually go that route.🙂

 

[Mackinaw]

Are camera shows completely gone? I never went to one...I only became a complete gear slut recently.

Sam Vinegar, who lives in SE Michigan, still puts on used camera shows through the "Photorama" name. Google Photorama for a look at their 2008 schedule.

I remember walking into my first used camera show, in the Detroit area back in the late 1980's, and being amazed. Imagine a building the size of a modern, well-stocked grocery store holding about 500 - 700 eight foot tables just jammed with all sorts of used-camera gear. You could buy ANYTHING at these shows (Leica, Nikon, Rollei, Linhoff, enlargers, film, etc.) and, of course, sell your gear too, but usually at a pretty good loss (I remember that dealers would only give you 60% of the actual camera value). I met a lot of camera dealers back then most I've lost track of. Some, like Arnie Duren of Brooklyn Camera and Richard Tillis of Woodmere Camera, are still around and make the Photorama circuit, but most seem to have given up the business or gone eBay.

Ah, the good ol' days.

Jim B.

 

[markbrennan]

Interesting replies to this thread.

I have not been too impressed with KEH either. I did order a decent M3 from them, but found it had a speck in the RF patch and additionally was an early SS model; I was looking for something later than the 964xxx range to ensure certain improvements Leica made to the brake, etc. at that time in the M3's history.

They were quite helpful arranging the return, but told me they could not give me custom service as to ascertaining the quality of the finder/patch, nor verifying the serial number range of any of their M3 inventory. The inventory was as-listed on their site, with no additional details.

I subsequently followed up with a detailed email to their sales department basically saying that eBay, though sometimes a crapshoot, has better customer service. I never received a reply.

So yes, like others here, I feel they are geared to moving as much of their inventory as possible without regard to true service, relying instead on their return policy.

Nice folks, but I certainly won't be shopping there again.

Regards,
-Mark

 

[ChrisPlatt]

AFAIK you can still request any item above BGN condition be pulled from inventory for examination.
The process is not instantaneous - you must call the salesman back the next day if you want a hands-on description.

I have been buying stuff from KEH for years, the majority Pentax 35mm SLR lenses in BGN condition.
The few times my item has disappointed I returned it within two weeks for a no questions asked refund.

Chris

 

[bcostin]

While I don't by nearly as much gear as some I haven't had any problems with KEH so far. I usually buy BGN grade and have never had cause to complain about the conditions of the bodies or lenses I've received. Their prices are generally pretty competitive, at least for the equipment I buy, and I check my purchases thoroughly as soon as I get them. If there's a problem it's an annoyance and a trip to the post office rather than a real financial loss. I don't really expect them to have a rigourous inspection procedure; that would be great, but probably too expensive to be practical.