Not having a box for the lens during sale

My perception is that anyone who is anal enough to keep the box, manuals, etc. probably takes good care of their gear. Whether that's true or not is anyone's guess.

Also, there's the factor that having the box will increase my resale value down the road.

even if there is a 0% chance you'll sell a lens, keep the box and all original packaging! I've been buying and selling high-end guitar gear for many years. Can you imagine trying to sell a $3K Paul Reed Smith Santana model guitar without the CASE?!!!

dave

alpha_1976 wrote in post #12338538
Box is good but not a must by any means. You seem disappointed that he didn't have the box? Did he say he actually had the box and showed up without the box?

He never mentioned whether he has the box or not, but I assumed that he did (my wrong I guess) since for the last few lenses I bought off Craigslist they ALL had the original box

mpix345 wrote in post #12338598
I don't think the box is a $30 - $40 difference. You might have to be a little bit patient to get your price, but unless you are listing at a totally unreasonable number it's not going to kill you.

Bigger issue here is probably your join date and lack of posting history.

I probably would be selling locally on Craigslist seeing that most of the posts in the For Sale/Wanted section are US.

snyderman wrote in post #12339358
Can you imagine trying to sell a $3K Paul Reed Smith Santana model guitar without the CASE?!!!

THat doesn't seem the same at all. The "case" for a lens is your camera bag, not the box it came in. I have never stored my lenses in a box when not in use (in fact I think that would be worse for them). I think not have a guitar case would be like not having the lens caps, not the box.

This box silliness is out of hand. There is no other item I can think of where the original packaging has as much value based solely on cultural ignorance.

http://www.aetv.com/ho​arders/

0oo0o0 wrote in post #12339408
I probably would be selling locally on Craigslist seeing that most of the posts in the For Sale/Wanted section are US.

CL adds a whole different dimension to pricing. I think you can expect to get a bit less there than on here, even with shipping to US.

As far as boxes in general, for lenses and bodies I keep them. I have room and they aren't that big. Very handy if you have to send in for service or if you like to buy and sell, as the box is pretty much the ideal primary package for the item. Having said that, I have bought used without boxes. Not that big of a deal at the end of the day.

the market rules have been quite well established that items with original packaging are usually priced higher, not just for camera gears. like someone stated already it's the perception.

so it depends on what's each's definition of "important": cheaper buying price? IQ? higher selling price? the perception of better maintained item?

Kirill wrote in post #12339714
http://www.aetv.com/ho​arders/

that's so not even remotely relevant in any imaginable shape or form.

I just have to wonder how many of the people posting here will later start threads complaining when their gear doesn't sell quickly or they get much lower offers because they tossed the boxes. If you're a neat freak knock yourself out but realize it is a major factor for a lot of buyers. I'm not paying 80-90% of new price for a lens without the box and I'm not alone.

K6AZ wrote in post #12339892
I just have to wonder how many of the people posting here will later start threads complaining when their gear doesn't sell quickly or they get much lower offers because they tossed the boxes. If you're a neat freak knock yourself out but realize it is a major factor for a lot of buyers. I'm not paying 80-90% of new price for a lens without the box and I'm not alone.

I save my boxes because, no, you aren't alone, but why have we allowed this to become part of the camera culture? People take their lens out of the box and keep it on a shelf or in their bag. The box stays in the attic or back of the closet until the lens goes up for sale. So the box has done nothing for the care or condition of the lens. It is just a psychological item.

Does everybody still have the box their computer came in? Would you expect a box if you bought a second hand TV? Why not?

tkbslc wrote in post #12340017
I save my boxes because, no, you aren't alone, but why have we allowed this to become part of the camera culture? People take their lens out of the box and keep it on a shelf or in their bag. The box stays in the attic or back of the closet until the lens goes up for sale. So the box has done nothing for the care or condition of the lens. It is just a psychological item.

Does everybody still have the box their computer came in? Would you expect a box if you bought a second hand TV? Why not?

Because used TVs and computers usually aren't sold online (laptops are and the same thing applies to them). It's not reasonable to expect someone to save a TV or desktop computer box but honestly lens boxes aren't that big. I have all of mine that I bought new and they are stacked in one small part of the closet shelf.

K6AZ wrote in post #12340090
I have all of mine that I bought new and they are stacked in one small part of the closet shelf.

Exactly my point. What are they doing for your lenses?

tkbslc wrote in post #12340114
Exactly my point. What are they doing for your lenses?

They are providing max protection when you sell and ship them. That's it. You could buy heavier duty boxes and some kind of high density foam material and provide even more protection, I suppose, but that would add more than nominal cost and and be inconvenient.

It is super easy and secure to put lens in original box and then put that box in a second box with packaging peanuts or bubble wrap or whatever.

Now why should that impact price by more than $5 or $10? Got me on that one, and actually I don't think it generally does, unless you are trying to sell at the very top end of the used spectrum. If your price is sort of middle of the road I don't think not having box is going to cost you money, although it may take a bit longer to sell if you miss a buyer or two who are "must have box" guys.

tkbslc wrote in post #12339641
THat doesn't seem the same at all. The "case" for a lens is your camera bag, not the box it came in. I have never stored my lenses in a box when not in use (in fact I think that would be worse for them). I think not have a guitar case would be like not having the lens caps, not the box.

This box silliness is out of hand. There is no other item I can think of where the original packaging has as much value based solely on cultural ignorance.

Guess my point was we all buy/sell/flip camera gear. Having all the packaging is a buying factor for a purchaser in most cases. Camera gear or guitar gear, no difference.

Another point is that original packaging has been engineered (in most cases) to ensure product safety during transport which is another bit of buyer assurance of receiving a lens intact upon delivery.

IMO, it's just good practice to keep and use original packaging as a seller.
dave

mpix345 wrote in post #12340202
They are providing max protection when you sell and ship them. That's it. You could buy heavier duty boxes and some kind of high density foam material and provide even more protection, I suppose, but that would add more than nominal cost and and be inconvenient.

It is super easy and secure to put lens in original box and then put that box in a second box with packaging peanuts or bubble wrap or whatever.

However, when a camera or lens is sent to Canon for service, Canon would not ask for shipping it with its original box. Rather, Canon asks for protection only. And when the camera or lens is returned, it's not returned with any box like those original boxes, but inches of wrapping.

I can see the point why some people want the box, but I don't see the point why the reason is that it provides easy and additional protection.