Offtopic question: is $1010 "shipped" a good price for a BNIB 17-55mm IS USM?

"local" guy (about 1.5 hours away) got one as a gift, but he's not budging lower than $1010 shipped or $1000 net to him. He said it's sealed, brand new USA model, etc.

B&H is going for $1120 shipped, but I don't know if ~$100 is worth having to deal with headaches if something is not right.

any ideas?

sorry if it's the wrong forum to post this...

I would spend the extra $100 and get it brand new, with warranty. Canon USA warranties do not "transfer" even if it is brand new, never opened. YOUR name must be on the sales receipt.

Plus, you can find those lenses used on here for $100 or even more cheaper. With very light use, minty.

I would say its a good price it its sealed... I would request for pictures of the box sealed and every thing. but its a three hour drive at $4 a gallon for you have to figure out how much gas and your time is worth. I would just order it online.

I would say not. B&H has refurbs for the same price.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …F_S_17_55mm_f_2​_8_IS.html

Invertalon wrote in post #12570432
I would spend the extra $100 and get it brand new, with warranty. Canon USA warranties do not "transfer" even if it is brand new, never opened. YOUR name must be on the sales receipt.

Plus, you can find those lenses used on here for $100 or even more cheaper. With very light use, minty.

I've never had problems with this. They will gladly go off of the date code if you have a brand new lens (UZ) but no receipt. It's easy to just say that the sales receipt got lost in a move, you had a fire, flood, tornado, etc. There are plenty of reasons that someone would not have a sales receipt.

They will warrant it for anyone until Jan 1st, 2012.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1052940

For $100 I'd be tempted to go new from a reputable vendor. To me, that's not enough savings to outweigh any potential issues that could arise from buying private party.

I've also never had a problem getting warranty service without receipt. The lens could have been a gift so not sure if the name on the receipt matters too much.

DarkMeans wrote in post #12570438
I would say not. B&H has refurbs for the same price.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …F_S_17_55mm_f_2​_8_IS.html

what's the warranty on B&H's refurb'd stuff? anyone know?

If it's a factory refurb it should come with a 90 warranty. If it's used, than 30 day.

You can buy a used one for a LOT less than that. Personally I wouldn't buy a used 17-55 because they have a lot of issues...dust, IS and focus.

ssabripo wrote in post #12570414
"local" guy (about 1.5 hours away) got one as a gift, but he's not budging lower than $1010 shipped or $1000 net to him. He said it's sealed, brand new USA model, etc.

B&H is going for $1120 shipped, but I don't know if ~$100 is worth having to deal with headaches if something is not right.

any ideas?

sorry if it's the wrong forum to post this...

Did you found this guy on CL? If so, do not trust anyone mention "AN UNWANTED GIFT" its a scam! who would be so nice to give someone a lens or anything over 1k? I rather paid an extra 100(or more) for a piece of mind!

MinhThien wrote in post #12572321
Did you found this guy on CL? If so, do not trust anyone mention "AN UNWANTED GIFT" its a scam! who would be so nice to give someone a lens or anything over 1k? I rather paid an extra 100(or more) for a piece of mind!

Definitely, plus someone who gets it as a gift is at least going to open the box to play with their $1k lens lol(he says it's "sealed" still). Unless they don't even own a camera, which makes even less sense as to why someone would buy them a $1k lens...

Just get a refurb, I always get canon refurbs when I can and they've always been flawless glass with a nice warranty. Much better than risking it with some schmo online that could just want to rob you out of a grand lol.

I would go with B&H/Adorama/Amazon/etc for $100 more.

For me, saving $100 is not worth risk of something going wrong with deal or something going wrong with lens.

I wouldn't spend that much on a used lens, when you can get a new one for a little more. If the lens dies on you in 2 weeks, you are going to be upset, and your ability to resolve a problem like this will be much greater with a new lens from a reputable dealer - you just send it back.
Why would someone buy a really nice lens, never open the box to try it out, and then put it up for sale?