Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

Last month I purchased an 18-300 mm DX Nikon lens as a gift. I've had one for years for my crop sensor cameras. It was a perfect gift for a budding photographer. The retailer told me that day that the lens happens to also be on sale, a nice surprise.

The gift was opened a few days after Christmas and to my surprise the lens does not include a lens hood or a case. That was strange since the one I bought years back came with both and Nikon always encourages people to use lens hoods to minimize flair and protect the lens. Even the included instructions showed the lens with a hood.

Essentially there was no "sale" they simply removed those things from the box and reduced the price accordingly. Personally I consider that to be fraud.

Nikon disagrees. When I complained they said it's their right to remove accessories any time and it's up to me to check the web site before buying anything. Basically it's all my fault.

They did not explain why the all important lens hood is now an optional accessory nor did they explain why these items were removed from the box at the same time as the alleged sale. And of course they also did not explain how this price reduction in conjunction with the removal of two standard accessories constituted a "sale".

The message is clear. Before you purchase any Nikon product make sure you are getting exactly what you think you are supposed to get. I know that's rather obvious advice and perhaps I should admonish myself.

However there are things we don't normally have to check. If Nikon were in the car business I'd not be surprised if they had a car on sale which comes without a reverse gear and they'll blame the buyer for not checking before buying. When was the last time you went car shopping and asked if the car had a reverse gear? Never? Then why should I ask if my new lens comes with a lens hood?

It makes me sad to see how the marketplace is degrading year by year. Whatever happened to ethics and a desire to treat the customer fairly? Why do we now need to constantly be vigilant against vendors who used to treat us well and with respect and who once deserved our respect?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Where did you buy it?
I'm surprised it wasn't included too.
B&H and others don't list a case or lens hood is included.
They used to be the norm.
Buy a 70-200 and they are included in the box, even for Grey market.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

[quote=Bugfan] Then why should I ask if my new lens comes with a lens hood? [quote]

It seems you have answered your own question.

Frank47 Loc: West coast Florida

Have you had previous business with this outfit? I've purchased 4 Nikon lenses from B&H and the items you speak of have always been included. When you search B&H on line, there is a spot "in the box" that specifically identifies what you are getting. I've been super satisfied with their service and always go back based on my experiences. Sorry about your disappointment. 😥. This strikes me as more of a dealer issue than a Nikon business philosophy.

sbesaw Loc: Boston

The small plastic protector that slides onto the flash Hotshoe used to be included with all Nikon's. Canon didn't provide one. Now I notice that on the D750 the protective cover for the Hotshoe is no longer included with the Camera

Frank T Loc: New York, NY

Actually, if you scroll down on the B&h Page with the item on it, there's a section that says, "In the Box" and they're always quite clear what's included. In the case of the 70-200 mm Nikon, it definitely is listed as included.
Just wanted to say that B&H is one of the most honest and straight forward companies I've ever dealt with and I wouldn't want them confused with some unscrupulous outfit that has nothing to do with them.
There. That was my two cents worth.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I was tempted to ask if "Nikon Ethics" was an oxymoron just to irritate the Nikonites on the forum. However, to be fair, the same is true of many Canon lenses, especially the EF-S (DX equivalent lenses).

It's really that many people want the least expensive cost for a lens, and many people do not use lens hoods or individual cases. This is an unfortunate characteristic of many aspects of our modern world.

I would hazard a guess that the more expensive Nikon lenses come with hoods etc.

On the Canon front, the new Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM comes with a case and a hood I believe, and also with a $2,229 price tag.

Seems a little unfair to single out Nikon for an industry/global practice.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

Actually the retailer who sold this to me was legit, I've done business with them for over fifteen years. My usual sales person was as surprised as I was when it came to the alleged "sale".

It was Nikon who decided to reduce the price, remove those two items from the box and call it a sale. Checking their web site after the fact their accessory list for that lens does show the case and the hood as optional extras. The retailer is as much the victim here as I was.

Now I happen to be in Canada, maybe it's different in the States and maybe that's why B&H lists the lens complete with those two items. This could be a Nikon Canada gambit instead of a general one.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

In terms of the lens in question, it's really a consumer lens. It's better than a kit lens but not as good as the professional Nikon lenses. I'd call it a medium quality.

When you get into the professional lenses (read $1,600 and much higher to mortgage levels) they do come complete at least all of mine did.

I get the feeling that they're trying to cut costs with the consumer but then I expect a six or seven hundred dollar lens sells much greater quantities than a five thousand dollar lens. So they make a better profit screwing the average consumer particularly since they can then demand a full retail price for the optional accessory in addition to saving the cost of providing it. Add to that I have to admit too that the consumers don't use lens hoods usually.

I don't usually use a case, my lenses are all tucked away in camera cases, but I do use the lens hood. Were it only the case that was missing I probably wouldn't have noticed except that the kid who got the lens likely would have used both.

But this isn't anything new. A couple of years back I bought a Nikon point and shoot and that came without a manual. I wrote them asking how I was supposed to read the CD in the middle of the bush when I'm trying to do a complicated set up. Their answer was simply that I should print off the manual for myself. ARGH!

And these people purport to care about their customers.

Oh yes, and the little plastic tab for the hot shoe? My first camera didn't have one. But then it was an entry level camera. At that level the manufacturers try to save every penny. But when I went to the professional bodies they all came with a cover. Of course I don't buy a top camera body every year so I don't know what's happening now but considering how petty Nikon seems to be these days, I'd not be surprised if this too becomes an optional extra probably available for a mere twenty dollars or so.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I do not disagree with your sentiment, but I still feel that this a widespread modern phenomenon that is not just limited to Nikon. I do not like it either, but I feel I'm getting "nickled and dimed" by most vendors these days, especially the airlines as just one example.

However, at least here in the US most people search out the lowest possible prices and still expect businesses (large or small) to both stay in business and make a healthy profit. It is a very harsh environment for manufacturers, retailers and service providers alike.

Maybe there is a Nikon problem that I'm not seeing 'cos I'm not a Nikon user. Anyhow, better luck next time!

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Just wondering, was it Nikon that took the items out of the box and sold them separately, or was it that particular retailer?

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Bugfan - the NikonUSA website lists two DX 18-300mm lenses - one for $999 and the other for $899 (maybe the sale version you purchased). The former includes caps, hood and case. The latter omits the hood and case. Seems like a little homework might have saved you a whole lot of aggravation. Have you considered returning the "sale" version and buying the full version? Or would you rather just continue the pity party?

wolfman

Bugfan,

If you look at the description of each lens, you will see that the $997 one, that includes the hood and case, has a Rounded 9-Blade Circular Diaphragm. The one for $100 less has a Rounded 7-Blade Circular Diaphragm. What you have here is two totally different lenses.
Not sure about Canada, but there were no "lens only" sales in the U.S. last month.

Bob

tamalero Loc: Mexico

Are you sure its Nikon who you purchased from?
That behaviour sounds exactly from classic Bait and Switch grey market vendors.
Who essentially pillage the extras in the kits and original boxes.. and sell them separately.

*edit* nevermind. I read the rest of your posts.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The original 18-300mm F3.5-5.6 lens comes with a case and hood. The newer 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 does not. Many of Nikons DX lenses do not include hoods, and NONE of Canons EFS lenses include hoods. All full frame lenses from both manufacturers do come with hoods.
If your box states on it that a hood was included (and it will say) then the dealer ripped you off by removing it at sale. Look at the box label, white area, and the accessories, or "optional" accessories will be listed there. Sometimes they are also listed on the inside top flap of the lens box also.