I sometimes look at the "used" items at places like B&H.
Sometimes you can find an undersubscribed auction on eBay, and get a good price (given the risks), but not often.
And sometimes someone locally on Craig's List will advertise something at an attractive price, and I like being able to see it and try it out before buying it.
But it turns out I, in discounting for the various risks inherent in buying used equipment, whether from a known entity (e.g., B&H) or an unknown (like an out-of-town seller here or eBay), I'm not in agreement with the market.
I'm simply not willing to spend 85-90% of the price of a brand-new-with-warranty item, for a used item.
Right here why pay the high prices of KEH and the rest. The only real advantage of buying at the big boys you can return and can't always do that here.
tanglefoot47 wrote:
Right here why pay the high prices of KEH and the rest. The only real advantage of buying at the big boys you can return and can't always do that here.
Another issue with buying new from some sites you really don't know what your getting they will not tell you a date code etc. to which is important to many of us. So they might have lets say a 70-200 that could be 10 years old and you will not know. They can not tell you if the lens is sharp, in good working order.
StarNut wrote:
I'm simply not willing to spend 85-90% of the price of a brand-new-with-warranty item, for a used item. So I rarely buy used.
I absolutely agree with this statement. When you buy new with the "right" credit card you double the warranty, which alone can be worth 5% or so of the value of the item.
Having said this, when the discount drops below 80% or so you can get compelling values, particularly on things that just don't break (tripods, accessories, brackets, etc). Even 85% under the right circumstances is nothing to sneeze at. For example, I recently bought a minty (6 mo old) unregistered Nikon 16-35 with the original receipt for $850 shipped. This is essentially a new lens at 15% discount. Yeah, I know that Nikon claims that their warranties are non-transferable, but this is an unenforceable provision under the circumstances, they know it and make no attempt to enforce it.
I'll buy used depending on the item. I have had very good luck with B&H's used department, and to a somewhat lesser extent Adorama's. Both have customer service that is beyond compare, and both offer a 90 day warranty on MOST used items. They also give you a 30 day return option.
I avoid KEH because of their earlier cutoff for same day shipping. I will say however that the things I have purchased from them are consistently UNDERrated, that is, they are better than I would expect given the assigned rating.
Ebay is a complete crap shoot now, and prices there are waaay too high. No one in Pittsburgh sells high-end gear on craigslist, so I can't really comment about them.
Sep 30, 2011 at 06:48 AM
Jonathan Huynh Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
KetchamPhoto wrote:
I'll buy used depending on the item. I have had very good luck with B&H's used department, and to a somewhat lesser extent Adorama's. Both have customer service that is beyond compare, and both offer a 90 day warranty on MOST used items. They also give you a 30 day return option.
I avoid KEH because of their earlier cutoff for same day shipping.
Thanks for your feedback regarding our customer service; it is very much appreciated.
Just to update you - all used items from Adorama rated as D, V, E+, E and E- now come with a full 6-month warranty (which includes a 30-day returns period).
In addition, Adorama's final cut-off time for shipping in-stock items (provide there are no ID verification issues) is now 7:00 pm for same day shipping!
If you ever have queries or concerns with any aspect of ordering from Adorama, please don't hesitate to email me directly; [email protected]
Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
Helen Oster wrote:
Thanks for your feedback regarding our customer service; it is very much appreciated.
Just to update you - all used items from Adorama rated as D, V, E+, E and E- now come with a full 6-month warranty (which includes a 30-day returns period).
In addition, Adorama's final cut-off time for shipping in-stock items (provide there are no ID verification issues) is now 7:00 pm for same day shipping!
If you ever have queries or concerns with any aspect of ordering from Adorama, please don't hesitate to email me directly; [email protected]
Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
This is an excellent example of a retailer listening to customer's suggestions, and ideas, and then using them to improve their service. BRAVO Adorama!
Does the 7pm cutoff apply to used gear as well? I know that most used gear is not at the NJ warehouse.
KetchamPhoto wrote:
This is an excellent example of a retailer listening to customer's suggestions, and ideas, and then using them to improve their service. BRAVO Adorama!
Does the 7pm cutoff apply to used gear as well? I know that most used gear is not at the NJ warehouse.
Unfortunately, not yet; orders for used items placed on business days up to 1:00 PM ET are generally shipped the same day (subject to verification), & weekend orders, placed on Fridays after 9:00 AM ET will be processed on Monday.
This is because we have to get them from the used department in NYC and trucked down to NJ for shipping out.
No way around that one at present, but I'm going to see if it can be pushed forward a bit.
ebay, because there's no cl keh or otherwise here. I've only bought MF lenses with success so far. I did buy one Nikon AF-D lens from ebay, and it front focused, so I did what was done to me, and sold it on. Sad, but that's what it comes down to, either take a massive hit, or sell it on and let it become someone elses problem. Funny part was, it had a minor scuff on the barrel and the buyer started trying to bargain me down, for the cost of the postage. I just told him send it back for a refund minus pp then. Didn't hear another word.
I have however bought a nikon 105 micro ai-s. Was mint cosmetically, but focus gets a little stiffer at mfd, but not a huge problem, as I got a decent price. I also got a Nikon 300 f2.8 AI in good condition for a fair bit cheaper than I could find elsewhere. The Micro was from hong kong and the 300 was from lithuania.
lexdiamonnyc wrote:
Agreed, NYC Craigslist is very active and I've gotten some great deals......also great for selling, usually I can sell something in a day or two, no shipping and cash in my hand
for buying, as long as you use common sense you'll be ok....
*if it sounds too good to be true - it's probably fake or stolen
*never go to anyone's home, ever!!!
*always meet in a crowded, public place.(Starbucks, police station)
*if you get an email that uses the word "Item, merchandise, goods, etc, etc" instead of the name or description of the item that you're actually selling.......ignore it, it's probably a Nigerian Scammer.
*No Shipping! No Paypal! No Checks! No Money Orders!!!! Cash only! that's the whole point of selling on CL....Show more →
+1
I've bought and sold multiple high priced items on Craigslist NYC. I usually google the sellers or buyers email address. I usually get some reference information on the person, and have a better idea if this person is legit or not. I only deal locally, and usually meet in public places. I've only dealt with cool and legit peeps on CL NYC.
Ron
Oct 02, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Have had nothing but good experiences with the big three, few refurbished items from adorama, several new and used from B&H and a bunch from KEH. At KEH I usually buy bargain rated items, like most have said, they have always been in better than advertised condition.
