DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

I bought a lens that was advertised as manufacturer refurbished. I assume (no bad jokes please) that this meant Nikon USA refurbished, but re-examining the listing it did not specify USA Nikon. Do other Nikon facilities overseas offer refurbs? The lens S/N begins with a "6" but no mention of "USA or US". Nikon USA has yet to respond to my query. Appreciate what comments you can offer.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Not sure this is answer looking for but might look for the two pricked dots.
https://petapixel.com/2018/04/02/this-secret-code-shows-if-your-nikon-gear-is-refurbished/

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Thank you. No dots on this lens S/N. Does the "dot test" also apply if the lens was refurbed by an overseas location of Nikon?

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Manufacturer refurbished? In the '60's I worked for a shop rebuilding automatic transmissions for cars. The shop had a big sign that stated "Factory Trained Mechanics". (That was in the day of mechanics. Before everybody became a technician). The sign stated the truth. I had spent a bit of time working in a factory and I had received some training. Making chairs and tables!
If the manufacturer that refurbished your lens was Nikon or a Nikon authorized shop, I wouldn't worry about where it was done. You can be sure it was done properly. The question would be as to how reputable the seller is and how truthful their claim is. Hopefully it wasn't refurbished in a furniture factory!

chippy65 Loc: Cambridge

Personally I would be wondering "why did it need refurbishing?" Does that imply a repair? Can you be sure

that the repair/adjustment or whatever was properly carried out if done by a 3rd party?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I doubt that they hammer those dots into a lens. If it is factory/manufacturer refurbished, don't worry about it. Refurbished cameras used to come in a standard Nikon box, but Nikon recently switched to white boxes for the cameras, at least.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Davey, go to Nikonusa.com. There you will be assured to find USA refurbished products.
Please keep in mind that these lenses carry a 30 day warranty, but if something goes wrong, Nikon USA will repair it.
I always suggest when buying refurbished, that you shoot the living daylights out of it the first few days you own it to make sure it works fine.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

I thought Nikon USA factory refurbished products came with a 90 factory warranty. Did Nikon change this recently? Just curious.

Gianfranco47 Loc: Senoia GA

does the lens have some problems?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

From what I know refurbished Nikon products are done at the repair facilities of the importer, usually NY. The product in question is a recent return or a return from an open box. Cameras that have been refurbished usually have a very low shutter count.
I have bought refurbed in the past and never an issue.
If refurbished in done by Nikon in other countries that I do not know but for sure they are not sold by Nikon USA.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

Although I don't have the list, there is a list of Nikon serial numbers and for what area in the world they would be sold. Remember, all Nikon cameras of a given model are made in the same factory, that is probably the same for lenses. However, there are also Nikon distribution companies, like Nikon USA, Nikon Canada, etc.

I can't speak for any of these distribution companies except for Nikon USA. In general, Nikon USA will not even service products that they didn't import, warranty or not. You may have heard the term "Grey Market." In the USA, it means a Nikon product that was not imported by Nikon USA.

If I remember right, Nikon USA serial numbers usually start with 3. I suspect that the lens is most likely grey market. Now that doesn't mean that the quality of the product is any different, it only means that Nikon USA will not repair or work on the item.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

Well, LFingar, I am glad that you have finally stated your expertise. Being from Idaho I was raised on a Ranch, that raised bulls. I was in charge of the shipping.

I always have a slanted eye toward claims. The minute there is not a factory warranty of some sort I assume it has not been factory refurbished. Which is not to say it is a bad refurbish or bad deal.

J. R.

trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia

I have bought refurbed Nikon lens and a refurbed Nikon 5600 DSLR through legit dealers (B&H, etc.) and their ads for these items all sported the Nikon logo in the upper right corner. Nikon has a section devoted to explaining their refurbished products. It says that their refurbished products are units that did not pass the final acceptance tests at the factory and were sent back through the manufacturing process and brought up to standards but could no longer be classified as new, hence the "refurbished" tag. It did not address the issue of items that had been sold and then returned for warranty problems. In searching for the best price on a 5600 I found a number of dealers who offered the 5600 at a greatly reduced price but they did not display the Nikon logo in their ads and when I queried them I found that without exception they were offering foreign units that were not warranted by Nikon for any length of time nor will Nikon service them if there is a problem. I think these units are what is called "gray market". As complex as DSLR cameras are, it is critical to have the manufacturer support its products even after any warranty expires.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Just what supposed expertise of mine are you referring to?

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

The term "refurbished" can mean anything a seller wants it to mean. Anything from cleaning the lens and outside of dirt, to thorough testing, to disassembly for internal cleaning and repair.

You can't/don't know what the refurbishing consisted of, unless a seller states it. "Refurbished" can mean cosmetics or it can mean restoring something to as-new condition.

It's all in the warranty you get.