Have you ever sold used gear to KEH or B&H

[Wildlife Guy]

Have you ever sold gear to B&H or KEH?

I have sold a lot of gear to both KEH & B&H over the years. My gear is always in great shape and I rate it per the sites descriptions. At one point KEH was my go to company for selling used gear because they usually provided the highest quotes. Over the last few years, KEH consistently offers 15-20% lower final offer than the quote. This is with gear that doesn't have any flaws, all the pieces and parts, etc. If I get a quote from B&H that matches the KEH amount, I always go with B&H because they have always paid out to their original estimate. Usually, their quotes are pretty close. I just sold my 24-70 f2.8 L IS & ef 40mm f2.8 to KEH because the quote was higher than B&H, I just got the final offer and it is slightly lower than the B&H quote - roughly 15-20% lower than their original estimate. Both pieces of equipment were very clean options and few (if any) sings of wear, especially the 40mm. All had boxes, case for the 24-70, etc.

Has anyone else had this same experience with KEH?

I know, I could get more selling on the open market, but I don't went to deal with the issues if I can get a reasonable price selling to KEH or B&H.

David.

 

[John_Hoffman]

Did you contact them to ask why?

I had that once and I learned that I misunderstood what accessories needed to be included. When I took care of that I received the quoted value.

 

[preferredfault]

It is difficult to sell used gear for a decent price, they always try to undercut. Of course they can't really put a price on it until they physically examine it, but I see them offer $100 on stuff they can sell for $300 or $500, so they're massively lowballing. I've seen them offer $100 on a $1600 camera in perfect condition with the box and accessories. After some protest, they offered $200. I saw no need in bothering anymore, the offer was an insult.

Used camera places often offer "decent" prices when they sell used gear, but if you saw what they're generally paying for it, their "decent" prices look outrageous and greedy. In my opinion, a reseller should generally shoot for around 20-30% profit. But in reality, they actually shoot for triple digits in profits.

On a 5D they will sell for $300, they'll offer $80. From what it looks like, the resale market has become extremely predatory. They'll take your gear, if it's the lowest cost, so they can resell it for massive profits.

Of course, selling yourself can have problems like theft and payment issues, but if you're only getting a fraction of the value from a resale company, that's robbery too.

 

[2ndact scene1]

It is difficult to sell used gear for a decent price, they always try to undercut. Of course they can't really put a price on it until they physically examine it, but I see them offer $100 on stuff they can sell for $300 or $500, so they're massively lowballing. I've seen them offer $100 on a $1600 camera in perfect condition with the box and accessories. After some protest, they offered $200. I saw no need in bothering anymore, the offer was an insult.

Used camera places often offer "decent" prices when they sell used gear, but if you saw what they're generally paying for it, their "decent" prices look outrageous and greedy. In my opinion, a reseller should generally shoot for around 20-30% profit. But in reality, they actually shoot for triple digits in profits.

On a 5D they will sell for $300, they'll offer $80. From what it looks like, the resale market has become extremely predatory. They'll take your gear, if it's the lowest cost, so they can resell it for massive profits.

Of course, selling yourself can have problems like theft and payment issues, but if you're only getting a fraction of the value from a resale company, that's robbery too.

I have the opposite experience with KEH. As long as you can find your item on their inventory list (not always easy) you can get an on-line instant quote. They have always honored that price except on one occasion. It was on my x100S. I classified it as “excellent” because it worked perfectly. They thought it was “Bargain” and offered a bit less (25%? - I don’t recall). Initially I was a little outraged but when it came back, I realized it had a lot of scratches, on the baseplate, much of the body was discolored and there was some dirt around the edges of the viewfinder. I simply had not noticed because it wasn’t important to me - I only cared about performance. At least they shipped it back for free!

So lesson learned: ratings are all about cosmetic appearance and that drives pricing. All units are assumed to be fully functional; if their inspection finds a problem, I assume they just reject it and send it back.

i still have the x100S and have used it quite a lot. I even sent it to Fuji for cleaning when they had a special discount offer a few weeks ago.

Regarding really old, low value equipment like the 5D, they probably have a bunch in inventory and no real need for more (fortunately I have no plans to sell mine). Same for the 7D, I think their on line quote the other day was $49. I still use mine so it is not a problem but if you want to upgrade, don’t expect trading in will help.

 

[BlueRay2]

It is difficult to sell used gear for a decent price, they always try to undercut. Of course they can't really put a price on it until they physically examine it, but I see them offer $100 on stuff they can sell for $300 or $500, so they're massively lowballing. I've seen them offer $100 on a $1600 camera in perfect condition with the box and accessories. After some protest, they offered $200. I saw no need in bothering anymore, the offer was an insult.

Used camera places often offer "decent" prices when they sell used gear, but if you saw what they're generally paying for it, their "decent" prices look outrageous and greedy. In my opinion, a reseller should generally shoot for around 20-30% profit. But in reality, they actually shoot for triple digits in profits.

On a 5D they will sell for $300, they'll offer $80. From what it looks like, the resale market has become extremely predatory. They'll take your gear, if it's the lowest cost, so they can resell it for massive profits.

Of course, selling yourself can have problems like theft and payment issues, but if you're only getting a fraction of the value from a resale company, that's robbery too.

those are exactly the points i don't bother with reselling my gear to those sources! once you send your gear to them, you are at their mercy! and that applies to online selling to strangers, also. it just isn't worth going through all that aggravation.

 

[GreatWhiteWing]

Have you ever sold gear to B&H or KEH?

I have sold a lot of gear to both KEH & B&H over the years. My gear is always in great shape and I rate it per the sites descriptions. At one point KEH was my go to company for selling used gear because they usually provided the highest quotes. Over the last few years, KEH consistently offers 15-20% lower final offer than the quote. This is with gear that doesn't have any flaws, all the pieces and parts, etc. If I get a quote from B&H that matches the KEH amount, I always go with B&H because they have always paid out to their original estimate. Usually, their quotes are pretty close. I just sold my 24-70 f2.8 L IS & ef 40mm f2.8 to KEH because the quote was higher than B&H, I just got the final offer and it is slightly lower than the B&H quote - roughly 15-20% lower than their original estimate. Both pieces of equipment were very clean options and few (if any) sings of wear, especially the 40mm. All had boxes, case for the 24-70, etc.

Has anyone else had this same experience with KEH?

I know, I could get more selling on the open market, but I don't went to deal with the issues if I can get a reasonable price selling to KEH or B&H.

David.

Nothing recent but back then they paid what the initial quote was.

Sold a few items recently on Ebay. A broken 500D and battery grip for it and did reasonably well considering. $50 for the body and $25 forothe grip

 

[Old Greenlander]

I sold a lot to Adorama

in mint condition they offer 70% of original price and actually pay 70% of the 70% offered

have been a lot of talks in these forums

 

[2ndact scene1]

It is difficult to sell used gear for a decent price, they always try to undercut. Of course they can't really put a price on it until they physically examine it, but I see them offer $100 on stuff they can sell for $300 or $500, so they're massively lowballing. I've seen them offer $100 on a $1600 camera in perfect condition with the box and accessories. After some protest, they offered $200. I saw no need in bothering anymore, the offer was an insult.

Used camera places often offer "decent" prices when they sell used gear, but if you saw what they're generally paying for it, their "decent" prices look outrageous and greedy. In my opinion, a reseller should generally shoot for around 20-30% profit. But in reality, they actually shoot for triple digits in profits.

On a 5D they will sell for $300, they'll offer $80. From what it looks like, the resale market has become extremely predatory. They'll take your gear, if it's the lowest cost, so they can resell it for massive profits.

Of course, selling yourself can have problems like theft and payment issues, but if you're only getting a fraction of the value from a resale company, that's robbery too.

those are exactly the points i don't bother with reselling my gear to those sources! once you send your gear to them, you are at their mercy! and that applies to online selling to strangers, also. it just isn't worth going through all that aggravation.

At least with KEH, if you do not agree with their offer, they will ship the gear back to you at no charge. So you do have options but the process may take a couple of weeks as the gear gets shipped out and back.

 

[phototeacher]

I have had good luck with KEH, but if you want another option, you might want to look at and research MPB.com. They are in NYC and might be another option, and also pay FedEx shipping. (both ways if the deal does not go through.) I have also had good results with them, although like KEH they are conservative in their rating system.

 

[Igor Sotelo]

I think eBay gives the highest selling prices, but they take a cut from the buyer. Another option is Kijiji, here in Canada, but the prices are much lower.

The problem with Kijiji one has to be very patient. I have heard in other places they use Craigslist.

On eBay I think there are clients all over the world, so it’s probably easier to sell quickly even something specialized if the price is good.

The stores offer much less then Kijiji, I think, and sell at considerable markup, but one can unload the gear immediately. And they have a lot of expenses too, also offer guarantee.

 

[Nikon33]

I sold a lot to Adorama

in mint condition they offer 70% of original price and actually pay 70% of the 70% offered

have been a lot of talks in these forums

Adorama is good only if equipment is in mint condition or close to it! Otherwise, they will change the rating to G on you basically, and quote 70% of that.

 

[Nikon33]

I have sold several times to KEH, and once to B&H. I had far less hassles with B&H, I sold them a classic Nikon 28mm f/1.4D lens. They quoted me a number higher than I could have sold it for on eBay, so I let that one go gladly. However, I find that MPB.com pays better than B&H, KEH, and Adorama. I've sold at least 70 cameras to MPB. Still too low in most cases though. My my favorite place to buy and sell are the Fred Miranda classifieds.

 

[GreatWhiteWing]

I sold a lot to Adorama

in mint condition they offer 70% of original price and actually pay 70% of the 70% offered

have been a lot of talks in these forums

Adorama is good only if equipment is in mint condition or close to it! Otherwise, they will change the rating to G on you basically, and quote 70% of that.

As a buyer Adorama seems like a good place to shop

I have bought a few studio items, stands etc from Adorama and very satisfied with transaction. Low value items but good condition and best place to get Flashpoint gear

 

[Old Greenlander]

I sold a lot to Adorama

in mint condition they offer 70% of original price and actually pay 70% of the 70% offered

have been a lot of talks in these forums

Adorama is good only if equipment is in mint condition or close to it! Otherwise, they will change the rating to G on you basically, and quote 70% of that.

As a buyer Adorama seems like a good place to shop

I have bought a few studio items, stands etc from Adorama and very satisfied with transaction. Low value items but good condition and best place to get Flashpoint gear

The value of Adorama buy back program for me was the safety of transactions and information

while I probably lost money compared to other sites and venues, it is the safety that counts to me

No worries about accounts, address, credit cards , checks ,identity theft etc.

But each one is different...

there are very savvy people in these forums that make money and navigate other networks safely or maybe...not at all times, from complains I read sometimes...

for me, the worries and time lost in litigations doesn’t make the cut in terms of money

Have fun

 

[JamesK]

I tried both B&H and Adorama. I was extremely low balled on both. It was just a few lenses and a couple of tripods each time. Also was probably about 5 years ago, so maybe they have changed as finding used prices is pretty easy now. Used to do Craigslist and restrict to my area, but no one seems to trust anybody now. I had to sell several items, non photography related, recently and used Facebook Marketplace. Had great success and no problems. If eventually I decide to move to the R5 I would probably sell my 5D Mark III and a few lenses that I would replace on Facebook Marketplace.