70-200 2.8 IS MkII Refurbished - No Box?

Received my refurbished 70-200 2.8 IS Mk II lens from Canon on Wednesday, but there was something odd about it. No, not the lens itself, which was pristine and gorgeous, but the way it came.

It had the lovely L casing for it, all paperwork, hood, etc... but it had no box! Instead, inside the shipping container, was a form-fitted styrofoam "nest" (called Instapack Foam Packaging) around the case. Now the refurbished box isn't the beat all and end all, but if I need to mail it for repairs, or heaven forbid sell it in the future, I'd really prefer a box!

At first I thought perhaps they were doing away with the boxes for environmental reasons, but today got my 17-55 with the normal, white Refurbished Canon box. So while I was on the phone with them on another matter, had them transfer me over to Refurbs to inquire. It was the first the agent had heard about there not being a box, and he agreed there should have been.

It's being escallated up the line to see what's what, and why I wasn't given a box, or if in fact this is new policy for the longer lenses (which makes absolutely no sense, but...)

Anyone else have this experience recently with a refurb?

I bought a 7d and it comes as described... is that not how its suppose to come?

Before I bought mine (new from b+h not refurb), I watched pretty much every video on youtube about the lens. This lady had the same experience as you. I had a friend get a 300 f/4 the same way.

Sandoz wrote in post #12884226
Before I bought mine (new from b+h not refurb), I watched pretty much every video on youtube about the lens. This lady had the same experience as you. I had a friend get a 300 f/4 the same way.

That was exactly the reaction I had, only silently! "Where's the box?"

Odd that they'd send their most expensive lenses without boxes. Makes no sense.

If it comes in a box it is just a plain white "refurbished" box anyway, so I don't see the biggie. A refurb box is not going to help the value of the lens in resale or anything like that.

tkbslc wrote in post #12884343
If it comes in a box it is just a plain white "refurbished" box anyway, so I don't see the biggie. A refurb box is not going to help the value of the lens in resale or anything like that.

No, but makes it easier to ship should the need arise. I really didn't want to keep this shipping box and packing materials.

I don't think they give original boxes for refurb bodies and lenses. Smaller lenses may come with a box, but I received my 300 f4 the same way. Same reaction but I guess that's how they distinguish refurbs. Lens is excellent, looks like new just no box..

Sorry if you want a box you have to buy a new one.

I wonder how they'll handle it. Assuming the one you receives works perfectly, I wouldn't ship back the lens for one with a box. I guess if they shipped one out for free I wouldn't mind. Shipping will cost a lot more for them than the box itself. I think a box that size would be around $1.50 at my box store.

I got a box for sale, $200.

klr.b wrote in post #12884769
I wonder how they'll handle it. Assuming the one you receives works perfectly, I wouldn't ship back the lens for one with a box. I guess if they shipped one out for free I wouldn't mind. Shipping will cost a lot more for them than the box itself. I think a box that size would be around $1.50 at my box store.

I should find out on Monday. Interested to see what they do, too.

In my testing today, it does appear to be back focusing a bit, but since they don't have any others in stock at the moment, I'm going to hang on to this one, focus slightly ahead when possible (which, on wildlife should work), and when I return in September send it in for warranty work.

Daship wrote in post #12884926
I got a box for sale, $200.

Knowing what things go for around here, wouldn't surprise me if you sold it, either... just not to me

I got my refurbished 70-200 without a box.

...I don't understand why this is an issue (let alone a "big" one).

TheBurningCrown wrote in post #12884985
I got my refurbished 70-200 without a box.

...I don't understand why this is an issue (let alone a "big" one).

It's not a big issue at all. I found it odd, asked Canon about it when I was talking with them about something else, they thought it was odd too, and sent it up the line.

The only issue is transportation, for example to fix the back focusing. I can, of course, use the shipping box it came in, but I don't want to keep that around in case of future problems.

I just came here to see if it was normal and it seems it now is on their top lenses. Still seems strange. Not going to raise a huge ruckus over it if they come back to me on Monday and simply say "that's the way it is."

All the canon refurbs I've bought from Adorama over the years came in that foam in a generic canon refurb box.

dennisgibson wrote in post #12885107
All the canon refurbs I've bought from Adorama over the years came in that foam in a generic canon refurb box.

But this is from Canon Direct.