Buying Equipment from KEH

[Nick Zentena]

The problem with the reasoning is it's a subjective grading system. Not an objective one. There are hard graders. There are easy graders.

KEH grades tougher then many others.

[PhotoJim]

I think the problem being had here is that letter grades mean different things. In some places, a B is 80-89%. In other places a B is 70-79%.

Where I live, we tend to use percentage grades. A 50 is a passing grade in high school and undergraduate work (although you need a 65% GPA to earn a degree). A graduate degree has a 70 as a passing grade.

[lns]

I have bought a lot from KEH. They are great. But I do consider bargain a crap shoot. The bargain items I have received have ranged from practically mint to been-through-the-wars. Sometimes you would save so much that it's worth taking the chance. At worst, with their wonderful return policy, you'd be out some time and the shipping expenses. Otherwise, Ex is a safe floor.

It also depends on what you are buying. I have found that with popular or well-stocked items (say, a Nikkor 50/1.8 AIS), bargains have been in fine condition. For more thinly stocked or scarce items, in my experience the bargain rating really has meant "not so great." But then there are the very overstocked or unpopular items, which I suspect they may rate as bargain just to move the merchandise.

-Laura

[jnanian]

i have bought from keh over the years and would not hesitate to buy from them again if i was in
the market for gear. large format lenses were nearly mint that i bought them as bgn,
as were 35mm pentax lenses ( have bought 2 lf and 3 pentax lenses from them )
i also got a p/s camera in an unopened sealed box listed as bargain .. for 19$ ...

keh's return policy is great, and if you can actually get a return policy from an eBoo seller i am sure
that would be great too. eBoo seems to be OK for things you can't find in places like keh, or mpex
or other known dealers ... like brass or large format portrait lenses, or antique box cameras ... but as stated
before it can be a difficult experience when sellers claim to be srgnt schultz: ( i know nothing, nothing ... )
... at least a business knows the customer is always right, and they have a reputation to keep nice-nice ...
a bad eBoo seller doesn't really care much, will harrass you for giving them negative feedback knowing
there is a sucker born every minute ( who doesn't read feedback ratings, or things maybe because
they haven't gotten anything negative for a few weeks the seller has turned over a new leaf ) ...

[unohuu]

Never had a bad purchase from KEH. I have Minolta, Nikon, KonicaMinolta, (the most recent is a Mamiya 80mm f/1.9) lenses. I have motor drives, prism for the 645, and an N90s that was magnificent, but I couldn't get used to the one wheel. (F4 has none and the F100 has two).

I love these threads about KEH and eBay. It is a reminder that there are incredible bargains out there and that there are now so many ways to find the great glass, bodies and peripherals that we need and want. Imagine all this with just a telephone and two week old Shutterbug ad.

I have had to send eBay items back and I have actually just kept some of the loser items for parts. Of course, that is because overall I have exceeded my expectations with most purchases. Last loser was a Yashica Lynx 5000e. It is just a parts camera now. I am OK with that because earlier in the year I found a GSN at the resale store down the street from my house (works beautifully after a refurb and clean).

Happy hunting and happier shooting.

[John Jarosz]

I just bought a 2x tele extender for my son's Hasselblad. $17 for Bargain grade. It looked new except for for some dirt smudges on the barrel. They wiped off. What a deal.

John

[Crono]

Finally, i ordered a F2s from them

they said it usually takes 3-4 weeks and the camera was shipped on the 12 Feb.

i am wondering if it will really take that long!?
or if they are just telling me that so i wouldn't bomb them by email?

oh, i chose FedEx...

really hope it will come earlier...

[Bob F.]

Dunno as not used KEH but you should be able to track it online - they should email you a tracking number. An LF camera I bought from Badger that came via FedEx some time ago took just 2 days - of which one day was spent in UK customs...

[Ian Grant]

It will depend on how FedEx have shipped it, if it's gone by sea the up to 3-4 weeks is quite normal but it can be quicker, if it's gone by air then it could be anything between 2-3 days to a week.

You should have had a choice of priority delivery which is much more expensive but much faster, the normal service from FedEx, UPS etc isn't too bad but expect to have to pay Import duty of approx 20% plus there may be a small handling fee from FedEx for collecting the Tax.

IAn

[Stan160]

KEH have always shipped USPS to me, and not offered a choice of a faster service - mind you I was happy with the cheap option so never asked for an upgrade.

3-4 weeks is normal. If it gets picked up for import duty assessment, which everything I have ordered from KEH has, then it can take another week or two before the Royal Mail get the item out to the local sorting office and put a card through your door.