SteveR Loc: Michigan

Does it matter as long as the product gets to your door as promised? B&H is great but they're not the only camera store online.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

What's your next move when you discover all the major online retailers list a new lens for the same price? If buying used, ebay is usually cheapest. You just have to be careful of the terms and satisfaction rating of who you get it from.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Perfect answer. Prices will be almost identical, and those sellers provide excellent service.

Feldy

Try Roberts Distributors in Indy
Like them much better than B and H

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Roberts Camera. I buy a LOT of gear and have had too many repackaged-returns-sold-as-new from the popular NY stores.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Steve, that's a shocker! I have purchased from Adorama, B&H and Roberts without problems but that observation coming from you will have to be considered in the future.

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

Crutchfield

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Yes, be careful - here's the story:

As you might know, I’m very particular about my gear and I know how to test lenses :) I also buy quite a bit of gear and know how it should look when it's unpacked.

On more than one occasion, when I opened my "new" lens I noticed things that didn't seem right. The foam surrounding the lens was more wrinkled than it should be, the cardboard on the inside of the box was smashed but the outside was OK (like someone jammed the lens in wrong), the instructions had a fold line or wrinkle in them that shouldn't be there, the tab on the box was loose (they should be stiff if the box was never opened), that sort of thing.

However, the biggest problem is when I test the lenses and see they just aren't as sharp as I would expect. The last FOUR lenses I received from a certain NY store had to go back due to poor sharpness. When I repurchase those same lenses from other sources (such as Roberts), tack sharp and perfect. It's funny - I have a friend who recently purchased a 600 F4E though Amazon via one the the popular NY stores and guess what? He couldn't get a sharp image from it. This is a VERY experienced guy too and he and I really looked over his images, technique, etc and it was a lens problem. I just got my 600E from Roberts yesterday - as expected, crazy sharp and perfect.

Add to that, at least one popular NY store is on record saying that when they get returns they "check" the gear and if it seems fine, they repackage it and resell it. I wouldn't have a huge problem with that, but it doesn't seem like they're checking it very well. So, I think it's a game - keep sending the lens out until it lands in the lap of someone who doesn't know any better.

So, that's why I order from Roberts - and why I thoroughly check my lenses when I receive them.

Just my experience with it, and I thought I would share :)

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Adorama, B&H, Cameta, (KEH for used) in no particular order. I don't do Amazon because you don't know if you are dealing with Amazon themselves or somebody else under Amazon's banner. (Ebay is worse as far as grey market but you can get some good deals) Walmart used to be good but now they've started doing like Amazon so you never know if the store you are REALY dealing with is authorized or grey market. The first three I listed are probably the best for new and KEH is great for used deals. (I bought a Nikon 80-400 mm (older version that uses the focus motor in the camera) with the Kirk tripod mount from them for $350 and it looks like new. (It is NOT grey market and it had a short warranty from KEH but it is eligible for repair at NikonUSA. I checked before I purchased because KEH sent me the serial number of the lens).

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

"
Add to that, at least one popular NY store is on record saying that when they get returns they "check" the gear and if it seems fine, they repackage it and resell it."
that is insane! Just from a reputation stand point if nothing else, if it's out of spec why fool with it? Send it back to the mfg. Or has something changed from about 25 years ago?

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Here's something from a another forum, it's a little old (2007) but based on my experience, it still applies:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/587262

"If a product is returned to us in pristine as-new condition and the reason for the return is, "I changed my mind," or "I should've ordered the larger size," or something OTHER THAN "It's not working correctly," it will either go back on the shelf or become an "open box" item or go to the used dept, depending on individual circumstances. If the product's being returned because it was DOA or not working, it goes back from whence it came, Canon USA or Bogen or whomever.

The only exception to that would be if the customer's simply wrong. A few years ago we sold three Nikon FM3a bodies back-to-back to the same customer who claimed all were not working properly. Turns out he was upgrading from a simpler Nikon and didn't know there was a more complicated method to open the film chamber on the new camera. He did what he was used to, couldn't get the camera open, and presumed the camera was to blame. All three were perfect. So it goes.
--
Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video"

The part about this that concerns me is the "if the customer is wrong" part. The example he mentions is very valid, however, I have to wonder how thoroughly they are testing their returned lenses. OR if a customer returns a lens saying they changed their mind. Maybe they changed their mind because the lens wasn't as sharp as expected, you know?

I've also seen them mention that they have this "resell returns" policy because it allows for their very liberal return policy. If they sent everything back that came in, it would mean a tough return policy for sure. Roberts does have a tougher return policy, but I've yet to return something to them because everything works as expected.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I have always found B&H, Adorama and Amazon provide good service. B&H and Adorama have the fastest shipping. Many years ago I bought a light meter that was DOA from Adorama. They sent a new one immediately.

russraman Loc: New York City

You can't go wrong purchasing a refurbished Nikkor lens at nikonusa.com, especially during their fairly frequent 10% Off sales. Sign up to receive their emails, and you'll be automatically notified when the sales are in effect. Shipping is generally free on orders over $99, and the lenses arrive in immaculate "like new" condition... at a respectable savings versus new.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Maybe I was too hard on myself:) If an item was returned, no matter the reason, I would never resell it as new. Open box at best. Maybe that's also why I eventually found another career.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

B&H I have used for several years with no problems even when I had to return an item I decided that i did not want.