Canon Refurbished Lenses - How Often Updated?

RedMatrixXRS wrote in post #12833654
Looks like a much better deal than buying used here on the forums. About $100-250 more used on the forums.

I'd much rather have a Canon refurb for less than a used piece of glass, but the refurbs sell so quick.

That is why I'd been haunting the refurb page for this. While there's still a chance of getting a real dog of a lens, I think it's less than even buying new, as most lenses which had issues out of the box and were returned will have been able to be repaired before going out as refurbs. Still have to pay tax + shipping, but nice deal for an essentially new lens.

RedMatrixXRS wrote in post #12833654
Looks like a much better deal than buying used here on the forums. About $100-250 more used on the forums.

I'd much rather have a Canon refurb for less than a used piece of glass, but the refurbs sell so quick.

Also you get a warranty with the refurb - I believe its 90 days

I looked into the Canon refurbs and I don't know why they're so desirable. Take the 17-55 F/2.8 that they have in stock. After shipping and taxes, they're less than $100 cheaper than buying new. Doesn't make much sense to me unless you live in New York.

As to when they update, they told me whenever inventory comes into the warehouse... So as far as I know, it's going to be very random.

BigBadWolfie wrote in post #12834656
I looked into the Canon refurbs and I don't know why they're so desirable. Take the 17-55 F/2.8 that they have in stock. After shipping and taxes, they're less than $100 cheaper than buying new. Doesn't make much sense to me unless you live in New York.

They are desirable since the prices are somewhat comparable on SOME lenses when compared to the used prices on POTN. For instance, a 17-40L sells for $671 refurbished minus tax and shipping. They sell on the forums for only slightly less, and some have been sold for more used with no warranty, of course. Also the 70-200 MKII sells for $1999 refurbished. They sell for about $2150-2250 on the forums. With tax and shipping, it's comparable WITH warranty.

Same goes for the 85 1.8. $300-350 used on the forums, NET to owner, plus shipping on some vs 335.99 refurbished direct from Canon minus tax and shipping.

This is just me, but I'd rather buy a refurb direct from Canon with warranty for around the same price than an "as-is" unit from the forums for about the same price or slightly higher than buying used from the forums.

If forum prices were lower, I'd skip refurbs all together, but the resale value on some lenses are pretty high.

RedMatrixXRS wrote in post #12834831
They are desirable since the prices are somewhat comparable on SOME lenses when compared to the used prices on POTN. For instance, a 17-40L sells for $671 refurbished minus tax and shipping. They sell on the forums for only slightly less, and some have been sold for more used with no warranty, of course. Also the 70-200 MKII sells for $1999 refurbished. They sell for about $2150-2250 on the forums. With tax and shipping, it's comparable WITH warranty.

Same goes for the 85 1.8. $300-350 used on the forums, NET to owner, plus shipping on some vs 335.99 refurbished direct from Canon minus tax and shipping.

This is just me, but I'd rather buy a refurb direct from Canon with warranty for around the same price than an "as-is" unit from the forums for about the same price or slightly higher than buying used from the forums.

If forum prices were lower, I'd skip refurbs all together, but the resale value on some lenses are pretty high.

I would buy a refurb direct from Canon with warranty for around the same price than an "as-is" unit from a private seller I don't know as well. But you can't just minus the tax and shipping when buying a refurb from Canon and in direct comparison to buying new, you're really not saving much unless you live in NY where I assume it's hard to buy lenses from a reputable dealer without paying taxes.

I've got 3 refurbs, all have been perfect. I'll continue buying there.

When will they stock the 35L I'm tired of waiting. 300$ price difference than buying new.

BigBadWolfie wrote in post #12835271
I would buy a refurb direct from Canon with warranty for around the same price than an "as-is" unit from a private seller I don't know as well. But you can't just minus the tax and shipping when buying a refurb from Canon and in direct comparison to buying new, you're really not saving much unless you live in NY where I assume it's hard to buy lenses from a reputable dealer without paying taxes.

Depends on the lens cost. On the 70-200, best price I could find from an authorized retailer was $2389 all in. With taxes and shipping, the refurb was $2172. Add in a 3% cash back on my credit card, and it's a total of about $280 difference, or 12% savings. Since it comes with a warranty, is hand inspected before heading out to me, and has return policy, I see that as a win.

On a less expensive lens, where the cost differential is less, might not be worth as much to go refurb vs. new.

BurBunny wrote in post #12835436
Depends on the lens cost. On the 70-200, best price I could find from an authorized retailer was $2389 all in. With taxes and shipping, the refurb was $2172. Add in a 3% cash back on my credit card, and it's a total of about $280 difference, or 12% savings. Since it comes with a warranty, is hand inspected before heading out to me, and has return policy, I see that as a win.

Don't you get 3% cashback buying new from an authorized dealer? If so, we're dealing with a less than $217 difference on a $2389 lens with 9 more months warranty to boot. For cheaper lenses the differences is a whole lot less. To each his own I guess.

BigBadWolfie wrote in post #12835658
Don't you get 3% cashback buying new from an authorized dealer? If so, we're dealing with a less than $217 difference on a $2389 lens with 9 more months warranty to boot. For cheaper lenses the differences is a whole lot less. To each his own I guess.

Oddly, the retail partners for the card I preferred were either at $2499 for the lens (full MSRP) or not ones through whom I like to purchase. So the cash back wouldn't have applied for the new lens.

BurBunny wrote in post #12836057
Oddly, the retail partners for the card I preferred were either at $2499 for the lens (full MSRP) or not ones through whom I like to purchase. So the cash back wouldn't have applied for the new lens.

Ya if it works for you. And for that 70-200 F/2.8ISII I can see an appreciable savings there. For most other lenses, the math just doesn't work out for me. I was looking at the 15-85 as well, and I think the cost with taxes and shipping equalled to less than $30 savings.

i buy all my lenses refurbished now. i had a minor problem with my 24-70L though (it was front focusing), but with all my refurbished lenses (even if there are minor problems), i always send them back into canon to get them calibrated to my 5D. with the warranty, i feel like its a must.

I watched the page for several months. Usually first thing when I got to work. Happened to check early one Saturday morning and got lucky. My 70-200 2.8 II arrived in a few days and it's my favorite toy now.

tombrewer wrote in post #12836626
I watched the page for several months. Usually first thing when I got to work. Happened to check early one Saturday morning and got lucky. My 70-200 2.8 II arrived in a few days and it's my favorite toy now.

Thankfully only had to watch a few weeks, but haunted the page several times a day. I was literally giving it "one more try" yesterday before purchasing retail (I want it for an upcoming trip) when it became available. Love kismet like that!