There has been quite a bit of discussion here around what is and what is not done to refurbished products. Lots of people have made lots of guesses, but my recent experience tells me that most of those guesses are really wrong.

I just bought a Nikkor lens through a recent refurb sale. I'm preparing to pursue a warranty correction for a problem that is gradually becoming apparent...a small but obvious amount of looseness and slack in several of the lens's mechanisms. The lens is in excellent cosmetic condition. A careful inspection would have caught the problems. A cursory one would not.

By the way...there was a notice included in the box indicating that the first thing that should be done is to visit the NikonUSA to check whether a firmware update is needed. Not needed for a lens, but it was interesting to learn that refurbished priducts are not guaranteed to have most current firmware.

So the big question...will I buy a refurbished Nikon product again? I don't know right now. It's going to depend on how it goes in resolving this situation. Can't trust a zoom with a wiggly lens barrel.

I'm optimistic as I begin this process and will keep us posted.

Ray, you have asked a question for the ages. Hopefully, you will receive many responses that assist you in your quest. You asked for guidance in selecting your next lens. My advice is too delay, or postpone a decision about a new lens. You are not ready for that choice, yet. Many of us see ourselves in your situation. We have "been there and done that." You need to "go to school." Find a source of learning and get yourself prepared for an onslaught of information and data. In 1972 I walked into an electronics toyland in Tokyo, Japan. I wanted the Minolta SRT 102. At that time the camera was state of the art equipment, it had a built-in lightmeter, and nothing else. It also came with a 50mm lens. That rig cost me $150.00 usd. For another $100.00 usd I purchased a 100mm Minolta telephoto lens. End the discussion of gear as the equipment offered then was a simple, uncomplicated choice. Today, Canon offers a lens of 16-35 mm and another of 17-40mm. Notice the numbers game we are entering? We find that the numbers in the photography industry have gotten slightly out of control. You need to go back to school and learn the differences those choices offer. The options are incredibly varied, as the lenses mentioned are quite similar numerically and need to be discussed thoroughly. I mentioned school and that is also open to discussion, there are many. Junior colleges sometimes offer courses that can be used to learn photography. A business called "CreativeLive" offers a course in nothing but Canon lenses. Some very good and experience photographers have gone into the teaching business and offer great opportunities for learning. Stop your search for a lens, there is much more valuable information to glean. Find that information and learn it. Then, the lenses offered will mean much more to you. The gear offered is only a "tool," your need is to learn as much as possible about those "tools." The more you know, the more you learn which lens or which body is THE piece you need (want) for your photographs' journey. Best wishes for you in your search, it can be very rewarding.

I don't know the quality of those lenses which came with your camera. but in the reviews of the lens I suggested, it's called a considerable upgrade over the lenses you're using, which would lead me to believe that their quality may not be the best. One never can rule out operator error (or lack of knowledge), but there are differences in lenses!!! Were that not so, there would be no rationale for having the reviews. I'm certainly with Paul's usual comments on that matter, but for me, a significant improvement would be worth $200, even with my financial condition being the same as yours.

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

"I would look into why your images are lacking quality / sharpness first"

In my humble opinion the lack of quality/sharpness of your images have more to do with your lack of photographic knowledge than with your gear. If I were you I would concentrate my attention in learning a little bit more about basic photography before spending my money.
One of this forum members by the name of Sylvia, also from the UK, uses Canon and almost exclusively her kit lens similar to yours for outstanding images and I am referring to the 18-55.

If there is a local camera club where you live and I am sure there is, your best bet is to join them. Explain to them what is going on with your photography and ask for help. Begin to learn some basic photography like metering and exposure and take some of your images to the club for them to evaluate and critique. I bet you are going to learn more about photography and your results will change for the better. A new lens, even a professional lens will not change the quality of the images you make now.

You already have most of the normal use range covered with the two lenses you have, though in just general miscellaneous shooting, I can see probably quite a lot of changing back and forth as you need to go from wide angle to telephoto. You could eliminate that with one lens - which is a superb lens, optically, with great reviews, and should be available used for around $200. It's image stabilized, and is recommended for use with your camera body. It's the Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM. I can't envision a better lens per your needs. (I have one - which came with my Canon70D - and use it a lot.)

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City