You can purchase camera equipment used, and often with a warranty. If you are interested in saving money, buying used is a great way to go.
We may not be made of money, but we sure love to create.
Where do you purchase used camera equipment?
Reputable camera stores
I purchase used items from B&H and Adorama. I’ve never had an issue with anything used that I have purchased from either place. I also like that I can call up the store and talk to a human. They typically look over and clean everything.
MPB
A really solid choice is MPB. They have very high standards when evaluating the gear they are purchasing. This includes not only cameras and lenses, but also remote controls, batteries, battery grips, charging cases, drones, camcorders and more. For each product, they provide an assessment of the condition, what’s in the box, and a warranty. If you want, you can lower the cost by trading in some of your old gear. They are very thorough with evaluating used equipment. However, that’s one aspect that makes them a good place to purchase used gear.
They go through all the gear, clean it up and then sell it. And you get to see a photo of the actual piece of gear you are purchasing. They also service their warranties in-house. They have a five-star review on Trustpilot with over 21,000 reviews. Chances are, they’re doing something right.
KEH
Another solid place to purchase equipment is KEH. They’ve been around for decades and deal mostly with buying and selling used equipment. They also repair lenses and cameras, part of the reason their used equipment is in such great shape. I’ve had great luck here as well.
eBay
This is an obvious choice. You may sometimes get a better price from eBay than you will from reputable camera stores or places such as MPB. However, caveat emptor. I try to minimize any issues by only purchasing from sellers that have a high rating of 99% or higher and have many transactions over the course of several years. Remember that the person is doing the packing, so it can vary wildly in quality.
Amazon
Amazon is sometimes overlooked for used camera equipment. Perhaps for good reason. It’s sometimes seems a little wilder than even eBay. And again, caveat emptor.
Check everything over right away
When you purchase something used, there’s usually a time limit for returns. Check out everything right away. I’ve been extremely lucky, and much of it has looked brand new. No scratches, no blemishes, no wear marks, nothing. It is quite possible to save hundreds or thousands of dollars to fuel your passion for creativity.
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