Buying Used From Adorama...

[vinzer]

I would just like to know if you guys have bought used stuff from Adorama before. They have a couple of pieces (film SLRs, hence why I'm posting here - mods, please move if it should be located elsewhere...) that KEH doesn't have, so I'm looking to buy from them. Your thoughts and experiences? Thanks!

[Ratmagiclady]

I've always done pretty well with them, actually. The selection isn't as big as KEH, obviously, but I've had no complaints with used things I got from them: I get my film and chemicals from them and often see what they happen to have. I've gotten, well, a couple of lower-priced lenses there, actually, what else, I'd been just about to buy something else from them before I made a bit of an Ebay bargain.

[jsherman999]

Originally Posted by vinzer

I would just like to know if you guys have bought used stuff from Adorama before. They have a couple of pieces (film SLRs, hence why I'm posting here - mods, please move if it should be located elsewhere...) that KEH doesn't have, so I'm looking to buy from them. Your thoughts and experiences? Thanks!

You may want to check out This Thread.

Actually, I've bought from them several times, they're a good vendor with good merchandise and fair prices, IMO.


.

[Blue]

I bought a used lens from them last summer that had issues with the iris diaphragm and they paid for the return shipping and refunded my money. I emailed them about the issue and they called me at home. They gave me several options. There rating system is pretty good as well. Of course I think KEH excels in rating used gear better than almost anyone on the net except maybe Blue Moon in Oregon.
The place that I personally buy used gear is KEH, Adorama, BH and Blue Moon. Blue Moon is the smallest of the bunch but respond to email and phone.

[vinzer]

Originally Posted by jsherman999

You may want to check out This Thread.

Actually, I've bought from them several times, they're a good vendor with good merchandise and fair prices, IMO.

.

Man, that's a good buy! Hmm, maybe I should try for an MZ-5 and hope an MZ-S goes in the mail (5 and S do look alike sometimes )? Kidding aside, I appreciate that Adorama keeps checks on this forum. It speaks of their integrity and honest nature.

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

I've always done pretty well with them, actually. The selection isn't as big as KEH, obviously, but I've had no complaints with used things I got from them: I get my film and chemicals from them and often see what they happen to have. I've gotten, well, a couple of lower-priced lenses there, actually, what else, I'd been just about to buy something else from them before I made a bit of an Ebay bargain.

Well, in this case, Adorama has some stuff KEH doesn't have at the moment. I should check their stocks more often.

I have yet to score a good deal out of eBay. I usually get outbid. Maybe I should try looking for the most obscure items?

Originally Posted by Blue

I bought a used lens from them last summer that had issues with the iris diaphragm and they paid for the return shipping and refunded my money. I emailed them about the issue and they called me at home. They gave me several options. There rating system is pretty good as well. Of course I think KEH excels in rating used gear better than almost anyone on the net except maybe Blue Moon in Oregon.
The place that I personally buy used gear is KEH, Adorama, BH and Blue Moon. Blue Moon is the smallest of the bunch but respond to email and phone.

What's the safe rating to go with Adorama? I'm okay with KEH's BGN rating. Is E- a good enough rating to go with for an SLR body?

[k100d]

i was looking into an expensive camera on Adorama and e-mailed the used department and got nothing. you'd think that if you're gonna spend almost 2 grand on a used piece of equipment, getting some photos wouldn't be too much to ask

[Blue]

Originally Posted by vinzer

. . .


What's the safe rating to go with Adorama? I'm okay with KEH's BGN rating. Is E- a good enough rating to go with for an SLR body?

That is a pretty good comparison but KEH is more consistent with their appraisals. If I wanted something to look real good I would keep it to E or E+ at Ador and 8 or 9 at BH. All 3 have good return policies not to mention decent warranties for used, or even antique gear.

[vinzer]

Originally Posted by k100d

i was looking into an expensive camera on Adorama and e-mailed the used department and got nothing. you'd think that if you're gonna spend almost 2 grand on a used piece of equipment, getting some photos wouldn't be too much to ask

I'm not too sure they could accommodate everyone who requests photos. I agree, though, that if you are considering a purchase upwards of a certain dollar amount, you should be able to at least view the item itself. Or that they post the photo itself on the web page. That way, they won't have to accommodate all photo requests of the same single item.

Their used department may be too busy sorting out, grading, and listing stuff, though. They do seem to have a lot of used items up for sale. Certainly not as many as KEH, but still sizable.

Originally Posted by Blue

That is a pretty good comparison but KEH is more consistent with their appraisals. If I wanted something to look real good I would keep it to E or E+ at Ador and 8 or 9 at BH. All 3 have good return policies not to mention decent warranties for used, or even antique gear.

Thanks for the rough equivalency. Gives me a good idea of what ratings to look out for just in case.

[vinzer]

Update: I just went ahead and ordered the Pentax KX they have sitting in their used department.

Well, I'm hoping it is a Pentax KX. It was listed as "Penta Kx". I'm not picky about typographical errors, but there are stories abound here where FA lenses were inadvertently listed as F. I certainly don't want to have to ship back stuff, it'll cost me upwards of $60.

Here's hoping to a hassle-free transaction from Adorama.

[Helen Oster]

Originally Posted by k100d

i was looking into an expensive camera on Adorama and e-mailed the used department and got nothing. you'd think that if you're gonna spend almost 2 grand on a used piece of equipment, getting some photos wouldn't be too much to ask

You are absolutely right, and I apologize on behalf of the used department that you weren't contacted; is it something that is too late for me to be able to rectify for you?

P.S. I was at the last ever Arsenal game at 'Highbury' in 2006......

Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
helen.oster@adoramacamera.com

[Helen Oster]

Originally Posted by Blue

That is a pretty good comparison but KEH is more consistent with their appraisals. If I wanted something to look real good I would keep it to E or E+ at Ador and 8 or 9 at BH. All 3 have good return policies not to mention decent warranties for used, or even antique gear.

You may not yet have seen the brand new Adorama rating system, which was drawn up with input from a number of contributors to the forums where I have a presence:


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.

Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
helen.oster@adoramacamera.com

[Blue]

Helen,
You are correct. You guys slipped the new rating system by me. I need to take that into account when I'm looking over the listings of used gear.

Edit: It looks like the new Adorama system will make my above comparisons more accurate.