3kids3cats wrote:
I have been on Amazon several times looking for a DSLR camera. I have researched till I am blue in the face, and have narrowed it down to 2 bundles.
One is brand new, and the other is about $100 less and renewed. Is there anyone out there who has experience with the renewed products on Amazon? Are they reliable and in good condition? They SAY the products are in excellent condition and have been tested but you never know.
Thank you in advance.☺️
KidsCats; 'Renewed' means a private owner with a good record and good conscience, took care of the camera, checked and cleaned it before listing it. Also, it could be, a tech from or a repair shop sell it after a repair, or one of the photo sales houses selling a used/trade in that hopefully, they tested/cleaned and probably has simultaneously listed it for sale on their company website; if so, the unit would ship directly from them, not Amazon and they might even offer a more extended warranty than 30 days.
If you see 'Renewed/Premium' for anything listed on Amazon, Amazon -owns- it, and likely is electronics returned to a Prime/Business customer, that Amazon had to have repaired. They relist/sell it with a one year replacement warranty with the same or a similar item, or a full refund if the one you bought is no longer available.
When purchasing a new DSLR from Amazon, you get the OEM warranty and the Amazon 30-day return policy. For renewed/premium listings, Amazon has approved contractors who test/cleaned/repackage those before reselling with the year long Amazon satisfaction guarantee. They sell lots of renewed/premium cell phones, but no DSLRs I've ever seen. If you buy a 'Renewed' used camera from any seller to save $100, and you keep it past 30 days and then it fails, you're stuck with it. It's well worth the extra $100 for new camera.
Several years ago I bought a DSLR listed/rated 'like new/mint condition' which were Amazons rating system for 3rd party seller listings, but back in those days, Amazon policies under Jeff B. were tilted toward Prime/Business members. In the end, it came out OK but don't think what happened in my case would ever turn out as well ehese days.
When the camera arrived it was in the OEM box, with the original manual, no dings/scratches; very very clean. I thought like I'd won the lottery. However, immediately after shooting a few shots, and after a whole day of testing, all the settings seemed to work except; the body refused to focus with any of the 30 lens I owned. The seller wouldn't respond so I had 30 days to work with from day it arrived. The next morning I called Nikon and they advised since it was a preowned USA body it was out of warranty, but they still had a 3-month supply of all new parts, and would agreed to examine and repair it, if I agree to their estimate fee with a credit card. I shipped it to them next day air and they notified me 4 days later that it seemed that the previous owner (or someone), had dropped the camera, with a lens attached straight down, bending the mount in the body, which had to replaced as well as the shutter. They always go completely through these units, and tested/repaired everything for me, returning to me via next day air for only $20 extra, re-manufactured to new specs so it worked like brand new.
I spoke to Amazon management, explained what had transpired. They were puzzled, and asked why I hadn't just requested a return. I would've have, however at that time there were no other 'as-new' used bodies available anywhere. I don't count ebay. I had performed due diligence before sending to Nikon, checking to see if the serial number had been reported to law enforcement or to Nikon. I contacted the authorities where the seller was supposedly located, but they said they had never heard of him. Amazon went on hold for a couple moments, then said they were refunding the full price to my card, and were having their investigations team look into the seller. I passed on what I had determined. I was lucky, as Amazon could have decided against doing me a big favor; it pays to be a good, very long-term customer. They told me to enjoy my 'new' camera and I do.
If you buy -anything- in 'renewed' condition from any seller on Amazon (or anywhere else online), regardless of the price, description, sellers history and reviews, take screen-grabs of everything and always take photos of everything when your purchases arrive or before returning them. I don't recommend what I did then because Amazon is not the same, and it could have been an expensive experience. Copy Amazons return policy/terms because they change often. Good luck whatever you buy. Hope this is helpful, Cheers.