Buying Equipment from KEH

[removed account4]

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

i wonder the same thing evan ...
it reminds me of someone getting
upset that a seller on Eboo, declared something
wasn't a gift, and the buyer gave negative feedback
because the seller didn't break the law ...

john

 

[Crono]

what i want is a set of Bronica GS-1

it will be about 220GBP
220 x 1.15 + about 40 GBP shipping + 13 GBP handling from parcel force
it will be about 320 GBP...

i didn't mean to force them to declare it as a gift...
just wondering if they must have to state the details

will try to find it from somewhere else
don't want to experience sending a camera back again...

 

[Chris Nielsen]

I'm having an issue with KEH at the moment, unfortunately. They've been very good in the past, but currently having a bit of a saga. Hope you all don't mind me recounting it...

Sept 15th I ordered a BGN grade Nikon 300 F4 AF lens to be sent by USPS (US$60 shipping vs $190 on UPS). Normally I'd expect to have it despatched in a week or so but I think because they were moving premises it didn't ship for 5 weeks. In the mean time, they hadn't charged my credit card, and during those 5 weeks our currency crashed against the USD from somewhere in the 0.75c range to 0.54c or thereabouts. Then it finally arrived on Nov 1st, got held up in customs while they took their time telling me I had to pay tax on it, and then it arrived mid November. Between the currency issue and tax, a US$499 lens cost me NZ$1200. Grrr. If they'd sent it straight away and if I'd had it shipped to my work (who will pay the tax for me as they claim it back later) it would be been more like NZ$750

So I unwrapped the lens, fitted it to my camera and straight away found the autofocus was faulty. Now that's a real kick in the guts!!! So I got onto them and was told to return it for exchange and they'd get it back out within a week. I swallowed and paid the $80 to ship it back, and it's now December 19th, 5 weeks after I sent it back, and no sign of the replacement.

I'm starting to get a little annoyed by now. I think, understandably.

 

[DaveOttawa]

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)

(

If they did lie on the paperwork (said it was a gift when it was a taxable paid for item, and I don't for a minute think they would do that) then they would be liars wouldn't they? Do you want to buy your new camera from a bunch of liars? Just asking here.

 

[Akki14]

If they lie on the customs form, it's actually on your head and your fault anyway. You will be legally prosecuted for it if it's worth their time and money. This is why I actually send emails saying the opposite (please state this correctly as merchandise not gift). It's then up to Customs&Revenue to decide to charge me or not (they don't always. Besides the now raised threshold, they won't hassle you if it's not going to make them at least £10).

 

[RH Designs]

If they ship by FedEx or similar, you will almost certainly be charged VAT etc because those companies use agents to get things through customs quickly. Items sent by the regular mail may or may not be charged, depending on the workload of the customs people I suspect. I have had some items arrive free of any charges, and some charged the full amount. What really annoys me is when for example a customer outside the EU returns an item for an upgrade, and I get charged the duty and VAT on the declared value. I then have to claim it all back again. Talk about a waste of time and money ...

 

[Neil Souch]

I couldn't agree more Richard, very unfair indeed :-( Thank gawd I don't have to deal with that anymore.

Neil.

 

[Ira Rush]

KEH Bargain Lenses - Any Advice

Anyone have an opinion on, or experience with KEH Bargain Lenses.

I am interested in either Hasselblad or Nikon

Don't really care that much about brassing or finish loss, its fuctionality such as smooth aperture blades, and on Hassy lenses accurate shutter speeds. That is what I am more concerned with.

Also any comments as to whether there were marks, haze and or worse yet fungus!

I have dealt with them numerous times, and was very, very pleased.
I know they have a very fair and good return policy.
In the past I usually went for the higher grades,....but lately "the times they are a changin" at least money wise, they are.

Any comments....

Thanks in advance

 

[PhotoJim]

The BGN-graded Nikkors I've gotten from KEH have been decent. You don't get caps.

There is often dust on the internal elements.

Sometimes the focus ring might bind slightly. I've noticed this on a couple of lenses.

I've made a decision to, where possible, get EX-rated lenses to avoid some of these problems. EX-rated lenses are noticeably nicer and not horridly more costly.

 

[cdholden]

If you have to choose between two, get the one with caps. They tend to have better quality glass. Mechanics count too, but either way, they have a decent warranty/exchange offer if you're not happy.
Chris

 

[Nick Zentena]

The BGN-graded Nikkors I've gotten from KEH have been decent. You don't get caps.

Unless they are listed to include caps.

I've bought BGN that have seemed almost new. It doesn't take much of a finish damage [a small scratch is enough] to have a lens downgraded. None of mine have ever shown glass issues. On the binding the only time I've seen this was lenses that had been sitting. I guess the lube had dried out. Just using the lens was enough to get things working like normal.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I have never purchased a lens from KEH, always somewhere else, mostly eBay. Because in my opinion KEH's bargain lens pricing isn't that much of a bargain, comparatively.

 

[PhotoJim]

I think KEH's prices are very reasonable. Also, KEH is very predictable. You know more or less what you are going to get. eBay is, comparatively, a crapshoot. You can get a fantastic bargain, but you can also get a lens that is substantially inferior to what you were expecting.

 

[Travis Nunn]

I find that the BGN grade lenses are a much better way to go than ebay. All but one of the lenses I have for my RB67 and 645 Super and 2 Canon L lenses were bought in BGN grade from KEH and all are in much better shape than I expected (no glass issues at all). The one I bought from ebay was from a supposed reputable dealer in EX condition and it looked much worse than any KEH lens I have purchased.

The prices seem to be about the same as on ebay and I get a warranty from KEH. I don't even consider ebay anymore when looking for a lens.

 

[mikebarger]

I've got lens from both ebay (most often) and KEH. I've not been unhappy with any camera purchase from Ebay, and have sent two items back to KEH.

For the items I've bought, I give a plus to ebay for pricing, and a plus to KEH for return policy. Guess you have to decide which is more important to you.

Mike

 

[Nick Zentena]

I find Ebay prices higher for anything interesting. You can get lucky on stuff nobody else wants but I've seen plenty of Ebay stuff for a fair bit more then KEH. Or Mpex.

Both KEH and Mpex have in the past [and I assume still do] sell on Ebay. I always found it funny when people would bid more for the same item on Ebay then it was being sold in their shops. :rolleyes:

 

[mikebarger]

You're right, you have to be a smart shopper and do your research at ebay. At KEH you can just order and see what it's like, they have a great return policy.

I just bought a Pentax digital spot meter off ebay for just under $120, working great and is in near mint condition.

I don't think you're going to find one at KEH or MPEX at that price.

This isn't a cut on KEH or MPEX, I've used them both and will again. I just think sales are safe on ebay, if you do your homework. Also, the prices can be a lot cheaper if you are patient.

Mike

 

[Jim Noel]

I would buy the worst BGN lens from KEH with more confidence than ANY lens on e-bay. KEH is an honest, reliable dealer with an excellent return policy.

 

[michaelbsc]

You're right, you have to be a smart shopper and do your research at ebay. ... I just think sales are safe on ebay, if you do your homework. Also, the prices can be a lot cheaper if you are patient.

I'll be the third to say that you absolutely have to be a smart shopper on eBay. When you get a bargain, it's truly a great bargain. I've gotten a number of great bargains myself. But you'd better be clear up front what it is. My experience is that 75% of the time someone says they "know nothing about camera equipment" means it's broken or otherwise impaired. Sure, sometimes old Uncle Harry passes on and the kids truly don't know anything about camera stuff but know how to list it on eBay, but most of that goes to scavengers buying at estate sales.

MB

 

[mikebarger]

If it is something for much money I alwys talk first hand with the seller. I "think" this gives me a better feel for the situation than just reading the text.

I agree, "I know nothing about cameras" is generally code for buyer beware.

Mike

 

[markland]

I would buy the worst BGN lens from KEH with more confidence than ANY lens on e-bay. KEH is an honest, reliable dealer with an excellent return policy.

Ditto... I have also bought from both and with extreme care and document control have successfully returned bad items from ebay however I did get stuck once and that probably covered savings from others. KEH almost exclusively now.

-Mark

 

[mikebarger]

Since I'm watching for a 40mm for my hassy, I'm changing my mind.

No one should bid on any Hasselbad 40mm lens on ebay, no matter how tempting the price may be.

At least until I've got one bought.

Mike

 

[2F/2F]

I will find out soon enough, and let you know. I just ordered an FD 28mm f/2.0. I have purchased BGN accessories, but this will be my first BGN lens.

My thoughts are that BGN items probably cover a large range of conditions that are not quite clean enough to fall into the EX or above categories, but also are not quite bad enough to belong in the UG category.

Remember that BGN *is* their second-worst condition. UG is the next one down. According to their percentages, a BGN rating is like getting a C grade in a class. The low end of a C is almost a non-passing grade, and the high end of a C is almost a B.

 

[Markok765]

BGN is Well used, with scratches, paint wear, and all that stuff, but should work perfectly.

 

[Travis Nunn]

...My thoughts are that BGN items probably cover a large range of conditions that are not quite clean enough to fall into the EX or above categories, but also are not quite bad enough to belong in the UG category.

Remember that BGN *is* their second-worst condition. UG is the next one down. According to their percentages, a BGN rating is like getting a C grade in a class. The low end of a C is almost a non-passing grade, and the high end of a C is almost a B.

You are correct in that BGN is the second worst condition, but consider this. I have purchased 9 BGN grade lenses from KEH (4 for an RB67, 3 for a Mamiya 645 and 2 Canon L lenses) and the glass on each of them is flawless. I certainly don't mind a little scratch or missing paint here and there.

Some are worse than others, but that is to be expected. The way it usually works for me is I open the package and then try to figure out why it's rated as BGN.