How Do We Do It?
It's a lot of work, this camera lark. All the equipment we sell is cleaned, checked and tested thoroughly, repaired and refurbished if needed - then given a rating based on it's overall condition.
Where does your stock come from?
We buy from people. We don't go to auctions, we don't buy on eBay, and we don't scrape charity shops. Customers approach us with what they have for sale - it could be one item or it could be a lifetime collection.
Knowing where an item has come from, who used it and the story behind it means we can have confidence in the equipment we sell. Many customers that sell items to us are enthusiasts and photographers themselves.
it can be a bit grim sometimes
Cleaning.
As soon as equipment arrives with us, cleaning it is the first thing we'll do.
Removing dust and dirt that may have built up over years of use allows us to see the true condition of an item (as well as making it a lot less gross). Visually inspecting a camera or lens in a clean state helps spot any damage or wear.
Cameras.
They're all a little different - and there's a heck of a lot of to know about each model.
We'll test the shutter speeds for accuracy and make sure the shutter is opening correctly. We'll check the mechanical functions, the advance mechanism, as well as all the buttons and levers. Any viewfinder optics are checked, as well as any LCD screens or displays. If there's a light meter, we'll check that for accuracy and any associated functions are also tested. Foam light seals are often deteriorated, and we'll replace those if needed.
Lenses.
The condition of the optics are vital to the performance of a lens - and a lot can happen in the course of decades to affect a lens.
Some things are easy to spot - such as exterior scratches or coating loss caused by improper cleaning. Haze or fungus within the lens is sometimes hard to spot, but we check each one carefully. The focus is tested for smoothness and proper functionality, as well as the aperture mechanism.
Accessories.
There are a lot of extra devices, add-ons, & bits and bobs out there to assist with photography, and if we're selling them - we check them all too.
Light meters are checked for accuracy. Tripods are checked for stability. Prisms, Viewfinders and Filters are checked for clarity. Grips and motor winders are tested mechanically - the list goes on.
Refurbishment and Repairs.
Most items come to us in good condition, but we do see our fair share of items that are in need of attention. Equipment that is repairable and saleable, we'll try our best to save.
Over the last 10+ years, we've become adept at flushing out fungus, servicing shutters and generally fixing stuff up. When the pile of things gets too high, or a job is too tricky for our small brains to comprehend - we'll send items to one of a trusted network of specialist repairers.
Rejected items.
Sadly, some items are just too far gone. They are simply not saleable or not worth repairing. However, they may still be suitable for parts.
If you're selling to us, you can choose to donate rejected items to our regular charity auctions. The proceeds fund a local charity which we choose each year.
U-G-L-Y, u ain't got no alibi
The Condition Rating.
Once an item has been through the whole testing process, we'll give it a rating. This is based on several aspects of the items functionality, and the cosmetic condition. You can learn more about our condition ratings using the tab on each product page.
Three Months Guarantee.
Our experience and thorough testing give us the confidence in knowing that everything we sell is up to the job.
Everything we sell comes with three months guarantee (with the exception of Ugly rated items). Plenty of time to test for yourself and ensure everything is spot on. We will endeavour to repair, replace or refund if something is found to be faulty.
Stock Management and Photoshoot.
Before an item can be sold, it needs to be entered into our system, stickered up, and barcoded with the unique SKU and price. It'll then have it's photos taken, and finally be listed on the website and put on a shelf or cupboard in the shop - waiting for a new owner.
Visit Us.
You're welcome to take a look at any item we have for sale, as well as all the weird-and-wonderful crap we've got dotted about. It's always nice to be able to see a camera or lens in person, and decide that it's the right one for you. We're always happy to spend some time going through functions and features - and if it's your first camera then we'll show you how to load film, and answer any other questions you may have.
Buying online instead?
If you're a little further away, of course you can buy online. We pick items from the shelves, and safely box them up with layers of packing material, and enclose a handwritten note and Yorkshire Tea with the order. We then hand it off to the courier and it's promptly whisked away to you.