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grotty

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Just thought I'd share my recent experience with buying a 5D mark I from them..I've used them a fair bit in the past but never felt the need to post about it.

I ordered a mid/late serial-numbered 5D (starting 2) and wanted one in good condition so chose to pay a little more (though not the most expensive one they had). It arrived the next day and was indeed in great condition apart from a large scrape/chip near the shutter button, which I didn't recall seeing in the photos or seeing mentioned in the listing, though I couldn't check of course. It also came with three batteries (though the listing didn't mention this), but two of the three were basically dead (charge in a minute, flat in a minute). There was also no sign of a manual which I personally would have expected for an item sold as 'boxed'.

I 'phoned and explained all of this and they apologised and offered the refund of postage, which I declined as the mark would have definitely bugged me, and took them up on the offer of an exchange for a 'nice condition body serial starting 38' as they described it, rather than a full refund. It arrived today and I literally cannot see a mark on it. It is boxed with a manual and two genuine Canon batteries which appear to charge normally.

Of course I wasn't over the moon with the first delivery, but a simple exchange of calls and emails led to MPB sorting out the issue with no fuss and ultimately I'm over the moon with body, so that goes down as excellent customer service in my book. I'll have no hesitation is using them again as I know if there is an issue, it will be rectified one way or another.
 
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One of the marks of a good supplier is what they do when things go wrong, glad it was resolved well for you.
 
Exactly. Many people seem to slate businesses for making mistakes but if there's a human involved that's inevitable - it's what happens after a mistake that's important.
 
That is excellent service, definitely the mark of a good retailer.
 
I have just sold my D80 with the Kit lens to MBP and what can I say excellent, stress free service and they paid the best price compared to LCE and others locally.

Matt and the Team... Thank you very much.
 
Just sold my Nex 5 through them, picked up on the stated day and full payment in my account within 4 days. Great service and price (£220 for excellent condition camera with both kit lenses) was slightly higher than other offers. I know I could have sold for more privately but very impressed! :)
 
I have used MPB to buy, sell and trade in the past with good results.

Always my 'go to' retailer if I'm looking for something.
 
I've only tried to do one transaction with mpb and it didn't work out. I wanted to sell my canon 500d body only but they wouldn't buy it as it came from eBay and the sale was a few years ago so they said they couldn't see where it came from. I gave them the eBay item listing, seller ID etc but still no luck.
 
I've only tried to do one transaction with mpb and it didn't work out. I wanted to sell my canon 500d body only but they wouldn't buy it as it came from eBay and the sale was a few years ago so they said they couldn't see where it came from. I gave them the eBay item listing, seller ID etc but still no luck.

From a buyers perspective that's a good thing, that they are particular about the provenance of the goods they buy.
 
grotty said:
From a buyers perspective that's a good thing, that they are particular about the provenance of the goods they buy.

Maybe. But It potentially means you can only sell items to them that you have bought from a shop (and so potentially at a premium) - eg not sure what they would do about items sold 2nd hand on here
 
No idea, though I've never really considered them for offloading any gear so I guess I'm ignorant to it.
 
I've just bought a camera from them and paid for saturday delivery it looks like they have shipped normal no biggy just fancied playing over the weekend ill have to mail em i guess

gave me a price on my brand new nex 3 with 16mm lens kit not bad but i reckon i can get more privately so ill keep it as a backup offer
 
I bought my 40D and 2 lenses from them a few months back, all went smoothly apart from being charged for delivery which Matt had originally agreed to waive anyway, an e-mail later and the delivery charge was refunded back to my card. Good customer service is a must if someone wants to keep me coming back :)

I've just asked them for a price on my SX100IS and am awaiting their reply (fingers crossed).
 
Exchanged my D90 for a D700 with them could not fault the service (and told them so)
 
Just bought a 550D and 50mm 1.8 from them and turned up as promised and in mint condition! Well happy with the service from MPB. Good arrived on time and as advertised.
 
When you sale to them do they arrange for goods to be picked up or do i have to send them off
 
Full details from their site:

How it works
Selling your used gear for cash or part exchanging against the cost of a new camera couldn't be easier

1 Complete our online form
We purchase all Canon and Nikon digital photographic equipment, as well as Sony Panasonic and Olympus Compact System Cameras and lenses. We also purchase digital accessory products from other leading manufacturers. Just fill out the form with details on what you have to sell and we'll send you a quote.


2 We'll collect your gear
Once you’re happy with the quotation we send the courier to your address free of charge. Once the items are received our in house team will inspect the gear and confirm the quotation via email.


3 You receive a cash payment
Once checking is completed and the quote is agreed we make payment via direct bank transfer into your account.
 
Got this message from them Thanks for the update. I'm afraid we would need some further purchase history in order to be able to buy the lens what can i give them i told em i brought it 2nd had from gumtree
 
Got this message from them Thanks for the update. I'm afraid we would need some further purchase history in order to be able to buy the lens what can i give them i told em i brought it 2nd had from gumtree

Might be worth phoning them and asking.

It isn't something like a grey market Sigma? Or even worse, bought in a pub car park?
 
cruncher75 said:
Got this message from them Thanks for the update. I'm afraid we would need some further purchase history in order to be able to buy the lens what can i give them i told em i brought it 2nd had from gumtree

They are unlikely to buy it off you. I had the same thing for my camera body purchased from eBay.

They only seem to want to buy items when you have proof of purchase (I.e. pretty much when you have bought for new)
 
Na was brought from gumtree as he was selling his gear never mind ill list it on ebay might get more for it thx guys
 
I can see MPB want to maintain their reputation so as an MPB customer on and off its good to see they only buy in properly sourced stuff. I can only guess it is because they have to offer a warranty and may need to get it repaired. Otherwise I can't see as it makes much difference after that as decent third party repairers will handle any gear. Sure they could still sell items even if they put a small disclaimer on certain products 'we cannot guarantee the source of this product was UK' or similar. Maybe there is more to it, not handling stolen gear etc.

To the original OP, great result. They do occasionally make mistakes as with any business and I have experienced but they do seem keen to resolve issues with a preference avoiding returns if possible. Sounds like that was a particularly satisfactory outcome. MPB are always one of the places I look if I want something.
 
As I posted earlier I exchanged my D90 for a D700, D90 was purchased off ebay, exchanged my 35mm bought from Amazon for a 50mm.
The 50mm was promised for delivery on a Friday as it did not arrive I phoned them and they were full of apologise so posted it for Saturday delivery.

Could not praise them enough.
 
I can see MPB want to maintain their reputation so as an MPB customer on and off its good to see they only buy in properly sourced stuff.

I was reading this thread with interest, I have sold a fair few bits and pieces to them and I'm not sure that they've ever asked where it came from... :thinking: :shrug:
 
BlackCloud said:
I can see MPB want to maintain their reputation so as an MPB customer on and off its good to see they only buy in properly sourced stuff. I can only guess it is because they have to offer a warranty and may need to get it repaired. Otherwise I can't see as it makes much difference after that as decent third party repairers will handle any gear. Sure they could still sell items even if they put a small disclaimer on certain products 'we cannot guarantee the source of this product was UK' or similar. Maybe there is more to it, not handling stolen gear etc.

To the original OP, great result. They do occasionally make mistakes as with any business and I have experienced but they do seem keen to resolve issues with a preference avoiding returns if possible. Sounds like that was a particularly satisfactory outcome. MPB are always one of the places I look if I want something.

I have actually seen them advertise bodies with non UK plugs before so not 100% sure if they mind if things are grey imports or not.
 
I'm considering buying a used lens from them; is it worth haggling for a lower price or just pay what they advertise at?
 
Matt never asked me where I sourced my gear before selling to them. They have been burnt by purchasing something that turned out to be of dubious origin?

As for haggling, I've never tried it as I liked their prices, both buying & selling. Let us know how the attempt to haggle goes :thumbs:
 
I've tried haggling when selling to them a couple of times and didn't get very far, so I doubt they'd budge on stuff they sell.
 
new2me said:
I'm considering buying a used lens from them; is it worth haggling for a lower price or just pay what they advertise at?

They won't haggle on price, to be fair their prices are pretty good as it is....
 
I cant find it now, but I was reading a thread last week where someone bought a lens from them that I was considering getting; the price they stated was about £20 less than I saw, but maybe I wasn't looking close enough :D

Have now decided not to haggle and just pay what they are asking for something else - 6 months warranty and reassurance that they know the history of the gear does it an attractive deal :thumbs:
 
My first experience of using them last month was very positive, and reasonable prices.

Plan a)
(i use nikon) the nissin di622 II - £67 advertised as nikon fit, sounds just what i need and ok price.

Next day check to see it was all tallying up onsite and marked as 'sold' and it was sent day before for next day :)
...pity the heading said Nikon fit Nissin but the detailed description then caught my eye 'fits all canon dslrs' lol ....damn

Plan b) lens arrived and immaculate, no matter how hard i looked at it, this wouldnt work on my Nikon.
Phoned up and also mentioning i was selling my 55-200, they suggested a price, pop in box with flash for a full refund as it was mis advertised and send back postage paid. (they would have done courier but i wasnt fussed for a non vr 55-200)

2 days later cash for lens returned and 55-200 bought.

Just a mistake in their part, but its how it is dealt with that counts.

The only downside was i was needing a flash quick so bought ETH's sb600 off here and blew my planned budget - it's not a budget when its photo gear right. ;)

Would use MBP anytime. Condition was spot on as well but only marked 4 star rather than 5.....

Dont think they will haggle, just like LCE, but find MPBs prices much more competitive. Just double check advertisement as mine never said di622 II - just Mark 1, and i phoned to check and they said it is defo the II. Some ropey advertisements maybe.

(Sorry for bad typing, on ipad)
 
And they never asked where my lens came from, then again was only 55-200 :)
 
Well, seems my bank might be worried about some of my current financial activity (all above board, honest) and have blocked that purchase for now - strange how I managed to order a pizza half an hour ago!

I was looking at a used Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR for £320ish posted, but have just notice Digital Rev have them brand new for £390 posted.
 
The bank says pizzas are fine but no more photography equipment lol :)
 
Bloody ipad hitting send too soon ;)

Check ian's in classifieds just spotted his there for 275 i think he wanted??

Was interest myself and would have took it but just got an unexpected bill! :(
 
Yeah, I saw 2 or 3 in classifieds, but initially thought i'd pay the extra for the warranty. I'll probably change my mind again tomorrow
 
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