Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

vitalsax · 05-10-2009, 03:49 PM

I use them for years and even returned an item with no problems.

photolady95 · 05-10-2009, 07:33 PM

Thanks to OP for starting this thread and question. I sold KEH a lens a few years ago, and got a better deal than I had been offered on ebay.

Now to buying, I just ordered a MZ-7 and battery pack from them on Friday, so I'm thankful for all the positive posts I've read in this thread. I'll be goiing back now too. There are some lenses on there that I've been looking at, some with that BGN rating, and after reading about those here, I'll probably be buying a couple of those as well.

Thanks again.

**NaClH2O** · 05-11-2009, 04:16 AM

Originally posted by spiral_blast

Has anyone bought an item rated BGN? There's a lens that I really want and I can't seem to find it anywhere online. KEH has one rate BGN and I'm reluctant to buy it for the price quoted, but I see a few posters stated that they tend to underrate their items?

Thanks beforehand!

Like Josh said BGN items are a bit of a crapshoot. I've gotten a couple of BGN lenses from them that were in excellent working condition but "well used" cosmetically. I also got a lens (a sigma zoom IIRC) that had a loose barrel and a funky focusing ring. That one I retuned with no hassle.
The upshot is to check out a BGN lens thoroughly before the return period is up. They have an excellent return policy so getting a BGN lens isn't a risk money-wise tho you will be out the return shipping. You also can call them and ask them exactly what is wrong with the lens.

NaCl(I would have no problems ordering a BGN lens from them)H2O

GeneV · 05-11-2009, 12:43 PM

Is it just me, or does it seem like the items advertised as "like new" are at about the price of "new?"

I'm glad to hear that they sell good stuff, because it isn't all that cheap. It is interesting to see lenses I own selling for more than I recall them costing back when.

**baldeagle21b** · 05-11-2009, 04:24 PM

Originally posted by GeneV

Is it just me, or does it seem like the items advertised as "like new" are at about the price of "new?"

I'm glad to hear that they sell good stuff, because it isn't all that cheap. It is interesting to see lenses I own selling for more than I recall them costing back when.

KEH grades their offerings very conservatively. That helps when buying because the products are generally better than expected. On the other hand it hurts when selling because they grade so critically that better prices can be realized through other channels. I wouldn't pay "like new" grade prices because for just a few more dollars you get the manufacturers warranty. I have purchased "excellent" products and they were just that. They are a class outfit.

Blue · 05-11-2009, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by baldeagle21b

KEH grades their offerings very conservatively. That helps when buying because the products are generally better than expected. On the other hand it hurts when selling because they grade so critically that better prices can be realized through other channels. I wouldn't pay "like new" grade prices because for just a few more dollars you get the manufacturers warranty. I have purchased "excellent" products and they were just that. They are a class outfit.

Many Pentax items are out of production. Plus, KEH items do have a used warranty. The plus side from getting used gear from KEH, Adorama, BH and Blue Moon Camera and Machines is that they warranty their items and back the gear. Sure, price can be beat on Ebay some of the time with a gamble. But if I were buying a high ticket item such as an smc 500mm tak, I would rather get it from a known source or from the market place here.

rthomas · 05-12-2009, 01:19 AM

Originally posted by gotium

I did, however, send a polite email requesting advice, noting that they have a repair service. While they never replied, they do continue to spam me with advertising.

I'll not buy anything from them again.

That's a shame, because as a rule they are very, very good. I've been buying from them since the 1990s, when I saw their ads in Shutterbug. However, I have found that if I need them to do something extra, I need to call until I speak with somebody. But in the rare instances when I have had a problem, they've been very helpful about returns.

rmw156 · 05-12-2009, 05:50 PM

Thanks to everyone and there advice, it was really helpful.

I'm glad i joined this site!

Jun Park · 05-12-2009, 06:01 PM

I live about 2 miles from the KEH offices and I've bought a number of lenses from them. I believe they are an honest business but remember, they are a business. My only "issue" is that they charge me to pick up a lens. It's a couple of bucks but still, how much does it cost to open the door and hand me the lens?

But I have (and will continue) to recommend KEH to anyone looking to buy used photographic equipment.

05-10-2009, 03:49 PM	#31
vitalsax Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: U.S. /Miami - Florida. Posts: 208	keh is very good! I use them for years and even returned an item with no problems.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
CL K-x scam?	Brad_Olson	General Talk	6	11-04-2010 01:08 PM
Marketplace: possible scam?	mhoy	Site Suggestions and Help	13	02-07-2010 12:54 AM
Your Favorite eBay Scam	stevebrot	General Talk	24	01-21-2010 10:53 PM
New Facebook Scam	woof	General Talk	22	12-21-2009 09:43 AM
Beware of Scam	benjikan	General Talk	3	04-14-2009 03:28 AM

05-10-2009, 07:33 PM	#32
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Thanks to OP for starting this thread and question. I sold KEH a lens a few years ago, and got a better deal than I had been offered on ebay. Now to buying, I just ordered a MZ-7 and battery pack from them on Friday, so I'm thankful for all the positive posts I've read in this thread. I'll be goiing back now too. There are some lenses on there that I've been looking at, some with that BGN rating, and after reading about those here, I'll probably be buying a couple of those as well. Thanks again.

05-11-2009, 04:16 AM	#33
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Originally posted by spiral_blast Has anyone bought an item rated BGN? There's a lens that I really want and I can't seem to find it anywhere online. KEH has one rate BGN and I'm reluctant to buy it for the price quoted, but I see a few posters stated that they tend to underrate their items? Thanks beforehand! Like Josh said BGN items are a bit of a crapshoot. I've gotten a couple of BGN lenses from them that were in excellent working condition but "well used" cosmetically. I also got a lens (a sigma zoom IIRC) that had a loose barrel and a funky focusing ring. That one I retuned with no hassle. The upshot is to check out a BGN lens thoroughly before the return period is up. They have an excellent return policy so getting a BGN lens isn't a risk money-wise tho you will be out the return shipping. You also can call them and ask them exactly what is wrong with the lens. NaCl(I would have no problems ordering a BGN lens from them)H2O

05-11-2009, 12:43 PM	#34
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Is it just me, or does it seem like the items advertised as "like new" are at about the price of "new?" I'm glad to hear that they sell good stuff, because it isn't all that cheap. It is interesting to see lenses I own selling for more than I recall them costing back when.

05-11-2009, 04:24 PM	#35
baldeagle21b Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 223	Originally posted by GeneV Is it just me, or does it seem like the items advertised as "like new" are at about the price of "new?" I'm glad to hear that they sell good stuff, because it isn't all that cheap. It is interesting to see lenses I own selling for more than I recall them costing back when. KEH grades their offerings very conservatively. That helps when buying because the products are generally better than expected. On the other hand it hurts when selling because they grade so critically that better prices can be realized through other channels. I wouldn't pay "like new" grade prices because for just a few more dollars you get the manufacturers warranty. I have purchased "excellent" products and they were just that. They are a class outfit.

05-11-2009, 06:06 PM	#36
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by baldeagle21b KEH grades their offerings very conservatively. That helps when buying because the products are generally better than expected. On the other hand it hurts when selling because they grade so critically that better prices can be realized through other channels. I wouldn't pay "like new" grade prices because for just a few more dollars you get the manufacturers warranty. I have purchased "excellent" products and they were just that. They are a class outfit. Many Pentax items are out of production. Plus, KEH items do have a used warranty. The plus side from getting used gear from KEH, Adorama, BH and Blue Moon Camera and Machines is that they warranty their items and back the gear. Sure, price can be beat on Ebay some of the time with a gamble. But if I were buying a high ticket item such as an smc 500mm tak, I would rather get it from a known source or from the market place here.

05-12-2009, 01:19 AM	#37
rthomas Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 25	Originally posted by gotium I did, however, send a polite email requesting advice, noting that they have a repair service. While they never replied, they do continue to spam me with advertising. I'll not buy anything from them again. That's a shame, because as a rule they are very, very good. I've been buying from them since the 1990s, when I saw their ads in Shutterbug. However, I have found that if I need them to do something extra, I need to call until I speak with somebody. But in the rare instances when I have had a problem, they've been very helpful about returns.

05-12-2009, 05:50 PM	#38
rmw156 Inactive Account Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Thanks to everyone and there advice, it was really helpful. I'm glad i joined this site!

05-12-2009, 06:01 PM	#39
Jun Park Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 182	I live about 2 miles from the KEH offices and I've bought a number of lenses from them. I believe they are an honest business but remember, they are a business. My only "issue" is that they charge me to pick up a lens. It's a couple of bucks but still, how much does it cost to open the door and hand me the lens? But I have (and will continue) to recommend KEH to anyone looking to buy used photographic equipment.

KEH.com Scam or Not?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!