srt101fan

While looking for a lens for my Nikon D5300, I saw several ads for "open box" lenses. I believe these are lenses returned to the store by customers for whatever reasons, and are not returned to the manufacturer but are instead offered for resale at a reduced price.

I'm wondering how much of a risk you take when buying such a lens. There may be a number of reasons why people return gear. They may not like it, maybe the wrong stuff, or it may not be working right. The store may not necessarily know the real reason why it was returned.

I assume a used lens refurbished by the manufacturer and offered for resale has passed all the tests normally applied to a new lens. But what does a reputable store do with a returned item, especially if they're not sure why it was returned? They can't possibly subject all returns to extensive testing. So, how would you rate the risk of buying "open box" lenses when compared to the risk of buying "new" or "used"? (BTW, I'm only looking at reputable stores!)

Thanks for your help.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Mostly open box are store demo items. If a product is used or returns, it has to be marked accordingly. If it was returned to the factory for refurbishment, it also has to be marked accordingly.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Do the open box lenses still carry the manufacturer’s warranty?

Charlie'smom

I’m pretty sure they do.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I have purchased 2 open box lenses from B&H, both came with full manufacturers warranty.

d3200prime

Here's what consumer reports says about open box items: www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2008/10/open-box-electronics-items-another-shopping-option-to-consider/index.htm

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

A very helpful link, d3200prime. On point.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

The Consumer Report article takes in more than camera equipment. My experience both as a retailer and a buyer has been that a camera or lens that was used as a store demo item could be sold as "open box' with full Mfg's warranty. Any returned item no matter how good it's condition is 'used' and might have a store warranty but should not have one from the mfg.

BebuLamar

In my case I think there is and there isn't both. I bought a Nikon 20mm f/2.8 AF-D as open box from a Wolf store. I know it's several years old before I bought it because I had been going to the same store asking to see the lens over the years. I bought it for $256 which is a good deal for me. It came with everything that a new lens would come with. After over 4 years of using it the aperture stuck open. I sent it back to Nikon under the 5 years warranty and they fixed for me free. So it's open box but to Nikon I bought it new.
I have a good number of lenses and none has the problem so is it because it's open box that caused the problem? I don't know.

Naldo

Anything sold with manufacturer's warranty is fine with me, open-box or otherwise. Always good to save money. However, a seller's warranty is NOT the same thing, and I avoid it like the plague.

srt101fan

Thank you all for responding.

d3200prime - very useful info in the Consumer Report article; thanks for the link.

The lens in question (there are actually 2) is a Sigma 18-300mm. These lenses are normally $579; have been on sale everywhere for a while for $400; and the "open box" one I'm considering is $329.

Armed with your comments I contacted the store. Their "open box" lenses are either demos, lenses returned soon after they were bought, or the lens packaging is not pristine. If returned after more than a few days, lenses are not sold as "open box". Their "open box" lenses have the full manufacturer's warranty.

So this could be a good deal. I'll have to think on it.....

BebuLamar

In my opinion $70 is not enough for me to go open box. When I bought my Nikon 20mm f/2.8 AF-D the regular price was around $500 and I paid only $256.