Overpriced Empty Box for Sale

When I purchased my Canon 1ds Mark III about 4 years ago for safe storage I put the empty box in an old suitcase. I had a clear out just before christmas and threw away the old tatty mouldy suitcase unfortunately without looking in it. I'm considering later this year selling my 1ds3 and knowing that having the box will help with the resale value I realised my mistake and that I should try and replace it.
I found a box on e-bay for the 1DS3 see link below and was shocked to see it was for £45.99. I think this is ridiculously expensive and don't mind paying £20 but it made me inquisitive to see what Canon L boxes go for. There were several from £25 upwards and as much as £50 for an Empty box. Are there people who recover some of the cost spent on a lens by selling the box? What do you consider to be a reasonable price to pay? Should I not be bothered ? I am interested in hearing what other members opinions are.

http://www.ebay.co.uk …geName=STRK%3AM​EBIDX%3AIT

That's a pretty expensive box lol, also I wouldn't pay more for a body just because it came with a box, the box means nothing when its not the original box, ie. matching serials.

Tim Barnhart wrote in post #17453535
That's a pretty expensive box lol, also I wouldn't pay more for a body just because it came with a box, the box means nothing when its not the original box, ie. matching serials.

If you watch, the cameras with boxes tend to sell quicker and for higher prices. I know it's silly but if you had a choice between two identically used bodies one body only bubble wrapped in a shipping box and one with all the stuff, box, manuals, strap, other stuff, which would you choose? Silly, maybe. but it happens.

I personally couldn't care less if a used camera comes with a box or not. It has absolutely no effect on the item.

People tend to think an item that comes with original packaging is likely to have been better looked after/be in better condition.

One can see the possible reasoning there. People who buy gear to use and use hard are not generally the ones to worry about the original box. Meticulous people, maybe a little OCD, who may baby their gear more or who don't use it as much are more likely to keep all the original gear.

I think that it gives the buyer the sense of getting something new even though you know in your head that it's used, it has that new feel.

It depends. If your equipment is near mint, yeah, an original box would be nice and you can sell it for a higher price. If you equipment is all beatup, no amount of good looking box would make people to think that it is near new, or mint.

I'd pay absolutely $0 extra for a camera that came with a box. All the box would do is take up space...most likely end up in the recycle bin. The shape of the camera is the most important thing for me, and a nice box does nothing to the condition of the camera.

I keep the boxes, mainly because I'm a hoarder.

Maybe I should look into selling them? Just the boxes, that is.

If the box still contained the original Canon factory air inside, the perceived value would warrant the high price.
But without factory air, and with serial numbers on the box mismatched to the used camera being sold, it seems rather pointless.

I would rather have the invoices for every service and repair than the original box. But I do appreciate having the original box when I buy second hand, but I'm not sure if I would pay for that.

Maybe we should go reproduce Canon original boxes and sell them at $30 a pop, just for an empty box?

If Two mint AE-1s for sale with all accessories, one with the Box/Matching S/N, invoices ($130) and one without($100). I'm buying the one with the Box.

If you think Camera Boxes are selling at a premium, Firearm original Boxes are 2-3X+ more money...............

If I'm picking up face to face, then the original box doesn't matter to me. If I'm having something shipped to me, then an original box is kind of preferable, as it increases the chances of it being properly boxed for shipping. I've received parts that were shipped in brown paper envelopes before, as in not even padded, so I'm not the most trusting when it comes to the packing abilities of people I don't know.

Chief_10Beers wrote in post #17455422
If Two mint AE-1s for sale with all accessories, one with the Box/Matching S/N, invoices ($130) and one without($100). I'm buying the one with the Box.

Why?

oh god, I've literally been throwing money in the trash! I'm selling my boxes from now on!