Buying Equipment from KEH

REAndy · Oct 31, 2018

I have bought from them many times.
Once I bought a used Mamiya leaf shutter lens. But the shutter wasn't working properly.
I emailed them.
They contacted me quickly, asked what I wanted to do. I wanted it fixed. They said no problems, just send it back.
They emailed me a prepaid UPS return label which I printed out.
I sent it back.
I got confirmation from them stating they received it.
About 2 weeks later I received it back working perfectly.

I would buy from them again, for sure.

choiliefan · Nov 1, 2018

I bought a lens from KEH a couple weeks ago through an ebay auction.
I was home with the front door wide open in anticipation of the blessed arrival.
Fedex tracking showed the lens was delivered to my side door.
No lens.
Contacted fedex who assured me they would trace the package and have the driver retrace his steps.
Nothing came of it and I never heard another peep out of fedex so I contacted KEH and explained the situation.
KEH refunded the full amount without question.
KEH came through again and Fedex did what the do best by screwing up again.

AgX · Nov 1, 2018

How is the legal situation in such case?
Here in Germany basically the obligation of a seller ends at his post-office. Shipping and the inherent risk is for the buyer.
HOWEVER in most consumer buys from a commercial seller another law applies and this puts the transport risk on the seller.

GRHazelton · Nov 1, 2018

choiliefan said:
I bought a lens from KEH a couple weeks ago through an ebay auction.
I was home with the front door wide open in anticipation of the blessed arrival.
Fedex tracking showed the lens was delivered to my side door.
No lens.
Contacted fedex who assured me they would trace the package and have the driver retrace his steps.
Nothing came of it and I never heard another peep out of fedex so I contacted KEH and explained the situation.
KEH refunded the full amount without question.
KEH came through again and Fedex did what the do best by screwing up again.

KEH came through again and Fedex did what the do best by screwing up again.
I detest Fedex. The incompetents who drive their trucks habitually left packages against the garage door where they were exposed to rain, rather than on the front porch where packages are in the lee of prevailing winds. The porch is clearly visible from the driveway, and has a paved walkway perhaps forty feet long and four steps up. Perhaps four steps are too many?
I printed off a sign reading "Please leave packages on the front porch" and taped it to the inside of a window in the garage door. And guess what? A week ago the Fedex truck left a package of film from FreeStyle against the garage door DIRECTLY UNDER THE SIGN! I called FreeStyle, they were apologetic, sympathetic and have marked my account for USPS or UPS delivery. I've never had problems with either USPS or UPS.
A friend ordered some computer gear from NewEgg; it was shipped by Fedex, never arrived. Fedex told Richard that their drivers were "independent contractors" and that essentially Fedex could - or would - do nothing. NewEgg shipped him a replacement via UPS. IIRC UPS drivers are employees and many have shares in the company.

abruzzi · Nov 3, 2018

REAndy said:
They contacted me quickly, asked what I wanted to do. I wanted it fixed. They said no problems, just send it back.

I wish they had given me that option! I bought a 45-90 zoom for my Bronica ETRSi, but when it arrived the shutter wouldn’t open all the way (only in the “cocked” stage, it opened fully when firing, so it just made the focusing screen dark.) The happily refunded my purchase and paid for the return, but I still want that lens and they haven’t had any for sale since. I’d have preferred they repair the lens.

Ricochetrider · Dec 21, 2018

Ok well just saw this and haven't read all 20+ pages but I have a KEH story. 1st, + 1 for dislike of FedEx. lame lame lame.
Ok on to my KEH story: I bought. Hasselbld 5000CM, a wist level view finder and lens and an A12 film. back- a whole kit. Figured better to buy fromKEH and get a fully CLA'd kit than buy randomly off a facebook group or off ebay, right? Anyway, I had anOlympus lens I'd been trying to sell, unsuccessfully. KEH brags about giving you real money for real gear so I sent em the lens. Also included were a Vivitar UV filter, an Olympus LH-48B metal lens hood, and an Olympus X small zippered carry case for the lens. They treated all that as tho it were one single item, lowballed me for about a 68.00 buying price, saying "auto focus not w working" on the lens. Now this stuff was all in immaculate like new fully working condition whenI sent it in.

I had them send the lens and all the stuff back to me. Opened the box upon arrival (Fed Ex LEFT IT WITHOUT MY SIGNING FOR IT) got out the lens and sure enough the lens' focus ring was slid back to "manual focus" position. I posted the entire bundle for sale on ebay at a price point I liked, and it was gone in a few hours.

SO, my conclusion is that w while KEH might be pretty good for some things in theory, in practice, they and some of their policies and employees (especially the. one who slid the focus ring to "manual" then decided the lens wasn't functioning) aren't all that great.

I'm not likely to buy from them again, given any other option.

Claus H · Jun 10, 2020

Since we live in a condo, our deliveries go to our mailroom, so no FEX horror tales. KEH has been prompt and good each time I have bought from them, and I don't mind paying a bit more since I have come to trust their reviews of the gear. A 100mm F2 Zeiss ZF (Nikon mount) was my latest purchase. It was described as 'exceptionally clean' and looked like it had just come out of the box, hood and all. Good packaging too, so altogether a pleasant experience with peace of mind, as opposed to some of the shenanigans one can find on Ebay.
C.

Sirius Glass · Jun 11, 2020

Claus H said:
Since we live in a condo, our deliveries go to our mailroom, so no FEX horror tales. KEH has been prompt and good each time I have bought from them, and I don't mind paying a bit more since I have come to trust their reviews of the gear. A 100mm F2 Zeiss ZF (Nikon mount) was my latest purchase. It was described as 'exceptionally clean' and looked like it had just come out of the box, hood and all. Good packaging too, so altogether a pleasant experience with peace of mind, as opposed to some of the shenanigans one can find on Ebay.
C.

I have been using KEH since 2009, maybe earlier, but after I was introduced to it on APUG.

StrangestStranger · Jun 11, 2020

I bought my first medium format camera from KEH in 1988, a Bronica ETRS with a 75mm lens, a motor drive, and an AEII prism finder. I still use the camera to this day, and since then I've added on to the kit around 2010, 2011, all from KEH. I've never had an issue with them and I always trust their ratings, knowing that I will receive a quality product.

JohnMurphy06 · Dec 4, 2020

I'm completely satisfied with my purchase. Easy to navigate and transaction is user-friendly.

wyofilm · Dec 4, 2020

KEH has been great for selling and buying camera equipment. My only gripe is that their stock seems desperately low -- at least in items I might be interested in.

Kino · Dec 4, 2020

Old Gregg said:
I have never seen CLA mentioned in their camera descriptions. Do they CLA everything they sell?

No. Not at all unless explicitly stated in the description.

Arthurwg · Dec 4, 2020

Buying anything from KEH these days is very difficult as they seem to be very few items available for sale.

Oren Grad · Dec 4, 2020

FWIW, KEH has recently posted a page on which they describe their inspection / grading process:

https://www.keh.com/shop/inspection-process

Sirius Glass · Dec 4, 2020

Old Gregg said:
I have never seen CLA mentioned in their camera descriptions. Do they CLA everything they sell?

Only if you have a problem or you request it after you receive it. I had a problem with the Hasselblad 500mm C lens jamming and they did a CLA that required removing everything from the tube to get to the shutter and then realigning every element. If Hasselblad had done the CLA the cost would have been twice what I paid for the lens. Yes I called Hasselblad and asked out of curiosity.

Sirius Glass · Dec 4, 2020

wyofilm said:
KEH has been great for selling and buying camera equipment. My only gripe is that their stock seems desperately low -- at least in items I might be interested in.

Arthurwg said:
Buying anything from KEH these days is very difficult as they seem to be very few items available for sale.

I called them yesterday and said "Why wont you sell me something?" Anyway I got off the phone and found something else to buy from them.

bdial · Dec 4, 2020

Many shops around the country sell used gear, though it’s something of a sideline for many. Usedphotopro, AKA Roberts Camera is another used gear specialist. One advantage they have is that their pictures are of the actual item.

wyofilm · Dec 5, 2020

bdial said:
Many shops around the country sell used gear, though it’s something of a sideline for many. Usedphotopro, AKA Roberts Camera is another used gear specialist. One advantage they have is that their pictures are of the actual item.

KEH has actual gear photos when selling on eBay. They should do the same for their website sales.

Ricochetrider · Dec 8, 2020

Old Gregg said:
I have never seen CLA mentioned in their camera descriptions. Do they CLA everything they sell?

As it turns out, I now do not believe they do. A screw fell out of my 80mm Planar lens. I sent the camera and lens to repair and from what I was told, I'm feel pretty sure (but will never know for certain) that my camera/lens were NOT CLA'd by KEH. Clearly however, if one wants to maximize profit, one would naturally minimize effort (read: time, parts, & labor) put into stock and inventory.

RalphLambrecht · Dec 8, 2020

wyofilm said:
KEH has been great for selling and buying camera equipment. My only gripe is that their stock seems desperately low -- at least in items I might be interested in.

to make matters worse, they stopped buying analog equipment.

Sirius Glass · Dec 8, 2020

RalphLambrecht said:
to make matters worse, they stopped buying analog equipment.

Where did you hear that.

warden · Dec 8, 2020

RalphLambrecht said:
to make matters worse, they stopped buying analog equipment.

Say what?? That doesn't sound right.

wyofilm · Dec 8, 2020

RalphLambrecht said:
to make matters worse, they stopped buying analog equipment.

Ralph - We count on you for your experience and sage advice. But this time I believe you have strayed.

Selling to KEH is a blind process in the first step. You fill in product info into there web-based questionnaire, then mail your equipment in. I just confirmed that system is up and running. Right now I could sell a black Nikon FE in excellent condition to KEH for $99 (if I had one to sell!)

lecarp · Nov 5, 2021

Does anyone have experience buying from KEH via the auction site, I'm looking at a lens that is difficult to find and not inexpensive but is rated as ugly. Still returnable and garanteed according to the auction. What kind of expectations should I have?
Thanks!
P.S. I know the rating system. I am asking about the reality of it at this time. The reliability of it has varied considerably over the years.

Pieter12 · Nov 5, 2021

lecarp said:
Does anyone have experience buying from KEH via the auction site, I'm looking at a lens that is difficult to find and not inexpensive but is rated as ugly. Still returnable and garanteed according to the auction. What kind of expectations should I have?
Thanks!
P.S. I know the rating system. I am asking about the reality of it at this time. The reliability of it has varied considerably over the years.

One nice part of buying from KEH on the auction site is they have to show photos of the actual item, something they rarely do on their own site. You get to at least judge the physical condition of the item. They claim their bargains are all operable and you do still have the guarantee.

Buying Equipment from KEH

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