Question about buying used equipment

[Tony-S]

Greetings all - first post after following this forum for a few weeks. I've gathered quite a bit of information from here and am now wanting to get back into film with medium format. It seems that many have bought from B&H and Adorama, but what are the warranties from these companies like on used equipment? I assume that if it's rated high (e.g., "8" or "E") then the camera/lens/back/finder are all functional upon delivery. Is there also a return period like their new gear (i.e. 15 days for both companies)?

Also, does anyone know why B&H won't ship fixer or any kit that has fixer in it?

Thanks much,

Tony

 

[JRJacobs]

Probably better to ask B&H and Adorama directly about their return and warranty policies.

Shipping fixer may have something to do with hazardous materials shipping requirements.

 

[lns]

As far as I know, B&H will ship Ilford Rapid Fixer. If you can find it locally, that's probably a better option, though.

I'm sure both B&H and Adorama have return policies on their websites. I can also recommend KEH for used equipment; again check the website for specific return policies. All three have handled returns from me speedily.

-Laura

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Four purchases from K.E.H.................very satisfied!

 

[AgentX]

Longtime KEH user and very satisfied. Used stuff, esp. old used stuff, is a crap shoot. KEH will not leave you hanging. What you get might have a problem that no one noticed, usually quite reasonably so, during their grading/inspection. They will take a return or exchange, and will send you new stuff right away if it's time-critical.

BGN stuff has been good to me, but I have had things with some wierd quirks. Nothing operationally wrong (that wasn't exchanged) but, for example, knobs that are off-kilter but still function. These have been rare...but EXC is more of a guarantee that there will be no issues whatsoever.

I buy powdered Kodak Rapid Fix from B&H, and have bought used successfully from them in the past.

If it's not functioning, any of the places you're discussing will (should) say so explicitly. If not, it's probably an honest mistake. But talk to the suppliers in question about the details...whatever we say is secondhand or speculation. Get it from them in email, then order if you're comfortable with their return policies.

 

[Tony-S]

Thanks for information; I will add KEH to my list of vendors. I'd be happy to hear more, though.

 

[thebanana]

Check out KEH for gear and Freestyle for everything else.

 

[HelenOster]

Message from Helen, Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

Greetings all - first post after following this forum for a few weeks. I've gathered quite a bit of information from here and am now wanting to get back into film with medium format. It seems that many have bought from B&H and Adorama, but what are the warranties from these companies like on used equipment? I assume that if it's rated high (e.g., "8" or "E") then the camera/lens/back/finder are all functional upon delivery. Is there also a return period like their new gear (i.e. 15 days for both companies)?

Our return policy is as follows: if you are dissatisfied with your used purchase, you may return it within 14 days of receipt for an exchange or refund.
You are also covered for 90 days from receipt of an item, to return it for repair if required.

Our return policy is as follows: if you are dissatisfied with your purchase, you may return it within 14 days of receipt for an exchange or refund.
You are also covered for 90 days from receipt of an item, to return it for repair if required.

I hope this helps, but if you have any further queries regarding Adorama - or AdoramaPix - please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

 

[vdonovan]

Helen, I am really impressed that Adorama monitors this forum and that you were on the ball with a straightforward answer. My opinion of Adorama has increased!

 

[photobum]

Having grown up 14 miles from midtown I know your opinion may be changed if you ever deal with either in person. Look up obnoxious in the dictionary. Their ratings of conditions are pretty far fetched. KEH and Midwest for used equipment is a better bet.

Yeah, both NY companies will exchange or refund. But you get stuck for the shipping and buying then returning over-rated junk gets old, fast.

 

[paul ron]

Too many horror stories come from Adorama mail order. Try returning anything... They'll put you on hold forever, the dept is closed, the sales guy is out, they'll call you right back, the repair dept is busy, they'll get around to you in a few days... too many problems once you are stuck in the Adorama vortex. I even hate going into their ratty store.

If you are in the market for used equipment, go KEH! Checmicals are a different story, they taste the same no matter where you buy em.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

If I where you I'll go KEH.

Jeff

 

[Tony-S]

Our return policy is as follows...

I hope this helps, but if you have any further queries regarding Adorama - or AdoramaPix - please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Thank you Helen, I appreciate your comments and offer of help.

 

[jp80874]

Greetings all - first post ....
Also, does anyone know why B&H won't ship fixer or any kit that has fixer in it?

Thanks much,

Tony

Tony,

Welcome to APUG. I hope you enjoy it here.

Where are you located? There may be a carrier or transportation reason they won't ship fixer to you. Putting some indication of your location in your profile can often help us answer a question.

I am in Ohio, USA, just south of Cleveland. B&H shipped two five liter jugs of Ilford Hypan (fixer) to me earlier this month by UPS with other supplies.

If you go to B&H’s web site and then the product you want, there is a link to calculating shipping cost. If they can't ship a product a message will show there where you enter your location.

Enjoy your time here.


John Powers

 

[HelenOster]

Message from Helen, Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

...I know your opinion may be changed if you ever deal with either in person. Look up obnoxious in the dictionary.

I've been called a lot of things, but never "obnoxious" - and I don't recall that you have ever contacted me.....

Their ratings of conditions are pretty far fetched.

I would have absolutely agreed with you, 6 months ago; we now have a new team in place in the used department, and I think you'd find that our ratings are now much more realistic.

Yeah, both NY companies will exchange or refund. But you get stuck for the shipping.....

Not if you contact me, first.

Too many horror stories come from Adorama mail order. Try returning anything... They'll put you on hold forever, the dept is closed, the sales guy is out, they'll call you right back, the repair dept is busy, they'll get around to you in a few days... too many problems once you are stuck in the Adorama vortex.

Which is why, as an APUG forum member, you should contact me, directly.....

 

[DWThomas]

From what I can tell, B&H non-shipping of fixers appears to be related to hardeners -- there must be some compound in many hardeners that is on a hazardous material list. I've purchased good old plain vanilla Kodak Fixer and Heico NH-5 from them without a problem. In general I find it strange, because surely to let you buy it over the counter in their store in NYC it must travel via similar routes and vehicles to be in stock there. Maybe there's some big-time fee for special materials that kills the margin on relatively low cost items in small shipments.

DaveT

 

[John Koehrer]

From what I can tell, B&H non-shipping of fixers appears to be related to hardeners -- there must be some compound in many hardeners that is on a hazardous material list. I've purchased good old plain vanilla Kodak Fixer and Heico NH-5 from them without a problem. In general I find it strange, because surely to let you buy it over the counter in their store in NYC it must travel via similar routes and vehicles to be in stock there. Maybe there's some big-time fee for special materials that kills the margin on relatively low cost items in small shipments.

DaveT

Hazardous materials are shipped by truck and the trailers are posted with signage that specifies the type of hazmat on board so emergency crews know what kind of precautions they may have to deal with. There is also a map carried in the cab of the truck showing the approximate location of the material in the trailer. UPS & USPS don't do that.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have used KEH many times for cameras and lenses. I have been very happy with them.

Steve

 

[JRJacobs]

I have used KEH for the last 8 years.

Lately, I have been extremely unhappy with them.

I ordered two lenses, both described as EXCELLENT. One had a sticky shutter that would hang open. The other had so many scratches on the lens it looked like someone had taken a brillo pad to it. Before that, I ordered a viewcamera kit. When it arrived, it missing several pieces - obviously a junker. I had odered a few film backs and other items to go with the view camera - when I returned all the items, I only got credit for the camera itself. They apparently lost the misc. items and refused to refund for them.

KEH has a good return policy, but they do not refund you for return shipping. So when their descriptions are as bad as I have lately experienced, you are out of pocket for sending the stuff back to them, and you also now have to hope that they don't misplace the smaller items you put in the box and refuse to refund.

As I said before, I have enjoyed and recommended KEH for several years. But my last three experiences in a row lead me to believe they are slipping in a major way.

Just an FYI of my recent experiences with them.

 

[Tony-S]

Tony, Welcome to APUG. I hope you enjoy it here.

Thanks John, I'm sure it'll dust off a few of my neurons and I'll learn a lot more from these forums.

Where are you located? There may be a carrier or transportation reason they won't ship fixer to you. Putting some indication of your location in your profile can often help us answer a question.

I'm in northern Colorado and I suspect it has to do with B&H's carriers based upon some of the comments here. I will likely look around at some of the nearby larger cities for supplies, but if that doesn't work I can always make a weekend trip to Denver to stock up.

 

[mikebarger]

I'll give Helen a shot if she is paying the return shipping cost and has restaffed.

I've never liked KEH making you pay shipping for an error they've made in determining if something works or not. If it's just not what I expected that's one thing, saying it works and it doesn't is quite another.

Mike

 

[lxdude]

Helen,
I'm glad to see your forthrightness regarding the fanciful ratings your used department was giving equipment. I was burned a year and a half ago when I ordered a finder rated E, then was called out of town unexpectedly for 6 weeks. When I got back, too late to return it, and saw the actual condition of the item, I said "They got me once but never again". The defects, like a deep scratch on the glass, were too obvious to have been an honest mistake. I have gotten BGN stuff from KEH where they missed something, but nothing like that. Adorama's used ratings, I soon found out, were widely regarded as a joke, and a blot on the reputation of an otherwise well regarded seller. I was offended enough that I didn't buy ANYTHING from Adorama until recently, after others convinced me the rest of the store was not shady like the used department.

Your open admission of the failure of the used department and statement of changes made mean I will reconsider my statement of "never again". Though I'm disappointed management let it get to that point in the first place.

 

[HelenOster]

Message from Helen, Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

I'll give Helen a shot if she is paying the return shipping cost and has restaffed.

Helen,
I'm glad to see your forthrightness regarding the fanciful ratings your used department was giving equipment......a year and a half ago when I ordered a finder rated E, ....and saw the actual condition of the item, I said "They got me once but never again".
Adorama's used ratings, I soon found out, were widely regarded as a joke, and a blot on the reputation of an otherwise well regarded seller.
...... I didn't buy ANYTHING from Adorama until recently, after others convinced me the rest of the store was not shady like the used department.

Your open admission of the failure of the used department and statement of changes made mean I will reconsider my statement of "never again".

What can I say, except - in my opinion - well deserved criticism, and in your position, I would have made the same decision.

I cannot promise that the used department will never mess up again; in any large business mistakes will happen - even Nordstrom has a return policy in place.....However, I am only an email away and will ensure that concerns or queries of any kind with either the used or main departments of Adorama (or AdoramaPix) are dealt with promptly and efficiently.

 

[bibowj]

Ill pitch in here... ive ordered used from both KEH and Adorama... and hers my 2 cents:

1- KEH the quality WILL be as good as or better than the website says... but they make mistakes as well. THey sent me the wrong lens recently. Yes, they took care of it... but it took 5-6 emails to get it sorted.
2- KEH does not always return emails promptly. I had a shipment (the one mentioned above) not ship for 10 DAYS! after i ordered it...with no explanation... drove me crazy! SO much in fact that Ive stopped ordering from them..
3- IVe ordered LOTS new from Adorama...and Ive been very very very impressed with the speed of processing. I live overseas, and have gotten stuff from them in as little as 4 days..and never longer than 7 days... considering how far I am, thats amazing.
4- Ive only ordered one thing from them used, and it was a M645 in E condition...it came 6 days after I ordered it, and was exactly in that condition..slight wear, but clean and well kept. Was very pleased. So much in fact that I spend $1500 on Hassy gear a few days later..all used, in the same condition...and we'll see... Im not at home to receive the order.

Clearly I like both generally, but Adorama is generally cheaper and if their quality keeps up with what Ive been getting, Ill never sway. ALL keh has in their favor is the rating system... nothing else. If they were just average in that department, no one would want to buy from them...

 

[Tony-S]

Can anyone recommend loupes for examining 6x7 negs and slides? I've searched B&H and Adorama, but it's not clear as to which is suitable for examining such images. I have one for my 35mm film, but it has inadequate coverage for medium format.