Selling gear to KEH?

[ToddB]

Hey guys,

I though long and hard and I've decided to thin out the heard on some my gear that I'm not going to be using. Is KEH pretty fair about buying used gear?

Todd

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I'm sure they're okay but I'm absolutely positive you'll get better prices here or on eBay. You'll surely have to ship your gear to KEH (or whatever dealer) to get an estimate so be aware you'll be out-of-pocket shipping two ways if you decline their offer. Also, whatever company you deal with may tack on a handling fee to the return shipping. That stated, if you want to dump your gear quickly at low prices then do your buddies here a favor and list them on APUG and/or LFPF.

 

[BrianShaw]

KEH seems to travel around to buy. I get periodic email messages when they visit various parts of Los Angeles area. I assume that they evaluate, make offer, and are ready to buy at these events. You may want to ask them when they will be in your area.

 

[Les Sarile]

I've sold equipment to them before. You can go to their website to estimate what your gear is worth -> Dead Link Removed or if they are holding an event near you. The difference of course is the condition in your mind vs what they think. Selling to them will be low but worry/hassle free as they have free inbound shipping.

 

[ToddB]

Is there an entry level membership that allows access to sell on Classified section on APUG?

Todd

 

[BradS]

All subscribers have seller access to the classifieds here. Subscriptions are really very inexpensive and very worth it.

Click on the "Support Us!" link above to find out more about subscriptions.

 

[ToddB]

Just subscribed.. I'll list my things tonight. Stay tuned. Anything left over I will go through KEH.

Todd

 

[Pioneer]

I have sold through KEH. The process is quick and it is painless if what you want to do is to dispose of your camera equipment quickly without the hassle of ebay rules and potential returns. However, in exchange for that quick, painless sale, you will not realize the same dollar value that the same equipment is selling for on ebay or other venues.

I am presently evaluating ebay's valet system where you send your equipment to an official seller. They in turn sell your equipment on ebay and take a percentage of the sale. So far I can't say whether it is a worthwhile option.

 

[leicarfcam]

I'm not so sure anymore... I recently tried to sell a pristine Nikon F2AS black paint without any brassing and it was fully working at a show. The buyer only offered me $85 for it and right now they have one in less condition for $499.99 on their website.. He was a bit rude with me when I turned down the offer.

 

[DCB12]

They will buy cheep......sell for a pretty good price. Sometimes the prices they offer are insulting.
Great place to buy from...not sell too.

Peace

 

[Pioneer]

Shipping the gear to them is easy and they are open to negotiation if they want your equipment. If they have a number of them on hand already then they may not be very willing to deal. I have actually had them refuse to buy as they say they have too many on hand already.

 

[leicarfcam]

They will buy cheep......sell for a pretty good price. Sometimes the prices they offer are insulting.
Great place to buy from...not sell too.

Peace

They used to give reasonable prices but since they changed ownership they don't give fair prices like before...

I still buy from them though...

 

[bdial]

What's fair?
They are in the business of making money by selling used cameras. By necessity that means they must buy used cameras. The cameras they buy may sit in their warehouse for a day or years. Every minute it's there costs them money.

Generally you can't expect more than 50% of the retail value when you wholesale a camera to any reseller, be it KEH or some other shop, though there are exceptions for gear that's in demand and can sell quickly. Depending on the market for a particular item, they may offer much less than 50% cause they know it will be in the inventory for a long time.

 

[mweintraub]

What's fair?
They are in the business of making money by selling used cameras. By necessity that means they must buy used cameras. The cameras they buy may sit in their warehouse for a day or years. Every minute it's there costs them money.

Generally you can't expect more than 50% of the retail value when you wholesale a camera to any reseller, be it KEH or some other shop, though there are exceptions for gear that's in demand and can sell quickly. Depending on the market for a particular item, they may offer much less than 50% cause they know it will be in the inventory for a long time.

If you want an inexpensive place to buy gear, don't expect to also sell to them for an amazing deal for you.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have sold to KEH in the past. You will get less for the equipment than you would on APUG Classified, but will not have to wait and ship and wait again.

 

[f/16]

Everything I've read about selling to KEH was like this: You do the online quote thing. You send them the gear. They offer you much less than the online quote so you either take the lowball offer or pay for shipping to have your stuff sent back. I wouldn't do it.

 

[fotch]

If your in a hurry, and speed of getting cash is number 1 priority, then yes. Selling it yourself works provided you don't ask to much or your not in a hurry. Camera gear is seldom an investment by itself, accept that and you will do OK.

 

[MattKing]

I've sold to them at a local camera show. The price was low, but the face to face transaction was satisfying, and the payment in cash was problem free.

 

[mgb74]

Everything I've read about selling to KEH was like this: You do the online quote thing. You send them the gear. They offer you much less than the online quote so you either take the lowball offer or pay for shipping to have your stuff sent back. I wouldn't do it.

I've only sold gear to them once. But my experience was not what you described. When they received the gear, they felt my assessment of condition was high on one item and was low on a 2nd. Net, I got what they offered in the online purchase quote. However, this was a few years ago.

 

[mgb74]

(snip) I am presently evaluating ebay's valet system where you send your equipment to an official seller. They in turn sell your equipment on ebay and take a percentage of the sale. So far I can't say whether it is a worthwhile option.

I can't speak for others, but I hate buying from those intermediary sellers. They know nothing about the items, can't speak to specific questions about condition, and can't answer a question about the item. In the rare case where I bid on a item from that type of seller, I discount my highest bid to account for the uncertainty. If others do the same, that could affect the max bid.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Everything I've read about selling to KEH was like this: You do the online quote thing. You send them the gear. They offer you much less than the online quote so you either take the lowball offer or pay for shipping to have your stuff sent back. I wouldn't do it.

No, that is wrong. KEH is very conservative in their rating of equipment. If you rate your equipment the way they do, then you will get the full amount of the quote. I have done it many times and I have never been disappointed. If you think that your equipment is wonderful and it has chips, scratched, or rub marks, then you will be disappointed.