If you’re a photographer, buying through a used reseller is one of the best ways to save money on your gear. You can find many stores that offer this service, and the same is true if you want to trade in your old equipment.
However, you will also find numerous websites that allow you to buy, sell and trade used photographic equipment. MPB has become one of the most reputable vendors in the photography space since its founding in 2011.
Regardless of whether you want to buy, sell or trade MPB, the process is simple. This article will show you how to do all of this.
Things to know before buying, selling and trading with MPB
Before looking at how to buy, sell, and trade MPBs, a couple of things are worth keeping in mind. The first is to make sure you are located in a location that covers MPB.
At the time of writing in December 2022, BPM is available in the US and the UK. You can also use the service if you live in any of the 27 EU member states, including Germany, France and Spain. MPB also ships to Iceland and Norway; both are in the EEA but not in the EU.
You may be able to purchase items from MPB if you are located in one of the countries we have not listed above. However, you should keep in mind the different shipping rates and customs charges that you may have to pay. On top of that, you may have to deal with delays.
When you shop at MPB, you’ll find numerous lenses and camera bodies. Beyond that, however, you can use the service to purchase accessories like camera grips and filters for your lens.
You can buy products in MPB with the Euro, the British Pound and the US Dollar. When you go to the home page from your browser, MPB will ask you which regional site you want to be redirected to.
How to buy photography equipment in MPB
With the basics out of the way, we’ll start by looking at how you can buy photography gear on a MPB budget. To make it easier for you to follow, we have divided everything into subsections.
1. Understand the different equipment conditions
When you browse the MPB website, you will notice that you can purchase items in different conditions. You can segment at the top of your search based on what you want. One thing to note is that not all conditions are available on some devices.
The conditions in MPB are:
- like new: The highest possible condition you can get, and not a huge difference compared to buying the item from a regular store.
- Great: The second highest condition, and you’ll likely see a bit more cosmetic damage than the first, but nothing major.
- Okay: More cosmetic damage than the previous two.
- well used: It is more likely to look like it has had a previous owner.
- Very used: Heavier cosmetic damage than the others, but still works as it should.
When you sell items with MPB, you can choose the condition you think your device is in from the above.
2. Placing your order
Placing an order on a used photography equipment website like MPB is easy. If you see an item you like, you can add it to your basket. Once you’ve included everything you’d like to purchase, you can begin the checkout process.
One thing worth noting is that if you are based in the EU or EEA, not all countries use the euro. But even if you live in countries like Norway and Poland, you will have to pay in euros; You will pay the current exchange rate between your local currency and the Euro.
If you use a standard bank, you may be charged for using a different currency. You can mitigate this by buying through a service like Wise, which allows you to open bank accounts in multiple currencies. Alternatively, you can use a mobile-only banking service, such as N26.
3. Delivery
Once you have placed your order, MPB will process everything and ship the items to you. The courier service will depend on where you live and shipping times will also be different.
When ordering within the EU, MPB will ship your items from Germany. You may be required to pay import fees, which will vary depending on your jurisdiction. Shipping costs will also depend on where you are; standard international delivery is cheaper for Irish residents than for the rest of the EU.
When the items are delivered to your door, you will need to be present to receive everything. If you can get your work done remotely, it’s worth working from home for the day.
How to sell and trade photography equipment in MPB
Now that we’ve covered how to buy photography equipment with MPB, let’s take a look at how you can sell and trade your equipment.
1. Create your quote
In order to sell and trade your photo equipment with MPB, you will first need to create a listing; doing it is free. Sign up for an MPB account and go to My account > Quotes > Quote your team.
Add the items you’d like to sell and their status, along with anything you’d like to buy. So, hit Get your quote; If you are happy with the price, you can accept it and get the required labels to ship your equipment. You can also choose the day you want the courier to pick up your things.
2. Sending your equipment to MPB
After you get the labels to ship your photo equipment, you’ll need to pack it up and print the labels. Add both to the front of your package and give the receipt to the delivery driver. Before the day of your delivery, the courier may send you an email to confirm the details.
Once you have sent your photographic equipment to MPB, the company will verify everything and change your quote if necessary. MPB will check your items faster if you are trading; You can check the expected delivery times on the company’s website.
3. Get paid after selling or trading your equipment
When MPB has reviewed your equipment, they will send you a final price. You will be able to pay if you owe money, and the company will ask you where to send the cash if you are owed something. If you changed your equipment, MPB will send you your new equipment after making the required payment.
4. Receive your new camera equipment if you changed your old camera equipment
If you change your camera equipment, MPB will pay for the delivery of your new equipment. You will receive an email with your courier tracking number once everything is on its way to you.
As with purchasing equipment, you will need to be home to receive your delivery. Depending on where you live, you can also have your package diverted to another collection point, such as a post office.
Upgrade your photography equipment with MPB
MPB is a convenient way to upgrade your photography equipment. It’s easy to buy new camera bodies and lenses, and you’ll receive a warranty on everything you buy. And if you want to tidy up, you can also get paid to sell your old equipment.
The process for everything is straightforward, so it’s worth a try.