ChrisT wrote:
What's the best way to go?
When you buy new, you get a manual, all the parts, and a warranty ...
When you buy refurbished, you save a bit, but is it worth the savings, to lose out on the other?
When you buy used ... you get ZILCH extra, and - perhaps, only, a 30-day return policy ...
Does that make up for the smelly trash they might have sent you?
I have purchased four factory refurbished cameras from Cameta Camera. Each came with all the accessories including a manual, a 90 day Nikon warranty and a one-year warranty from Cameta. Every one worked perfectly, low shutter counts, excellent visual condition. Essentially like new. But note, the "factory refurbished" designation. I have purchased from another vendor, refurbished equipment. Turned out to have been poorly refurbished by a third-party contractor. Other vendors like Adorama, etc. may not have the long warranty but if it says Nikon factory refurbished, you should be okay (I have also purchased one Nikon factory refurb from Adorama and it was perfect, though without the one year warranty.)