Adorama???

I've bought from B&H Photo and Adorama over the years and generally been more than happy with the service and products they provide but lately I've been questioning what's been going on at Adorama. I have been looking at some of their used equipment, either the mirrorless or medium format camera offerings they have and can't seem to get an answer to requests for photo's of these bodies. I've talked to customer service agents, who then referred me to a wrong department via email, then was redirected to the used departments email, then received no answer for my request for photos of the items I'm considering to purchase at their store. I sent an email yesterday to their online rep, Helen Oster but haven't heard back as of yet. Anyone else have any experiences such as this.

I'll add that prior to this week that in December I also was looking at and requested photos of one of their Sony mirrorless bodies but was informed that it had already been sold and shipped to my address, lol. Regardless, I never received any package and later called and confirmed that I hadn't yet been billed for the item but makes me wonder what's going on over there.

Reach out to Helen Oster. She can more than likely get you the help you need.

Lol, I have and nothing from Helen so far either. I will likely be buying from another seller since I've received nothing but silence from Adorama. They must be extremely busy or slipping, but in today's market reaction time is everything to the consumer.

Do they take specific pics of used gear? In most instances a buyer goes by their rating and if not happy can return it. Also you posted this a few hours ago. It’s the sabbath and Helen is an observer. And I thought I was impetuous. Yesterday was sabbath also so perhaps that’s why you didn’t hear back. Photos are very valuable to lay eyes on when buying from individuals on a forum to help prove possession of the item. Not so with a store.

Yes they do take pics of used gear, my initial contact was earlier in the week so Adorama has had plenty of time to respond in today's digital age. Unless of course they have gone back to snail mail.

I don't know why you didn't hear from the used department following your previous requests, but as far as I can see the first email you sent to me was yesterday - Saturday, when we are closed for the Jewish Sabbath.
I've forwarded your email to the used department but they do not work on Sundays.
On Monday a request will be sent to the photographer and the photographs will be sent to you later on Monday or Tuesday, depending upon how many requests he has in ahead of yours.

Thorrulz wrote in post #18550400
......in December I also was looking at and requested photos of one of their Sony mirrorless bodies but was informed that it had already been sold and shipped to my address, lol. Regardless, I never received any package and later called and confirmed that I hadn't yet been billed for the item but makes me wonder what's going on over there.

Concerned to see this - it sounds as though the item had been sold before you requested pictures - but why you would have been told it had been shipped to you is a mystery (most likely simply CS agent error) - can you please email me with the SKU# of the item and I'll see f I can trace why you were given inaccurate info? Many thanks
Helen@adorama.com

Thanks for your reply Helen, I will look for and forward the December email to you after I locate it. I wasn't all that concerned about being notified that the body had been actually sent to my address with the exception of having to explain to my wife how such a "mistake" could happen to me during the Christmas shopping season, lol.

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It seems overly burdensome to expect Adorama to take pics of their used gear and send you the photos. . If I were a reseller I wouldn't do this for people, period.

I would think that there are plenty of people who are willing to buy the gear 'sight unseen' that it wouldn't be necessary for Adorama to go through this tedious, time-wasting process of picture taking.

I buy ALL of my cameras and lenses used, and never once did I care to see a photo of the gear before I bought it.


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Speak for yourself!

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thinkharder wrote in post #18550925
Speak for yourself!

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I already did speak for myself. . Are you asking me to speak for myself again?


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Tom Reichner wrote in post #18550917
It seems overly burdensome to expect Adorama to take pics of their used gear and send you the photos.

I agree.

Adorama is very clear on their "Used Ratings" definitions at https://www.adorama.co​m …tings&searchred​irect=true. They are also very reputable and Helen will readily step up to the plate when needed.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #18550917
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It seems overly burdensome to expect Adorama to take pics of their used gear and send you the photos. . If I were a reseller I wouldn't do this for people, period.

I would think that there are plenty of people who are willing to buy the gear 'sight unseen' that it wouldn't be necessary for Adorama to go through this tedious, time-wasting process of picture taking.

I buy ALL of my cameras and lenses used, and never once did I care to see a photo of the gear before I bought it.


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In truth, with the really low end gear where it would cost us almost as much in time to provide pictures as the unit is worth - and the open box where it's pristine - we don't always; we ask customers to use the 30-day returns period to decide.

Just musing...perhaps all resellers of used equipment need to insist that they will not take in the used goods -- either sold by the owner to the retailer or when submitted as a trade-in for purchase of another item -- unless the item is accompanied with digital images of acceptable quality, which can be then provided to later potential buyers of said used equipment.
That way later photography of the used item becomes unnecessary, and not a burden which drives up their resale overhead.

Problem solved

Wilt wrote in post #18550987
Just musing...perhaps all resellers of used equipment need to insist that they will not take in the used goods -- either sold by the owner to the retailer or when submitted as a trade-in for purchase of another item -- unless the item is accompanied with digital images of acceptable quality, which can be then provided to later potential buyers of said used equipment.
That way later photography of the used item becomes unnecessary, and not a burden which drives up their resale overhead.

Doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

They would still have to examine the pictures to make sure that they really are pics of the item they received, and that the pictures are an accurate representation of the item. . Then they would have to rename the image files and upload them to their site.

It would still be a tedious process that would require that an employee take time to perform these tasks. . All of this when it is not necessary, because there are many buyers who will pay the asking price without needing to look at photos first.

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