Thoughts on buying refurbished camera gear?

6 years 8 months ago #538289 by Vladimir
I got another email form Nikon yesterday about their refurbished camera gear for sale. What constitutes gear as being refurbished?  

Would you buy refurbished gear from manufacture?  


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6 years 8 months ago #538295 by rmeyer7
Generally a product that's refurbished by the manufacturer (as opposed to a 3rd party) is something that's used but has been restored to factory specifications. I've bought several manufacturer-refurbished items and had no problems with them.

In some cases manufacturer refurbs can be better than new. Not necessarily with camera gear, but Apple products for example are tested thoroughly after being refurbished, to make sure you get something that's truly as good as new.


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6 years 8 months ago #538301 by effron
Used lightly. Its usually gear returned within the initial warranty period,  like Amazon's or B&H's thirty day "unconditional" return policy. They can't sell as new, so Nikon will repair, CLA and offer as refurbished....

Why so serious?
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6 years 8 months ago #538323 by Baydream
I have several refurbished lenses from Canon and they are letter-perfect. Usually functionally better than new because they are individually checked out.
 

Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
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6 years 8 months ago #538334 by Prago
If there was a warranty I would.

SWM into chainsaws and hockey masks seeks like-minded SWF. No weirdos, please
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6 years 8 months ago #538407 by Glen Mosley

rmeyer7 wrote: Generally a product that's refurbished by the manufacturer (as opposed to a 3rd party) is something that's used but has been restored to factory specifications. I've bought several manufacturer-refurbished items and had no problems with them.

In some cases manufacturer refurbs can be better than new. Not necessarily with camera gear, but Apple products for example are tested thoroughly after being refurbished, to make sure you get something that's truly as good as new.


:agree:  True, that's why always buy from major manufacture if you are going to buy refurbished.  


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6 years 8 months ago #538436 by Gene.Culley
I prefer new, mainly because I like to know the history of the gear.  


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6 years 8 months ago #538446 by Screamin Scott
I had one (D70s), and still have another one (D7100), DSLR cameras I bought as new, one I bought used (D300) & three (D610, Oly EP-3 & Oly OMD EM-10) I bought as manufacturer refurbished. All have worked with no issues. To save money, I prefer manufacturer refurbs as they cost less & I know they are a USA and not a gray market product. The fact of the short Nikon warranty does not bother me as I have never had to use one anyway.

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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6 years 8 months ago #538518 by Roger Lang
Personally I only buy new


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6 years 8 months ago #538645 by Happy Hour
You know what, I almost bought a refurbished camera a couple years ago. I don't have much issue if properly refurbished and it has a good warranty. 


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6 years 8 months ago #538676 by John Ledder
If it has a warranty same as new, then yes

Family, Fishing, Fotography :)
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6 years 8 months ago #538679 by Shadowfixer1

John Ledder wrote: If it has a warranty same as new, then yes

Refurb warranty is never the same as new. You can buy extended warranties though.
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6 years 8 months ago #538727 by Don Granger
I might be wrong, but doesn't Nikon offer same warranty on refurbished as their new?


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6 years 8 months ago #538728 by Screamin Scott
Nikon's warranty on refurbished gear is 90 days. That said, I have never had the need to use the warranty of new or refurbished gear since I have been shooting (started in the late 60's). I have however had to have repairs on gear that was long out of warranty. 

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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6 years 8 months ago #538910 by Chris Briggs
90 days isn't all that exciting.  How much of a price difference are we talking here?  


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