MPB
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
MPB is widely regarded by the Reddit photography community as a reputable and reliable platform for buying and selling used camera gear. Users frequently recommend it alongside competitors like KEH for its professional vetting process, which includes testing equipment and providing a standard six-month warranty. While the buying experience is generally praised for transparency and fair pricing, the selling and trade-in process is more polarizing, with some users reporting unexpected condition downgrades and reduced offers after their gear was inspected.
Pros
- Reputable and well-established dealer for used photography and video gear
- Provides a six-month warranty and a straightforward return policy
- Uses actual photos of the specific items for sale rather than stock images
- Vets and tests equipment before listing for resale
- Convenient alternative to private sales on platforms like eBay
Cons
- Condition assessments may be downgraded after items are received, leading to lower final payouts
- Trade-in and sale offers are often lower than what can be achieved through private sales
- Occasional reports of slow shipping and delivery times
- Mixed experiences with the accuracy of the initial online quote versus the final inspection
Caveats
- The selling experience is notably more mixed than the buying experience due to subjective condition grading
- Some users report better value when trading gear toward a new purchase rather than selling for cash
Best for
- Photographers looking for vetted used gear with the security of a warranty
- Buyers who want to see the exact condition of an item through unique product photos
- Users who value convenience and safety over the maximum possible payout from a private sale
Avoid if
- You want the absolute highest price for your equipment (private sales typically pay more)
- You are in an immediate rush for shipping or a quick sale payout
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older (median age ~404 days), so users should be aware that specific service policies or shipping speeds may have evolved since these reports.
Sentiment
73 positive (82%) · 9 mixed (10%) · 7 negative (8%)
Trust + time weighted score: +75% · raw score 74%
What redditors said (10 of 89)
I've bought and sold from them in the UK maybe 10 or so times each way, and always had a good experience.
I’ve had great luck with MPB, I like seeing actual-item photos, and their prices are fair for a 3rd party site.
Used on MPB or KEH is also a very strong option for the lens.
Browse used camera retailers like MPB, KEH and Adorama.
MPB is a great place to look as well.
Both from MPB in Like New condition.
I've purchased a few lenses from them in the US with no issues.
In fact, I recently sold lenses that I had marked as “good” on the quote and they bumped them up to “excellent” and paid me more when they inspected them.
MPB is pretty well trusted, so I wouldn’t necessarily say your sample size of approximately two purchases is enough to warrant a PSA for everyone to not do business with them.
I’ve bought and sold back and forth with them often, going back five years. No problems encountered.
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