this post was submitted on 23 Nov 2023
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Hi, I bought a lens from mpb in ‘like new’ condition and there is a fabric hair within the lens large enough to appear on all photos above f/5.6. I couldn’t open the parcel until now (3 weeks later) as I was away for uni and so just discovered the issue today. Mpb refuse to do anything about it and told me to get it cleaned for ‘cheap’ at a camera repair shop but that it will also void my warranty. Is there anything I can do?

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[–] segafodder@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I just had them change a battery grip as I’d managed to pick the only one of three in stock, rated excellent and all the same price that wasn’t boxed with instructions. Apparently it doesn’t add value 🤷‍♂️

[–] tcphoto1@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Contact your credit card and dispute the charge.

[–] ndjuadks@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (4 children)

Paid on a debit card unfortunately, not sure whether this would work?

[–] ItsMeAubey@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Only one way to find out.

[–] mrfixitx@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Chargeback are the with debit cards as with credit cards. Visa/MasterCard have disputes and chargeback rule that banks have to follow.

The bank may or may not give you a provisional credit while the dispute is in process and it can take a while for the issue to be fully resolved as the merchant has X number of days to respond to the chargeback.

[–] ndjuadks@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Ok thanks, I’ll give that a go if I can’t reach an agreement with them

[–] ashyjay@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Debit cards are sometimes protected too.

[–] BeardyTechie@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Debit cards, i.e. banks, in the UK have mostly copied the rules for credit cards, so I would talk to your bank asap

[–] wobble_bot@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

They're talking out their arse.

'Your rights when buying second-hand goods depend on who you bought the item from.

If you bought from a retailer or trader, not a private individual, you’re covered under Consumer Contracts Regulations and the Consumer Rights Act. This means you have the standard right to cancel or to reject under the three criteria.

Buying from a private seller makes things slightly more complicated. As long as the product has been accurately described, you are not entitled to a refund, repair or replacement.'

The time is faulty, you therefore you have up to 6 months to return it and MPB have to either fix or replace it. IF they can't do either then they have to give you a full refund. Quote the consumer rights act them and leave a scathing review on trust pilot.

[–] ndjuadks@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Much appreciated, although not sure whether they’ll try and tell me a hair doesn’t class it as faulty or that it wasn’t there when they sent it etc

[–] ashyjay@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Even if it isn't faulty, it's not as described, as there's no mention of it on their listing, and it's there now, and it's up to MPB to prove it wasn't there when sold.

[–] ndjuadks@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Ok thanks, I’ll see what they say

[–] ptauger@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Consumer Contracts Regulations and the Consumer Rights Act

These are UK laws. MPB is an American company. Neither of us have any idea of the OP's residence.

This is why giving legal advice to strangers on the internet is such a very, very bad idea.

[–] CunningHatProd@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

MPB operate in the UK as well, and as such have to be registered as a business in the UK, and are beholden to UK law.

This is why talking about things you don’t fully understand is a bad idea.

[–] Studio_Xperience@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I bet they had a picture of the hair and it was mentioned in the details.

[–] ndjuadks@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago
[–] aarrtee@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

am surprised they are being such hard asses about it.

[–] Prophet2477@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I had MPB send me a completely nonfunctional lens that had elements shaking around inside of it. Sold as "like new" at over $2000. When I called them I was pretty calm until they suggested I have them repair it. Obviously got a refund.

[–] GTI_88@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Sounds like it could have been damaged in shipping

[–] Prophet2477@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

It's possible. But I'm more than sceptical. I've been shooting for over 25 years and I've bought nearly all of my gear online. Never had anything arrive broken. This was a 70-200 2.8 built like a tank. I've had a few lenses drop and sustain no damage. The lens was shipped in its original packaging and with additional bubble wrap around the box inside the package. When I questioned them, I asked if they check items before they ship and was told that they would not have time to do that. I'm assuming it was broken when they bought it, and they didn't catch it.

I also bought a D850 a few years ago that was "like new" that had a viewfinder and sensor so dirty it was essentially unusable without cleaning.

I don't like mpb. I don't think they deserve the reputation they have.

I still sell to them, if their offer is highest. Their quote and payment system is easy, but most are now, so it's not a huge draw.

[–] robertraymer@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

It always amazes me that MPB enjoys a good reputation. I have had 2 experiences with them and they were the two worst experiences I have ever had, hands down.

[–] ndjuadks@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Customer service just seems to be awful

[–] BeardyTechie@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I've not seen much talk about them until now. This has made me quite wary.

[–] Wallcrawler62@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

If you can't do a chargeback try filing a dispute with BBB. It's hit or miss but can't hurt.

[–] ballrus_walsack@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Better Business Bureau? lol good luck. That’s a private company not a government or regulatory agency.

[–] Wallcrawler62@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Here's a shocker, it actually works sometimes. I've gotten money back from corporations through using them. Like I said, it's hit or miss. But if you don't have another option it isn't a bad idea.

[–] Gazebadly@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

The UK side used to be great. Bought and sold many times with the company. But in recent times it has made more mistakes, such as sending faulty items, or even the wrong items.

[–] codenamecueball@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

MPB regularly mis describe kit. It appears they cannot keep up with the volume of kit they’re getting through the door. I bought a lens from them that doesn’t focus to infinity - how doesn’t their “extensive testing” pick that up!

[–] ndjuadks@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I know, really wasn’t hard to spot and it was straight out of the box when I check it and it still had the front and rear caps on

[–] GTI_88@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I’m going to provide a counterpoint to everyone here so far and say I’ve had nothing but good experiences with MPB.

It’s unfortunate you missed the 14 day return window, I definitely make sure that I have the lens or camera in hand and fully test it during that time, as that’s what it’s there for.

Can you add some photos to your post of the fiber and a test photo or 2 that shows it in your photos?

[–] unituned@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I also missed a 14 day return from them. Not purchasing from them again. Need at least 30 day return policy

[–] RedHuey@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Does it actually affect the photo, or is it just that you can see it?

[–] ndjuadks@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

It’s very obvious in all photos above f/5.6. I added some photos in someone else’s comment

[–] RedHuey@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Ok, I looked at those. I find it hard to believe that the one thing, is responsible for the other thing. Lenses don’t work that way. A hair on the lens won’t project like that onto the sensor. This is a mystery to me. Usually you can put quite a lot of garbage on a lens before you will even notice any small degradation, and it doesn’t look like the thing that originates it.

I assume you’ve properly tested your theory and know what you are talking about, in which case, I have no idea what is going one, as I’ve never seen it work that way.

[–] ndjuadks@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I could definitely be wrong but the hair on the lens is pretty large and the sensor looks completely clean. Also only appears with small apertures so I feel like that makes sense?

[–] atatreedy@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Incorrect, even a spec of dust on a lens/sensor can show up at larger apertures. Especially when shooting light colours.

[–] RedHuey@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

On a sensor, not necessarily a lens.

[–] BananaHibana1@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Usually MPB would accept that back since they lied on their part about the condition. Had the same thing happen to me last year. Bought a EFs 24-70 2.8 II in "like new" condition, tested it a bit at home, all was fine. The next day i photographed a wedding, and after 10min of shooting, the camera threw a error code that the contacts of the lens were broken.

That was tough to explain... Nonetheless they apologized and i was able to send it back and get my money back

[–] snapper1971@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I've been using them for years and never encountered any problems at all.

[–] tfsg@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

They tried to screw me over when I sold a lens to them. It was truly in ‘like new’ condition when I sent it but when they gave me the inspection report they said there was “significant” moisture in the lens and the filter was stuck on, as a result they tried to knock >50% of the original quote. Needless to say I pushed back and suggested that maybe it was damaged in transit. From there they were easy enough to work with, filed a damaged package claim, and got me the total original $ amount. Just seemed like weaponized incompetence/someone too lazy to do their job.

[–] dj-Paper_clip@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Did you use a credit card? If so, threaten a chargeback and follow through if they don’t refund. It’s the main reason I use a credit card for all major purchases (along with extended warranties for anything purchased on the card).

[–] LimitedWard@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Wait so they're telling you to pay out of pocket for a repair that will void your warranty... even though the lens is still within the warranty period?

[–] Xtremenapper@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

If they shipped you a defective lens and represented it to be clean and like new, then they were the first one to breach the contract and the 14 day return period would be null and void.