Selling Your Camera Gear? MPB, eBay, Others? My Personal Experience

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

3:26 I may have to use a different wireless mic. This one has been a bit glitchy and this time there was no wi-fi streaming to my phone active (for Snapbridge). Hmmm...

[@FotosyMas.]

My local store does a monthly gear buying event. A rep from KEH and a rep from Used Photo Pro alternate between events. The good thing is that they tend to give you better offers in person, and sometimes you can negotiate the condition of the item with the guy. The local store adds an extra 10% trade in value if you trade towards a store voucher. This is my preferred method of selling gear. I’ve also had some success selling on Offer Up, however I have to deal with a bunch of tire kickers.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

That scenario you described with the local store 'buying event' sounds ideal. I like that idea.

[@edc5338]

I just sold some gear at MPB in NY. Within 4 days I was paid for it! Their service is awesome.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

@@edc5338 Experiences vary, apparently. 😉 within a few months, I sold them back equipment I bought from them in the exact same condition, but they downgraded the condition even though it was exactly the same condition as when I bought it from them (which means they gave me less than the actual value it should have been). They need to be more consistent because when they’re not, it looks shady/bad for them, and they’ll lose customers (like me).

[@ConciseTechTV]

Saw a used lens on MPB and hadn't even heard of them before so this was helpful, thanks!

[@janneroz-photographyonabudget]

I looked at a camera, ordered it, good price, heard nothing, so I waited, checked online and it was gone, I contacted them and was told it had already been sold. Good job I always take a screen shot. I checked later to see if they had anther a bit later in the week, the same camera had reappeared!! But guess what,? It had gone up in price! Another occasion, I sold to MPB. Two items were zoom lenses. One was effectively brand new, just out of the Cellophane wrap and with its original box. I sent them off to MPB in Brighton, amongst other stuff, got my online quote. The first telephoto, apparently, there was a spot on the lens "that couldn't be cleaned" but did not affect performance, so the quote was reduced. The second lens, the brand new one, apparently, there was a spot on the lens "that couldn't be cleaned", hmmmmm. Another item was reduced down as there was "no lens hood", although, when sealed in the box to send to them, there it was. It must have teleported itself out in transit. Strange how two zoom lenses had exactly the same fault, even though one was effectively brand new, the other, hardly used but with a UV filter on since new. Personally, I would suggest anybody stay clear of this bunch. As I needed the money because I had already ordered another lens from somewhere else, I had to accept their greatly reduced quote. I would imagine, that they never "up a quote". Steer well clear, bunch of sharks.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

They did increase the rating on one of my items the first time I dealt with them, but the second time they downgraded items that were clearly like new (absolutely no question they should have been rated like new, based on what they sold to ME that they claimed was 'like new'). I probably won't be dealing with them again unless there's some unforeseen issue where I need to sell several items quickly and I don't mind possibly getting less than I expect. All I ask is for anyone to be honest because I was honest with them. They failed on the second deal in that regard.

[@janneroz-photographyonabudget]

@@ThePhotographyHobbyist Always take sceenshots. Also, if you do have the misfortune of having to sell to them, of having to get the money quickly, whatever you send them, check their own descriptions of the stuff you've sent them once they have put them up for sale on their website. Just check to see if the way they've described it to you is the way they describe to others when offering it for sale. I have closed my account with them. I feel there's other more reputable dealers out there.

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

@@janneroz-photographyonabudget There's a camera store about 1.5 hours from me that has an online used camera business also, so I may check them because I've heard good reviews for them. For now, I think I'm all set though. I have a new Nikon Z8 and the lenses I need and have no plans to make any changes with this setup anytime soon. I may be buying and selling other misc photography gear though, but nothing expensive. Good luck and thanks for watching.

[@bobmorr2892]

When is an 18 plus minute video a short video?

[@martinsmyth5580]

MPB are gangsters. The money they offer for gear is a disgrace, and there totally undermining the camera market. Stay away from them, people

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

I haven't checked other places recently (have NOT gotten quotes from KEH, B&H, etc for example)...but from looking at my previous eBay sales and considering the seller fees there, I'm certain I could do better on eBay, if I'm willing to go to the effort (as mentioned in the video). The local camera store I mentioned (their lowball quote) was pretty bad...so I learned that overall, if you want to sell something AND get the most you can get out of it, you're better off using some type of auction site or finding a buyer via a photography club or something like that. eBay would be the quickest and safest in general compared to things like Craigslist or camera gear forums, but even eBay has it's downsides (and risks). The 'problem' with selling to places like KEH or MPB is they of course have the overhead costs of shipping, staff to inspect, staff to clean gear, staff to ship gear, utility payments for their business space, lease payment for the space, etc, etc, etc. eBay has overhead too, but they're massive and sell everything you could ever think of. MPB has to make their money back somewhere and that means paying you less for your gear (but a price that many people will accept) and then selling it for as much as they can. There was one lens in particular that sort of offended me (they price they offered to buy it back from me, vs. what I paid them for it 2 months ago)...but, it is what it is. I just needed/wanted to get this swap over with. I can't fault them for the offer they made though. I either accept it or decline and move on, but yeah...at that point they've already got your gear, so if you decline, there's the delay to ship it back to you (and I'm not sure if you have to pay for the return shipping...probably). Long story short...it could be better and I wish we have some more good options. In the case of the two lenses I sold back to them in the very same condition they sold them to ME 2 months ago though...THAT got under my skin (bothered me). That was wrong/not fair and unprofessional.