White Box Canon L Lens without Warranty Card: Bought a white box Canon 24-105mm L lens from an Ebay dealer called "getitdigital". They have a 99.3 positive feedback. But a couple...

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Bought a white box Canon 24-105mm L lens from an Ebay dealer called "getitdigital". They have a 99.3 positive feedback. But a couple things bother me, first the serial number was on the inside ring of the lens, not where google told me it would be. Second, there was no booklet or warranty card with the lens.

My question is, should I return it.

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

Did you purchase the lens new? My serial number is located on the rear side metal ring that goes into the camera next to the mounting ring. If you purchased new, and it doesn't come with a warranty card, I would ask the seller before returning if not.

Chris

MikeMcK wrote:

Bought a white box Canon 24-105mm L lens from an Ebay dealer called "getitdigital". They have a 99.3 positive feedback. But a couple things bother me, first the serial number was on the inside ring of the lens, not where google told me it would be. Second, there was no booklet or warranty card with the lens.

My question is, should I return it.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

If it were me, I'd shoot a few test shots to see if you get sharp images. If that were the case, bottom line, got a good lens at probably a good price. If you're not thinking of reselling it yourself, I'd just keep it and enjoy. That happens to my walkaround lens on my Canon 5D MK III.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Bob Yankle wrote:

If it were me, I'd shoot a few test shots to see if you get sharp images. If that were the case, bottom line, got a good lens at probably a good price. If you're not thinking of reselling it yourself, I'd just keep it and enjoy. That happens to my walkaround lens on my Canon 5D MK III.

I did take a few shots and they looked amazing. I also sent an email to Canon with the serial number of the lens asking if this lens was legit. We'll see what they say. Thanks for your reply.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

MikeMcK wrote:

Bought a white box Canon 24-105mm L lens from an Ebay dealer called "getitdigital". They have a 99.3 positive feedback. But a couple things bother me, first the serial number was on the inside ring of the lens, not where google told me it would be. Second, there was no booklet or warranty card with the lens.

My question is, should I return it.

It's either gray market or it came with something else, and the dealer is selling it separately. Bottom line: if it works, you got it at a good price, and you're not concerned about a warranty, keep it and enjoy it. Otherwise, see if the dealer will take it back.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

I got my 24-105 L used from a dealer that I buy from regularly.
The zoom got stuck and Precision Camera here in CT only charged me $100 to refurbish the whole unit and tune it as well.

Yours being supposedly brand new, I would just register it on line with Canon to get the process started. No need for the warranty card.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Yours being supposedly brand new, I would just register it on line with Canon to get the process started. No need for the warranty card.[/quote]

I did register it with Canon. I received a response from my Email from Canon telling me that they could not tell by the serial number if it was genuine.

The price including shipping was $678.99. Which is in line with other "white box" lenses I have seen advertised.

thanks for your reply.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

MikeMcK wrote:

I did register it with Canon. I received a response from my Email from Canon telling me that they could not tell by the serial number if it was genuine.

The price including shipping was $678.99. Which is in line with other "white box" lenses I have seen advertised.

That is only half what they are actually going for new.
I paid $850 used from the dealer who had sold it just a few months before.
I suspect that it is not genuine.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

BigBear wrote:

That is only half what they are actually going for new.
I paid $850 used from the dealer who had sold it just a few months before.
I suspect that it is not genuine.

Yes, I know. I also have lived long enough to know better, but I had to see. The ad specifically said it had a USA Warranty or I wouldn't have done it. I am a retired financial fraud investigator and I really don't trust anyone, but I just got taken in. There is a 30 day return policy. I wrote to the company asking for a warranty card and booklet. If they can't produce those, I may return it and get a refurbished lens.

mechengvic Loc: SoCalo

I am familiar with grey market products which are still original, but with no usa warranties, and with kits that may have been split up and sold separately, I can live with either of those situations, but has anyone come across actual replica lenses not made by the original manufacturer???

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

but has anyone come across actual replica lenses not made by the original manufacturer???[/quote]

Great question. I would really like to know the answer.

cosmo54 Loc: Easton, PA but will travel for photos

White box usually means it was part of some sort of "kit" .... That is, it was part of a deal and was sold with a camera body. But still, if that's the case, you ought to get a warranty card

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

YES, you can put coffee in them. Like have been previously mentioned, lens part of kit or grey goods. Probability of not made by Canon "0," probability of warranty "0." Will Cano work on product call and ask.

J. R.

mechengvic wrote:

I am familiar with grey market products which are still original, but with no usa warranties, and with kits that may have been split up and sold separately, I can live with either of those situations, but has anyone come across actual replica lenses not made by the original manufacturer???

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

MikeMcK wrote:

Yes, I know. I also have lived long enough to know better, but I had to see. The ad specifically said it had a USA Warranty or I wouldn't have done it. I am a retired financial fraud investigator and I really don't trust anyone, but I just got taken in. There is a 30 day return policy. I wrote to the company asking for a warranty card and booklet. If they can't produce those, I may return it and get a refurbished lens.

Mike, I purchased a Canon 6D body from them late June 2013. The seller's web page said new and "USA Model" - not sure what the heck that is. However, the price was about $300 less than the well-known stores. After purchasing, I started wondering about my decision. There was no warranty card, but an included card with instructions to register on line. I did, and got no negative info from Canon. What I did not like was the seller's insistence on speaking with them as a condition of sale. You can pretty well guess what that was about.

Since I'm getting close to the end of the warranty period, I may have just lucked out. In hind sight, I should have spent the extra $300 and bought from B&H or Adorama and got peace of mind.

By the way, the camera body came in the original kit box with the kit lens removed.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

In hind sight, I should have spent the extra $300 and bought from B&H or Adorama and got peace of mind.[/quote]

Thanks. I did write the company a couple of emails asking them for the booklet that comes with the lens and a warranty card. I figured that if they can't comply with my request, I have a right to return it. You are right, the savings isn't always worth the worry. But I'm by nature, paranoid. Thanks for your reply. Glad I'm not alone, lol!