Issues with MPB

[rcusick]

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I’ve always had good experiences with MPB.  However with my last two orders in the last month things have really gone sideways.

Order 1:  Leica 35mm summilux fle v1. 
Initial order was defective - play in focus mechanism.

I returned the unit for exchange.  New unit had the exact same problem. 
 
I returned the unit and canceled the order. 
 

Order 2: Leica 90mm Elmarit f 2.8.

 

It seems like if you select free shipping MPB doesn’t prioritize shipping at all.  I’m more than one week post order and the item has not shipped.  Even more sketchy - they’ve printed a shipping label but haven’t shipped for two days.  
 

When I call to cancel the item order - they decline.  
 

There’s something up here.  I’ve never had an issue before with them. Keh and others seem to also be reliable.  Is MPB having financial issues?  

[o2mpx]

Did a trade with MPB US late April for a Hasselblad 75mm lens and shipped them a Fuji X-H2. Transaction went fine; although have never found them to be fast in shipping in prior transactions. For trades, they wait and inspect your items after arrival, which could be several days post receipt at their facility, before they ship out regular UPS back to you. 

I’ve found one occasion where the item wasn’t in the condition as described and returned the item which they accepted. Overall, have found them to be satisfactory. 

[Derbyshire Man]

It's a bit of a lottery. I've had some good lenses but also some which needed TLC. When I've had things which haven't been right they have been keen to take back (resell?) rather than put right (expensive). Paid postage has been fast and accurate.

I suspect the correct strategy with lenses with issues is to keep them for longer than 2 weeks and then make a warranty claim rather than raise the issue too quickly (unless you truly have lemon).

 

[J S H]

I have dealt with them a few times since 2021. Overall the quality of the interaction has gone downhill over that time period and customer service has dramatically changed for the worse. I decided that I wouldn’t be using them in the future after my last order, which had shipping problems. Took about 3 weeks to arrive and that was with me paying extra for 2 day shipping. I tried repeatedly to get a refund on the shipping - they promised it was in the works every time I reached out, but the refund never happened. 

[Smudgerer]

I've been using Kamerstore for my past couple of "trades" with another imminent as I trade out some now too heavy to port around Pentax 6x7 gear for something less physically taxing, a beautiful camera for sure, but the weight of the vicar's bike.

If one's interest is in film I think Kamerastore is a good place to browse................

[oldwino]

My last interaction action with the US MPB was over the past several weeks. Traded an item for a couple of different items. Everything went smoothly and quickly up to the point they were supposed to ship. after 5 working days I reached out, and the item "shipped" the next day (though it sat there for two more after the label was made), along with two emails from various people there apologizing for the delay. My impression is that they may have warehouse staffing issues (but I don't know this). Items are supposed to arrive today.

In the past, they've been great to deal with. 

[caranatar]

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My last trade with mpb took ages but... it was because of FedEx. My trade in was over a week late arriving, but then the actual trade and shipping of the other item happened within a couple days

[robb]

I had quick shipping on my first purchase with their US location.  I ordered at night on a Thursday.  Lens shipped that next day.

I ordered two batteries the next day on that Friday.  They didn’t ship until 6 days later… 

Mixed bag but wasn’t really a big deal.  Items were in correct condition and proper working order.  I’d buy from them again.

Robb