Where to buy Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Hello, I finally decided to go with Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM as a super zoom lens for my Rebel T1i (EOS 500D) but I am confused abt. prices. There are lower prices for new unused unopened products on Ebay with free international shipping, but they are from Hong Kong. Should I trust to those selllers or should I order from Amazon?

Thanks,

your probably not going to get a warranty on anything that you buy for less than $250...that being said, there are a few on amazon listed around $170, so they'd come from the US, but they probably won't have a warranty either...if you want a warranty, i think the cheapest way to go would be refurbished for $240

$239.99 right here. http://shop.usa.canon.​com …oto-zoom-lens-refurbished

Comes with 12-month warranty.

All the international stuff is what's called gray market. It means its an authentic canon product that was sold by canon to a distributor that was not in the US. As a result of exchange rates, regional pricing, and Minimum Advertised Price policies, they can offer you one at a reduced price compared to the US market (non-gray) items. The difference is you won't get a US warranty card. Though, on this particular lens being about half on the gray market what it is on the US market, it makes a lot of sense. CPW tends to track the prices on the more reputable gray market dealers.


http://www.canonpricew​atch.com …-f4-5.6-IS-STM-price.html

DreDaze wrote in post #17645319
your probably not going to get a warranty on anything that you buy for less than $250...that being said, there are a few on amazon listed around $170, so they'd come from the US, but they probably won't have a warranty either...if you want a warranty, i think the cheapest way to go would be refurbished for $240

Yep.

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17645360
Yep.

What do you figure the real value of the warranty is? Even if we assume something crazy like a 10% failure rate within 3 years, that places the value of the warranty at 10% of the original price, or about 30$. When the price is 300/240/ or 160, it seems silly to not buy the grey market.

I may be odd, but I think the warranty is worth 20% just for peace of mind. I won't buy used (if refurb is available) unless I save 20% over the refurb price. Refurbs I can return. Try that with a used/grey market lens.

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17645366
I may be odd, but I think the warranty is worth 20% just for peace of mind. I won't buy used (if refurb is available) unless I save 20% over the refurb price. Refurbs I can return. Try that with a used/grey market lens.

Grey Markey is 160, Refurb is 240, or 33% savings. Or nearly 50% compared to New. Like I said, seems like a pretty easy call on this lens.

vengence wrote in post #17645500
Grey Markey is 160, Refurb is 240, or 33% savings. Or nearly 50% compared to New. Like I said, seems like a pretty easy call on this lens.

Yessir! At $190, I'd start considering the used/grey market. $160 is a deal. BTW, I've never had to use the 12-month warranty I get with Canon refurbs. I have used the 14-day return policy twice: 50 1.8 II, and 70-200 f/4. The 50 wouldn't focus. I exchanged the zoom for the IS version.

I live in Turkey, I would go with grey market on ebay but now changed my mind because of custom fees. It reaches (25% or 18% of the product price) almost same cost that I found in Turkish electromarkets. If I order for $170 from Ebay, it will finally cost me, 170 + 42,5 = 212,5. I found for $233, with 2 years of importer warranty in a Turkish market, that will be best deal for me.

Thanks for quick and kind help!

I loved this forum so much, people are kind and helpful!

Buy grey market, get insurance on it. It'll still be cheaper than Amazon and you'll have better coverage than the canon warranty...

maverick75 wrote in post #17645808
Buy grey market, get insurance on it. It'll still be cheaper than Amazon and you'll have better coverage than the canon warranty...

Thanks, I was thinking to buy from grey market, but because of custom fees in Turkey (%25 of product price) , I decided to go with a local seller with 2 years of importer warranty.

chaturanga wrote in post #17645797
I live in Turkey, I would go with grey market on ebay but now changed my mind because of custom fees. It reaches (25% or 18% of the product price) almost same cost that I found in Turkish electromarkets. If I order for $170 from Ebay, it will finally cost me, 170 + 42,5 = 212,5. I found for $233, with 2 years of importer warranty in a Turkish market, that will be best deal for me.

Thanks for quick and kind help!

I loved this forum so much, people are kind and helpful!

Ah, yes, the lovely import fees. That would change the pricing dramatically. Enjoy your new lens!