KEH's AS IS Offerings?

waynecrider · Jul 19, 2022

So I left my film cameras at home in Georgia thinking I wouldn’t have time to do any shooting down here in Florida while I work on my house to put it up for sale. Well as it so happens I do have some time, and I’d like to get out and do some shooting as II won’t be coming back here once the house is sold. So I’ve been dumpster diving at Keh looking for a 35mm film camera and lens. I’m a little leery buying something AS IS but I don’t want to tie up too much mullah in this when I have way to many camera’s at home. The question is, what’s up with their 180 day warranty and their AS IS offerings? And what does AS IS really mean as to function; Anything?

Paul Howell · Jul 19, 2022

My understanding that as is mean not working. Ugly means working with issues that will effect IQ. I have gone below bargain.

Sirius Glass · Jul 19, 2022

Not working but I think that if you get it working, you will have to send it back and pay a restocking fee. Really if there was a reasonable way to fix it that KEH would be sold as AS IS?

jtk · Jul 19, 2022

waynecrider said:
So I left my film cameras at home in Georgia thinking I wouldn’t have time to do any shooting down here in Florida while I work on my house to put it up for sale. Well as it so happens I do have some time, and I’d like to get out and do some shooting as II won’t be coming back here once the house is sold. So I’ve been dumpster diving at Keh looking for a 35mm film camera and lens. I’m a little leery buying something AS IS but I don’t want to tie up too much mullah in this when I have way to many camera’s at home. The question is, what’s up with their 180 day warranty and their AS IS offerings? And what does AS IS really mean as to function; Anything?

Ask them. They're reliable.

Rayt · Jul 19, 2022

I bought an KEH As Is Minolta Autocord for parts and that was what it was good for. It was broken with pieces missing.

mshchem · Jul 19, 2022

Maybe you should hit up a pawn shop. Make sure you can find the film you want. Color negative film is hard to come by right now.

Les Sarile · Jul 19, 2022

I bought an OM-3 in "AS IS, NOT WORKING" condition from KEH back in 2014 - I still have the confirmation email . . .

OM-3 profile by Les DMess, on Flickr

Even in the stated condition it wasn't cheap but much cheaper then one that is working. Cosmetically they would list this as bargain while anyone else would call it "mint". Fortunately for me, it was fully functional when I got it and continues to be so today. I look at it as them rewarding me for years of buying.

mshchem · Jul 19, 2022

Score!!

Les Sarile · Jul 19, 2022

mshchem said:
Score!!

I think it is my best one yet!

I used to live in Georgia about an hour from KEH. I suppose it's a good thing for me they didn't have a sales counter!

mshchem · Jul 19, 2022

Les Sarile said:
I think it is my best one yet!

I used to live in Georgia about an hour from KEH. I suppose it's a good thing for me they a sales counter!

reddesert · Jul 19, 2022

It really depends. I'm sure the warranty doesn't apply to as-is cameras. I've bought a few as-is camera bodies from them to use for projects, and some have really been broken, while some have been functional with a bad meter or other minor issue. I think it's just not worth their time to diagnose/fix such things when it's a low-$ item.

How long are you going to be there? PM me and I'll lend you something. It will take a few days to get there since I'm on the left side of the country.

gone · Jul 20, 2022

There is no warranty on their as-is stuff, unfortunately. I called them recently to ask about some of their other rating terms, and the guy mentioned that. He also said that lenses marked "UG" WILL have fungus, haze, coatings issues, etc. Not might, will.

Robert's Camera is a great source for budget priced gear, they rate things like the old KEH used to.

4season · Jul 20, 2022

Up until 2021 or thereabouts, I would sometimes get "BGN" or "As-is" items from KEH which were in surprisingly good shape. But the Nikkormat FTN I purchased earlier in 2022 was about what I'd expect from an As-Is item, and IIRC, slow shutter speeds and self-timer weren't working, and top cover was partially caved-in. Not really usable as received, but a decent fixer-upper for the money.

jtk · Jul 20, 2022

First, do actually read what their descriptions mean and talk to them to confirm.

FWIW I just bought an EXC Pentax zoom from KEH for $150, which saved me $50 on a lens that B&H doesn't have. Two good reasons to deal with KEH.

As a former longtime professional, I've been prejudiced against zooms for a long time but this Pentax couldn't be better. OTOH I wouldn't buy a cheapo brand like Vivitar from them at any price because they were roll-of-dice when new.

I've used them for repair and that didn't work out. I figure if it needs repair it needs to be replaced.

Sirius Glass · Jul 20, 2022

Les Sarile said:
I bought an OM-3 in "AS IS, NOT WORKING" condition from KEH back in 2014 - I still have the confirmation email . . .

OM-3 profile by Les DMess, on Flickr

Even in the stated condition it wasn't cheap but much cheaper then one that is working. Cosmetically they would list this as bargain while anyone else would call it "mint". Fortunately for me, it was fully functional when I got it and continues to be so today. I look at it as them rewarding me for years of buying.

You should ask for your money back since the camera was not as promised. Talk about bait and switch!

Les Sarile · Jul 20, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
You should ask for your money back since the camera was not as promised. Talk about bait and switch!

That is the only negative with KEH, they don't post pictures of the actual item for sale. Fortunately, it's been my experience that they underrate the items.

bdial · Jul 20, 2022

I bought an as-is FTn finder from them to be a parts donor, and it was in nicer shape than the one I was attempting to fix up. So the donor became the recipient.

Bushcat · Jul 20, 2022

jtk said:
OTOH I wouldn't buy a cheapo brand like Vivitar from them at any price because they were roll-of-dice when new.

The old Vivitar had some interesting OEM sources, including Olympus.

jtk · Jul 21, 2022

Bushcat said:
The old Vivitar had some interesting OEM sources, including Olympus.

Undoubtedly true, but how is that relevant to buying an old, used zoom from KEH?

Bushcat · Jul 21, 2022

jtk said:
Undoubtedly true, but how is that relevant to buying an old, used zoom from KEH?

Just replying to your broad comment, "OTOH I wouldn't buy a cheapo brand like Vivitar from them at any price because they were roll-of-dice when new." You know, maybe some people want to buy Vivitars from KEH because they understand where particular models are sourced. That's how it's relevant.

grat · Jul 22, 2022

Les Sarile said:
That is the only negative with KEH, they don't post pictures of the actual item for sale. Fortunately, it's been my experience that they underrate the items.

On the other hand, they DO post actual pictures on their eBay store, kehoutlet.

summicron1 · Jul 22, 2022

there's a guy here today offering a nikkormat EL in good working condition for $45 plus postage.

Buy that. Problem solved.

jtk · Jul 22, 2022

Bushcat said:
Just replying to your broad comment, "OTOH I wouldn't buy a cheapo brand like Vivitar from them at any price because they were roll-of-dice when new." You know, maybe some people want to buy Vivitars from KEH because they understand where particular models are sourced. That's how it's relevant.b

There's all sorts of conflicting folklore about Viv zooms, but Viv never sold a zoom that was nearly as good as 21st century kit zooms. Matter of opinion. If a Viv rings your bell go for it.

KEH offers great deals on all sorts of equipment...some of which is inherently more/less risky depending on what sort of equipment is involved. I think a vintage camera body or a vintage prime is a better bet for the average photographer than (for example) anybody's vintage zoom.

r_a_feldman · Jul 24, 2022

momus said:
There is no warranty on their as-is stuff, unfortunately. I called them recently to ask about some of their other rating terms, and the guy mentioned that. He also said that lenses marked "UG" WILL have fungus, haze, coatings issues, etc. Not might, will.

Your experience might differ, but I have gotten some UG items that were in good condition. I got an Olympus 28-48 zoom rated UG. It did have some slight fungus on the inside of the front element and a loose screw in the zoom mechanism, but I was able to clean up the lens element with peroxide, adjust the zoom and tighten the screw. For me, the lens was a great deal.

grat · Jul 25, 2022

My "Fuji 80mm F/5.6 EBC GX Lens For GX680 {95} - UG" is spotless and gorgeous. The seal on the back is crazed, but not cracked.

KEH's AS IS Offerings?

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