You know, once upon a time in Perth there was a thriving trade in secondhand photo gear - mostly cameras and lenses - and right in the centre of the town. Wizard Photos, Plaza, Alfred's Emporium, Jim Norman, Kevron, all had lots of secondhand cameras that moved in and out of their shops all year long. Of course, they sold new equipment as well, but really the fun for the enthusiast was going past the windows or through the shops to see what had come in during the week - and then thinking whether it was a good idea to trade in what you had to buy it.
Outside of the centre of town was Ron Frank in Camera Electronic in Angove Street, North Perth. One day he moved to Fitzgerald Street. And then one day to Stirling Street. In all of these premises, he maintained an extensive secondhand dealership - and Camera Electronic still does. That's no mean feat nor is it a light responsibility. There are some pretty strict laws involved in a secondhand dealer's license and now Saul has the shoulder them every year.
Well, is it a good thing, still? Is there a point to it all? Is the idea of buying something that has been bought, owned, used, and traded likely to be helpful - or not. Ask me - go on - ask me...because fully half of all the photographic equipment I have ever owned has been secondhand. Some of it came from Alfred's, Jim Norman, Wizard, and a lot of it from Camera Electronic - long before I joined the company. Heck, some of it might have been owned by
you prior to me getting it. And for a lot of people who buy secondhand goods at the camera markets, a lot of you are using what I've owned. I'm not sure if this makes us related by blood, but perhaps by shutters...
Well...
is it a good thing? Yes, it is. Because the business of secondhand business also includes demo and rental goods that can be sold at a profit to both the shop and the customer. In a time of the year that might be devoid of cashback or seasonal offers, the secondhand and ex-rental trade gives you a chance to get good quality gear at a reduced rate. And the transaction includes a very valuable extra for all the consumers; a warranty. It is a warranty in anticipation and in execution - let me explain.
There have been a lot of goods presented to Camera Electronic for trade-in that has been accepted. But there have been a lot that has been gently rejected. Rejoice in this - it is the reason that we can so cheerfully sell secondhand and ex-rental; we have inspected the items before they hit the glass shelf and are confident of them. Questionable items never made it into the store. In some case, the suggestion was made that they might be sold privately or at secondhand markets. In some cases, they were referred to as antique or collectible, and at that point, you can cry havoc and lose the dogs of commerce...But the main point is that the stuff you do see on the shelves can be bought knowing that it has a legal back-up. You might get a moral one on weekend camera market goods - or you might not - but you don't have a state government law regulating it.
I referred earlier to special times of the year; holiday periods, trade show periods, EOFY periods when manufacturers try to clear stock with cashback offers. These are wonderful, useful, and tempting, and you can generally give in to the temptation without many misgivings. But there are dry periods when you want or need something and all the prices are straight-up retail. Except for the ex-rental or secondhand - there's your chance to score a bargain. Drop back a gear in the procession of camera models and you can do even better for yourself without losing out - many new camera releases have only incremental improvements. If the camera you see for a bargain price does all you ever need to do, buy it without a qualm.
I still do...
