How to Sell Used Camera Gear to KEH Camera
Selling used camera gear can be a hassle. I’ve sold cameras and lenses through eBay and dealt with buyers offering unrealistically low prices, backing out after winning an auction, or simply failing to follow through. Sometimes I would rather skip all of that, especially when I’m selling something to help pay for a new piece of gear.
KEH Camera offers another option. The company has bought and sold used photography equipment since 1979, with an inventory that includes digital cameras, film cameras, lenses, and accessories. Every item they sell is inspected and assigned a condition grade, making it easier to understand what you are buying.
We’ve purchased quite a bit of our own gear from KEH over the years, which I shared in my post about buying and selling photography gear through KEH. I’ve also sold equipment to them, both at an in-person buying event and through their online quote system.
For transparency, I previously wrote paid content for KEH Camera. That relationship did not determine what I wrote here. My experiences buying and selling gear through KEH were genuinely positive, which is why I continued using and recommending them.
I attended one of KEH’s buying events in 2019 with several pieces of equipment that had been sitting unused. The buyer inspected everything, explained the offer, and gave me a check within a matter of minutes. I received more than I expected for gear that was no longer useful to me, and the experience was much easier than listing each item individually.
When I later decided to sell a Nikon 24-120mm lens, I tried KEH’s online system. Here is how the process worked for me.
Step 1: Get an Instant Quote
My Nikon 24-120mm lens had been collecting dust for a while, so I decided to turn it into money I could put toward something I would use more often.
I visited the KEH selling page and entered the lens into the online quote system. The search field automatically suggested matching products, which helped me select the correct version of the lens.
The form asked me to estimate its condition using KEH’s grading descriptions. It also asked which accessories were included, such as the front and rear caps, hood, case, or original packaging. Describing the condition and included accessories as accurately as possible helps make the initial estimate more useful.
After answering the questions, I added the lens to my quote and received an estimated value. The system also allows multiple cameras, lenses, and accessories to be included in the same quote.
KEH also offers virtual appointments with a camera buyer. During the video call, a buyer can look at the equipment, answer questions, and help provide an initial estimate. This can be especially useful when you have an unusual item or a larger collection to sell.
Since I only had one lens, I continued to the contact and shipping information. There was also a comment box where I could provide additional details about the lens.
Step 2: Pack the Gear and Ship It For Free
Once I completed the online quote, KEH provided the paperwork and shipping instructions. Eligible quotes receive a prepaid shipping label, so it is a good idea to confirm the shipping terms shown with your individual quote.
I found a sturdy box, wrapped the lens carefully, filled the open space so it could not move around, and included the packing slip. Even when a lens has its original box, I prefer to place that box inside a larger shipping box with additional padding.
Before packing used gear, I also recommend checking every compartment in the camera bag and removing memory cards, film, batteries, filters, or other accessories that are not included in the quote.
Step 3: Ship and Wait
KEH provided information about nearby shipping drop-off locations, and I received tracking details by email. I could follow the lens as it traveled to KEH in Smyrna, Georgia.
Once it arrived, their team inspected its operation and cosmetic condition. The online estimate was based on the information I provided, while the final offer reflected what they found during the physical inspection.
This part requires a little waiting, but I did not have to communicate with potential buyers, photograph the lens for a listing, answer repeated questions, or worry about someone disputing the condition after receiving it.
Step 4: Review the Offer and Get Paid
After inspecting the lens, KEH contacted me with the final offer. Payment options currently include a trade voucher or a digital cash payment.
I was selling the lens so I could put its value toward another purchase, making the trade voucher the more useful option for me. Someone who simply wants to clear out unused equipment can choose the cash payment instead.
If the inspection reveals something that changes the original estimate, you have the opportunity to review the final offer before completing the sale.
Bonus: You Can Decline the Final Offer
One of the most reassuring parts of the process was knowing that sending my lens to KEH did not automatically commit me to selling it.
If the final offer had been substantially different from the original estimate, or if I had simply changed my mind, I could have declined it and requested the lens back. (KEH’s current terms explain the applicable shipping and return arrangements, so I recommend reviewing those details when submitting a quote.)
Based on my previous in-person sale, I expected KEH’s offer to be reasonable. At that buying event, I was surprised by how much they offered for equipment that had been sitting unused. The online process gave me the same basic advantage: I could sell a lens without creating a listing, negotiating with strangers, or hoping an auction winner would actually pay!
Note: Not sponsored, just really like KEH!
