Buying Equipment from KEH

KenM

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Apr 22, 2003
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KEH will only ship orders via USPS for smaller dollar amounts. For larger amounts, they want to ship via courier, which I don't have a problem with. The thing to remember is that when using UPS to ship something to Canada, always (ALWAYS!) use the Worldwide Express service. it's a bit more expensive up front, but in the long run, you won't have any surprises at the door for any additional fees.
 

John Koehrer

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I doubt any of the delay AT KEH is because of the USPS failure to pick the stuff up. USPS will even pick up a package at a residence if you call them. If KEH either doesn't have the package ready to ship or it just sits on the table that's not the fault of the PO.
I've shipped to Europe, Canada & Asia using the PO with no problems. Either using Priority Mail or Registered.
I Used to work for the PO & they do have their problems but dollar for dollar I believe you come out ahead.
 

Uncle Bill

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I think in case of KEH, they have a deal with UPS and that's how they ship everything. USPS I guess became an option when enough of us foreigners got uppity due to UPS custom brokerage fees. Personally I am patient and I can wait for the post office to deliver.
 

SecondFocus

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Apr 11, 2008
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I have bought a number of BGN items from them, all of them were great and some look and perform as new. Lenses, film backs, camera bodies.
 

mhanc

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Sep 5, 2008
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just bought an EX nikkormat body and an EX nikkor lens from KEH.

spoke with rep on the phone and asked some question about their mechanical inspection process. he said that each camera was checked out mechanically with the shutter and light meter being tested on machines for functional accuracy. so, apparently the grading is more than cosmetics.

anyway, with the return policy and 60-day warranty, how can one go wrong? shipping w/ insurance was only $10.50.
 

jolefler

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Mar 25, 2006
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It IS pleasant isn't it? Should be an all-star vendor's list somewhere.....KEH, Freestyle, Ritz Collectable are a few from which I've had nothing but excellent service.

Congrats, oughta be a fun rig. I used to have a couple of F's & an F2, but my Nikkormat FTN got out more than the others.

Jo

PS: EX should be a very pretty set-up
 

Markok765

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Apr 26, 2006
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How much would be shipping to ontario, canada?

I have around $80 for taxes, shipping, and customs.
 

mhanc

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thanks -- was an extremely pleasant experience. they definitely have the right business model.

got the set-up to replace the FT2 i got for x-mas when i was 15 (it was stolen in 1994) -- just wanted to work with a very simple camera again -- i love the form factor, quirks and all !
 

Crono

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Dec 13, 2008
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anyone ever ordered stuff from KEH?

did they stated all of the details on the package?
thinking about to buy a camera from them
if they do... i will have to think about it again...

just...
so that i can avoid to pay for the stupid VAT and post office charges...
 

mikebarger

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I'm surprised something didn't show up in the search feature about KEH.

I think you'll find people who love them, and those that have mixed results.
But even with mixed results, my experience, they have an outstanding return policy.

Mike
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Martin Aislabie

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Bringing anything into the UK from the USA will automatically incur VAT & other charges.

Anything with a value of greater than a few pounds get hit.

I managed to buy quite a lot of stuff last year when the Pound: Dollar was much more favourable to us

Martin
 

Crono

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Dec 13, 2008
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i sent them a email regarding the shipping on monday
but there is no reply still...

wondering if they are happy to state the parcel as a gift
'cos i really want to avoid the tax... ( i know everyone does)

and i had a really bad experience before
i ordered a contax T2 from japan
and ended up i have to return it
but because i had to pay for the tax, post office handling fee and the return shipping
which caused my refund become like a half refund
 

railwayman3

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Apr 5, 2008
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I'm in UK, and likewise resent the imposition of VAT, clearance charges, etc., on items imported for private use. It's even worse now that easy money-transfer and Ebay, etc., make it simple to buy overseas.

Problem is that mis-declaration as a "gift" is illegal, and (at the very least) can result in the packet being held by Customs until the matter's sorted out.
I had a genuine "gift" parcel from a friend held for some weeks, just because it looked as though it had been sent from a commercial address. :rolleyes:

Not worth trying to save a few ££'s, IMHO...best allow for potential VAT charge in working out whether it's worth buying abroad.
 

Crono

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errrrrrrrrr...

how much would i have to pay for if the good is about 220 GBP?
sorry for asking about this...
but i am not very familiar with it and still not get used to it...
 

PhotoJim

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Oct 9, 2005
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Regina, SK, CA
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That would be fraud if they marked it as a gift.

What's your VAT rate? 15% I think (I know it was 17.5%). Take .15 and multiply it by your shipment's purchase price.

Add in 5 pounds or whatever the Royal Mail charges you for Customs administration charges.
 

Stan160

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Apr 24, 2006
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Frimley, Surrey
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VAT and duty seems very hit and miss. I've had plenty of items sent to me from outside the EU which went straight through customs without a charge, even sent from business addresses.

However, all 4 packages I've been sent from KEH have been held until I paid import fees at the sorting office.

Be aware some items are liable for import duty in addition to 15% VAT. There is a list on the UK customs web site. The Post Office charge a handling fee for taking the customs fees, it's either £8 or £13, can't remember which but those figures stick in my mind.

Ian
 

Crono

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Dec 13, 2008
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ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

i dont see a point to buy it from KEH now...
 

eclarke

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You are asking somebody else to break the law, why would any reputable concern do that??..Evan Clarke
 

Stan160

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Apr 24, 2006
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Frimley, Surrey
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KEH have an incredible and ever-changing range of stock. Despite the fees, on each occasion I paid significantly less than buying from an unknown individual on EBay, or a UK dealer.

I would tend to avoid KEH for expensive gear that's full of electronics because of the hassle of returns, but most of my purchases have been manual lenses with very little to go wrong, plus an electronic camera body that was so cheap I was prepared to take the chance of binning it if it wasn't working (for the record, it's still working perfectly, 9 months later).

Ian
 

Martin Aislabie

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Camera gear has a 6% import tax into the EU on the whole price inc shipping

Then they add VAT on to the whole amount inc the 6% camera tax.

To avoid this the agent (DHL, FedEx, who ever) tend to go for a standard flat %age - when I did it last year it was around 25% of the whole USA transaction fee (price of goods + shipping)

No buisness is going to mis-declare the value of good for you.

1) Its illegal

2) If they are caught the customs & revenue people can make life hell for the buisness

Work out if you think the cost save is big enough to warrent the risk - returning faulty goods to outside the EU is mega hasstle - the cost savings have to be significant to make it worth while.

Martin
 
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