Anyone else been unhappy with KEH recently?

mikebarger · Nov 3, 2008

Tim

Not anywhere did I indicate I expected 100% from KEH, I was telling the OP what my experience has been with them.

Sorry you didn't read my post correctly.

Mike

PS Kodak still makes great film.

Markok765 · Nov 3, 2008

mikebarger said:
And I see in your other thread it's not 100%, didn't you indicate it wasn't locking in on one of the settings as it should?

Mike

Yeah, but I dont mind.

mikebarger · Nov 3, 2008

My experience with them is that they would trade it for a working body.

Mike

Markok765 · Nov 3, 2008

mikebarger said:
My experience with them is that they would trade it for a working body.

Mike

Would they pay shipping both ways? I paid $80 shipping and had a $60 customs fee as I recall when I bought it.

mikebarger · Nov 3, 2008

ouch, I doubt that happens. I'd still talk with them.

You won't know until you ask.

Mike

Markok765 · Nov 3, 2008

Sent them a email: Hey KEH,

The Nikon F5 body I bought from you guys does not lock on the S mode on this dial. It doesn't really bother me, as you have to deliberately move it to have it move, but it doesn't lock on that mode. It locks on all other modes, just not the S mode. I don't really want to have to send it back to you guys because it's $80 shipping, and I got hit with $60 customs fees.

What should I regarding this? I don't mind it, I was just letting you guys know about it.

--

Chaplain Jeff · Nov 4, 2008

Markok765 said:
My BGN Nikon F5 looks "well used," in my opinion. Well, its probably related to the type of camera you buy. Consumer BGN bodies won't be used as hard as pro BGN bodies.

Hello,

Well, maybe. But that's not my experience. At all.

Over the years I have purchased frequently and in quantity from KEH and never been dissatisfied. I have purchased "pro" gear (and let's not get into what that means, please) more often than not without any issues or problems in the quality or condition. Sounds like you just got the ugly one.

I bought a BGN Nikon F4 and later an F5 from them years ago - long enough ago that they were still hard to come by on the used market - and both of them looked like they'd just come out of the box, LIKE NEW with not a scratch or scuff on them.

What I've learned from talking with them over the years is that what you're going to get is AT LEAST the grade you're paying for. If you pay for EXC, you will get EXC. If you pay for BGN, you'll get something that's at least BGN, but often better: always in my experience with them.

I have purchased three different 80-200mm lenses from them over the years(one push-pull, one series 2 and one AF-S), all BGN and all in actuality looking and performing like new.

Same experience with multiple Leica RF bodies and lenses and an Epson RD-1. And more Nikon AF and MF gear than I'd care to admit (my wife might be reading this).

So I don't think it's as much a "pro" / "amateur" issue as it is the luck of the draw that it might or might not be better than what you're promised. Again, for the record, I've never had anything come from KEH that was less than EXC in grade no matter what I paid, and I've never heard of anyone getting something in a worse category than they'd paid to begin with.

Good folks who will do (and have for me done) whatever it takes to make you happy.

B&H and Adorama, I can't say the same. But that's a different thread...

Jeff M

fmajor · Nov 4, 2008

I've had only one experience with them and it was very positive - item was exactly as they described it - excellent. The price was steep, but i thought fair especially after i received the lens. I do recall the shipping to be a bit slow, but the lens arrived and was very well packaged so ultimately, no complaints.

Phillip P. Dimor · Nov 4, 2008

I've had a few experiences with them, all very positive.
I purchased a bargain hassy 503cx body with new style waist-level finder and a bargain a12 back. Both fully functioning 100% no problems. The body was in better condition than I thought it would be. The back is fine, the insert is beaten but works just fine.

Bought a Minolta Autometer IVf or something, $100 several years ago in bgn condition. It was like new. Also purchased newish fidelity 4x5 holders, no problems. I've heard horror stories trying to sell them things... never gone that route.

Their customer service is excellent, just get on the phone or email. They'll make it right. That's the part that I like.

jmal · Nov 4, 2008

Chaplain Jeff, one does not always get at least the grade one pays for. As I mentioned, I received a screwmount lens that was supposed to be EX condition and the threads were damaged beyond repair. The lens was unusable. That is not EX condition no matter how you look at it. Even a cursory glance at the mount would be sufficient to grade it UG.

JMC1969 · Nov 4, 2008

I've always heard great things about KEH and have been looking at some flashes. This thread indicates in a few places that their grading method is cosmetic. I found only one person in this thread that mentioned buying a flash from them, listed as BGN and in top shape, but took a month to get it. I really don't want to wait a month to find it doesn't work but looks great. Is this what I should expect?

Thanks

Terence · Nov 4, 2008

Out of probably 35 purchases, I've only had two issues. One was an lens that had an extremely subtle filter ring dent (invisible, unless you knew there was a problem), and one was a shipping problem from not putting enough packing material in the box. On the whole, I've always gotten what I would consider to be "more for my money" at KEH. And both times they made the situation right in a reasonable time.

I've had better service, but not very often. I'll gladly use KEH again.

One caveat is that all my gear is pretty much fully manual, with little no electronic components. I'm sure this makes it easier to determine when something is functioning properly.

Chaplain Jeff · Nov 4, 2008

Hello,

Flashes are one area where used can often be a problem. The bulbs only have so much life in them before the color (temperature) they emit changes (over the years I was "saved" many times by kind and knowledgeable sales clerks who prevented me from buying consignment flash gear left with them by local pros).

The lifespan varies by brand and model. Fortunataly, some brands, Metz flashes for instance, have changeable bulbs - at least in their older models and in their upper end new stuff (not sure about the others, never used them). That makes them a safe bet, because you can always have the bulbs changed out or do it yourself if you feel safe doing so.

There are other problems as well. My only experience buying used from B&H was over a Metz 45CL-4. When it arrived not working - would not even power up - response was to send it to Metz and have it repaired. I wanted a working flash without waiting and asked for another one - which wasn't their policy. I ended up sending it back for a full credit that I used to buy a new 45CL, for $250 more than the used one.

I would think that places would check to make sure a flash works before purchasing it from an individual or sending it out to a buyer, but I don't run large camera stores or set their policies.

I did just buy a flash from KEH, but I only bought it because it was $7. For that price if it doesn't work properly, I'll just dispose of it. I also bought the correct Minolta adapter for use with my Metz flashes, so I'm good without it. I'll let everyone know how it performs when it arrives.

Jeff M

Chaplain Jeff · Nov 4, 2008

jmal said:
Chaplain Jeff, one does not always get at least the grade one pays for. As I mentioned, I received a screwmount lens that was supposed to be EX condition and the threads were damaged beyond repair. The lens was unusable. That is not EX condition no matter how you look at it. Even a cursory glance at the mount would be sufficient to grade it UG.

Did you send it back? Everyone makes mistakes. But KEH will work to overcome thiers.

If they grade completely on cosmetics (as a different post suggested), and never mounted the lens on a camera it's possible they'd never know the threads were faulty.

As they have a 100% return policy, I'm certain they would have taken it back for a full refund or an exchange for one in the condition you paid for.

One M5 I bought from them showed up in exquisite condition, but when I got ready to install batteries the battery compartment wouldn't open, kept rolling in its socket (a known potential defect of the M5 and one of the complaints M users have against it). I called KEH and sent it back the next day. It arrived a week or so later on my doorstep once again with not only a repair, but a CLA thrown in to boot.

There will always be someone out there with a story that is an exception to the norm - and every rule has exceptions. That doesn't mean the rule (or the policy or the business standard) is not in effect.

KEH is good people. No doubt about it.

Jeff M

NormanV · Nov 4, 2008

I've never bought anything from KEH. I can't, they won't use USPS so won't send anything to me. I know I am remote but the post does arrive. It would be nice if they replied to my emails!

Chaplain Jeff · Nov 5, 2008

NormanV said:
I've never bought anything from KEH. I can't, they won't use USPS so won't send anything to me. I know I am remote but the post does arrive. It would be nice if they replied to my emails!

??? They will ship UPS. As a matter of fact, the order I placed last week is USPS shipped to my APO AE address here in Afghanistan.

The drawback is they only ship USPS once or twice / week, so if you need it tomorrow, you're out of luck. There's no such thing as overnight APO anyway, so it's not an issue for us over here.

Call them and talk to them. They're a friendly bunch.

Jeff M

Ross Chambers · Nov 5, 2008

I've had several items sent USPS/Australia Post. Perhaps the fact that mail being a service usually provided by 2 suppliers who have some form of agreement with each other has some bearing on it? As Jeff says they don't seem to ship quite as promptly via USPS, and once forgot until reminded by e-mail.

Regards - Ross

Ralph Javins · Nov 6, 2008

NormanV said:
I've never bought anything from KEH. I can't, they won't use USPS so won't send anything to me. I know I am remote but the post does arrive. It would be nice if they replied to my emails!

Good morning, Norman;

I am sorry to hear about your difficulty with KEH. I have no explanation to suggest.

One thing that I can offer is a recommendation for a specific individual to contact. I have had good results with all of the people I have contacted at KEH. The fellow I have dealt with the most is Dan Orchard; telno 770-333-4212, e-mail dorchard@keh.com. Often it does seem that sending something to someone works better than sending a general message to "info" or "sales."

While the preferred shippers do seem to be FedEx and UPS, KEH has sent things to me through the US Mail also, so they should be able to honor a request to ship via the USPS. While I do know that United Parcel Service does say that they ship world wide, I do not know how often the big brown truck gets to the Falklands.

Anyone else been unhappy with KEH recently?

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