Would you purchase a returned L-lens?

A local camera store offered to sell me a 24-70ii for a decent (but not spectacular) discount. Catch was it was a returned item. But they told me I can take it home, check it out, and if I have any issues with it, just bring it back for a full refund with 14 days.

So I did that, and honestly I could not tell if this lens was even used. I made sure the serial number matched on 3 locations - box, warranty card, and lens itself. The lens case was squeezed into the styrofoam in that factory fresh flattened way that I find really hard to duplicate once the case has been taken out. Same thing with the lens itself, it was squeezed into the styrofoam really tightly.

Couldn't really find any dust or anything like that on the lens either.

The only thing that felt a bit "off" was that there were some small rips on the plastic covering the lens hood and the lens.

I tested the lens and it seems to work well, no issues I can detect right now.

So at this point I'm wondering if I should just keep the lens. It seems like it might have been a true unopened return (maybe buyer bought a couple of copies and found a really good one and decided not to even open this?).

My biggest question would be whether I will qualify for the rebate, the store indicated I would.

As long as the receipt does not indicate that this is a used, or refurbished, item you should have no issue qualifying for the rebate. If you feel the discount being offered is fair, and the lens looks and functions fine, why not?

im confused at what the issue is. if the lens is not in top working order then just return it and buy it never opened

heres the deal though. i would totally respect their honesty because canon does not seal the box on any of their gear so for all you know a new piece of gear has been previously opened. while working at best buy i became an artisan of opening and repacking gear. i would open cameras if a customer wanted to see it in their hands rather than the worn out display model. when i opened camera bodies i never let them put the battery in and add clicks on the shutter, if it was a lens i let them hold it under my supervision obviously.

if the store rings it up as new then you qualify for the rebate. if they are nice enough to give you the "hook-up" then take it

It was probably buyer's remorse, or a wife getting all bent out of shape that someone spent $2,000 on a lens without consent. You have a full receipt, from a reputable dealer, with full warranty, and at a discount.

Enjoy the lens!

adamo99 wrote in post #17244360
or a wife getting all bent out of shape that someone spent $2,000 on a lens without consent.

This is exactly why I never ask how much that, bag, dress, those shoes, (never ending list) cost...

A local store here routinely sells opened stock. They open boxes so customers can see and handle the stuff. They also have a 14 day return policy, and returns go back on the shelf to be sold to the next customer as new. I would prefer an unopened box but take what they give me. That's got to be the only way they can operate that return policy.

Enjoy your awesome new lens! I would purchase a returned lens, who knows I might have and not even known. Sounds like your local camera shop is a good place to do business with.

Brian_R wrote in post #17244259
im confused at what the issue is. if the lens is not in top working order then just return it and buy it never opened

heres the deal though. i would totally respect their honesty because canon does not seal the box on any of their gear so for all you know a new piece of gear has been previously opened. while working at best buy i became an artisan of opening and repacking gear. i would open cameras if a customer wanted to see it in their hands rather than the worn out display model. when i opened camera bodies i never let them put the battery in and add clicks on the shutter, if it was a lens i let them hold it under my supervision obviously.

if the store rings it up as new then you qualify for the rebate. if they are nice enough to give you the "hook-up" then take it

Wow. We have way better Best Buy stores in Indiana. I went to the one in Mishawaka, Indiana when the 70D and 5D3 came out. This is wrt the display models. I was allowed to mount a lens, insert my own card, and take the camera out in the parking lot to take a few shots, escorted of course. It may help that I've spent about $5,000 there on Canon equipment.

adamo99 wrote in post #17244360
It was probably buyer's remorse, or a wife getting all bent out of shape that someone spent $2,000 on a lens without consent. You have a full receipt, from a reputable dealer, with full warranty, and at a discount.

Enjoy the lens!

That is what happened with my 24 IS when it first came out. I returned it the next day.

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17245268
....
That is what happened with my 24 IS when it first came out. I returned it the next day.

Which - Buyers remorse or wife rant?

jimewall wrote in post #17245496
Which - Buyers remorse or wife rant?

Sorry, wife's rant. I meant to underline that part in the original quote.

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17245519
Sorry, wife's rant. I meant to underline that part in the original quote.

Better to have her rant over the 24 IS than the 5D3 or 70D at least IMO.

Ranting is ranting! I figure it is going to happen over something, so I might as well have it over something I want and will use (so long as it is not truly detrimental to the relationship). That does mean I don't go overboard too often!

I rant about my wife's spending ALL THE TIME! She just looks at me like you do at the little yelping lap dog, with a certain degree of amusement.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17244150
A local camera store offered to sell me a 24-70ii for a decent (but not spectacular) discount. Catch was it was a returned item. But they told me I can take it home, check it out, and if I have any issues with it, just bring it back for a full refund with 14 days.

So I did that, and honestly I could not tell if this lens was even used. I made sure the serial number matched on 3 locations - box, warranty card, and lens itself. The lens case was squeezed into the styrofoam in that factory fresh flattened way that I find really hard to duplicate once the case has been taken out. Same thing with the lens itself, it was squeezed into the styrofoam really tightly.

Couldn't really find any dust or anything like that on the lens either.

The only thing that felt a bit "off" was that there were some small rips on the plastic covering the lens hood and the lens.

I tested the lens and it seems to work well, no issues I can detect right now.

So at this point I'm wondering if I should just keep the lens. It seems like it might have been a true unopened return (maybe buyer bought a couple of copies and found a really good one and decided not to even open this?).

My biggest question would be whether I will qualify for the rebate, the store indicated I would.

If you're worried about the rebate, call Canon. I'm fairly certain you'll get a more accurate answer, from them. As to the lens, they are giving you a period to check it out. Use common sense?

BTW, I guess this would count for all lenses, but especially in a situation like this, what are some obvious things to check out? I usually check out the physical build (make sure there's no dust inside the element, the zoom works smoothly), then the electronics (make sure all the apertures can be dialed in correctly, AF works correctly), and then for any IQ issues (lack of sharpness or front/back focusing issues).

Anything else that should be checked out when purchasing a lens?