Buying gear

Carpy2001

Carpy2001

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Andrew
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Hi all,

When buying gear (lenses), would you buy new but grey import from somewhere like Cotswold cameras, or buy used from such as MPB?.
If buying used, where to buy from??, for instance a used seller that has good reliable desriptions of the goods they sell, and a good returns policy just incase lol.

I keep checking on Camera price buster for prices, but for some stuff the price difference between new but grey and UK used, is very little.


Cheers Andy
 
Personally mostly buy used from LCE or private sellers via. ebay and this forum

I have also bought used from number other shops like Wex, park cameras, cameraworld Ffordes, mpb, Harrison camera etc.

Only one I avoid is Ffordes due to bad experience.
 
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Why pay near the same for a used product that you can get new? I no people say we should support the local market but that is hard to do with the Government imposing high tax on anything you buy even if it is used and tax was paid previously when bought new. Personally I would rather buy new as the other question is why did someone sell there equipment to a company like MPB? yes people like to sell to to buy upgrades but not always the case. I have purchased from Cotswold and Panamoz in fact just ordered a Nikon 24-120mm from Cotswold as it is saving me £400 against the WEX price.
 
I look at Mint or Near Mint on the Japanse web sites. Purchased 4 lenses from Japan and each one hard to tell if possible from new. lot cheaper including import charges. Must have saved £100s. the Japanse are precise in what they sell they want to "save face" in only being truthful.
 
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realspeed said:
I look at Mint or Near Mint on the Japanse web sites. Purchased 4 lenses from Japan and each one hard to tell if possible from new. lot cheap including import charges.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info, I have seen some of your post's on the subject, but I think the amount I am talking about is a lot less lol.
I am looking at the Olympus 60mm f2.8 macro for M4/3, It is £309 on Cotswold, and between £249 and £324 used on MPB
 
realspeed said:
I look at Mint or Near Mint on the Japanse web sites. Purchased 4 lenses from Japan and each one hard to tell if possible from new. lot cheap including import charges.
Click to expand...
can you share the sites please?
Also do you pay import charges upfront or do you get charged here?
 
Import charges are on arrval in UK usually by the UK shipping company

Security measure | eBay

www.ebay.co.uk www.ebay.co.uk

Security measure | eBay

www.ebay.co.uk www.ebay.co.uk


Just a couple of Japanese shops I have bought from, many more on ebay.

when looking at an item in one shop maybe it is a "stock " item they all use. Trick is to find what you want save the page and then see if other shops show the same picture.
look at all the photo angles including front lens. check description as they are very honest in what they describe and go for MINT or NEAR MINT. Near mint may be missing the box or paperwork
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4 lenses bought from Japan shops
 
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Carpy2001 said:
Thanks for the info, I have seen some of your post's on the subject, but I think the amount I am talking about is a lot less lol.
I am looking at the Olympus 60mm f2.8 macro for M4/3, It is £309 on Cotswold, and between £249 and £324 used on MPB
Click to expand...
But that £250 is used, new on WEX £450 so for waiting 7 to 10 days you could have it new for near £150 cheaper.
 

nandbytes​

I wonder about how accurate a description used lenses are on UK web sites. such as internal dust/fungus etc. By all mean go down that route if your happy. All I can do is suggesting researching alternatives. For myself apart from waiting delivery from Japan I would not even consider buying use used from the UK, but that is just me..

Have you ever been to Japan? my wife and I have and the Japanese culture comes as a bit of a shock. Everything had to be exact ,good enough is not tollerated because they "loose face" which is a trrible disgrace in Japan . so when they describe a photographic item it is exactly as described.
even catching a train on you have to stand exactly in one place on the platorm and on the marked floor area ,

watch

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KanGgqyv10M
 
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If I can buy used from a UK dealer or on here I prefer to do so. Most of my gear has been bought this way.

But I did buy my Z7ii plus 24-120 from Panamoz as it was cheaper than buying body only used in the UK. And I bought a 100-400 telephoto from there too as I couldn’t find a used one in the UK.

I’ve just ordered a 1.4TC from Cotswold as they are about £200 less than new in the UK and £100 less than used, so as it’s something I need but won’t use frequently, it makes sense to go this way.
 
realspeed said:

nandbytes​

I wonder about how accurate a description used lenses are on UK web sites. such as internal dust/fungus etc. By all mean go down that route if your happy. All I can do is suggesting researching alternatives. For myself apart from waiting delivery from Japan I would not even consider buying use used from the UK, but that is just me..

Have you ever been to Japan? my wife and I have and the Japanese culture comes as a bit of a shock. Everything had to be exact ,good enough is not tollerated because they "loose face" which is a trrible disgrace in Japan . so when they describe a photographic item it is exactly as described.
even catching a train on you have to stand exactly in one place on the platorm and on the marked floor area ,

watch

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KanGgqyv10M
Click to expand...

hey, yes I have been to Japan about 12-13 years ago and intend to go back at least once more in my lifetime. They certainly value quality and customer care a huge lot more than anywhere else I have been.

Description on UK websites vary from dealer to dealer and shop to shop.
Wex seems to have the most stringent checks (makes them good for buying from) and MPB probably least (makes them good for selling to). LCE somewhere in between.

I normally check the lenses myself and make sure I am happy with them. you get some amount of warranty too which LCE have just been terrific at sorting out in all instances. In fact in one instant LCE could not get a lens (Viltrox) repaired in the UK, so they refunded the full amount no questions asked. I used to buy and sell a lot of gear and I had to make use of the warranty sometimes. More recently GAS has subsided as I have other priorities. Bought my last couple of lenses used from LCE and one in person. Fairly happy with them. And since I know several shops and their managers pretty well (from my past GAS-issues), I can get pretty nice deals and haggle for a better rate.
 
UPG24UK on Ebay is a decent seller. Bought a Nikon AF-S 70-200mm F2.8 G MK II VR N Zoom Lens from them it was excellent not a mark on it and came with all original packaging, good price as well (£425) with a one year guarantee. I have also bought a lot from Panamoz over the years and they have been excellent although their current prices are a bit on the high side at the moment.
 
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Occasionally the 60mm macro goes for under £350 new on Amazon, sold by them too so you’ll get full uk warranty.
It had a good Black Friday offer on it too and gets reduced frequently.
One offer recently ended for a £75 voucher on it as well, depends if you’re willing to wait it out or need it quickly.
 
Just checked on camelcamelcamel and it was going for£316 up until a couple of weeks ago!
 
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