Amazon lensfound
Jan 7, 2018 13:33:23 #
Gammy Sandy wrote:
I am just about ready to purchase a Canon 24-105mm lens. I wasn't looking for a used lens but found a few for sale at great prices at Amazon, I am just a little afraid to do this. Has anyone bought used from Amazon and have you been happy with your purchase? How can you tell if a used product is from the gray market? Will Amazon tell you if they are if I ask? Thank you in advance for your response.
Bought several used items, no problem. Easy return, 30 days
All used items have no warranty
Repair might get sticky for gray market items though...
Jan 7, 2018 13:40:36 #
Toment wrote:
Bought several used items, no problem. Easy return, 30 days
All used items have no warranty
Repair might get sticky for gray market items though...
All used items have no warranty
Repair might get sticky for gray market items though...
Only partially true. Some retailers offer a warranty on used items, there are third party extended warranties that may be worth the cost. Repairs for grey market items seems to be vendor specific. Nikon is heavily criticized for this. Canon seems happy enough to take your money for any genuine Canon product that is still being supported, which is frequently ten years or more.
Jan 7, 2018 14:13:40 #
I'm a Canon Platinum Professional Services member, so I buy a ton of their gear and interact with the company often enough. While B&H is my go-to vendor for initial purchases, I will compare their used department prices and rating against those put forth by the Canon refurbished store. The latter has reasonable prices and they'll give you a 1-year manufacturer's warranty. I've been quite happy. You also need to think about the inherent value in quibbling over anything less than a 4-5% net variance in price among the different vendors vs the confidence you'll have in the purchase. We all like to save money, but is the proverbial squeeze worth the juice in short-term worry factor and longer-term reliability - especially if you plan to use the lens to generate income for a business.
Jan 7, 2018 15:06:28 #
Gammy Sandy wrote:
I am just about ready to purchase a Canon 24-105mm lens. I wasn't looking for a used lens but found a few for sale at great prices at Amazon, I am just a little afraid to do this. Has anyone bought used from Amazon and have you been happy with your purchase? How can you tell if a used product is from the gray market? Will Amazon tell you if they are if I ask? Thank you in advance for your response.
I purchased a Used - Like New Sigma 4.5mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Circular Fisheye (Canon EF mount) from L.F.I CAMERA via Amazon in February of 2016. The condition of the lens was as good as promised. Since the lens has worked without a hitch since, I have had no need to test either LFI or Amazon customer service. Amazon has been very good on customer service on other occasions, including an immediate refund re the disappearance of an external hard drive during shipping (evidenced by UPS delivery of an empty box).
Jan 7, 2018 16:18:25 #
I have in the past bought many cameras and lenses from Amazon all US warranty only reason I have stopped buying is they now add sales tax for my state so I buy either locally or Adorama/B&H
Jan 7, 2018 17:00:15 #
Short answer I buy from Amazon a lot. Never a problem. I have A Prime membership so I always get free shipping. When I have bought lenses they have been Nikon certified only.
Jan 7, 2018 18:18:54 #
ballsafire
Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana
Want a new camcorder:
Contact "Ritz Camera & Image
Attn: Customer Service
114 Tived Lane East
Edison, NJ 08837
Sony Handicam HDRCX 240 video camera with 2.7 inch LCD (Black) It is a lot of fun and they have come a long way -- as big as a beer can and selling for $159.99 plus free shipping! Now I consider this a bargain and all you have to do to get it going is a 50 gb chip which you unload on your computer slot. I found this company on Amazon or eBay, I don't remember, but talk about a bargain!!!!
Contact "Ritz Camera & Image
Attn: Customer Service
114 Tived Lane East
Edison, NJ 08837
Sony Handicam HDRCX 240 video camera with 2.7 inch LCD (Black) It is a lot of fun and they have come a long way -- as big as a beer can and selling for $159.99 plus free shipping! Now I consider this a bargain and all you have to do to get it going is a 50 gb chip which you unload on your computer slot. I found this company on Amazon or eBay, I don't remember, but talk about a bargain!!!!
Jan 7, 2018 18:31:42 #
kdogg
Loc: Gallipolis Ferry WV
I have bought several used film cameras and lenses through Amazon and have had no problems. The merchandise was as advertised or better and most purchases were accompanied by a personal note from the seller. I also buy a substantial amount of old LP's and have found most are in better shape than they are listed. Amazon is very careful to make sure their vendors follow certain standards, if they don't they are banned from the site.
Jan 7, 2018 18:51:35 #
kdogg wrote:
I have bought several used film cameras and lenses through Amazon and have had no problems. The merchandise was as advertised or better and most purchases were accompanied by a personal note from the seller. I also buy a substantial amount of old LP's and have found most are in better shape than they are listed. Amazon is very careful to make sure their vendors follow certain standards, if they don't they are banned from the site.
Yep!
Jan 7, 2018 20:48:39 #
edfgrf1951
Loc: Chatsworth Ga.
If you buy from Amazon it is okay. There are a lot of dishonest third-party sellers. If they are new or have bad reviews run away.You will probably not lose money, but a hassle to get your money back.
Jan 7, 2018 21:42:33 #
Wanderer2
Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains
There have been some misperceptions about Amazon stated in this thread. I have been a regular Amazon customer for years and in recent years have averaged over 100 purchases a year so hopefully I'm qualified to comment. I have never, not once in all those years with all those purchases, had a situation that was not fully resolved to my satisfaction and I highly recommend this company. The type of merchandise I have purchased has varied widely, some, but a minority, being photographic items. Last year I purchased a full frame dslr and two lenses on Amazon because with my 3% rewards Amazon credit card I saved a significant amount of money over other retailers prices. The merchandise was flawless as always.
It is a misperception that Amazon is only a middleman and doesn't sell anything themselves. The listing for each item lists the sellers by name. For example, earlier today I looked at the listings for a new lens and there were four sellers - Amazon, Adorama, and two other companies I didn't recognize. When Amazon is listed as the seller the parcel arrives with Amazon listed as the shipper and with their return address.
AFAIK the only items listed as used Amazon directly sells are those from the "Amazon Warehouse." These appear to be returns that cannot by law be listed as new. Any defects will be listed but of the few Warehouse purchases I've made each item was flawless and couldn't be told from new despite the descriptions. There is often quite a significant discount for those items listed a "Warehouse deals." Other items listed as used have always been listed by private vendors, at least all I've seen. As mentioned in posts again, Amazon carefully regulates how vendors using Amazon must do business.
Amazon's stated return policy is: "Items shipped from Amazon.com, including Warehouse Deals, can be returned within 30 days of receipt of shipment in most cases. Some products have different policies or requirements associated with them." I have never had the slightest problem with a return. Manufacturers warranties are totally separate and valid. If the item is being returned because of being defective or not as represented a pre-paid return shipping label will be supplied by Amazon. If the item is being returned because the buyer changed their mind, buyers regret, etc. a shipping label will be supplied by Amazon but the return shipping cost will be charged to the buyer. However, using the Amazon return label is much cheaper than the buyer directly using UPS, USPS, etc. because Amazon gets a major discount from the shipping companies.
I have only one complaint about Amazon. There is a long running scam in the photography department and possibly elsewhere on the site, that, at least as of a few weeks ago, Amazon has been unable to shut down. In brief, the scammer lists merchandise at unrealistically low prices and in the comments section of the listing states something like "Before placing the order please contact me at (email address). If the prospective buyer attempts to place the order without contacting the scammer the order will not go through, the prospective buyer receiving a message that the item cannot be shipped to their address. If the buyer does email the scammer directly an attempt may be made to establish contact with the buyer directly by phone or skype and an attempt will be made to persuade the buyer to pay the scammer directly using electronic transfer, and not using the Amazon system. If this is done the scammer takes the payment, disappears, and nothing is ever shipped, the merchandise never having existed, and all protection of the buyer by Amazon is lost because the "transaction" was not made through Amazon. So if you see a listing asking prospective buyers to contact the seller directly and not through Amazon run the other way! These scammers seem to specialize in high end, very expensive photo gear. It's always clear that Amazon is not the seller in these instances.
I have no association with Amazon except as a highly satisfied customer of long standing.
It is a misperception that Amazon is only a middleman and doesn't sell anything themselves. The listing for each item lists the sellers by name. For example, earlier today I looked at the listings for a new lens and there were four sellers - Amazon, Adorama, and two other companies I didn't recognize. When Amazon is listed as the seller the parcel arrives with Amazon listed as the shipper and with their return address.
AFAIK the only items listed as used Amazon directly sells are those from the "Amazon Warehouse." These appear to be returns that cannot by law be listed as new. Any defects will be listed but of the few Warehouse purchases I've made each item was flawless and couldn't be told from new despite the descriptions. There is often quite a significant discount for those items listed a "Warehouse deals." Other items listed as used have always been listed by private vendors, at least all I've seen. As mentioned in posts again, Amazon carefully regulates how vendors using Amazon must do business.
Amazon's stated return policy is: "Items shipped from Amazon.com, including Warehouse Deals, can be returned within 30 days of receipt of shipment in most cases. Some products have different policies or requirements associated with them." I have never had the slightest problem with a return. Manufacturers warranties are totally separate and valid. If the item is being returned because of being defective or not as represented a pre-paid return shipping label will be supplied by Amazon. If the item is being returned because the buyer changed their mind, buyers regret, etc. a shipping label will be supplied by Amazon but the return shipping cost will be charged to the buyer. However, using the Amazon return label is much cheaper than the buyer directly using UPS, USPS, etc. because Amazon gets a major discount from the shipping companies.
I have only one complaint about Amazon. There is a long running scam in the photography department and possibly elsewhere on the site, that, at least as of a few weeks ago, Amazon has been unable to shut down. In brief, the scammer lists merchandise at unrealistically low prices and in the comments section of the listing states something like "Before placing the order please contact me at (email address). If the prospective buyer attempts to place the order without contacting the scammer the order will not go through, the prospective buyer receiving a message that the item cannot be shipped to their address. If the buyer does email the scammer directly an attempt may be made to establish contact with the buyer directly by phone or skype and an attempt will be made to persuade the buyer to pay the scammer directly using electronic transfer, and not using the Amazon system. If this is done the scammer takes the payment, disappears, and nothing is ever shipped, the merchandise never having existed, and all protection of the buyer by Amazon is lost because the "transaction" was not made through Amazon. So if you see a listing asking prospective buyers to contact the seller directly and not through Amazon run the other way! These scammers seem to specialize in high end, very expensive photo gear. It's always clear that Amazon is not the seller in these instances.
I have no association with Amazon except as a highly satisfied customer of long standing.
Jan 7, 2018 21:45:43 #
brooklyn-camera I wrote:
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/lenses-flashes/refurbished-lenses Canon refurbished site. I purchased around 4-5 lenses from them and never had any type of problem with them. Don't worry about dings and things.....they all looked as if they just came out of the box, brand new. After the holidays the choice of lenses will be limited, just wait and keep checking for when they release they new supply of refurbished gear.
Jan 7, 2018 21:47:30 #
rfmaude41
Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)
Peterff wrote:
I think you are being somewhat harsh about Amazon,... (show quote)
Along with the vendors that you mentioned; one more that I sometimes use is usedphotopro (Robert's Camera used site; never had any problems with them).....
Jan 7, 2018 22:52:38 #
Gammy Sandy wrote:
I am just about ready to purchase a Canon 24-105mm lens. I wasn't looking for a used lens but found a few for sale at great prices at Amazon, I am just a little afraid to do this. Has anyone bought used from Amazon and have you been happy with your purchase? How can you tell if a used product is from the gray market? Will Amazon tell you if they are if I ask? Thank you in advance for your response.
you're saying "used" and "gray market" - I take gray market to be new but with a foreign warranty, used will have no warranty.
Some folks have mentioned Cameta as a good seller - they sell through Amazon as well.
Jan 7, 2018 23:28:42 #
If you buy from Amazon, then you have substantial safety. But many sellers sell through Amazon, and that is different. Always buy from a seller with a known positive history, but check their reviews and return policy carefully. If they are labelled as a first time seller then don't do it.
What Teton Reviewer said above is good. Especially the last paragraph. I had seen that scam many times on Amazon, but those scammers 'sell' high end items and i doubt that used lenses would be posted.
What Teton Reviewer said above is good. Especially the last paragraph. I had seen that scam many times on Amazon, but those scammers 'sell' high end items and i doubt that used lenses would be posted.
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