Value of pristine box on lens resale?

How much of a difference does a pristine box make on the resale of a lens?

Specifically, a 200 f/2.8 II?

Canon wants me to cut the UPC code out of the box to claim my $50 rebate. I'll end up with a box with a 2x4" hole in it which not only damages the box but tells the world "I got it cheap so I should sell it cheap". Sounds silly, but I'm not thrilled.

But if I don't cut the box, I lose out on $50.

I confess I MUCH prefer their prior method of instant rebates!

I doubt people care that much. As long as it has the box.

$50 is about 6% of the value of the lens. I don't think you'll make that up in resale based on a fabu box.

I never keep the box past warranty, would not matter to me. at all.

Do you plan to keep the box for years and years?

just cut 3 sides around the barcode, not too deep and then peel the box

you'll end up with a box with the brown part instead of a hole

macaron95 wrote in post #16430492
just cut 3 sides around the barcode, not too deep and then peel the box

you'll end up with a box with the brown part instead of a hole

yes!

Uh, careful with that -- Canon's new policy appears to require the entire CARDBOARD. You peel it and they will not honor the rebate.

already done last year, no problem with Canon

phantelope wrote in post #16430468
I never keep the box past warranty, would not matter to me. at all.

Do you plan to keep the box for years and years?

Actually, yes. I keep my boxes, papers, packing material - everything. Then when I sell the lens, I repackage it just as it was originally. Trying to give the 2nd owner that "new lens experience" and in so doing, to maximize the price I can get for a lens.

Not everyone appreciates it but some do.

n1as wrote in post #16430838
Not everyone appreciates it but some do.

I certainly do.

I keep all my boxes, packing material, etc... I have all of them stacked in my closet!

When I resell a lens, I pack it up like it just came from the factory. My gear is usually mint as can be, and have been routinely complimented on how the item not only looked brand new, but packed just like it came new.

I generally also like to buy lenses that have boxes and all that, if I buy used. That being said, the UPC cut from the box would not change what I would pay for a lens, at all... As long as it had the box and all the other goodies.

OK, I'll say it. You just got the lens and you are worried about selling it? Shoulda bought used; it is cheaper than renting.

I don't think the UPC code on the box will affect the value that much. Your $50 is worth more than that UPC code IMO. I'd take an x-acto knife to it and do a clean job.

Invertalon wrote in post #16431090
I keep all my boxes, packing material, etc... I have all of them stacked in my closet!

When I resell a lens, I pack it up like it just came from the factory. My gear is usually mint as can be, and have been routinely complimented on how the item not only looked brand new, but packed just like it came new.

I generally also like to buy lenses that have boxes and all that, if I buy used. That being said, the UPC cut from the box would not change what I would pay for a lens, at all... As long as it had the box and all the other goodies.

This!
What the previous owner paid for the lens isn't important.. what it's worth (current resale pricing trend), is.

Seems to matter to a lot of buyers. Some go so far as to assume that the lens is stolen if you don't have the box, which is absurd. I think many are over-sensitive about this because they aren't comfortable with the process of buying used through forums (or even feebay). It's comforting to see a clean, original box as part of the deal, rational or not.

I'm happy to buy a lens in good shape without a box, especially if the price is lower as a consequence! I try not to buy lenses that I don't plan on keeping for a long time. I wouldn't blink if the UPC was removed.