What Price for a Used 20D

**Voltron** · 12-08-2007, 02:21 PM

I'm getting a range of $465 (KEH) to $639 (B&H) in excellent or 9/10 condition. Are there any differences here? I don't plan on pulling any triggers until after the holidays, but these prices are getting tempting.

**Junker** · 12-09-2007, 12:44 AM

What's the condition of the KEH for $465? Average E-gay ended auctions for the street value, but you probably did that...

Hugh Conway · 12-09-2007, 01:27 AM

exc KEH = exc B&H in my experience. If anything there's a slight edge to KEH.

**smalls** · 12-09-2007, 01:58 AM

^^ agreed. i bought one from each place when i got mine, a 9 at bh and an EX from keh and then returned the one i thought was in worse condition. i wound up keeping the one i bought from keh because it had less scuffs on the body and hotshoe and was cheaper. they were both optically perfect.

and stick with those two places, don't buy your body or glass off ebay.

**Junker** · 12-09-2007, 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by smalls

and stick with those two places, don't buy your body or glass off ebay.

E-bay requires the buyer to be more discerning for sure. There is no consistent standard for judging the quality like B&H and KEH, but I don't think that it should be eliminated as an option for used gear. I've gotten some good deals on there. Just be careful, and make sure that there is a good return policy or ask for specific pictures.

Also, about KEH and B&H. I don't imagine that they physically inspect all the used gear before they buy it. They probably require pictures of the items (Not sure), and then tell the seller what they will offer. So, they don't seem to be much better off than the E-bayer buying a camera. However, they have specific things that they look for in order to assess the condition of the body. Here are the questions that KEH asks:
http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/SellYourGearGrading.aspx

It boils down to a couple of things.

For the price of their mark-up you get:
1. A pretty good idea of the condition of the camera.
2. the ability to return it, pain free.

If you don't want to pay the mark-up, there are a few risks you take, but I think that they can be minimized.
1. Discuss the return policy with the seller.
2. Ask the seller the questions that KEH asks their sellers.
3. Ask for specific pictures.
I think that there is some added info that can be gleaned from their responses. If they are willing to cooperate with you, and are helpful, that may tell you a lot about what to expect if you do make the transaction. If they blow you off, move on.

Also, I would not rule out some of the Buy and Sell forums out like http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...splay.php?f=14, or http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/10 That's my view.

**smalls** · 12-09-2007, 03:01 AM

They actually do physically inspect the gear before they sell it (at least they did about a year ago). KEH will list gear that is being sent to them before they actually receive it at the condition that the seller lists it as, but will then adjust it accordingly after they receive it. I know this because they listed a 50mm mk1 last year as LN, so I put in my order. Then after they received it they informed me that after their inspection they were downgrading the condition rating to EX. I still purchased the lens and am quite happy with it.

And for sure don't rule out the FM buy/sell, but ever since they started charging to subscribe to that forum, I don't use it much.

**Junker** · 12-09-2007, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by smalls

They actually do physically inspect the gear before they sell it (at least they did about a year ago). KEH will list gear that is being sent to them before they actually receive it at the condition that the seller lists it as, but will then adjust it accordingly after they receive it. I know this because they listed a 50mm mk1 last year as LN, so I put in my order. Then after they received it they informed me that after their inspection they were downgrading the condition rating to EX. I still purchased the lens and am quite happy with it.

And for sure don't rule out the FM buy/sell, but ever since they started charging to subscribe to that forum, I don't use it much.

Should have been clearer. What I meant was that they don't physically inspect the gear before they buy it. Unless, you go to their store and sell them the used gear. So, they don't seem to be at any advantage over an E-bay buyer other than the fact that their mark-up price will help to cover any discrepancies between the reported condition and the actual. But, yeah as you say, they inspect it before they sell it. It has been my experience that with care, E-bay can get you some good, safe deals.

About FM, Even though you can buy with out subscribing, it has definitely deterred some potential sellers, and reduced the amount of gear on there. It was cool when it was unregulated.

Hugh Conway · 12-09-2007, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Junker

What I meant was that they don't physically inspect the gear before they buy it.

Huh? KEH has an online quotation system. You get a quote, ship them your equipment, a technician inspects it, you get money subject to the approval of a technician.

For common items like bodies & lenses I haven't found eBay to offer much, if any, $ savings over a good used dealer. Couple that with the erraticness of eBay (even with "good" dealers I've had problems) and I'd say avoid.