I buy from NKG from time to time.  I find that their prices, on the average especially for rares, are quite a bit higher than Ebay, but not as high as Troll & Toad.  They do a great job of describing the product and their shipping is top notch.  I wasnt aware that NKG used stock photos though.  Most of the stuff I have purchased I received in exactly the same condition it showed in the photo.

NKG are one of my preferred online stores. They don't lie about the condition of their products. They don't screw people on shipping, and they have first class customer service. I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a good online shopping experience.

I doubt anyone would be willing to say that about T&T.

Echo the statements above.
Have purchased a bunch of things from NKG over the years.
As far as I know they only use Stock Photos on items in SW, or Mint condition.
I have NO problem with that.

On other items they use photos of the actual item and describe that item well enough for a bidder to know what they will get.
And the winning bidder WILL GET what NKGs described in the listing.
I have never been unsatisfied.

On the other hand, T&T Uses stock photos and stock descriptions for EVERYTHING they list.
EVERYTHING!
And too often the description is simply WRONG, or invalid, or short of having enough detail to trust it.

Thanks.  Based on the replies, I'll go ahead and purchase some items.  

However, I have noticed many stock photos even on items listed as Good, VG, Fair, etc.  Maybe they have changed their approach a little bit.

I've been pondering some Arduin items, along with some OGRE items.  And nearly everything says Stock Photo.

But from the feedback here, it sounds like they're trustworthy and professional.

Geo

I have been a customer of Noble Knight Games for many years and have always had good experiences with Aaron Leeder and his staff. For the most part I have found NNG prices to be fair for common items, not significantly more than ebay stores or auction rates. Item descriptions and conditions are accurate but I will typically ask for confirmation regarding condition and/or availability if unsure. Furthermore, the staff is quite knowledgable in all things rpg. For example, if i find items ebay where the seller's description is ambiguous, I ask Aaron if it should be shrinkwrapped, what the contents should be, etc.

I have delt with Troll and Toad before and while their prices can be a bit steep, I have not had any problems with them either. I have always received my items from TnT quickly and in the condition advertised, although I always write the patrons about condition and availability first.

I like them. First rate in my book.

I agree, NKG is a class act. I actually have had quite a large percentage of orders with "issues". About 1/4, in fact; misgraded items a couple of times, a Dwarven Forge set missing some pieces, stuff like that--I assume my experience is atypical in that regard. I say this not as a criticism, but to emphasize my next statement... Every single time I've complained about a problem, like 5 times mind you, Aaron has responded personally within a few hours and made it right, whatever that took (finding the missing pieces, refunding down to the correct grade, etc.).

They do always use stock photos, but if the description is detailed and you know you're in good hands (contrast with T&T) then that's okay by me.

Noble Knight has some decent prices on common items. As for their expensive items, well I don't buy them, but I do not begrudge them the right to ask what they want (they just won't get my money for items I know I can get cheaper with a little patience).

NK's grading is excellent and in my experience shipping is quick and the packing is almost USPS proof from damage (though the post office does go to great lengths to bend and mutilate packages. They left three boxes out in the rain for me yesterday just to show that a good packaging job needs a sealed plastic bag as well as any padding to protect corners).

Since people are mentioning Troll & Toad, I find their grading sometimes questionable, but their shipping and packaging has been excellent in my experience.

MetamorphosisSigma wrote:I agree, NKG is a class act. I actually have had quite a large percentage of orders with "issues". About 1/4, in fact; misgraded items a couple of times, a Dwarven Forge set missing some pieces, stuff like that--I assume my experience is atypical in that regard. I say this not as a criticism, but to emphasize my next statement... Every single time I've complained about a problem, like 5 times mind you, Aaron has responded personally within a few hours and made it right, whatever that took (finding the missing pieces, refunding down to the correct grade, etc.).

They do always use stock photos, but if the description is detailed and you know you're in good hands (contrast with T&T) then that's okay by me.

I have made several orders from Noble Knight.

Two were perfect transactions.

The third included multiple, glaring problems, for which I received $20 store credit.

I would rate Noble Knight's overall reliability as excellent.