p.1 #1 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
Late last month I ordered a Nikon F6 from KEH. It was priced at $1099 which, although above what I wanted to pay, I went ahead and bit the bullet and bought it. It was graded as EXCELLENT PLUS: "Lightly used. Very limited signs of wear. Glass could contain light dust or debris. Excellent picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted. KEH 180-day Warranty." Sounded good and should work as intended, right? I did email to see if it was a US Model and the reply from KEH stated it is in another warehouse and there is no way to check to see if it was a Nikon USA model, or not. I was told to order it and send it back if it wasn't what I wanted.
The camera arrived in an open ziplock bag inside the shipping box. There was no body cap so the mirror was exposed but looked no worse for wear. I did a preliminary check and immediately found issues.
The first issue was that it wasn't a Nikon USA model. I wasn't surprised, but that meant no way to get repairs in the US through Nikon later if needed. The body looked to be in good outward condition at first glance.
The second issue was that the drive selection dial turned freely and didn't lock or stay in one spot. The locking pin seemed to get stuck in the down position so the selector was free to move at the slightest contact.
The third issue was that the auto focus didn't seem to work regardless of where the focus mode selector was set. I mounted and remounted two lenses and after a few times doing this the AF began to work. I was thinking dirty contacts so I could look into cleaning them if I kept the camera, but I'd probably be looking to get it worked on in the future as the issue was likely to return.
The final issue I found was that the return spring on the small door that covers the rewind plunger was broken and the door was stiff. After this I stopped looking for more problems.
I figured the camera must have been used pretty heavily so I jumped into the menu to check the roll count. It showed over 160 rolls, I can't remember exactly how many. This counter can be reset so that is the lowest number of rolls that went through the camera. The broken mechanics of the camera indicated much more.
So, I emailed my issues to KEH and the next day they sent an RMA with apologies. I sent the camera back and just got notified of the credit to my card. The whole process was about two and a half weeks of wasted time but in the end I was not out any money, just time and effort, and tied up funds.
If there are lessons to be learned here it is that it's a crap shoot buying used through KEH and probably other vendors as well. Be prepared to be disappointed and be sure that the vendor has a return policy that is as liberal as possible. Also, don't buy non Nikon USA Nikon F6's if you want to have things fixed in the US by Nikon once your return window has closed.
I am really enjoying shooting, developing and scanning film. I've shot with F6's many times in the past and I have owned several, but those were always sold to buy the next thing. Do I need another F6? No, but I get a lot of enjoyment from using that particular camera. Also, one of my N80's short circuited last month and smokes badly when batteries are inserted. That camera just became a parts camera which left me with just one film SLR. So, I stepped on the GAS and looked for the F6 as a replacement.
p.1 #2 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
The Grant family sold the business about eight years ago and it's been riding on their good name ever since. I started using KEH in 1979, shortly after they moved to Peachtree Street. Once a month a mimeograph list of equipment would arrive in the mail and I would call and either King or of of his other family members/sales staff would put down the receiver and root around on the shelf to find what I was looking for.
They were a truly great and reliable company for years but not any more. I am done dealing with them after trading in some gear and putting the funds towards a A7C for my wife. The camera I picked was listed as LN-, which used to mean it came with the original packaging. Same as you, it showed up in a ziplock bag with a generic charging cable tossed in and about 6,000 actuation's. Not exactly like new. Your story is becomming more common and they will probably be bought out by another private equity firm and the service will be even worse.
Sorry about your Nittny Lions but it's really strange to have Oregon in the Rose Bowl as Big 10 champions.
p.1 #4 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
My issue with KEH is that you can't see the actual item. I buy a lot from Used Photo Pro specifically because you get images of the actual item. I've had a few small issues with them as well, but they've been very good to work with. Anytime I buy something that has to go back, I tend to view it as a free rental. Two F2's had issues that meant they had to go back, and by the second one I realized I just didn't really want to shoot with an F2 anyway.
As far as the F6, I was happy to spend a bit more for a very clean one, and I'm fine that isn't a USA model. I don't really trust Nikon to continue servicing the F6 for that long anyway, so I'm cool if it has to go to a third party. I will note, though, that while on a recent call with them about a modern camera (where's the mirror?!), they told me they'd work on non-USA gear but it wouldn't be covered by a warranty. That's a different stance than they've had in the past, where non-USA = no work. Can't say if that's true regarding F6's, just an interesting note.
p.1 #5 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
I bought a Canon 70-300mm DO IS lens from them over a decade ago, which was damaged and not as described. I sent it back but was out of pocket due to international shipping. I'm pretty sure they put the same lens straight back into their sales inventory without any repair as I saw one with the same grade appear just after my return was received. I would never buy from them again.
p.1 #7 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
also I should add that a couple of times I've sent back something that I just decided I didn't want either because I didn't like it or was able to get something different from someplace else. No questions asked because they've got a 30 day return policy and pay for return shipping.
And for what it's worth, I've had the same experience with MPB. I have noticed that MPB's prices are often less than KEH for the same item.
p.1 #9 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
brick33308 wrote:
also I should add that a couple of times I've sent back something that I just decided I didn't want either because I didn't like it or was able to get something different from someplace else. No questions asked because they've got a 30 day return policy and pay for return shipping.
And for what it's worth, I've had the same experience with MPB. I have noticed that MPB's prices are often less than KEH for the same item.
MPB doesn't have many choices as KEH from what I see.
p.1 #10 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
geekcop wrote:
Late last month I ordered a Nikon F6 from KEH. It was priced at $1099 which, although above what I wanted to pay, I went ahead and bit the bullet and bought it. It was graded as EXCELLENT PLUS: "Lightly used. Very limited signs of wear. Glass could contain light dust or debris. Excellent picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted. KEH 180-day Warranty." Sounded good and should work as intended, right? I did email to see if it was a US Model and the reply from KEH stated it is in another warehouse and there is no way to check to see if it was a Nikon USA model, or not. I was told to order it and send it back if it wasn't what I wanted.
The camera arrived in an open ziplock bag inside the shipping box. There was no body cap so the mirror was exposed but looked no worse for wear. I did a preliminary check and immediately found issues.
The first issue was that it wasn't a Nikon USA model. I wasn't surprised, but that meant no way to get repairs in the US through Nikon later if needed. The body looked to be in good outward condition at first glance.
The second issue was that the drive selection dial turned freely and didn't lock or stay in one spot. The locking pin seemed to get stuck in the down position so the selector was free to move at the slightest contact.
The third issue was that the auto focus didn't seem to work regardless of where the focus mode selector was set. I mounted and remounted two lenses and after a few times doing this the AF began to work. I was thinking dirty contacts so I could look into cleaning them if I kept the camera, but I'd probably be looking to get it worked on in the future as the issue was likely to return.
The final issue I found was that the return spring on the small door that covers the rewind plunger was broken and the door was stiff. After this I stopped looking for more problems.
I figured the camera must have been used pretty heavily so I jumped into the menu to check the roll count. It showed over 160 rolls, I can't remember exactly how many. This counter can be reset so that is the lowest number of rolls that went through the camera. The broken mechanics of the camera indicated much more.
So, I emailed my issues to KEH and the next day they sent an RMA with apologies. I sent the camera back and just got notified of the credit to my card. The whole process was about two and a half weeks of wasted time but in the end I was not out any money, just time and effort, and tied up funds.
If there are lessons to be learned here it is that it's a crap shoot buying used through KEH and probably other vendors as well. Be prepared to be disappointed and be sure that the vendor has a return policy that is as liberal as possible. Also, don't buy non Nikon USA Nikon F6's if you want to have things fixed in the US by Nikon once your return window has closed.
I am really enjoying shooting, developing and scanning film. I've shot with F6's many times in the past and I have owned several, but those were always sold to buy the next thing. Do I need another F6? No, but I get a lot of enjoyment from using that particular camera. Also, one of my N80's short circuited last month and smokes badly when batteries are inserted. That camera just became a parts camera which left me with just one film SLR. So, I stepped on the GAS and looked for the F6 as a replacement. ...Show more →
I have been buying around 10 times from KEH since last year , there was only one time I had to return the gear.
It was a Rollei 3.5F with bargain condition but the shutter and aperture dials were not working at all. It should be AS IS instead. The return/refund process were smooth though.
The only problem I have with KEH is their grading system.
Other than EXCELLENT PLUS, EXCELLENT , BARGAIN there is nothing else...........
p.1 #11 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
I've had some KEH issues recently too. They sent me a supposed 'factory refurbished' Leica M6 that had a slow shutter. They advised I could send it to Leica for warranty repair. What a joke, those repairs take months! Back it went.
I'm also annoyed that they have stopped selling kits. Like a Mamiya 6 is always body only. Frankly you frequently see Mamiya 6's with 3 lenses for what they sell a body and a 75mm for.
I do think it's good they're doing repairs. We simply need more camera techs generally.
p.1 #12 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
I have been a KEH customer for 20 years dropping on average $10k a year on used gear. Last year I got an email from them telling me essentially they don’t want my business because of too many recent returns. They will process my current order but there will be a restocking fee. I wrote back reminding them those returns were because of your mistakes not mine. But seems this guy didn’t want to hear it. I bought a Leica MP listed as .58x finder but arrived was one with .72x. Months before I bought a Leica 50mm Summilux black paint but what arrived was black chrome.
p.1 #14 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
travis.c wrote:
I hate to hear that, especially since you spent a little more than you’d originally intended.
I’ve used KEH plenty over the last several years and usually found the items I purchased in better condition than expected.
That sucks they’ve left a bad taste in your mouth, though.
As a long time customer I will say their grading standards are the best. My only complaint is the product listing errors. If they showed the actual product for sale I would have zero issues. Anyway they kicked me out not the other way.
p.1 #16 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
I have used KEH for the past couple of decades. I found that it's hit or miss with them. Most of the items they have shipped to me have been as described or better. On the other hand, I have sold equipment to them in pristine condition with original boxes and accessories, and I was offered fair market value.
I'm debating whether or not to sell them my current equipment or keep most of it, not sure yet.
p.1 #17 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
snegron7 wrote:
I have used KEH for the past couple of decades. I found that it's hit or miss with them. Most of the items they have shipped to me have been as described or better. On the other hand, I have sold equipment to them in pristine condition with original boxes and accessories, and I was offered fair market value.
I'm debating whether or not to sell them my current equipment or keep most of it, not sure yet.
The best prices I have gotten from KEH come from their in person buying events. They have restarted after being suspended during the pandemic. Check their website and see if a camera store in your area will be hosting one.
p.1 #18 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
I first bought from KEH around 2009 where it was very conservative with ratings. I actually ordered two BGN lenses which came to me nearly as mint copies. Things shifted significantly to the worse when they moved headquarters and expanded. This coincided with the increasing hype for film gear. I made one purchase where one lens soon suffered from damaged AF (Canon at the time fixed it for free for me at their former NJ repair facility). To get a decent lens copy, I had to go for a fairly high rated lens now and paying much more. Later I found that KEH was actually more expensive than other reputable online used camera/lens sellers and always not providing actual photos of the listed item. I stopped buying gear from KEH and never looked back.
p.1 #19 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
white wrote:
My suggestion; buy equipment listed as UG (ugly), or CRAP and you will not ever be disappointed.
In the past > 10 years ago, yes - currently I would never do this how KEH is running now.
Dec 13, 2024 at 08:09 PM
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p.1 #20 · Recent KEH experience as a learning opportunity?
I've bought from keh probably since early 90's, although not since ownership has changed hands.
They've been excellent overall I have had to return lenses they missed fungus on though. Not a problem to get a refund or exchange although they did take some time to issue the refund one time. I had returned different lenses for different reasons and i guess they didn't like that or something.
Their bgn grade often really nice especially on inexpensive lenses imo. I remember buying EX one time and expecting better, may have been accurately graded though
