Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

In need of a new (another) lens and asking if anyone has purchased a refurbished or 'renewed' lens from Amazon. They list a 90-day guarantee and of course, free shipping back if not satisfied? I've seen some pretty good prices on some lens I'm looking at and asking for any experiences. Thanks in advance for your comments and feedback....Cheers

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Do you know who the actual seller is?

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Yes, thank you APL, its SSE photo and video out of NJ...

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I have only purchased Factory Refurbished. Most Factory refurbished lenses come with the same warranty as New. I have not had a problem with any factory refurbished lenses.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Pretty hard to get "stung" with Amazon's return policy, Can't hurt to try em out.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I don't do much with Amazon. But I have found that Amazon's return policy doesn't extend to private sellers who post on Amazon. So I would check their rating.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Thank you

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Thank you Mikey, never had a return problem

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Thank you APL, I will definitely check that before any purchase…I’ll let you know and thanks again

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

APL, here is what is stated in their warranty on a refurbished/renewed item; "If the product does not look or work as expected, you are eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt with the Amazon Renewed guarantee."

I'm presuming even though this maybe a third party, looks like Amazon covers it with their own warranty.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

Amazon has an "outlet" to buy from too. The items are all "open box" and 99% have the original factory warranty.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Thank you, I'll check that out.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

"Refurbished" means something when it's done by the original manufacturer. For example, Nikon USA and Canon USE both sell refurbished directly from their respective websites. Those items have been inspected by them and returned to "as new" specs, where needed. The items I've bought (from Canon USA) have been same as new, except for the box which is a plain brown one. Canon even provides the same warranty as new. (Nikon doesn't.)

"Refurbished" from a retailer to me just means "used". They took in an item in trade or returned for some reason, their in-house tech dusted it off (if they even have an in-house tech) and checked that it worked, then it was offered for sale. They offer a short warranty, much as the used equipment dept. of many stores do. I just don't see how that's any different from "used". Maybe "refurbished" sounds better?

It probably has no effect on the quality of the item what they choose to call it. I've bought used and I've bought refurbished. Both have worked out just fine.

Finally, some brands might still sell their "factory refurbs" through retailers. Both Canon USA and Nikon USA used to off their refurbs through their larger authorized dealers... B&H and Adorama mostly. Then Canon USA started selling direct and a few years later Nikon USA followed their example.

Some may do both. For example, I think Sigma USA has their own outlet, selling their refurbs direct from their website... and still sells some factory refurbs through their dealer network.

It may be different with other manufacturers. And, for that matter, some other countries may dictate how companies have to handle refurbs differently.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Thank you Alan, However, I do see lenses being sold by an Amazon seller, in this case its through SSE Photo and Video (in NJ). I suspect it hasn't gone back to the original manufacturer.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

According to one of their listings for a "Certified Refurbished" lens:

"This pre-owned product has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon qualified vendors."

I would consider that item "used". Not that this is necessarily bad or good. It just is what it is.

And then I'd look for feedback about the store itself.

Unfortunately, on Amazon the feedback reviews are for the product, not for the seller.

Elsewhere it looks like they have mixed reviews: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/ssephotovideo.com

They also sell on Walmart.com and have been seller reviewed there: https://www.walmart.com/seller/5568?itemId=170953973&pageName=item

https://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/ssephotovideo.com