Canon Refurbished Store

Does Canon send out the lens in the original box or the "white box" plus what does it mean when they have over 40 of any one lens in stock. In other words why so many. This would be my first purchase from the Canon store if I go this route.

usually white box, with the canon logo on it.

High stock levels could mean a bunch of things.

Most common indication is that not so popular models will have higher stock than popular models.

Also, Canon tends to receive a bunch of defective/returned lenses, refurbish them and build up stock. Then they will put them all up for sale on the refurbished site. This just allows more people to take advantage of the lower prices.

It would be very annoying if they put up one lens at a time as they are repaired. The store would always be out of stock!

I don't remember ever getting a white or other color box with a refurb lens. Just the molded foam shipping insert and outer cardboard shipping box.

Bodies I have bought come in a white box.

All our refurbed bodies such as 5D3 and several L lenses all came in a white box with all accessories.

I've purchased two Canon refurb lenses. Both came in a white box with the Canon label, clearly marked "refurbished." No telling where there stock comes from, but I am personally comfortable buying this way.

I've gotten a lens and bodies from Canon refurb, both came in a white box with a sticker noting what it was and that it was refurb.

Thanks, I was hoping it came in the original box.

MCAsan wrote in post #16658696
All our refurbed bodies ...

I am not sure about this. I once called about a refurb body and was told the battery and charger must be purchased separately.

Sibil wrote in post #16659745
I am not sure about this. I once called about a refurb body and was told the battery and charger must be purchased separately.

All I can speak from with certainty is our experience. We have been 100% satisfied in the refurbed bodies and lenses we got from Canon. All can in white boxes with all accessories. My wife's 5D3 is refurbed and works just as well as mind does. We both have refurbed L glass. When I got the wife's 5D3 I traded in one of her old film SLRs and got hundreds more off. To me getting reburied equipment from Canon for hundreds less with a 1 year Canon warranty is a no brainer.

The sales tax at the Canon refurb store kills the appeal for me. For example:

Refurb Store
Canon Refurb price: 2719.00
Sales Tax @ 6.5%: 176.74
Free Shipping: 0.00
Total Sale Amt: 2895.00

BH Photo
In-cart Price: 3169.00
Sales Tax at 0%: 0.00
Free Shipping: 0.00
2% BH Rewards: -63.68
Total Sale Amt: 3105.32

Difference: 210.32 or a savings of 6.6% over BH new price. Even less when there are 5DIII promotions happening. For me, a savings of just over 6% is nowhere near enough to steer me away from a brand new product with a retail box. I get the fact that $200 is still $200 no matter which way you analyze it, but it seems trivial on a $3000 purchase.

Having said that, even though the gear I have today was mostly bought new by me, I have had very good luck (50+ transactions) buying used from POTN and FM boards. Good condition, low mileage 5DIII's sell for $2500 and under every day. Now we're talking a savings of over 20% - that's more like it for me. If I'm going to buy a used piece of equipment, I better take a significant savings.

MNUplander wrote in post #16659946
The sales tax at the Canon refurb store kills the appeal for me.

Unless your state is really weird, you should be paying use tax on your B&H purchases. You're probably breaking the law if you aren't.

mclaren777 wrote in post #16660064
Unless your state is really weird, you should be paying use tax on your B&H purchases. You're probably breaking the law if you aren't.

Eek...just read up on this, MN does indeed collect Use Tax if online purchases exceed $1000 annually. I never even knew this was a "thing".

Looks like I owe for my 24-70 II this year, I'll have to find the form for this come April...

Sounds like my last post is only valid if your use tax laws differ, you have no state sales tax or you feel like taking a chance!

ive bought about 3 cameras from the canon loyalty program, were like new, came in white box.

mclaren777 wrote in post #16660064
Unless your state is really weird, you should be paying use tax on your B&H purchases. You're probably breaking the law if you aren't.

Yes, that is probably true. When purchasing from B&H, if they don't collect it, I don't voluntarily pay it. But I usually wind up breaking some kind of law every single day. But I'm ok with that.

jbrackjr wrote in post #16660194
Yes, that is probably true. When purchasing from B&H, if they don't collect it, I don't voluntarily pay it. But I usually wind up breaking some kind of law every single day. But I'm ok with that.

Yep!

Bryan