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?