Experiences selling to KEH

[Ces1um]

I was wondering if anybody has any experience selling cameras to KEH and how did that experience go? I have a camera that I'm considering selling and would prefer to sell it to a reputable company rather than through ebay/kijij/private forums.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have had nothing but good experiences buying and selling to KEH. Any problems that I had got quickly resolved. For example, I bought a filter that was scratched and since I was about to leave on a trip, KEH sent me a replacement so I would have it in time, before I shipped the defective one back.

 

[Ces1um]

I have had nothing but good experiences buying and selling to KEH. Any problems that I had got quickly resolved. For example, I bought a filter that was scratched and since I was about to leave on a trip, KEH sent me a replacement so I would have it in time, before I shipped the defective one back.

That's certainly encouraging. Do you feel they offer you a satisfactory/reasonable amount for any items that you sold to them? I have a voigtlander bessa r3m and 3 lenses that I'm just not using. I paid a lot of money for them (mostly the lenses) and would like to get a non-insulting amount back. I'm not expecting top dollar, or even close to that, but I would hope to get at the very least half my initial investment back for the lenses. I know the camera body I'll likely take a hit on.

 

[choiliefan]

You realize they are a business with enormous overhead and have to make a profit, no?
They are convenient but if you're looking for a good price you should consider private sales.

 

[Pieter12]

That's certainly encouraging. Do you feel they offer you a satisfactory/reasonable amount for any items that you sold to them? I have a voigtlander bessa r3m and 3 lenses that I'm just not using. I paid a lot of money for them (mostly the lenses) and would like to get a non-insulting amount back. I'm not expecting top dollar, or even close to that, but I would hope to get at the very least half my initial investment back for the lenses. I know the camera body I'll likely take a hit on.

I have sold to KEH both in person and long distance. They certainly don't pay top dollar, but they are quick and pay more than Adorama. You can get an estimate from them online in most cases. With patience you can usually get more selling on e****, craigslist or here.

 

[michr]

A KEH representative has visited my local camera store, and I've stopped in two of the times attempting to sell. I didn't have a camera with me the first time, but inquired about a pair of SX70 cameras. I wasn't satisfied with what they quoted, and ended up selling them for a bit more through eBay. The most recent, and probably last, time, I had a white body SX70 (with true focusing, not a model 2 or 3) and a Kiev 88 prism (which is something I'd just ordered from KEH for $20). I was offered $18 for both items, not enough to bother with. Instead, I sold the SX70 for about $35 on eBay, and kept the prism. I've never had a major problem buying from KEH, but their high standards and low prices are not in a seller's favor.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have sold to KEH both in person and long distance. They certainly don't pay top dollar, but they are quick and pay more than Adorama. You can get an estimate from them online in most cases. With patience you can usually get more selling on e****, craigslist or here.

You could get more money selling it private party, but is it worth your time and possibly be scammed? I agree with Piete12.

 

[David Brown]

They will likely offer you a fair wholesale price. It will probably not be as much as you wanted, and not be as much as you could get selling it yourself. It really depends on what the spread is.

 

[Trail Images]

They will likely offer you a fair wholesale price. It will probably not be as much as you wanted, and not be as much as you could get selling it yourself. It really depends on what the spread is.

This has been my experience with selling to KEH. When it comes to buying and selling to KEH I've had nothing but very solid and pleasant outcomes overall. I agree with SG's comment on selling to private parties.You will no doubt make more money IMO, but if you're more inclined to want to off load any item(s) with little hassle or tracking & follow up then KEH is a good way to go.

 

[MattKing]

I've only sold one thing to KEH and that was when they had a representative in town. I toook the item to them, they paid me a low but fair amount in Canadian cash, and I had no further worries or concerns.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Hell the camera is not worth much, just send it to me and I will send it to the trash heap.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

That's certainly encouraging. Do you feel they offer you a satisfactory/reasonable amount for any items that you sold to them? I have a voigtlander bessa r3m and 3 lenses that I'm just not using. I paid a lot of money for them (mostly the lenses) and would like to get a non-insulting amount back. I'm not expecting top dollar, or even close to that, but I would hope to get at the very least half my initial investment back for the lenses. I know the camera body I'll likely take a hit on.

I suppose it depends on how prone you are to get insulted


I suppose if you are on a hurry and don't want to get into the trouble of selling it yourself, go with KEH. I once sold some equipment (2 Leica bodies) and I remember getting a low price, but it wasn't insulting, was on a hurry so I took the money.

Bessa body should get you from $500-$600 easily if you sold it yourself. On the lens, it depends on what lenses they are. I wouldn't expect more than 350-400 from KEH for the Bessa though. Keep in mind that Bessa's are photographers cameras, not collectors items like Leica, and as stated before, KEH must make a living.


Wish you the best of lucks.

Marcelo

 

[mgb74]

You can go online, enter specifics, and - for many items - see what they'll give you. But be realistic about condition.

My one and only experience selling to them was positive. They felt I "overrated" one item but "underrated" another so total $ was the same. Keep in mind that they warranty their used gear and that adds to their cost. My sense was that they bought for about half of their selling price. I feel that's fair.

As to getting half of your initial investment in the lenses, that may not be feasible if you bought them new. Of course, supply and demand (as well as inflation) plays a factor.

 

[mshchem]

One thing is they pay shipping going. I picked up a Pentax lens in a thrift store for 20 bucks sold it to KEH for 200 free shipping . It depends a lot on what they are already sitting on. I've never felt like I was unfairly treated

 

[ann]

Always treated fair both with selling and buying. Got more than iexpected

 

[railwayman3]

It's the same with most s/h or collectors items, whether cameras, stamps, coins, vintage cars, or whatever. Selling to a reputable dealer means that they have to price to cover all their overheads and risks while the item is in their stock awaiting another customer, pay their sales or profit taxes ,but you get the cash with no worries or hassle. Selling privately, via Ebay or whatever, means that you spend your time, take any risks of auction bids, and pay any costs and auction commission......in the hope of getting a better return.
There's a big firm who advertise in the UK to buy any used car......their adverts say that they will buy any used car for immediate cash, but admit, quite openly and fairly, that you "may" get more in a private sale. Guess it all depends on what you think your time and effort is worth.

 

[jtk]

I've bought from and sold to KEH.


I think it makes more sense to buy FROM them than to sell TO them unless you want to do the sale quickly (which I stupidly did with some rangefinder gear). I think their condition descriptions work FOR you if you're buying and work AGAINST you if you're selling.

I've sold more thru Craig's List than thru KEH but the risk in Craig's is high from a very primative perspective.

 

[jtk]

Something to think about re UPS Vs USPS:

According to conversations with drivers, UPS now treats workers far worse than USPS does.

UPS was a great job years ago but that's out the window...using them has become a roll of the dice.

USPS has better management, probably because they've had to deal with political pressure, not just stock market analysts.

If you want to see the stock market in action, look at how today's leadership has methodically pillaged Sears, making billions for themselves.

 

[faberryman]

If you want to see the stock market in action, look at how today's leadership has methodically pillaged Sears, making billions for themselves.

That, and people stopped shopping at Sears and K-Mart twenty years ago.

 

[JWMster]

I agree with JTK here. Nice as it is to have cash for gear you're not using, their prices are really set for "mint".... which means great operation AND "as new" exterior. I think they are more fair on camera bodies than on lenses - especially when you are the seller. They are pricing in 1) inventory turnover rate, 2) possible repair, and 3) 90-day warranty. I think their spreads are wider than some. Many of these wholesalers will give better deals if you take payment in gift cards or trade than otherwise. I found B&H fair as well, but KEH will take non-digital cameras and lenses.

 

[Karl K]

I prefer to buy from KEH because of their warranty and return policy, but selling to KEH is another story.
I sent them a mint Canon FD 50/1.4 SSC breech lock lens.
I rated it conservatively as EX+.
They said that it had oil on the blades.
NOT TRUE. There was no oil on the blades.
I requested a return and then sold it on eBay for about double what KEH had offered as an EX+ lens.

 

[AnselMortensen]

I have sold items to KEH...one of their reps comes to a local camera store every couple of months.
You know going in that you're only going to get low wholesale, further reduced by any apparent flaws....so you have to temper your expectations.
I just look at it as " Would I rather have this stuff I will never use, or would I rather have some cash to put towards something I want?"
The rep writes you a check then & there.... Boom, done! Walk away with a check, no hassle with Ebay, no flaky C-Listers.

 

[AgX]

The same for brick&mortar camera-stores that buy themselves.