Can we talk refurbished???

My butcher has pork chops on sale for 15 cents, or $2.99/lb when they're in stock.

KirkS518 wrote in post #16821925
My butcher has pork chops on sale for 15 cents, or $2.99/lb when they're in stock.

If I don't need them right at the moment - I'll wait until he restocks at $0.15.

If you learned that Canon was going to offer a $500 rebate starting next week - would you wait for the rebate ('cause there's nothing in stock at the discounted price) - or buy today?

I do get your point - but seriously . . .

Resale value is determined by the market. It is only worth what someone is willing to pay. I am guessing the guy who told the person here to buy the refurb was likely under the impression that not everyone knows about the refurb market. So even though you may not have been willing to pay $30 more for a refurb, someone seeing the list price of $2500 on a new lens would see that $2150 as a deal. So even though you may not have bought it, it is likely someone would.
And as to the question of would I wait a week of Canon was going to have a $500 sale next week, I would wait. If the lens I wanted was not on available during the sale, I could still pick it up after the sale for the price is likely is today. So really there is no loss.
I got my 17-40 on a $100 sale. I knew one was coming and up to a few days before the sale the 17-40 was actually out of stock. So I lucked out. But I would still have paid the $671 if I missed the sale. But to possibly save $100 that I will and have spend on other gear, I am still a customer either way.

ddk2001 wrote in post #16821864
I can only speak to my experience - and somewhat recent.

For example - I recently engaged a discussion (email) with a local "professional" photographer that had a 100-300 4-5.6L for sale used @ $1260. I asked if his price was negotiable - and he responded with a question of what I thought it was worth. I noted the price of the same lens refurbished from Canon @ $1279 (when in stock) and his reply to me was a simple - "then go buy it." He wasn't even willing to talk.

There's a 70-200 2.8L II for sale local @ $2150 and the guy wont budge. Refurbished (and currently in stock) @ $1999.

Now - I get that a nice lens holds it's value - but . . .

Would seem they are taking the sucker factor into consideration. Then there is also those people who buy from the local shop with sales tax added on top of it and they list the gear used for more than B&H or Adorama charge for it brand new...

I've purchased refurb from Canon Direct plenty and have had nothing but success (3 bodies, 2 lenses). I've EASILY saved close to $1000 so far.

ddk2001 wrote in post #16821864
I can only speak to my experience - and somewhat recent.

For example - I recently engaged a discussion (email) with a local "professional" photographer that had a 100-300 4-5.6L for sale used @ $1260. I asked if his price was negotiable - and he responded with a question of what I thought it was worth. I noted the price of the same lens refurbished from Canon @ $1279 (when in stock) and his reply to me was a simple - "then go buy it." He wasn't even willing to talk.

There's a 70-200 2.8L II for sale local @ $2150 and the guy wont budge. Refurbished (and currently in stock) @ $1999.

Now - I get that a nice lens holds it's value - but . . .

FEChariot wrote in post #16822043
Would seem they are taking the sucker factor into consideration. Then there is also those people who buy from the local shop with sales tax added on top of it and they list the gear used for more than B&H or Adorama charge for it brand new...

Or perhaps, sales tax...

AFAIK, Canon does charge sales tax to all states for refurbs. A private seller doesn't...

I in no way believe that canon goes over every refurb lens/camera. I am sure they they do fix the obviously broken returns, but given the fact that they know that most returns have nothing to do with the condition of the lens/camera, so i bet it is much, much cheaper to just pay the return shipping on the refurbs that get sent back with (probably the same reason it was returned for when it was new), + the cost of the labor, rather than pay someone to go over thousands of lenses a year (hell maybe even a month). That being said all 3 pieces of canon gear I bought were refurbs (I did have to send back the oringal camera/ lens for a "fix" but I made them pay the shipping both ways, so I was very happy with the process), and I can't even fathom why someone would buy new at the prices the refurbs go ( I know sometimes when something goes on a super sale it might get close to the refurb price and even sometimes lower), especially when the refurbs get the same warranty the new ones get.

ohh and they do not charge sales tax to all states. I am in Montana (no sales tax here and didn't pay tax), and my friend in Oregon (again no sales tax) didn't pay tax either.

ddk2001 wrote in post #16821864
I can only speak to my experience - and somewhat recent.

For example - I recently engaged a discussion (email) with a local "professional" photographer that had a 100-300 4-5.6L for sale used @ $1260. I asked if his price was negotiable - and he responded with a question of what I thought it was worth. I noted the price of the same lens refurbished from Canon @ $1279 (when in stock) and his reply to me was a simple - "then go buy it." He wasn't even willing to talk.

There's a 70-200 2.8L II for sale local @ $2150 and the guy wont budge. Refurbished (and currently in stock) @ $1999.

Now - I get that a nice lens holds it's value - but . . .

Lot's of jerks where you live. $2150 for a used 70-200ISL II is dope smoking high.

Tom

kachadurian wrote in post #16822103
Lot's of jerks where you live. $2150 for a used 70-200ISL II is dope smoking high.

Tom

Best answer.

I'm in Northern California - so you might be dead on correct.

Some lenses have not built up a refurb stock yet. I sent in a 55-250 STM for warranty repair recently and they didn't even have parts to repair it yet because it is a new model. They just sent me a brand new replacement.

As many have already said, my experience with refurbs has been nothing but positive (bodies and lenses). If you can find a good price on a refurb, don't hesitate.

As others have said, taxes are a large cost when considering a $1,00 or even a $2,200 lens be it new or used.
It all depends on what someone is willing to pay. Refurbs are great, and so are the rebate promotions.
It really comes down to a buyer have a need for the lens at that time, what's available and how much they want to spend.
Some people even buy brand new lenses during a rebate, must to sell them for top dollar after the rebate runs out.
I listed my 10-22mm lens with box and everything asking $500 shipped.
I got offers ranging from $300-$450 and sold it.

I always question buying refurb lenses. A LOT of photographers return new lenses if they are lower ranking copies in terms of copy variation, and those are the lenses that get sold on the refurbished market, already perfectly meeting Canon's quality requirements. They are perfectly acceptable in terms of Canon's quality control, just not the best copies you can possibly get, so a Canon tech isn't going to do anything with it except mark it as sale ready. For that reason, I buy new and exchange the copies that rank lower on the copy variation scale after I test them, just like everyone else that buys new. If I bought refurbished, I would never get above average copies of equipment, which is what I demand for my work.

If you love refurbished, that's cool and you can defend it, but I have tested my equipment with refurbished equipment held by friends several times to experiment. My equipment has always outperformed theirs. They do save money over me, however.

ddk2001 wrote in post #16821935
If I don't need them right at the moment - I'll wait until he restocks at $0.15.

If you learned that Canon was going to offer a $500 rebate starting next week - would you wait for the rebate ('cause there's nothing in stock at the discounted price) - or buy today?

I do get your point - but seriously . . .

The point was, if it isn't available, it doesn't matter what the price is. His was available, and that was the price he wanted for his available item. In other words, it doesn't matter what the price is when it's not available; the price matters only when it is available. And the butcher never has them priced at $0.15 when they're in stock. nm........