Experience @ 2ndhand shops

[xmen1977]

I was wondering whether is there a section where we can
share our experience whether gd or bad @ 2ndhand shops and being fair for both sides?

I believe the earlier thread posted talking abt Alex photo wasnt
quite appropriate.

It wouldnt be nice if we start talking bad abt the shops and end up misleading other clubsnap members.

Just imagine how the shop owners feel when they read abt these stuff.

So far as i noe 2ndhand shops selling new items, camera wkshp and Alex photo do display new items on self; and they do sell them too.

Any comments?
Sorry not trying to start any endless threads
Just need someone's expertise to give opinions

 

[StreetShooter]

I just traded in some Minolta stuff for a new boxed Sigma 24-70 f2.8 at Camera Workshop. Nick threw in a used 82mm UV filter (non-coated) for protection, at my request. After taking a few test shots at home and viewing on the computer I found that the picture quality was horrible - soft and hazy. I thought I got a bad lens and was going to bring it back to exchange. Then I tried taking a few shots WITHOUT the filter. What a difference. Sharp, contrasty. It's still big and heavy and noisy, but at least the pictures are great. The moral of the story is: 1. Don't use non-coated filters. 2. Don't make a fool of yourself until you're sure you have a grievance. Can't imagine what would have happened if I had gone all the way back there and he had just taken the filter off and asked me to take some shots.

The standard practice there is to knock about $30 off the quoted price if you are "paying cash". I think the real reason is to make the customer happy. Nothing like a "last minute discount" to keep 'em coming back. Same thing happened when I got a used EF 85mm f1.8 from them. Now THAT is a FINE lens. Absolutely gorgeous! Here's a shot, resized only, straight out of the camera, no levels, adjustments or sharpening whatsoever!

 

[sulhan]

....When you buy anything - check it first.

You pay what you get. Don't expect a 100% new from a already known 2nd Hand Shop.

Always keep the receipt and go back to the shop ASAP - 30 days...

Must learn how to waiver some defects based on the price that they pay for.

I'm not trying to side anyone, but remember this, they would also need to pay their rent!!!!!!..

Personally, i have a fair share of equipments bought at ALL the differrent shops. From there you can make your own judgement call on which is the better price - Sometimes, i don't mind paying a little more for the service.

Its all about trust and inter personal relationship. I bought an equipment from a second hand dealer recently and there is a problem after that. As its a second hand and already after the warranty period - the shop owner actually helpd me send in my equipment. Its my first equipment that i got from them.

What more can i say.

Till then.

regards,
me

 

[beachbum]

90% of my kit are secondhand stuff, bought from CWS, Alex, Prime, etc....
no problem with my kit. i guess there are a few impt points to note.

1. you pay what you get ... most of the time.
the people from these shops know what they are selling (most of the time). they are usually able to assess the condition of the gear better than we (lay people) can. thus if there are two pieces of the same gear and one is more exp then the other, there must be some reason behind it.... but having said that.....

2. be familiar with what you wannna buy.
Be familiar because the shop may NOT tell you everything you need to know about the condition of the gear. sometimes you have to depend on ur self to spot the problem. e.g if you have used ur friend's gear before and you test the one u wanna buy against ur experience & see if they tally. E.g the focusing of a EOS USM lens should not be slow & noisy....
After you bought the gear, u still need to .....

3. test the gear.
see how it performs... lens sharpness, camera's exposure, shutter speed... TTL metering, LCD readout... etc. if something is not right, return it back to the shop.

4. who do u wanna give ur biz to?
depends on which store u personally like best.... sometimes price may not be the sole factor.... maybe u just like the "face" of this guy better and decides to give him the biz.... or build a long-term relationship w that shop.....

these are just some of my humble opinions, hope u have a fruitful hunt for your gear .... cheers!!

 

[jamesong]

If camera shops are sole agent for that particular product,then they sell new stuff.They may sell trade in & they will tell you.

If camera shops are non sole agent but have lots of brand new camera bodies & lenses under one brand name,they parallel import..gray market.

If non sole agent and sells all sorts of brand name and some like new...mint....no matter what they tell you its brand new...they are still 2nd hand...hence 2nd hd price...Caveat Emptor

If I want to buy brand new, I go to the sole agent. If I want cheap and mint...I go to all the shops with all sorts of cameras to bargain.

 

[xmen1977]

Thks for all your reply, guys

Certainly there's something to learn from someone's experience
Definitely there's a time when u needed these shops to provide u with something that u cant get from other ppl.
But somehow it may not always be the best deals u get from there too, i think

I guess it's nice to share some daily activities of what u do at
2ndhand shop
What u bargain abt, type of cameras, lenses, accessories u bought,
how u feel abt the shop ppl etc

Hope there's more to come