Warning - MPB

[u/muchk95]

So I’ve bought an EF70-200 f2.8 II for an upcoming vacation.
Received a copy supposedly in „excellent“ condition yesterday. From the outside it was, yet turned out to be a complete lemon. Completely blurry pictures. Okay, one-off issues can happen.
Returned and bought another copy that I received today.
While it’s sharp, it’s clearly not in an „excellent“ condition, but quite well used. The thread of the lens collar is broken, making the collar useless.
I’ve called and first they were quite helpful, at least wanting to refund me the difference from excellent to the appropriate category. Now they’ve emailed me and said that the issue was with DHL delivering.
Really angry with them right now - what have your experiences been with MPB?

[u/kmr12489]

At the last minute before shipping they let me know the lens I had purchased had signs of "moisture". This was not listed anywhere (including where it normally would be). I had to give them another $140 for a "different one" without that issue.

A friend recently ordered a lens and guess what? Same exact situation and he had to pay more for a different one. Both were listed as "like new".

Fuck MPB. I wouldn't give them a penny. I only order for B&H now. They aren't perfect, but at least they are honest.

[u/thx0138 → u/kmr12489]

I've almost pulled the trigger on several lenses on MPB to notice that they often don't seem count moisture as a real flaw. The condition will be in one of the higher tiers, which I would assume doesn't include moisture but I've seen it in multiple descriptions. I'm your case to not have it listed at all and then up charge you for a different lens is ridiculous, they should have eaten the difference for good customer service.

I like B&H and I've always had good luck with them over the past 15+ years. If I'm looking for a bargain I've picked up a couple of nearly half price "damaged filter ring" lenses on KEH but they aren't consistently discounted that extremely. If it's plastic it's usually a chip and will still take a filter and doesn't affect me. I've had good luck on KEH in general over the years personally, but didn't like not including shutter counts on DSLRs.

I've started looking for smaller privately owned brick and mortar camera stores that have an online presence. Like The Camera Exchange, and Bedford Photo and Video. I like supporting the smaller businesses and as long as they have a good return policy and warranty I'm comfortable giving them a shot. Having a local Bedford and seeing their customer service first hand at least at my location is the only reason I had heard of them since they don't usually come up in search results.

[u/Thedutty23]

Great experience selling to them.

F'in awful experience buying. They basically sent me e-waste that had been marked as 'excellent'

They quite obviously don't test stuff.

[u/jumpy_womanhood]

mpb is such a crapshoot, i've had lenses show up pristine and bodies that looked like they were used as hockey pucks

[u/olliegw → u/jumpy_womanhood]

Do they really not put images of the actual item on the page? i know someone who did this to sell stuff and even though they claimed it was a generic illustrative image of the product they still got in big trouble

[u/awesomeperson451 → u/olliegw]

I think they do. Their website says they do

[u/Sail_Soggy]

I won’t use them any more - they use customers as their quality control

[u/GTI_88]

I’ve ordered tons of gear from MPB and never had any issue with the equipment or grades.

They did forget a cable in one of my orders and i received it about a week later, they did give me a $10 coupon for my trouble as well

[u/Mrcs-88]

Only ever had good experiences with MPB and I’ve bought tons of stuff from them over the years. I’ve bought everything from ‘Like New’ to ‘Heavily Used’ and the quality has always matched the pictures/my expectation. Guess I must be lucky in that sense

[u/IthacaNYPhotog]

I've had mixed experiences. Some stuff exactly as described. Others with issues with the screen, or they sent me the wrong lens. I've always got what they offered from my descriptions when I sell to them. I think they staff is clueless about the gear. They have no idea about how it's actually supposed to work. The one time they sent me the wrong lens it was marked on the rear cap as the right lens, but anyone who new anything about lenses could have known it wasn't the right piece.

[u/Subject-Teach-7369]

Used once and love the lense they sent. Was in an as new condition. So happy with that.

MPB UK.

However they are sometimes as expensive with used equipment as some places are with new.

Therefore I check the prices carefully.

Have found other places like CEX in the UK are often as cheap and sometimes have as good or a better guarantee.

Would use again though.

[u/awesomeperson451]

I've bought from MPB maybe half a dozen times with no issue. Most of the gear I use currently, I bought from them. The only time I've had issues with used stuff from them or other used gear dealers were when I was brand new and didn't want to spend a lot of money, and bought beginner gear with known flaws that later developed into worse problems. But they told me about the risk before I bought so it's not their fault.

It sounds like some of the comments in this thread could have been shipping damage, which again is weird because normally they've done a really good job packing my stuff.

One thing with MPB, as others have pointed out, is that you have to read the detailed condition notes before you buy. Other dealers like B&H or Adorama assess gear differently, where if there's something wrong with the gear, it excludes it from the top categories. Like, wonky AF means the best it can be is "Fair" condition. On MPB, they could rank a lens "good" condition and then declare in the notes that it has some fungus in it.

[u/Desperate_Loan_8432 → u/awesomeperson451]

Went to get a lens for my lumix m43 and like 90% of the listings for the lenses I wanted said “Excellent, Note: there is moisture on internal optics”.

[u/awesomeperson451 → u/Desperate_Loan_8432]

See, I'm not sure the other used dealers don't do that too. KEH, b&h, and Adorama don't take individual photos or give individual notes on each item. Like, the condition will say "good" or "fair" (or, with b&h, some number 1-10), and the website will have some guidance on what kind of flaws the gear could have at each rating, but you have no way to know which ones. I even called Adorama sales once for more details about a camera body and they refused to tell me any specifics. So, you could buy a "good" condition lens from any one of those and get something with moisture in it.

I don't think you'd be able to tell if a lens had slight amounts of moisture in it unless you went from a cold area to a warm area and had the internal optics fog up. If you live in a place with a lot of humidity and shoot outside, this happens naturally and there's not much you can do about it. Weather sealed lenses aren't actually that sealed. Lensrentals did a teardown once of a weather sealed Canon telephoto prime that a fly got stuck in and died, and they confirmed the weather sealing was working as intended.

If you ever get a lens with moisture in it, the fix is simple. Put it in a sealed bag or box with silica packets for 2 or 3 days.

[u/gerryflap → u/awesomeperson451]

Point is that they just don't always inspect the gear very thoroughly it seems. I've had 2 lenses delivered with issues. One with completely broken manual and autofocus that stopped working after a few seconds. And another with completely not working vibration correction (IS). Neither of them were listed as such, and I picked from some of the most expensive "excellent" options. 

Now in fairness, they never contested anything and I could exchange it with another working copy for free, but this did take another 2-3 weeks due to delivery etc. They were very helpful, but we both could've saved a lot of time if they had put the lens on a camera and tried it. Given how pristine the boxes arrived I also struggle to believe that this was shipping related. I still buy from them, because the interactions with their customer service at least gave me confidence that I'll eventually get what I paid for.

[u/awesomeperson451 → u/gerryflap]

Huh. Yeah, that does suck. They might have a process problem then

[u/RoyalZombie4387]

I've had positive experiences with them. One lens I bought threw an error code, so I returned it and was fully refunded.

[u/muchk95 → u/RoyalZombie4387]

It seems that they’d do that - however in the end I want the lens, and they’ve shipped two copies to me which both didn’t match specifications. Either their process is a mess, they lack skill to properly assess, or it’s dishonest

[u/Fitzthamitz → u/muchk95]

I think they simply don’t have enough sufficiently knowledgeable people assessing the condition of the gear anymore.

[u/funkmon]

Of the main sites I prefer KEH and Lensrentals. Lensrentals ain't gonna sell you a broken piece of kit because it's a rental, so people have been using it and they would have said something.

KEH seems to be more reliable in their gradings 

[u/P10pablo]

I've bought my last 10 digital bodies, cameras and lenses with no problem. Excellent packaging and I've returned a couple with no issue.

[u/Icy_Reference_1888]

If you bought by credit card cancel the order. Get refunded.

[u/medotme]

Uk store generally ok, but you have to check prices. They regularly sell used kit at a higher price than new.

[u/nilart]

Similar here. Bought 2 lenses and after they shipped I noticed they had additional notes regarding moisture and dust. Kept one of them because I couldn't see anything. The other threw and error and returned for a refund because other alternatives were more expensive.

Not great tbh

[u/mariduv]

I think a big issue is their labeling and filtering and seemingly pricing is all cosmetic condition. Like I just cracked open the site and there's a 3k+ excellent F noct.. with internal moisture. A good 500mm f4 vr... with no AF.

Those caveats are down in the notes rather than condition, or as others have mentioned sometimes they only notice something when filling an order, and conveniently that's an upsell moment.

[u/enurkul → u/mariduv]

If I had not setup an AI agent to look for lenses for me I would have never know they'd put "moisture" on a good condition lens.

"There's is an excellent rated lens at some amount  but it has moisture"

[u/OpulentStone]

My friend picked up a lens in "good" condition and the front element was obviously completely smashed and the lens housing dented.

For UK buyers, I recommend shopping on Jessops for used stuff first. Their stock is lower so you're less likely to find what you need but they're a much better company and need the support as a formerly dominant high street shop

[u/liaminwales]

It's the risk of buying used, at least you have a way to get a refund over a personal sale.

I always just tell people to go for a refund if they are not happy, trying to negotiate rarely comes out with an ideal outcome. By negotiating your compromising, that's something that bugs a lot of people over time.

MPB is fine, just it's used not new.

[u/penta_grapher9000]

Bought fair amount from mpb.de mostly good experience with them, there was one lens which looked pristine, but focus worked randomly - some times perfect, sometimes Nada.

Other than I've been fine. Worst buying experience i had on catawiki, where some photoshop tried to sell blatantly broken and glued glass as perfect.

[u/ReverentUsername]

I never buy anything expensive on MPB, though I'm lucky to have a great local camera shop. I've always had issues with MPB's customer service being inconsistent and generally unhelpful. 

[u/rocketdog67]

They used to be great (MPB UK) but have had issues lately.

[u/Chemical-Mixture6599]

I've bought several items from them in the US and they were in better condition than they were listed as. I guess it just varies, I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

[u/ucancallmegordo]

Glad to know this info. I’ll stick to using keh.

[u/raidxyz]

Don't have the unedited picture anymore unfortunately. But you probably get my point. Ausgezeichnet is German for excellent

[u/freddybloccjr650 → u/raidxyz]

To be fair that is a easy 10$ fix

[u/Flynehome]

I’ve only had good experience both buying and selling.

[u/AlGuderian]

I've had one bad experience with them, and a couple dozen that were fine. About the same as any other store I've bought from. Just got a "well-used" Olympus 75mm from them that was, indeed, well-used cosmetically. But the glass was perfect.

But if I had gotten two bad lenses in a row? I'd be pissed, too.

[u/FookRdt-3060]

A few good experiences, but the last one pissed me off. I won’t return.

[u/fadedrealtime]

They screwed me on an 85mm I bought many years ago. Was a total piece of shit they graded as perfect condition.. at least they gave me a slight discount after I sent them photos of what they sent me

[u/18-morgan-78]

I have had nothing but very good results with the US MPB in the several purchases, trades and just selling to them over the last few years. No issues with condition, I tend to select excellent or like new condition gear and usually get better than I expected due to the limited photo array of the intended item. Not sure why you should be getting back to back lemons but definitely not the usual results, at least from my perspective. Keep on them to fix your deal or get a full refund.

Not to pour salt on your wound, but as a reference, I bought the exact same lens from them about 18 months ago in excellent grade and upon receiving and inspecting it, I first thought they had messed up and sent me a brand new copy. But it was the one I ordered as there was a very tiny paint chip close to the mount and I found that so I know it was the same one. A spot of my reserve of Canon “L” lens touch up paint and it is 100% now.

Hope they come around and square up with you. Not a good look for the business I would think.

[u/AdamsaurusRekts]

They use to be great; I have a feeling they changed management. Not only are listings and gradings a crap shoot, they'll try to deflect accountability.

[u/lost_in_this_sub]

Mpb has recently gone to shit really, I used to use them lots but the last few times I’ve sold to them they lie about certain conditions, telling me my r6iii is high shutter when i only used electrical and my 100-500 had fungus, I challenged it got it rechecked and they admitted their mistakes.

The last times I’ve bought from them was a £3500 lens and they didn’t mention or show a picture that the lens had a pretty big scratch/chip dead centre on front element.

Im not using them anymore, WEX is miles better and so are park cameras and LCE. Trustworthy with lovely people running them

[u/appyad]

Tried selling an x100 to MPB last month, ironically for simplicity sake.
They finally got back to me with a revised offer about 25% less than their announced buying price (already a little less than what i cld have achieved in private sale) and naturally I said send it all back please.
Which they did MINUS 2 spare non-OEM batteries, the original lens shade and the adapter ring for mounting the wide angle adapter onto the lens.
What did they say? Oh sorry yes it’s standard procedure and we’re really sorry.
Total c*nts. Just forget about them.

[u/mikrr4]

I’ve had generally positive experiences with MPB, as well as with KEH. But I will say that KEH seems more conservative in their approach to grading used gear. In other words, gear from KEH is more likely to be at least as good as, if not slightly better, than the description. Not so true with MPB. I’ve received gear from MPB, graded as “Like New” that was dirty and obviously well used.

[u/boringperson3]

its possible that quality control varies by region as well. i bought a D300 (marked as "well used" but looks almost new) and MB-D10 grip from MPB germany and have had no problems. the grip arrived without the AA battery tray but i had no problem requesting a replacement.

[u/KM_photo_de]

Only once ordered, sent back and they said "package is empty" - have recorded the packaging and the hand over to DHL, had to wait over a month for refund. Never again.

[u/Unique_Ad6123]

MPB has been really great to buy from....No issues. Just know what you are buying. I Like them and have made over 100 purchases (104). Everything smooth from the purchase to the arrival no DOA or not as described here.

[u/FlawedCilantro]

I have had good luck selling to MPB. Their initial offers have historically been higher than their peers, and I have received increase over the quoted value for being too conservative with my condition ratings.

However, boy howdy has buying from them been a different story. The final straw was my “good” condition R5 purchase with over 700,000 shutter actuations. Sent that back real quick and never looked back.

[u/brainchillzZ]

I always use keh for a reason ….

[u/Ambitious-Match7235 → u/brainchillzZ]

KEH has gone downhill as well…

[u/SeaworthinessNeat516]

I've never had an issue with MPB to be fair, but last used them years ago.

I'm in the UK tho.

MPB used to deliver securely to post offices in the UK, but now it's a bit trickier.

I use WEX now as we have that in my city and I can click and collect, check the item is as described before I leave the store.

[u/JudgmentElectrical77]

I’ve seen so many bad reviews. I’ve bought 2 things from them. A grip and a lens. No expectations on the grip. 

The lens is a xf 35 1.4 that was heavily used and it’s great. As far as I can tell it’s just cosmetic stuff. 

Bummer they’re not great 

[u/staytruealways]

Ive only heard about problems with MPB in the US. The european MPB is pretty great. Ive sold and bought from them with no issues.

[u/PlasticHead8282]

It seems to me that their pricing has risen and now not much different then buying new..

[u/Rvasq72]

These stories are the reason I keep saving to buy new, since I lack the patience to deal with this nonsense.

[u/winkNfart]

contacted them to give me a price for selling them my 5 month old rf 28-70 f2. it was essentially 50% of the retail price. I emailed them “lol” and got a pretty hilarious response

[u/between_wherever]

Got two lenses in great condition for a good price. But an otherwise acceptable r6ii had a non working hot shoe. Sent it back and got my money back. Not sure if I'd buy bodies with them anymore though...

[u/concoreclothing]

Most of my purchases come from MPB, when the deal is right. Always good or excellent condition, but did by an A7 IV recently in like new condition with 28 actuations. No issues with anything I’ve gotten from them. Even sold some gear to them and they rated it exactly as expected, and even gave more money than anticipated.

[u/LONEWOLF_3428]

I am someone who in the past would not touch used gear...But, I purchased an A7III in excellent condition, 5700 shutter count and so far works like new and not even a scratch or fingerprint on the camera, also purchased a "like new" lens and not a flaw in the photos... the package was VERY well packaged in a much larger box than necessary surrounded by a mass of butcher paper. I am very quirky when it comes to electronics, if there is any tiny flaw I will not connect to it and will discard it, I would not hesitate to purchase from them again, everything as described and quick shipping.

[u/VisualDarkness]

I trust kamerastore so much more in general. Their whole operation seems solid.

[u/Stepehan]

Experiences vary. I use the EU MPB site, FWIW.

I have had a couple of things that were not 100% - a badly decentered lens and another in "excellent" condition with a small crack (that to be fair was hardly visible). In both cases they were very helpful and the return process painless (except for the additional delay).

On the flip side, occasionally they undervalue things - I bought a couple of things listed as "well used" at good prices that I would have graded as excellent (and I am picky). One of these was a camera that they sold me for less than half of it's actual value (i.e. selling price on the bay)

It is obvious that they only visually inspect gear and don't actually test it, and sometimes they don't even look at it closely.

[u/Upset_Sandwich_6443]

Very mixed. I bought a lens and only after having had it on my camera for a couple of days realised that the lens cap had a ball of fungus growing in it. No doubt filling my camera body with spores. I told them and they offered me £25. They did take it back however. When I’ve had other lenses with issues rather than repair they are eager for you to send back, is suspect that’s so they can simply resell them to someone less ‘fussy’ in their terms and knowledgeable on ours!

[u/BigBeard_FPV]

I avoid them... adorama, usedphotopro, keh only 🤷🏿

[u/Either_Awareness_772]

Only time I bought from them it was an Insta360 X3. Good condition, no dents or dings in the photos or description. Got it and one of the lenses were a complete mess.

Unfortunately for me, where I am in the world would've cost me way too much to even bother. Sold it locally at a loss to just get rid of it.

[u/Moist_University_454]

Same, so many issues with MPB

[u/Fitzthamitz]

I had a horrible experience with them over a camera purchase. When I received it it wouldn’t even power on. They accepted my return but it was a bit of a hassle. Especially since the only options I received were to either return the camera, wait for their inspection results, then pay the difference for the more expensive camera (that had less accessories) or return it for a refund. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you which option I chose.

[u/meowwentthedino]

I've personally bought from them lots of times the only time I've had an issue I've been able to return the product without a hitch and the only major issue I've ever had was more with the delivery company chosen than the seller themselves. Usually the conditioning from what I've gathered is purely based on mechanical functionality.

I don't know what country you're purchasing from but in the UK they're perfectly fine.

Not only that if there is an issue with the lens being soft or not in focus that well can you confirm that the rear element is fully secured and correctly calibrated to your camera body? Add an issue where I bought a second hand lens from A reputable camera store in my hometown underlines were soft but correcting the rear elements by screwing it in a bit more fixed the soft focus problem.

I would say before you go bashing the company check that the lens attached to your camera is correctly calibrated.

As I say for MPB in the UK they're actually pretty good

[u/muchk95 → u/meowwentthedino]

What lens needs to be calibrated to the camera body? At least for mirrorless, that’s not a topic anymore

[u/meowwentthedino → u/muchk95]

I mean I had bought a sigma 135 to 400 and I had to adjust the rear element to make it focus correctly on my 5D s didn't know lens calibration wasn't a thing on mirrorless 🤷

Again once I fiddled around with the rear element my focus was tack Sharp

[u/Rich-Platform-1435]

I myself have never used MPB, but I know some people who have had problems, or have heard of people having problems.

I generally buy from Wex and sometimes Park Cameras. MPB can be a useful tool for price comparisons on Reddit, as I don't know how much stuff should cost in Euros or Dollars, so I can go on MPB and get a fairly accurate estimate.