2lou wrote:
Do you have confidence in buying used or refurbished cameras ? If you have done so, would you share sources ?
This from Cameta:
All Refurbished Models... 1 Year Warranty
Are inspected and tested by the manufacturer to meet original specs
Have minimal to no use, and are in mint or near-mint condition
Are in BRAND NEW operating condition
Are covered by a FULL 1-YEAR WARRANTY on parts and labor
Are 100% USA models... no gray market products or imports
This from Adorama:
All products are covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Grey Market equipment is covered by Adorama for one year from date of purchase.
Used photo equipment carry a 180-day warranty excluding V, G and F conditions which have a 90-day warranty. X condition items are final sale, for parts only, sold as is, no warranties or returns.
Used video, Audio and lighting equipment carry a 90-day warranty. X condition items are final sale, for parts only sold as is, no warranties or returns.
Pal video equipment carries a 90-day warranty.
All refurbished equipment sold by Adorama include a 90-day return-to-manufacturer warranty.
Adorama's warranty provides coverage for defects in manufacturing only, and expressly excludes coverage for excessive wear and tear and/or physical/accidental abuse, loss and theft. The warranty is valid only at Adorama Camera. Improper repair or warranty service performed by someone other than Adorama Camera will void this warranty.
Adorama Camera disclaims any liability for consequential or incidental damages, for breach of written or implied warranty of an item, including merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. An Adorama warranty provides specific legal rights; however, you may have additional rights, which vary from state to state.
As some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, the above limitation may not apply. Our warranty is valid only in the U.S.
This from B&H:
canon FACTORY Refurbished product, and restored to the
exact manufacturer specifications by the original manufacturer. It also
comes with a 1 YEAR CANON USA WARRANTY
These unused or used items have been returned to original
manufacturers for various reasons; for example, use in field tests,
use in sales displays, and cancellations. nikon FACTORY Refurbished product, and restored to the
exact manufacturer specifications by the original manufacturer. It also
comes with a 90-day warranty FROM NIKON USA
(please note: the refurb warranty from B&H for Canon and Nikon is the same as what you'll get from those manufacturers, so you might want to check their websites to see if you can buy cheaper from them or from B&H)
This from KEH:
There are several great reasons to buy refurbished photographic products including:
- Most refurbished gear is brand new, returned product, from a retailer or was used as a demonstration display unit.
- The item's manufacturer is the one who actually does the refurbishing, so the piece of equipment has gone through their inspection process like a new camera does.
- Quality is usually indistinguishable from new.
- The savings can approach 40% off buying the same item new.
- The manufacturer includes a factory 90 day warranty.
- And buying refurbs from KEH is even extra special because we stand behind all refurbished products with an additional 3 month warranty, giving you a 6 month warranty at no charge.
IMHO, Canon, as a manufacturer, has the strongest warranty of the other manufacturers out there---a 1 year warranty, and cameras (and any other equipment they make!) that have been examined by its own technicians:
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-products-informationhttp://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-camerashttp://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-powershot-digital-cameras...and I own both Nikon and Pentax. Go figure!