I purchased a 300mm F/4 IS lens advertised as an E+. The lens they sent was an E-. I felt the lens was really a bargain lens - the hood was bent, would not stay in place wither extended or not, and it had well over 30 small marks where paint was missing from the body. The glass was clean. Adorama took the lens back and paid for my shipping because of their error, but after seeing that lens, I probably would not buy anything rated under a Demo minus condition from them.
Happybob59 wrote:
ok cool! I was reading reviews and there are some scary stories buying from Adorama's used department
Yes, there are. And I have a few myself. Fortunately, you can always send something back to them for a full refund if it isn't as described or the condition isn't as good as you would like.
You might consider KEH as well. Their grading system is very conservative.... their EX+ is virtually brand new equipment. The only downside with them are higher prices but they do give you a 6 month guarantee. They've been quite fair in a ll the dealings I've had with them over the last 15 or so years I've dealt with them.
Terry_C wrote:
Who ever does Adorama's grading should be put in Jail for lying.
B&H is very conservative---never been disappointed---If they call it a 9, I'd call it a 9.5 or better.
That's a bit harsh........ have you seen the new rating system? It was up-dated in December of last year, with the help of a number of Adorama customers (past and present) across many of the forums that I visit. Here it is:
N) New (Brand new)
All original packaging and manuals included.
D) Demo (Like New) 98-100% of original condition
Like New with little or no signs of use
E+) Excellent Plus 96-97% of original condition
May have slight wear, but only visible under close up inspection.
E) Excellent 90-95% of original condition
Lens Glass very clean - cosmetically may show slight wear and/or signs of use
E-) Excellent Minus 85-89% of original condition
Shows signs of moderate use - Lens Glass is perfect but may have some dust which will not affect picture quality
V) Very Good 75-84% of original condition
Appears well used and may include dings, brassing, scrapes and bruises but is in fully functional condition. Glass may have marks or haze that should not affect picture quality
G) Good 50-74% of original condition
Appears to have been used very heavily, with multiple dings, scrapes, scratches and heavy brassing. Glass may have fungus, excessive dust and/or scratches that can affect picture quality
F) Fair Item works with certain malfunctions. Read comments for exact malfunction details
X) For parts only
Accessories:
New – As Packaged by manufacturer
For all other grades – Instruction books, caps, batteries, cases, and straps are sold separately, except when specified
All digital cameras are packed with Battery and charger, except when stated otherwise.
If you ever have queries or concerns with Adorama Camera, or AdoramaPix, please don't hesitate to contact me directly: [email protected].
Sincerely
Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
oster wrote:
have you seen the new rating system? It was up-dated in December of last year, with the help of a number of Adorama customers (past and present) across many of the forums that I visit. [email protected]
www.adoramacamera.com
I hope the new system works well, no reason why it shouldn't, as long as people doing the grading have sufficient knowledge, clear direction given to them and they understand the value of an accurate/conservative grading system to the business that feeds their families.
As an example, much of KEH's success as a seller of used equipment is based on the confidence buyers have in their gear condition grading.
oster wrote:
Accessories:
New – As Packaged by manufacturer For all other grades – Instruction books, caps, batteries, cases, and straps are sold separately, except when specified
All digital cameras are packed with Battery and charger, except when stated otherwise.
My point of confusion is around the "accessories" - such as an L lens that should come with a hood, pouch, etc - it's not clear if they are included or not in the listings.
What people should keep in mind is that used gear is a crapshoot. There's the cosmetic condition and the actual gear itself, mechanically/optically. Sometimes the relationship between the two is not as you'd expect.
Some things can look a little weathered but have little actual use; others can look stellar but don't work - at all.
I have gotten the above types of items (and more) from both KEH and Adorama. For instance, a shutter lens looked immaculate; the shutter was stuck. Sent it back.
A camera looked a little less than EX+ (as rated, I would have put it at EX) but the shutter count was ridiculously low, metering and AF were spot on, so I kept it. It's used, I'd like something pristine but I'll budge if after inspection and testing, it's better than it looks.
Bottom line is: test your used equipment as soon as you get it. If it doesn't meet with your expectations, send it back. That's part of the used business and these guys understand that. There are some good deals out there (and some potentially bad ones).
Scott T wrote:
My point of confusion is around the "accessories" - such as an L lens that should come with a hood, pouch, etc - it's not clear if they are included or not in the listings.
That's why they have a phone number. It would be nice if everything you'd want to know was spelled out in the listing, but when that's not the case, why not just give them a call if it's an item you think you might want to buy?
Adorama's grading can be off at times but their customer service is excellent and if you are not happy with the description they will give you a full refund. If you don't want to take any chances with the info you have on their site, then like Russ said, just give them a call.
Terry_C wrote:
Who ever does Adorama's grading should be put in Jail for lying.
B&H is very conservative---never been disappointed---If they call it a 9, I'd call it a 9.5 or better.
That's a bit harsh........ have you seen the new rating system? It was up-dated in December of last year, with the help of a number of Adorama customers (past and present) across many of the forums that I visit. Here it is:
N) New (Brand new)
All original packaging and manuals included.
D) Demo (Like New) 98-100% of original condition
Like New with little or no signs of use
E+) Excellent Plus 96-97% of original condition
May have slight wear, but only visible under close up inspection.
E) Excellent 90-95% of original condition
Lens Glass very clean - cosmetically may show slight wear and/or signs of use
E-) Excellent Minus 85-89% of original condition
Shows signs of moderate use - Lens Glass is perfect but may have some dust which will not affect picture quality
V) Very Good 75-84% of original condition
Appears well used and may include dings, brassing, scrapes and bruises but is in fully functional condition. Glass may have marks or haze that should not affect picture quality
G) Good 50-74% of original condition
Appears to have been used very heavily, with multiple dings, scrapes, scratches and heavy brassing. Glass may have fungus, excessive dust and/or scratches that can affect picture quality
F) Fair Item works with certain malfunctions. Read comments for exact malfunction details
X) For parts only
Accessories:
New – As Packaged by manufacturer
For all other grades – Instruction books, caps, batteries, cases, and straps are sold separately, except when specified
All digital cameras are packed with Battery and charger, except when stated otherwise.
If you ever have queries or concerns with Adorama Camera, or AdoramaPix, please don't hesitate to contact me directly: [email protected].
Sincerely
Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
I like Adorama, I have never been unhappy with your new or refurbished gear----if there was a problem, Adorama's Customer Service has taken care of it and been GREAT.
The rating system is good but on my three purchases all E+ rated items were truly not as described i.e. 1ds E+ W/ACCS//BOX. I order by PH to verify-----It comes in the box ok----but a beat to death refurb. box---camera has 190000 clicks on it and looks like it is a trade in from UPI----far from E+ in nice black box. The other two were not as bad but more like your V rating.
Customer Service was E+---and I will continue to be a customer but not to the Used Department.
If you'd like my customer number to verify email me.
Terry_C wrote: Terry_C wrote:
The rating system is good but on my three purchases all E+ rated items were truly not as described i.e. 1ds E+ W/ACCS//BOX. I order by PH to verify-----It comes in the box ok----but a beat to death refurb. box---camera has 190000 clicks on it and looks like it is a trade in from UPI----far from E+ in nice black box. The other two were not as bad but more like your V rating.
Customer Service was E+---and I will continue to be a customer but not to the Used Department.
If you'd like my customer number to verify email me.
