“I like to leave positive reviews of positive experiences, but equally it can be necessary to contribute less positive reviews sometimes. This is one of those occasions. My experience isn't as horrific as some of the recent reviews I've just read below, but maybe I got lucky.
I wrote to MPB to ask a question about an out of stock camera. A sales person responded instantly to say one camera had just come in to stock but as they sell fast, she had taken the liberty of raising a courier request form to reserve it for me. It was really fast, but I appreciated the chance to buy what appears to be an in demand/low stock camera right now, so I agreed to proceed.
I filled in the form, listed my trade-ins (1 body, 3 lenses) for appraisal, and got a trade-in price estimate back.
The following morning my gear left for MPB. Then I got a notification that it had arrived, but with a photograph of a box that was definitely not my gear. I tried to get clarification on whether they had my stuff and had just attached the wrong picture, or whether something had gone wrong and two parcels had been switched. No reply. A response and some assurance would have been welcome at that point because MPB's attempt to be reassuring had just become a moment of anxiety for me. That was not my parcel they were looking at.
Then a day later I got a revised (downwards) quote for my stuff which inadvertently answered the unanswered question about the mystery box in the delivery image. They listed my items, post-inspection. They had my gear, they had merely set me the wrong package image.
I was okay with their lower quote because it seemed I may have clicked the wrong lens description for one item, and they had quite rightly lowered one lens from my 'As new' to their 'excellent', due to some minor cosmetic wear. I was happy to proceed.
However they had not factored in the brand new second battery (Manufacturer made not a 3rd party) so I asked if they could include something for that in the trade given the trade in figures were now much lower.
They said there was no second battery, which I knew there was because I photographed everything as I packed it, and had shots of the two batteries in the box. There was a delay while they tried to locate the battery.
As I waited for the battery to be confirmed, I noticed that at the bottom of their PX breakdown email, they were actually selling me a different camera to the one I had reserved.
I pointed out the discrepancy and asked them to check that they were selling me the right camera. It transpired they weren't. They had reserved the wrong camera for me. I asked if they had any of the right camera in stock. They said they didn't.
So I asked for my battery to be found and my equipment to be returned immediately. They agreed to return my equipment, and they put that into action right there and then.
But then I noticed they had an alternative camera from the same manufacturer that I *would* be happy with, listed on their website. I wrote back and said I'd take that one instead, including the SKU number of the the item.
No reply. I never got a reply to that question in fact.
I got a notification from the courier that they now had my gear in transit back to me. MPB could have sold me an alternative camera, but they just ignored me, and sent my gear back.
At that point, MPB then listed the VERY camera that I originally wanted and had allegedly reserved for me in the first place. As soon as my gear was off their premises they put it back up for sale. Same price as before. I got an MPB email notification that it was available and there it was, back on the website listed as back in stock (it sold within the hour)
It's really clear that they decided they didn't want to sell that camera to me. Maybe they decided they could sell it without any trade in. Maybe they decided they didn't want my gear because maybe the profit margin was too small on it. Who knows. If they had told me they didn't want my gear though, I would have bought their camera outright, and sold my gear privately.
I think MPB should spend a bit of time actually thinking about the trade before agreeing to it and putting people in the risky situation of handing over their cherished or expensive gear to a courier to be appraised at MPB.
I would have MUCH preferred they just told me "We don't want to take your trade in gear. We'd prefer to sell this item without a trade". I would have bought it anyway if they had. I have since bought the camera I wanted brand new from another vendor (and for the same price brand new as their second hand item).
As things stand they just took my gear off me for a week and anything could have happened to it during that time. Judging by other reviews below, I may even have never seen it again.
I think I was lucky that I actually got it back, and quite swiftly too. So I am thankful for that. The people I dealt with were very polite and helpful aside from just deciding to tell me they didn't have the camera I had technically already bought, which then reappeared on their website.
MPB, please review your options before agreeing to a trade. Please don't ask people to hand their gear over to a courier if you aren't certain you want it. Otherwise what you promote as being very convenient actually becomes very inconvenient for your customer.
Two stars because people were polite and helpful up until things stopped being clear, and unlike many other people leaving reviews I did actually get my gear back quite promptly.”
“A month and one half after MPB received my camera equipment, I have received no correspondence from them about the equipment they offered to buy. Are they just going to keep it? Who knows!
MBP's e-commerce and web site advertises 7- business day turnaround to get you a quote, evaluation and payment for their purchase of your used camera equipment that you send them to buy or trade.
MPB received my camera equipment on May 30, 2022 and notified me by email the next day. On June 15, I wrote asking for the status of my equipment they offered to purchase. A short reply was sent two days later explaining that they have been very busy and my status request would be escalated. It is another month later and I have received no correspondence from them about anything after several attempts to chat with them on line (their trouble-shooting chat line) and two emails requesting my property be returned.
Nothing. Even after being an existing customer.
Next week it's on to the BBB, then to their CEO, then New York's AG then the New Your City Police then to small claims court, I guess. It's only a $1,000 (used) lens. But is it too much to hope for a chat or email or have my equipment returned?
Reference this letter dated May 31:
"Hi Charles,
We are pleased to confirm that your equipment with reference TX-5210771 has arrived with us and is now being scheduled for checking as soon as possible, which will happen within 7 business days.
You will receive an email from us once the checking process is complete!
All the best,
Marcus Knox
The MPB receiving team "”
“Offered 4 lenses for purchase to apply to lens mpb had as used. Three of my lenses were brand new condition never used. Bought for special purpose that didn't materialize. Sent in my lenses and after telling me it would be up to 12 days to look at. Finally did and reduced every one of thier offrrs by 20 -30 %. What a scam. Instructed to return my lenses as thier offers were unacceptable. Plus their used was $20 higher than retail. Willing to do if trading lenses and saved me trouble of selling. Thiers supposedly in excellent condition. Now I doubt! Nobody will respond and so far unable to get my lenses shipped back.
I would never do business with this company!”
“If you are considering selling your camera gear to MPB, you better read this review first! I sent them three cameras, four lenses, and two camera bags on May 10. They received it on May 13! TODAY is July 7! I finally got a cash payment toward the end of June for a portion of my gear, wishing to have some items returned to me. MPB has kept my Olympus EMI MII, Olympus 14-150 lens, Olympus 25mm lens and my Billingham Hadley Pro bag! No one EVER emails or calls me! I have had to contact them every single time I look for information on why they have not returned my gear!!! Every single time! I still do not have my gear back and it is approaching 2 months! When they emailed me about my selling to them, their email stated 2-3 business days to complete my transaction! It’s over 7 weeks and I do not have my gear back nor has any clueless employee gotten back to me!
BEWARE of this company! The last time I was contacted by them, they said that because of my poor experience I could have a 10% discount the next transaction I have with them. As if I would ever do business with this company again! And I still don’t have my gear back! I am just about to contact the New York Police and file a theft report!
So reader, do what you feel is best for you but you better beware of MPB! Their right hand does not know what their left hand is doing and there is no one in charge that either knows or has anything to do with either hand!”
“i shipped my drone to them over a month ago. They said that they received my drone and would contact me back when it was ready for sale. That was also over a month ago. I emailed them, and they came up with the excuse that they were backlogged. Everyone else on this review page has said the exact same thing. I have frequently contacted them in order to either get my money or my drone back. I hope there can be some type of legal action taken against them.”
“Scam operation.
Weeks after my equipment was received and signed for by "M Branden" at mpb, and following multiple follow-up emails and on-line chat inputs, no payment and no response from mpb.
Be warned - this outfit appears to be a scam operation.”
“I recently did a lens trade with MPB. EVERYTHING from receiving a quote, doing the trade and receiving the upgraded lens was top-notch. MPB stayed in touch, and shipping of my old lens to them was on their dime.
Could I have sold my old lens for more than MPB offered me? Probably...but it's just like the difference between trading IN a car (wholesale $) and selling it on your own (trade-in value). Could I have paid less for the new lens? Probably, but again, the same thing. The convenience of knowing that I had a solid offer on my trade-in, not having to wait for possibly days/weeks for it to sell on my own MORE than made up for the offers I received.
MPB reached out to me when my trade-in arrived. I had seen other reviews that indicated it might be up to 11 days before a trade-in evaluation was completed. Within a day and a half of MPB receiving my old lens, I got an email to finalize the deal. QUICK turnaround...thanks, MPB!
The lens I traded for was advertised as being in "like new" condition. That's exactly what I found when I opened the box...nary a blemish or mark, superb glass, in the original box, with all accessories included. When it was time for them to ship to me, I opted for 2-day delivery...and that's Brooklyn NY to Central Oregon! It showed up on time and I'm a happy shooter now.
If YOU are in the market for buying used bodies or lenses, or are interested in trading, I'd highly recommend you do some business with MPB...I know I will in the future as the need arises.”
“I’ve always had great experiences with MPB! I’m fact, I just send them a camera body and 2 lenses in which they paid me a very fair price! They always respond to my emails and go above and beyond to take care of me! I’d recommend MPB to anyone wishing to sell camera gear!”
“I have made several transaction with MPB in the past, all went well. I wish I had looked at the reviews before making my latest transaction. I sent in a strobe, on a trade for a MFT lens. FedEx shows the package was received and signed for on 06/13/2022. After two weeks my item still has not been checked in. Any answered e-mails I get say they are having issues with a new system and with a large number of packages being received. Well, not my problem. At this point I would rather just have my item returned but I have a feeling I won't see it of any payment again. I will not order from them again. Oh, and apparently they are not a part of the BBB so you can't even complain there.”
“Ordered a lens. They called to verify payment info. Never received the lens and was ghosted by them. The order was cancelled without ever getting a reply from them. Account even shows no transactions...Like it never happened. Left a review on Trustpilot.com and it was removed because I have no proof. MPB does not email proof of the transaction it is on your account when you log in to their site. Then they have total control. That must be why they have 94% on Trustpilot.com. So not only did they not send the lens, but basically told trustpilot.com I was lying about the whole thing.”
“BIGGEST SCAM. SHIPPED THEM A CAMERA TO SELL AND THEY NEVER SENT ME MY MONEY. THEY SENT A VERIFICATION SAYING MY MONEY WOULD BE DEPOSITED IN 2 BUSINESS DAYS AND ITS BEEN OVER A WEEK WITH NO RESPONSE TO MY EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS. DO NOT BUY OR SELL TO THEM. THEY LEGITIMATELY STOLE MY EQUIPMENT.”
“MPB is a total mess. In over 20 years of buying from different pro camera retailers I've never had an experience as bad as this one or even close. I ordered a GFX50s camera body from them supposedly in "like new" condition for around $2600 USD. When I got the camera, the corners of the LCD screen were cracked, so I send them a message saying I wanted it replaced since that was not what I had paid for. Because they took over 48 business hours to respond my message, I started getting suspicious about them, now starting to see that the cracked screen was not just a random mistake but that this reflects the mess this company is. And by the way, I'm a pro photographer and needed this camera body with me for work. So I wrote again saying I wanted a refund instead of an exchange. After having to wait over another 72hs to hear back from them by email, I finally got a return label. I packed the camera back and sent it to them. The camera per fedex tracking got to them on a Thursday, I only heard back from them the next Monday saying they received it and that it would take them 5 to 7 business days to check the equipment and process my return. 5 to 7 business days when this was due to their own sloppiness to start with!! I responded complaining about this and repeating that I had asked for a refund. Over 7 days later I haven't heard from them so I write again to CS with no luck. In the meantime I get an email from them saying that my replacement got shipped to me! I call them and finally get through their CS phone number and the guy swears that he will get the Fedex Shipment back to them so they can process my refund. I believe him. The day later he calls me saying that too bad I called just right after the shipment left but that he will cancel it and get it returned to sender. I believe him again. This was Thursday again, 2 weeks after my first return had arrived to them. Next Monday no news from them, so I decide to check the tracking they had sent me for the mistaken replacement. Fedex says its out for delivery, and about an hour later I get an email from fedex saying the item has been delivered. Lucky enough I was home to get the $2600 box left on my porch, no signature required. I call CS again and after 3 attempts over an hour I get through to a person. Tell him about my whole ordeal and he says the best he can do is give me a next day shipping label to return the camera sent to me by mistake. I said OK, I want to get this finished asap and need my money back. I didn't even open the box, as soon as I got the label I went with the box to Fedex to get it on time for the carrier to take it and deliver the next day. This was yesterday (Monday). This morning (Tuesday) I check the tracking number and it says the package will be delivered Friday. So the guy didn't really give me a next day label, he lied to me instead. So now they will luckily get the package Friday, mark it as received probably sometime next week, then I have to wait 5 to 7 more business days that end up being more that 7, and still they are keeping my money. If I'm lucky I'll get my money back a month after they received the first damaged camera body. Will never buy again from them, if you value your time please don't get tempted by their lower prices, those really reflect the crappy company they are. If I could give them a 0 instead of 1 star I would.”
“Awful experience, I had to wait 5 days to finally speak to someone.
I also left 2 emails and nobody answered.
After a week I’m still waiting for the lens I ordered and I have no clue when it’s going to arrive.
First and last time I’m buying something with this company.”
“Traded in an expensive lens, they said they couldn't buy it! Despite the fact I'd bought if FROM THEM only 2 weeks prior. Then I couldn't get it returned, despite weeks of 'chats' my item still not returned! DO NOT DEAL WITH THEY ARE TERRIBLE !”
“Again ..delays delays delays .."sorry for the delay as we are experiencing a backlog due to the bank holiday "!!!! Really ..the website says 2-5 working days to process selling equipment ..i accept they cant sell my Canon due to a few problems but ive bought and sold many items over the years through them , a company that has got too big for its boots ..The valuation to resale gap keeps getting bigger ..SO DO THE PROFITS ...Give the independants a chance ..FFordes Photographic .Ace Optics or if your going big ..Wex .Oh and they told me they cant purchase my lens 3days ago ..Still havnt had it returned .”
“Brought a lens the marked as excellent condition, was well used at best! full off dust and scratches, no apologies for now having to return it and await forever for a refund, never using again they're dead to me, photographers cant work with lying companies like this that dont care, i bet they did'nt pay "excellent" rates to the person who sold it to them, no better than crack convertors.
Update: look at their response, they didn't even read it write, they think I'm talking about a camera I've owned for 6months... Although it's a lens I received this morning.. they really don't care.
Update. 5 days nobody's responded to my emails after I was promised a replacement, called twice and had to explain from scratch, keep getting told "oh I'll sort this for you n call you back" then they don't, told it takes 7 days for them to open the box n check my return.... Then they will give me a refund and then when that's cleared I can buy one they promise will be "like new" ... Such hassle, could of got one next day same price from 100 other places, now a week n I'm still lenseless and chasing emails n phone calls. Dealt with Jordan, Charlie and Gideon, all lied all promised different things.”
“Normally I would just post one bad review and be done with a company, but they decided to contest my review on another site to get it taken down. So here I am. I ordered a lens, they called a couple days later to confirm payment details. Waited a week with nothing but "payment sorted" as the status. I made contact over their chat and requested a call back to see what was going on, when the chat bot did nothing worth while. They never contacted me. After a couple days I checked my account with them and the order details are gone. Like it never happened. Tried the chat bot again, still no contact. They never emailed a confirmation, just had the status for the transaction on my account with them. Makes it very easy for them to say prove it...”
“They Litterally Lost My Camera.
Have traded my Ricoh GRII before a month. They clamed that there was dust in the sensor so the trade couldnt go through. After saying that i want my camera back, they sent it but tracking number stopped updating after 2 days.
30 days later, after more than 10 chats with their poor customer service and after been promised a refund, my camera is LOST and they stopped responding and ofcourse NO REFUND at all. They even asked for my IBAN and BIC but after sending them , no reply at all. I don't know what happened because they used to be reliable , but AVOID AT ALL COST, SCAM COMPANY.”
“I traded in an item, they received it at the end of April I still have not heard from them, tried emailing chatting nothing. This is horrible company I would never deal with them again.”
“I would give 0 stars if I could. What poor customer service after who knows how many emails, calls, and online chats I have submitted. I had ordered a camera on Sunday and paid to have it shipped to me Thursday due to needing it for an event. I had not received any notice of it being shipped so I reached out yesterday and was told that my purchase was flagged along with excuses of their website being down which is poor customer service. I was promised who knows how many times that a supervisor and the security department were calling me by the end of yesterday and never did get called. I am not shocked since after reading complaints with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) that this has happened before so along with filing a complaint with the BBB, I will make it my responsibility to let my voice be heard by taking my story to every place I can write a review along with social media due to this issue on their end ruining my vacation.”
