Thoughts on buying refurbished from Nikon (Page 6): Exactly. It's part of the 'refurb' checklist to assure the original items are in the box and packaged for resale. That's pretty...

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

kb6kgx wrote:

On the contrary. If you buy refurb from nikon… you do.

Exactly. It's part of the 'refurb' checklist to assure the original items are in the box and packaged for resale. That's pretty much the entire checklist.

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

I've sold multiple times to KEH in person and purc... (show quote)

I only know what they said to me on the phone. True or not, I can’t tell, but it’s certain my experience with them has never produced any unpleasant surprises,

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

pesfls wrote:

I only know what they said to me on the phone. True or not, I can’t tell, but it’s certain my experience with them has never produced any unpleasant surprises,

Contrast your phone discussion with my anecdotes, both multiple in-person selling and the receipt and testing of broken equipment, one where all you had to do was mount the lens and try to take a picture with the AF active. Getting a Return Authorization wasn't "unpleasant", just eye-opening on how reality differs from assumptions and urban myths.

neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

pesfls wrote:

I have purchased refurbish from the and used from KEH without any problems whatsoever. At least that’s been my personal experience. Good luck.

Me too.

trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia

kb6kgx wrote:

On the contrary. If you buy refurb from nikon… you do.

I have bought three refurbs directly from Nikon USA, two lenses and one camera, and all three came in the white refurb box and not one of them had any additional items in their box other than the item ordered.

Trapper1

rcarol

grandpaw wrote:

I am looking at a Z 24-70 2.8 lens from Nikon and wanted to get your thoughts on buying refurbished. I have never bought any items that were refurbished and would like some input whether positive or negative. Thanks, Grandpaw

I have purchased several Nikon cameras and several Nikkor lenses refurbished by Nikon. I have had no issues. I would not hesitate to buy refurbished again.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

I have bought refurbs from Nikon and KEH. I sent a D500 back to KEH and instead of repairing it they sent me one with a lower shutter count 11,000. Works perfectly. I sent a refurb lens back to Nikon and they repaired it and sent it back. Works fine.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

trapper1 wrote:

I have bought three refurbs directly from Nikon USA, two lenses and one camera, and all three came in the white refurb box and not one of them had any additional items in their box other than the item ordered.

Trapper1

The 24-120mm lens that was the object of my story came to me from NikonUSA with the hood and front and rear caps, was packed inside its proper dust bag, and wrapped in bubble wrap. It was shipped in a brown corrugated box with packing peanuts. The refurb purchase paperwork was inside the bubble wrap, which was secured with a rubber band. There were no owner instructions. There was no "white box."

So I'm thinking that the whole process varies somewhat, depending on just where the item came from or what prompted the sale in the first place. But I'm absolutely certain that no one gave my lens anything resembling a "thorough checkout" before sending it to me.

I also know that it took from the third week of May until the end of July to get to my "happy ending," including about a three week wait for parts from Japan.

williejoha

I never had any problems with CANON factory refurbished. Camera bodies and lenses.
WJH

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

larryepage wrote:

The 24-120mm lens that was the object of my story ... (show quote)

In the back n forth of this thread, you probably want to mention that experience specifically to member: ScottWardwell

ScottWardwell Loc: Maine

CHG_CANON wrote:

I've sold multiple times to KEH in person and purc... (show quote)

Sounds like if you want to go slumming; go KEH.
If you want to go uptown and the Gold Standard getting as close to new without the sticker shock; go official Nikon Refurbishment route.

ScottWardwell Loc: Maine

CHG_CANON wrote:

In the back n forth of this thread, you probably want to mention that experience specifically to member: ScottWardwell

Typical Paul. As usual you misrepresent what is said.
The only difference between you on the Photo Forum and UserID on The Attic is the level of vitriol expressed.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

ScottWardwell wrote:

Sounds like if you want to go slumming; go KEH.
If you want to go uptown and the Gold Standard getting as close to new without the sticker shock; go official Nikon Refurbishment route.

As discussed, the relative age and length of prior use of the newest models is probably the only difference, and well, the price. If you want to pay more for exactly the same late-model equipment with imaginary valued-added benefits, it's your money to spend. My KEH experiences with problems were 20+ year old lenses, but it could have been anything, as I was their 'testing' staff for the resale of used equipment. Also as discussed, refurb is used, not new.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

CHG_CANON wrote:

In the back n forth of this thread, you probably want to mention that experience specifically to member: ScottWardwell

Not a bad idea.

Scott...my original account is about in the middle of the first page. There are a couple of additional comments later, including the one above that Paul is referring to. And you will note that I never aid that I was dissatisfied or that the process was bad...just that it is NOT what everyone has burned into their minds that it is.

I don't think anyone ever said, but the lens Grandpaw is looking to buy is currently on sale for $900 less than the retail price. That's a great savings. But it still costs $1500, a substantial amount of money. So the question of how much risk one is willing to assume would seem to be a valid one that needs to be considered and addressed.

ScottWardwell Loc: Maine

CHG_CANON wrote:

As discussed, the relative age and length of prior use of the newest models is probably the only difference, and well, the price. If you want to pay more for exactly the same late-model equipment with imaginary valued-added benefits, it's your money to spend. My KEH experiences with problems were 20+ year old lenses, but it could have been anything, as I was their 'testing' staff for the resale of used equipment. Also as discussed, refurb is used, not new.

This whole thread started about Nikon Refurbishment. Not on "best practices" used by the myriad of resellers who profess to refurb gear.
As usual it got hijacked by self-proclaimed "experts" on the fringe.