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Apologies if this topic is verboten - please remove if not allowed. 

I'm considering selling my newly acquired Q3 43.  Love the camera and absolutely adore the "Leica look" (I'm new to Leica), but I am considering going with an M11 or SL-3s for the flexibility of interchangeable lenses. I initially purchased the 43 because of its simplicity and the "back to fundamentals" fun, and I've loved it for that reason, but I do miss the flexibility I had with my former (Nikon-based) system.  If I do decide to sell, what experiences have you had that you'd recommend?  I don't really want to put it on Facebook Marketplace or Ebay, but is MPB or another reseller really a good option?  

Sorry for all the questions - I've never sold any camera gear before, and I figured this forum would be the best place to start.  Thanks!

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There is a "classified" section here on the forum where you can offer your camera for sale. I have no idea whether there is much traffic on it, but there are no fees and I suspect most of us here are honest and if not a crook will be exposed in minutes!  Since there is no fee you can offer it at a competitive price! 

 

Edited by GFW2-SCUSA
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Whoever you sell with you’ll get more from a commission sale (around 20% less than the sale price). After that comes part-exchange (35%) and then direct buy out (another 10-20% less than your take from part exchange).  In the past I’ve sold (and bought) with good experiences through the forum, Ffordes, MPB, Park Camera, and eBay.  You’ll get most through the Forum or EBay.  If you sell through eBay and it’s a valuable item, sell through auction with a price 10% lower than the best prices you can see on line + a “buy it now” option. If you do go through eBay, NEVER accept a payment that doesn’t go through eBay - that way the deal is assured.

Hope it goes well…

Edited by chris_tribble
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Since you’re in the US, there are various reputable Leica dealers that offer trade or sale. Leica Miami, for instance, offers 80% FMV on trade; 70% on sale… provided of course that gear meets their needs and standards. Their FMV amounts are generally high, consistent with their used prices, as used gear is fully inspected, and serviced if necessary prior to sale.

Some dealers have reduced their payouts; you’ll need to check around.  PopFlash, fo example, once provided 85% return if gear sold quickly, and reduced amounts over time.  Now it’s just a flat 70%. The user has some flexibility in listing price and, unlike Leica Miami, return values are not processed until gear is sold.

I like to stick with reputable dealers that provide warranty and return policies. Less hassle and risk for me, and their policies attract serious customers willing to pay fair value for used items.

The place that sold you the Q would be a good place to start.

Edited by Jeff S
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It can be hit or miss, but I’ve sold camera gear recently on craigslist (enough to pay for a Q343,) I think old guys are the only ones who still use it, but that’s who might buy a Leica. obviously no shipping and meet in a safe location. 

let me suggest, since your Q343 has already depreciated, that you hold onto it and use it a little longer. I nearly sold mine after bumping up against some of the limitations of this camera, but now find I really enjoy using it and have made some great photographs. It’s become the camera I take almost everywhere since I don’t have to figure how to kit it out each time. also, because it isn’t an iphone or a blinged out pro camera, people are more at ease when I ask to take their picture. example: this past weekend I flew to north carolina for recurrent flight training and was packing light, only a carry-on backpack, I would never have brought my sony kit, but it was nothing to add the Q343 in a neoprene case to the backpack. I ended up getting great shots of my flight instructor, another cool guy who owned one of the planes we flew, and an 82 year old gentleman who was working in the hangar on the experimental aircraft he built himself. I had a few hours to kill before my commercial flight home and since I had the Leica with me, I took it downtown. I only got one photo I really like there, but enjoyed the time making it. 

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17 minutes ago, Cogito said:

It can be hit or miss, but I’ve sold camera gear recently on craigslist (enough to pay for a Q343,) I think old guys are the only ones who still use it, but that’s who might buy a Leica. obviously no shipping and meet in a safe location. 

let me suggest, since your Q343 has already depreciated, that you hold onto it and use it a little longer. I nearly sold mine after bumping up against some of the limitations of this camera, but now find I really enjoy using it and have made some great photographs. It’s become the camera I take almost everywhere since I don’t have to figure how to kit it out each time. also, because it isn’t an iphone or a blinged out pro camera, people are more at ease when I ask to take their picture. example: this past weekend I flew to north carolina for recurrent flight training and was packing light, only a carry-on backpack, I would never have brought my sony kit, but it was nothing to add the Q343 in a neoprene case to the backpack. I ended up getting great shots of my flight instructor, another cool guy who owned one of the planes we flew, and an 82 year old gentleman who was working in the hangar on the experimental aircraft he built himself. I had a few hours to kill before my commercial flight home and since I had the Leica with me, I took it downtown. I only got one photo I really like there, but enjoyed the time making it. 

The longer I go without making a decision, the more likely I am to just hang onto it.  I really enjoy using it, and it's basically doing exactly the things I bought it to do.  You know how it is, though . . . gear acquisition syndrome (as they call it in the guitar word) is a constant battle!

Appreciate the response!

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8 minutes ago, Snow Monkey Ambassador said:

 . . . gear acquisition syndrome (as they call it in the guitar word) is a constant battle!

 

GAS is every bit as common in this realm, and frequently discussed … it drives this gear oriented forum. Beware.

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The only place I have ever sold cameras, lenses and accessories is on the Fred Miranda forum.  They have a great buy/sell section and there are no fees to pay (although maybe you have to sign up for an upgraded account to sell).  I've probably sold a hundred things on there over the years.  You'll definitely get a good price for your Q3 43 there and will probably sell it relatively quickly.

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1 hour ago, Snow Monkey Ambassador said:

The longer I go without making a decision, the more likely I am to just hang onto it.  I really enjoy using it, and it's basically doing exactly the things I bought it to do.  You know how it is, though . . . gear acquisition syndrome (as they call it in the guitar word) is a constant battle!

Appreciate the response!

Keep it and enjoy it!

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23 hours ago, Snow Monkey Ambassador said:

Apologies if this topic is verboten - please remove if not allowed. 

I'm considering selling my newly acquired Q3 43.  Love the camera and absolutely adore the "Leica look" (I'm new to Leica), but I am considering going with an M11 or SL-3s for the flexibility of interchangeable lenses. I initially purchased the 43 because of its simplicity and the "back to fundamentals" fun, and I've loved it for that reason, but I do miss the flexibility I had with my former (Nikon-based) system.  If I do decide to sell, what experiences have you had that you'd recommend?  I don't really want to put it on Facebook Marketplace or Ebay, but is MPB or another reseller really a good option?  

Sorry for all the questions - I've never sold any camera gear before, and I figured this forum would be the best place to start.  Thanks!

1. leicastoremiami.com is the least painful and easiest way to ditch mint gear via the web. Josh is fantastic and I've bought and sold from him many a time. Just go fill out the trade-in/sale form and he'll get back to you in a few days. Especially if you are trading in for a different Leica this is the most painless way to go. Better prices than Keh, but worse than selling yourself since he needs to make money on the deal. This is always my preferred option if I don't want to sell myself.

2. Facebook groups (there are a bunch)... I know you don't want to do it... but I've always had good experiences this way. You could also contact Tim Lei (easy to find there and on Instagram). He might broker a deal for you (and take a cut). I haven't gone this route, but I have bought from him before. He's well know in the Facebook/Instagram/Reddit community. It's worth having a chat with him.

3. fredmiranda.com is great way to sell yourself, but you will have to pay to list (similar to how this forum works). The community there is great and I've bought from members there before.

4. keh.com takes about 1 minute of time to get a quote. Don't expect a very good price.

There are others like MPB, but I haven't used them. Everything above I have used and I've had good experiences. I'm USA based.

 

Edited by Crem
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I love B&H but,.....today as advertised in stock in used section.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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I say keep it, I am loving mine.  Recently I had my Q3 28 stolen and I had to replace it.  I went with the 43 and I have zero regrets.  It's as flexible as you make it.  Personally, I use the crop modes regularly and have excellent results.  I don't miss the 28, but I'm an old 50 shooter so .... 

If you do sell it, make sure you provide the buyer with the OG sales receipt.  After having mine stolen, I feel sorry for the person who purchases it from this thief.  If they ever send it in for repair to Leica, they have lost the camera.  Leica keeps a record of the serial numbers of reported stolen cameras.  

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My Q3 43 led me to buy an M11... and soon followed by a 28mm Summicron and 50mm Summilux.  At that point I really was considering selling the Q3 43.  But after a few months I'm glad I have kept it.   It is great for me enjoying an experience and then photographing it.   With the M11 I enjoy the photographic experience, but kind of miss the event experience.  In a few weeks I will be on a cruise to the Caribbean and will only be taking the Q3 43.

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What if you find out you don't enjoy rangefinder focussing? 

I suggest you rent a M11 and your lenses of choice first.

No experience selling on ebay whatsoever? I'd get a feeling for it first with some less expensive articles. But still: eBay newbie with almost no feedback... chances are some hang around there to see inexperienced new private sellers coming.

Then again, you mention ex-Nikon gear.

Mind you, I'm a Leica user since senior high school back in the seventies and as an early adopter of the q 343 in October (the camera exists with the wide-angle for at least a year longer) I'm very happy with it and I won't sell it in the near future.

Edited by nykv
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  • 2 months later...

Find myself in the same boat @Snow Monkey Ambassador. Purchased mine from a Leica Store back in October. Have used it minimally since, and whilst the photos I have taken are great from a rendering and colour-science perspective, auto-focus is an ongoing struggles with my kids-- Ironically, since I am so used to rangefinders, have gotten almost the same success rate than with my trusty M10-R.

So I have been looking to sell as well, tempted by using Fred Miranda vs selling directly to Leica Store Miami. What did you end up doing?

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  • 3 months later...

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