Adorama's Used department

[Jayson]

This will be my first experience with trading in used equipment to Adorama. I was wondering if anyone else has traded in used equipment or items to them and what that experience was like? I have always had good customer service from them and just am curious about what to expect. I have photographed every inch of the lens just as a precaution if they do any damage to it while examining it. Any other suggestions before it ships?

Thanks to anyone with any thoughts on the matter.

Jayson

[Dave Throgmartin]

I sent some cheapie stuff into B&H a while back (XT, 18-55, 75-300 USM III) and was pleased with the transaction. I gave my ratings for my gear, sent it to them, and not long after a check came in the mail.

I can't speak for Adorama.

Dave

[andnowimbroke]

I'm sure they're trustworthy, but because of overhead, don't expect prices to be great. You're better off trying to sell it yourself like anything else. If you don't have the time/desire to deal with it. They'll be happy to look at it, and send it back if you don't like the offer (usually half of what they sell it for).

[Joel Eade]

I'm sure they're trustworthy, but because of overhead, don't expect prices to be great. You're better off trying to sell it yourself like anything else. If you don't have the time/desire to deal with it. They'll be happy to look at it, and send it back if you don't like the offer (usually half of what they sell it for).

Agree completely.....extremely fast and professional. Advantage is you sell all your gear immediately in one transaction but at a price a little lower than you would get if you sell it yourself.

[Sean Setters]

Agree completely.....extremely fast and professional. Advantage is you sell all your gear immediately in one transaction but at a price a little lower than you would get if you sell it yourself.

Keep in mind, though, if you sell on eBay there's an eBay listing price, a percentage fee of the sale, then a percentage fee to Paypal. And that's not counting shipping charges if you don't pass those along to the auction winners (free shipping tends to garnish more attention). And then there's time invested in managing separate auctions.

Selling in bulk to Adorama starts to look like a good value when you consider all the details...

[thekingb]

Keep in mind, though, if you sell on eBay there's an eBay listing price, a percentage fee of the sale, then a percentage fee to Paypal. And that's not counting shipping charges if you don't pass those along to the auction winners (free shipping tends to garnish more attention). And then there's time invested in managing separate auctions.

Selling in bulk to Adorama starts to look like a good value when you consider all the details...

I sell everything on amazon for this reason. It's a flat 8% commission for photography gear and much easier to list an item.

[Mark Elberson]

I sell everything on amazon for this reason. It's a flat 8% commission for photography gear and much easier to list an item.

The best kept secret! I killed it on Amazon. It does take forever to get paid though.

[iND]

Without a doubt I sell on Amazon

[andnowimbroke]

It is a best kept secret. So much so, I couldn't figure out how to do it when I had to sell stuff:/ It's been awhile though and I'm a little dense at times.

[HelenOster]

This will be my first experience with trading in used equipment to Adorama. I was wondering if anyone else has traded in used equipment or items to them and what that experience was like? I have always had good customer service from them and just am curious about what to expect. I have photographed every inch of the lens just as a precaution if they do any damage to it while examining it. Any other suggestions before it ships?

Thanks to anyone with any thoughts on the matter.

Jayson

Adorama used department always aims to offer 70% of the expected re-sale value, but of course, a final figure can only be given once they have had the opportunity to physically appraise gear. They send you a pre-paid shipping label so you can send gear into us for a thorough evaluation – fully insured – at no cost to you!
They receive literally hundreds of items each and every day, (there are around 26-27,000 used pieces in the warehouse right now) so they generally ask customers to allow up to 8 days to look over items – especially as at least 2 (and sometimes 3) highly-skilled technicians will need to examine it.

Finally – and this is important – the selling prices on the website can only be a ROUGH guide if you are trying to figure out how much they might be able to pay you for your gear.
When new models are released, the overall market tends to soften. Pre-owned units will usually drop in value, but they will still be looking to sell existing pre-owned stock(which may have been warehoused and therefore costing revenue for days,weeks or months) without making too great a loss on the price we originally paid.

In my experience, whileyou will be offered 70% of the current expected selling price (they need to covershipping,insurance, staffing, advertising, warehousing costs AND the bossexpects them to turn a profit), unless you are selling a genuine collectors'piece you shouldn't expect to receive more than 55-65% of the price you see onthe website.

If you are not happy with the figure you are offered, you can ask for your gear to shipped back to you, fully insured, at no cost to you.

[mcarriganphotos]

Thanks for the information Helen. Do they ever give credit towards a purchase of new or used equipment? I was thinking of ebay'ing an item but don't want to hold onto it and I've been eying a few items already in your used department.

[HelenOster]

Thanks for the information Helen. Do they ever give credit towards a purchase of new or used equipment? I was thinking of ebay'ing an item but don't want to hold onto it and I've been eying a few items already in your used department.

Yes, indeed - and usually you can negotiate a higher price for your gear if you trade up!

[Jarhead5811]

That's where I picked up my 580EX and a 430EX from them a while back (after the IIs were out) at a really good price and it was exactly as described. I've been very happy with them.

[HelenOster]

That's where I picked up my 580EX and a 430EX from them a while back (after the IIs were out) at a really good price and it was exactly as described. I've been very happy with them.

Good to read; thanks!
:D