Overpriced Empty Box for Sale

I used to work for a guy who was a manufacturer and would put stock up on Ebay on the longest option for an auction. He did this as an advertising stream, and the auction would often pull in three or four direct sales from customer enquiries. Then more often than not the item would actually end up selling for more than the normal retail price. I remember on one occasion that the item went for more than £100 above normal retail. So very worth the Ebay fees.

How much more could you get at resale with a box? If it's equal or more than what you'd pay for the box by itself then it's probably a good investment.

Personally, I think the box worship thing is silly, but I also know that enough people do care that I now keep my boxes just for when/if I sell.

I don't think it's whether you can get more because there is a box... but it's about marketability. You open yourself up to more buyers.

Hum... I'm surprised that no one had commented about this. When purchasing valuable used products such as photography equipments, I often wonder if the product was stolen or not.

Reasoning in my mind generally is that if a product has its original box, most likely, it's not a stolen product. I mean, robbers just grab the products quickly. They don't go around and look for the boxes. Of course, there's no guarantee that a product with a box wasn't stolen neither. The robber could as well have purchased one of those empty boxes. Showing proof of its original purchase (invoice) is usually a good way to go.

Having said that, if the price for the same condition lens is outrageously more ($16 USD or more), I wouldn't spend on it. I would also avoid purchasing a product without its original box if I can. I hate to find out that I just encouraged a robber to steal more. Plus, the disappointment of the photographer that lost his/her valuable equipments would be forever in my mind every time I use the product as well. Certainly, I don't want to live with that guilt.

I'd rather buy gear with its original packaging so it would be a less of a hassle if I were to ship it out if I sell it later on.

eNTiTy wrote in post #17495976
Hum... I'm surprised that no one had commented about this. When purchasing valuable used products such as photography equipments, I often wonder if the product was stolen or not.

Reasoning in my mind generally is that if a product has its original box, most likely, it's not a stolen product. I mean, robbers just grab the products quickly. They don't go around and look for the boxes. Of course, there's no guarantee that a product with a box wasn't stolen neither. The robber could as well have purchased one of those empty boxes. Showing proof of its original purchase (invoice) is usually a good way to go.

Having said that, if the price for the same condition lens is outrageously more ($16 USD or more), I wouldn't spend on it. I would also avoid purchasing a product without its original box if I can. I hate to find out that I just encouraged a robber to steal more. Plus, the disappointment of the photographer that lost his/her valuable equipments would be forever in my mind every time I use the product as well. Certainly, I don't want to live with that guilt.

I would be seriously surprised if an average thief would go to the trouble of hunting down a matching box.

Also, isn't the serial number printed on the box...?

I'm a self confessed box whore, i have a space in my loft (attic) dedicated to empty packaging!

I used to be when I lived in London. Now I live in an NYC apartment (which is actually smaller than a 1D box), so I had to get rid of them all

photoguy6405 wrote in post #17497189
I would be seriously surprised if an average thief would go to the trouble of hunting down a matching box.

You never know... just never know...

What if the thief pass on the products to a pawn shop? The pawn shop may look for boxes as well.

RMH wrote in post #17497873
Also, isn't the serial number printed on the box...?

Yes but how many listings would show the serial number on the box? Plus, how many listings do you see the serial number on the product to match with the number on the box?