Buying Equipment from KEH

PhotoJim · May 23, 2008

mhv said:
The only thing to bear in mind with the return policy is this: you live in Canada like I do, so you have two shipping options. Either the very expensive (but super-fast) UPS Express, which is the only option to give you a tracking number, or the FedEx Letter Parcel or whatever it's called. The latter means that KEH give the package to FedEx, and at the border, FedEx transfers it to CanadaPost regular parcel service, i.e. no tracking number, and five weeks at least for delivery.

Actually, I've used the latter, Letter Parcel service twice and both times, my package went from Atlanta to Malmo, Sweden and then entered the postal service there. It works, it's cheap but it's super slow.

Jeffrey S. Winn · May 23, 2008

I've had excelent luck with KEH.com over the years. I've done OK on E-bay as well, but I actually prefer KEH.com.

I've bought two different Nikon Bodies. An N-80 in EX condition for my sister to replace a stolen N-50, and I also picked up an N-70 for myself back in January. I've bought several different lenses for both Nikon and Canon cameras, and also a Nikon SB-28 flash. All of these with the exception of the N-80 were in bargain condition, and all have worked as they should. The N-70 shows the most use, and is a little rough looking. But it works as it should. Additionally, I paid very little for the N-70 camera, so I'm not complaining. Several of my lenses that I bought from KEH are in better condition then the E-bay listed lenses that were in EX condition.

KEH is my first choice for used gear.

Jeff

Michel Hardy-Vallée · May 24, 2008

PhotoJim said:
Actually, I've used the latter, Letter Parcel service twice and both times, my package went from Atlanta to Malmo, Sweden and then entered the postal service there. It works, it's cheap but it's super slow.

Yep, that's how I got my Nikon FM2n kit, but FIVE weeks was excruciating on my nerves. I think my peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks this time. That's why I use Letter Parcel only for low priority stuff.

Stevopedia · May 24, 2008

I recently bought a Vivitar Series 1 70-210 in Canon FD. It was rated EX, and the lens looks brand frickin' new, except for the front lens cap. The only issue is that the zoom is really uneven (sticks in some places and is really stiff in others) and is even worse in macro mode. It's only a minor inconvenience, but I'll get it fixed eventually.

Other than that, it's a great, beautiful lens and I don't regret my purchase at all.

mabman · May 24, 2008

My success rate for completely-working-out-of-the-box BGN cameras from KEH is 50% - I bought 2 x Pentax ME Supers from them, both in BGN condition - 1 is just fine, some wear on the body, but mechanically and electronically great. The 2nd had meter problems and ultimately the shutter would only fire at 1/125 no matter what the mode selector was set to. Rather than send it back (the camera was just under $100, and cross-border shipping is a bit of a hassle as others have mentioned), I had a local repair guy fix it - he basically completely overhauled it for under $100 - so, for just under $200 I've got an ME Super that will work for years to come, and as a bonus comes with a local warranty from my repair guy.

So, just my opinion, but if you're really concerned about it, shop around locally - there have to be a lot of camera stores and/or camera repair shops that sell used equipment in Toronto and area. Buying one locally may cost somewhat more, but if something goes wrong you can take it back without dealing with shipping hassles, etc, and you can know exactly what it can and can't do.

For me personally, I would definitely consider buying from KEH again, and I do browse them regularly. I haven't found any screaming good deals like the ME Supers yet, though

KEK · May 30, 2008

Thought i chime in on my first experiance with keh. My wife broke the back on her N-70 and it was not worth having it sent into fix. Based on this thread i went into keh and bought a bgn body for the part and it's barely got a scratch on it. I don't know if the camera works and i dont really care the wife is happy and it didn't cost much. What more could i ask for.

Kevin

Tom Reardon · May 30, 2008

I've bought 6 bodies (2 FM2n, 1 FM, 1 FG, 330, and 330F) and a number of lenses from them over the years with only 2 problems - the FM and a 65mm lens for the 330's crapped out after 3 or so years. Since they don't test I usually stick with EX on the totally unsupported myth that if the cosmetics are in better condition, they might not have been used so hard and the mechanics might be better.

Stillsky · May 31, 2008

I've had pretty good experiences buying bodies from Keh. I bought my Mamiya M645 and Nikon F5 from them, both were BGN and both function according to spec. Selling bodies to them though, that's where I've had problems.

Magoo79 · Jun 3, 2008

I have had excellent luck with keh. I just purchased a canon FD 85mm f1.2L from them in ex condition. It looks like it just came out of the box. I have also purchased mf lenses from them that had manual shutters built into the lense for my rb67 with great luck. In fact I jsut had a lense delivered, and I listened to the shutter and i could hear that it was off. I was going to use it for my cousins wedding, I called keh and explained the problem. They overnighted me another lense that worked flawless no extra charge and had me send back the other lens via ground. I have never had a problem buying equipment from KEH.

Mike.

Ralph Javins · Jul 19, 2008

KEH?

Well, so far, in all of the things I have purchased from KEH, only one thing surprised me. That was a split nylon bearing or friction sliding surface for one end of a bellows. I will find something else with a similar bearing for the coming repair.

e-Bay?

Most of the things I have purchased through e-Bay have been disappointing. The shipping charges for many of them have been toward the direction of excessive. I am running about 50 % in purchasing things that are truly useful upon receipt. Most of what I have bought on e-bay was done knowing that there is a high probability that it will be a parts source for me. All other purchases have needed some repair to restore to full functionality. These have all been items that were purchased from individuals, not shops with an "e-Bay on-line store." KEH has been much better for me.

How many things were in the "all of the things I have purchased from KEH?" Let me put it this way. Last December, KEH sent to me a Christmas card.

Enjoy;

Ralph Javins

FilmOnly · Jul 29, 2008

I have been a KEH customer (both a buyer and a seller) and, overall, my experience with them has been very good. I have bought EX and better items only, as I tend to be careful about cosmetics. I thought the EX+ A-1 body I bought was pretty good; however, I returned it as it had a tiny amount of brassing. As far as I know, an EX+ body should be free of brassing. In the rare case where I have requested a return or exchange, it has, on one or two occasions, taken a while to be processed. I just did an exchange, and am looking forward to the arrival of my new items.

Mike Kennedy · Jul 31, 2008

Shipping from KEH (Canadian destination)

I placed and order from KEH on the 2nd which was confirmed via email.They are sending it USPS.Wonder when it will get it??

thebanana · Jul 31, 2008

Mike Kennedy said:
I placed and order from KEH on the 2nd which was confirmed via email.They are sending it USPS.Wonder when it will get it??

Orders to Manitoba take anywhere from 7-21 days. You never know what the mail gremlins will put you through

Once I had an order take an exceptionally long time, only to findout that KEH hadn't shipped until almost 4 weeks after their confirmation. Ugh.

naeroscatu · Jul 31, 2008

I get the items from KEH in about 2-3 weeks, very slow IMHO but what can you do...
good idea to get a second confirmation from KEH on the actual ship date. good luck

Mike Kennedy · Jul 31, 2008

Guess they aren't too fond of U.S.P.S because my order wasn't mailed until the 21st.Took 19 days to process.

thebanana · Jul 31, 2008

Sounds familiar. The Post Office must be quite a distance from their business

Dennis S · Jul 31, 2008

On the wetcoast of Canada the order is here from Freestyle 12-14 days AFTER I mail out the M.O.

Tori8x10 · Aug 1, 2008

I just got my order from KHB in Toronto and it only took 6 days total. At my request they sent it Xpress post so it got to me by way of USPS and I didn't have to go through or pay any Customs charges. Those guys rock!!!

johnnywalker · Aug 1, 2008

dances_w_clouds said:
On the wetcoast of Canada the order is here from Freestyle 12-14 days AFTER I mail out the M.O.

I get my Freestyle orders in less time than that - no more than 10 days, usually a week, and my orders probably have to go through Vancouver to get here. I charge it to my Visa if that makes any difference.

Dennis S · Aug 1, 2008

Yes that is why. I have to send a M.O. down to them but the response back is usually with in 4 -5 days

Mike Té · Aug 2, 2008

KEH has only fairly recently begun using USPS for Canadian destinations; they used to insist on UPS only. However many of us, myself included, have complained that UPS charges their usual exhorbitant "brokerage" fees, as if what they do is gold and what the postal services do is dirt. I'm pleased that they give the option of USPS and I don't mind the wait.

Mike Kennedy · Aug 2, 2008

Thank Buddha for USPS even though it takes a bit longer to process.My first order was sent via UPS and the $$ charge at the door made my jaw drop.I don't mind waiting when I know the item will be superb.

Mike

cmacd123 · Aug 4, 2008

I buy a lot of stuff from e-bay and find that USPS from the us can take anywhere from a week, to a month, and distance is not a factor, - the last one that took a month was mailed from Vermont, which is within 2 hours communting distance from Montreal, and Montreal is a 3 hour sunday drive from me.

azza · Aug 5, 2008

This has been an interesting thread. Thanks to all of those that have shared their experiences with KEH.
I've been looking at buying a black Olympus OM4Ti rated at BGN condition. I've only heard positive things about KEH, so was about to go through with the purchase. But reading this thread i've noticed several people have had bad experiences.
I think i'm going to need to get a better desription from them based on more than a quick cosmetic assessment.
Cheers

Uncle Bill · Aug 6, 2008

I find when getting stuff shipped from the US of A via USPS it takes about 7-10 days to get to Oakville Ontario. I don't think it's a USPS issue as much as it's a Canada Revenue Agency issue with a backlog of packages sitting in customs warehouses. I have a gut feeling your camera/film/paper/photo widget races to the border in two days, then sits, and sits, and sits until CRA lets it go and Canada Post delivers.

Buying Equipment from KEH

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