rfcoakley Loc: Auburn, NH

In exploring purchase options for a refurbished Nikon camera, I was surprised to discover different prices from different sources (I had expected standardized pricing as mandated by Nikon for new cameras). I found a refurbished D810 for $1997 from Adorama; for $2199 from B&H; and for $2445 directly from Nikon. I also saw the closest used equivalent (EX+ rated) on KEH for $2572. A new D810 (with US warranty from anyone) is currently $2797. I bought the refurbished one from Adorama. I particularly can't understand why anyone would ever go for a used camera that is a lot more expensive than a certified refurbished one.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

A similar observation was posted recently my another member. Camera shop owner and UHH member MT Shooter explained that prices of refurbed cameras are not restricted by contractual MSRP price agreements; authorized sellers are free to price refurbished gear as market conditions permit.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I agree..Certified refurbished from the manufacturer is the way to go rather than used.Welcome to UHH

machia Loc: NJ

Same is true with Canon lenses and cameras . No set pricings after a piece of gear is refurbished and the term refurbished has several meanings too , from being reboxed to rebuilt . That's what I was told by several sources .

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Thanxs for the reply Ralph. I missed the post you are referring to.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Welcome to the Hog, rfcoakley.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Had a conversation recently with a Canon rep at fac in Chesapeake, VA and was told that most of their "refurb" gesr was virtually new, returns, displays, etc.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

The Adorama one I saw was a refurbished DEMO. I wonder if that makes a difference?

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

A quick observation. Most posters here agree that purchasing refurbished was preferable to buying used. If that was the standard case how would we as photographers ever resale our used gear? Basically this would force us to "trade" in our older gear for a much lower price, so the manufacture could "refurb" and resale at a higher price? It seems to me we cant have it both ways.

I have purchased used equipment and for the most part have been satisfied with the gear and have used it without any failures (mostly lens). I do like to purchase bodies new...

Bob

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

A quick observation. Most posters here agree that purchasing refurbished was preferable to buying used. If that was the standard case how would we as photographers ever resale our used gear? Basically this would force us to "trade" in our older gear for a much lower price, so the manufacture could "refurb" and resale at a higher price? It seems to me we cant have it both ways.

I have purchased used equipment and for the most part have been satisfied with the gear and have used it without any failures (mostly lens). I do like to purchase bodies new...

Bob

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Here is that thread, Marion. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-476943-1.html

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Thanxs

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Years ago, while going to school, I worked in a small appliance repair shop. We were provided authorized service and warranty service for several major manufacturers of small electrical appliances. Part of that arrangement was that we also stocked and sold refurbished appliances by those manufacturers. They were generally units that had suffered initial failure and were returned for replacement rather than being repaired for the purchaser. The manufacturer's position at that time was that the customer had purchased a new appliance, and therefore deserved to have a new appliance, so that's what they were shipped. The original unit was repaired (if repairable) and sold to us for resale to offset some of the replacement cost. As a single guy and a student, I built my kitchen around several of those appliances...an electric skillet, a hand mixer, and a toaster oven. 45 years later, my wife and I still have all of those appliances, and they all still work fine. The mixer has been relegated to backup status. The toaster oven is not used too often. The skillet is used just about every week. So yes...I have a strong bias in favor of factory refurbished items, and not just because of the lower initial price. Of course, it is sometimes unpredictable what may be available, so used (and new) is an option also. The small appliance environment has changed somewhat, and I am not knowledgeable enough to say whether I would do this again, but it worked when I did.

Just remember...finished products from an assembly line are generally tested by machine. While this is generally quite acceptable, errors sometimes occur and bad product can sometimes escape. Usually this is just isolated, individual units. Sometimes, though, it is a larger number, leading to rework or recall. Refurbished or remanufactured products are almost always 100% hand tested and inspected. Which would you rather have?

rfcoakley Loc: Auburn, NH

dsmaltz...[The Adorama one I saw was a refurbished DEMO. I wonder if that makes a difference?]

My Adorama refurb was delivered today. It may have been a demo unit (shutter count was 8675). I still like the savings vs other purchase options.

Inside the box, the camera was enclosed in plastic and bubble wrap. Other components were also wrapped in plastic and looked like new. The only missing item was the manual (I downloaded a copy from the web). I couldn't detect any cosmetic defects. After charging, the battery comes up as new in status menu. I updated both firmware and distortion data (each were one version behind the latest). Time of day was set to late 2014 before being updated. The first picture taken received file name DSC_0100.

I get a 90 day limited warranty from Nikon and I added the 3 year "New Leaf" extended warranty for $49.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Canon refurbished cameras and lenses carry a 1 year warranty if purchased directly from Canon.