Buying from KEH question?

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

Another vote for KEH. I'm a customer since 1994.

 

[fmajor]

I like KEH as well. I bought an RB67 Pro-S body from them and it came with new light seals and most everything in "As advertised" condition (EX). However, the body does have some minimal body-paint bubbling but so far that hasn't worsened nor detracted from the cameras performance. The "Premium" i paid for the EX condition was a bit higher than similarly advertised cameras on eBay, but i was absolutely assured i was getting what i paid for.

My most recent purchase with KEH was problematic. I bought a used Manfrotto ball-head and received a different (lesser/lower) model - though in EX condition. When i contacted KEH and informed them it took a couple days before i heard from them. I was pretty disturbed given my difficult shipping location, but to their credit, KEH refunded the difference between the price of the head i received and the one i paid for.

On lenses i've bought from KEH, i've been absolutely, 100% satisfied.

I must say that i've only had one bad eBay camera-related experience and on that singular Purchase the Seller made it right. I have had one other "suspicious" transaction on eBay (bought MS Office Pro 2007). The Seller didn't reply to communications, the shipment was s-l-o-w, and had alot of similar transactions (and a couple bad Feedbacks' - which i typically shun, but 99% Positive overall). I feared pirated software/scamming, but eventually (2 weeks...) the software arrived and all was well.

With eBay you simply buy from Sellers who only have 98% Positive feedback (and higher) for similar-priced transactions - otherwise, walk away!!!

 

[adelorenzo]

Another good point about KEH vs ebay is that KEH's prices are right on what similar items on ebay are going for. ebay may sometimes be lower but I've also seen items sell for higher than what KEH is selling them for. But the best part with KEH is that there is no risk. Pricing is the number one reason I buy from KEH, very reasonable pricing.

I find that keh.com prices are consistently 150% - 200% of what equivalent items sell for on eBay. So far I haven't bought anything from them for that reason, although I find there site useful for price research. Keh prices might be more in line with what sellers are asking, but at least for stuff I look at the sky-high Buy It Now auctions don't sell. The ones that sell at open auction or BIN are always much lower.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

I find that keh.com prices are consistently 150% - 200% of what equivalent items sell for on eBay. So far I haven't bought anything from them for that reason, although I find there site useful for price research. Keh prices might be more in line with what sellers are asking, but at least for stuff I look at the sky-high Buy It Now auctions don't sell. The ones that sell at open auction or BIN are always much lower.

Nope. Not my experience at all over 10+ years.

i.e. bought a Leica IIIa body from KEH couple months ago for $190. Latest eBay auctions for similar condition ones: $175-$199 most with no warranty or return privilege.

Contax 180/2.8 Sonnar for Y/C SLR, from KEH for $325, eBay latest going for $356-468....I could go on.....

 

[HowardDvorin]

Speaking for myself, I would rather buy with the confidence of a reliable warranty then save a few bucks and gamble.

I have bought a good sized Canon outfit(FD lens mount) that I enjooy ussing.All fromKEH at various times.

When I use the equipment and look at the photos, I forget the cost of the equipment but enjoy the results. I DO NOT want the hassles of the unknow coming from who knows where and the non photographic work of sursing the computer to get in the best bid.

I just order, pay and use my equipment.

HowardDvorin

 

[robbalbrecht]

Yet another vote for KEH here. Excellent company to deal with.

I purchased my Bronica SQ kit, a Canon FD lens, a Nikon D lens, and some misc lens hoods and other bits from them and I'm very happy with the quality of everything.

 

[doughowk]

Any questions about ratings/quality, give them a call. They are an honest dealer. I had an issue with one camera body, and it was repaired at no cost including shipping. Try that with ePrey!

 

[uimike]

+1 for KEH

The very few times something was not working well, I returned the items w/o any problem.
The descriptions are quite conservative. Bargains = very decent stuff. Anything better than that is _really good_.

m.

 

[CGW]

KEH doesn't really work outside the US, even to Canada, thanks to shipping charges--US$60+. eBay works if you're patient, picky, and better-informed than the sellers.

 

[clayne]

I find that keh.com prices are consistently 150% - 200% of what equivalent items sell for on eBay. So far I haven't bought anything from them for that reason, although I find there site useful for price research. Keh prices might be more in line with what sellers are asking, but at least for stuff I look at the sky-high Buy It Now auctions don't sell. The ones that sell at open auction or BIN are always much lower.

Absolutely not. Maybe you're looking at all the trendy/gotta-have-it stuff but I find KEHs prices totally sane.

 

[BennyK]

Thanks for all the replies and opinions. Really appreciate it. I'll let you know what I do but it looks like KEH is certainly the best and safest bet in my case.

 

[pinholeboy]

I have had only good transactions with KEH so far, not that I have had many. The few items that I have purchased were very conservatively graded. Much better that I expected.

 

[Mark Crabtree]

I've bought from KEH since they started (I think it was just under the name King Grant then). There were some bargains early on since they were just starting to figure stuff out and anything out of the mainstream threw them off. I took a chance on an 8x10 field camera with virtually no description except mention of worm gear front shift. Of course it was a Gandolfi. The prettiest camera I've ever seen, but I preferred a Deardorff for my use so sold it off. I still have a few snapshots of it somewhere. I believe I had to pay them $100 for it.

 

[cfclark]

I just order, pay and use my equipment.

HowardDvorin

This is why KEH is where I go when there's something specific that I really want. You can generally find at least a few examples of what you need, in at least good "user" shape, at a reasonable but perhaps not spectacularly low price. They ship on time, the equipment is generally good and they're not going anywhere anytime soon. I have also used B&H, but I think their selection is not quite as extensive and their prices run higher (they're in NYC, go figure). Still, my Pentax 6X7 is from there, and it's been a great camera at a not-too-terrible price (my wife bought it as a gift, so it was her call). As for eBay, it all depends on your tolerance for risk, I guess. I have a camera and a lens or two that I bought from eBay sellers, and no problems, but YMMV.

 

[fstop]

Originally Posted by Wolfeye

You're better off buying from eBay, Adorama, or B&H than KEH. Both Adorama and B&H have professionals who monitor this site and photo.net and try and work out any problem, even if it happened weeks ago. Ebay now has a 100% buyer satisfaction policy that guarantees your purchase price plus shipping back. KEH doesn't fully test their items and as such, you'll go to use some feature and it won't work. Happened to me many times. I'd much rather buy from an individual that knows his gear than the KEH appearance-graded items.

Ebays 100% is BS pure and simple, try to get your money back. Only once out of about a dozen bad transactions did they offer full money back refund,but they make you wait 4-6 weeks for the refund and only if the seller doesn't dispute the returned item, which they do of course. Now you don't have the item or your money.Its another ebay scam.
How much does BH and Ado pay/discount your stuff for shilling for them? They aren't that hot either on used gear.BH is a problem whether or not its new or used because they are closed half the time for holidays .

Originally Posted by adelorenzo

I find that keh.com prices are consistently 150% - 200% of what equivalent items sell for on eBay. So far I haven't bought anything from them for that reason, although I find there site useful for price research. Keh prices might be more in line with what sellers are asking, but at least for stuff I look at the sky-high Buy It Now auctions don't sell. The ones that sell at open auction or BIN are always much lower.

KEH is consistently cheaper than ebay on apples to apples condition. Ebay prices look cheap at first, I'm not going to list specifics, but more than one camera I bought off ebay I could have bought from KEH for the same price and better condition.

Ebay Buy It Now=Regret It Later

 

[BardParker]

Arthur

Call and talk to Arthur from KEH. He knows what is newly in stock and not on the website yet. I have had excellent transactions with KEH in several transactions ranging from several thousand dollars to just a few used filters. Wolfeye, I can say your experience is Waaay different from mine! KEH grades equipment, particularly lenses, conservatively. I've bought several BGN lenses that appeared EXC to me. And, to back this up, I sent 3 BGN Pentax lenses from KEH to Eric Hendricksen from Pentaxrepairs.com along with a Pentax K1000 (that I bought off this apug classified forum) and he pronounced these "BGN" lenses EXC as well with no need for CLA. BTW, Eric did a great job on the K1000 CLA!

 

[Johnkpap]

Hi all,

With regards to the Minim$65.00 Shipping for International, What I do is, buy the EX item that you really, realy want , then keep adding small items
that you may like, for example Ug and Bgn lenses or filters and other small value, being a trained Electronics Technician, is my advatage, I am getting quite
good at fixing minor problems, therfore UG, BGN or even Better AS-IS are my sort of deal. The shipping will stay the same this does not happen with $BAY items,
I have had a couple of bad deals lately with a camera ENGRAVED in 3 Places:- the seller was a good person and took it back with a full refund -: Photos can lie !!!
and a Nikon Lens from the place starting with A..... Yes it was as described but someone had "Messed with it!!" damaged the grub screws :- it can't be cleaned.

So far KEH stuff has been first rate, always better than expected.

Adorama Bargins .......Well once bitten twice shy. There shipping charges are a also bit on the high side too....


KEH is abit low on UG and BGN lenses and cameras at the moment ....Hopefully they list more soon ....Please bring back AS-IS items and Grab Bags

Johnkpap

 

[Marc B.]

KEH will occasionally accept a reasonable offer that is lower then an item's listed price.
It doesn't cost anything to ask.

 

[ME Super]

To quote ads by a particular sporting goods company... "Just do it." My experience is a bit limited, but on advice from this and other forums I bought a Pentax AF SLR from KEH back in December. When my son decided he wanted a camera like mine, I didn't hesitate to order a lens and camera for him from KEH. Both purchases work very well, and I would definitely buy from them again.

 

[Halka]

I'm contemplating buying used equipment from KEH, but this will be my first ever experience with overseas shipping from USA; are there any gotchas? How likely is it for my beater of a camera to be held at customs, or picking up additional charges along the way?

 

[Benoît99]

Receiving an overseas shipment from KEH is usually without problems. KEH will put a customs declaration on the package that will indicate that the contents are "used photographic equipment" and the value of the equipment (KEH selling price).

Any customs duties and sales taxes will be determined by YOUR country's customs agency. You can contact that agency to find out the tariff for the equipment shipped. Sometimes the country of origin (country where manufactured) may affect the customs duties if your country has trade barriers in place.

In addition, the carrier (shipping company) will add charges for taking care of customs clearance and delivery. Contact the carrier for information. ALL charges, taxes and duties will be collected by the carrier when delivery is made.

 

[Halka]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

I've already had a look at our import laws, it seems I'll just pay the VAT if I keep the purchase price under 150 EUR. I've heard that our customs guys like to add shipping price to this equation, even though they shouldn't; so I would go over 150 easily. Oh well, let's try.

 

[MattKing]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

I've already had a look at our import laws, it seems I'll just pay the VAT if I keep the purchase price under 150 EUR. I've heard that our customs guys like to add shipping price to this equation, even though they shouldn't; so I would go over 150 easily. Oh well, let's try.

In Canada, the customs officials are required to include the shipping cost when calculating the value for duty - that is the way our legislation is worded.

So it might be wise to check the wording of the applicable legislation where you are.

 

[ozphoto]

Yes, I'd definitely check with your customs officials as red-tape changes rapidly, and it would be better to know before you get a nice bill for duty!! (Australia: under $1000 seems to be happily ignored. I ordered some parts for my classic car a few months back, and the US supplier split the order into 2 shipment - to keep it under $1000. Postage for the two was still less than any duty I may have been slugged with, so was happy to receive the shipments separately. )