Don't you hate people who do things like this?

mike_d wrote in post #15730528
I wonder if there's any other hobby or profession where buyer used used equipment expect to get original packing material.

Guns.

Watches.

I'm thinking it is self-perpetuating. Maybe it started with only some lens "collectors" caring a lot about the boxes. Though many people still don't care about the box, they still figure the next buyer down the line might, so they'll want the boxes when buying.

I will buy lenses with or without the box, and keep all boxes in a big plastic box in my attic just for you box collectors out there. I should sell just the boxes, maybe I'll make enough to buy another actual lens...

I'll let you guys in on a secret, if you mount the box to the camera, it actually works better then the lens itself. That's why they're in demand.

I have plenty of storage space, so I keep my boxes in case I sell something. I'm not too worried about someone not buying because of a box. There are always other buyers who aren't concerned about such silly things. I just do it as a courtesy. I figure the next owner might like to have the box as well. And the manuals and receipts and warranty information are in each of the boxes as well.

In addition, it's nice to have the original packaging when you need to ship something since it was designed just for that reason - to protect the item in shipping. This is especially convenient when shipping a laptop for warranty work.

I have boxes for stereo equipment that I bought back during the 80's that I still have. Notice my reel-to-reel avatar. It still works and I still have the box and packing material. I have boxes for my turntable, mixer, power amps, pre amps, etc. Why? Just in case I ever move again (like I did almost every three years in the Army).

For my camera equipment, I keep the original boxes in case I sell an item or ship something. All of my equipment is in mint condition. I still have all of the original packing material so that I can repack an item like new. Makes sense to me .

windlight wrote in post #15730273
*Throws away precious boxes*

I thought it was funny! haha...

Yeah the Craig's List crowd is def into their boxes, and wanting to know if you are the first owner, which is even funnier to me when I DO have the box/packaging/accessor​ies for the item I'm selling... lol

I don't have so much gear that I'm inundated with boxes, but I do keep the boxes for future resale, as lets face it, upgrades will be made. In my experience it does seem to get you a quicker buyer at a given price point. But if you have no box or are missing accessories and you price the lens right (ie lower than similar items) it will move, but may not command the same price it would have, if only a box were included! haha

I keep boxes for almost everything, not just camera stuff, until the warranty period is up. Smaller boxes I keep until the item is sold or gone. Camera, lens, ipod, iphone, ipad, laptop, etc.

I have boxes saved for all my gear. One camera.

GoWolfpack wrote in post #15731607
Guns.

HUH? None of the used firearms I ever bought came with the OE packaging. Then again what to do with cosmoline coated boxes. Only original "box" I ever got with a used gun was for my barrett and that was its fitted case.

Personally, I'm a big fan of Box Art. I have managed to hang on to the box of just about every video game I ever owned as a kid. (Sadly, with digital purchases this hobby has greatly died, but possibly for the best. The boxes aren't as interesting these days, not as unique, and I'm sure my collection is large enough. Time to move on to other things.)

I will hang on to the boxes of products I care about if they're interesting to me, or useful. (The box for my computer case is still kicking around. Not because I like the look of it, but because I figured there was a good chance I would be moving across Canada and the packing for it is going to offer a nice piece of mind that my system is going to survive shipping.)

I have a stack of pristine boxes that I'm willing to swap for a new 400mm f2.8. PM me if interested.

I still keep box in which my car came... just in case if I want to sell it later on I had to buy another garage to put this box in, and I had to buy another house to keep all the boxes and original packing (from all camera gear, to tv, microwave, running shoes, fridge, ...) but it's worth since I might get $3 more when I will sell all that.
Seriously... why are people so obsessed with boxes. Does someone really think lens or body is any better if owner keeps the box? In my case, boxes are out in garbage next second thing is unpacked. If someone wouldn't want to buy this lens/camera because I wouldn't have box, then it's his problem. There will be someone else, who won't need box, but who would prefer cheap lens/camera.

primoz wrote in post #15738668
There will be someone else, who won't need box, but who would prefer cheap lens/camera.

Here I am!