How often are Canon's sales on refurbished lenses?

Is there a pattern? Are they predictable?

I need a 70-200 f/2.8 II and much prefer to get it as a refurb at 20% (or even 15%) off. What are my odds between now and Jan 1?

These deals come and go. I have had no problem buying refurbished products from Canon Direct. You should be vigilant by checking in with their site pretty often to track where prices have been. Probably four times per year the prices on everything dip pretty low. Example… the SL1 camera has been between 299 and 500 as a refurb. That's quite a wide swing. Lenses don't have prices percentage variances that wide, but a couple hundred dollars on the 70-200 2.8 II are common. I see they were recently $1680 US$ (not in stock, ATM), which was quite low. The lowest I've seen retail was hovering around $1800. They have an email sign up with notices to help make it easier. Oh, and watch this forum!

From what I have gathered, they did a similar thing last year at this time also. Don't know for sure if it was at the same % price reduction but it did happen. From time to time I have noticed they will have certain items at a substantial price.

the best thing to do is to sign up on canonpricewatch.com to be notified when they hit a certain price...right now that $1680 price was just in stock 7 hours ago...if just one lens comes into stock you get an email, and you sometimes need to act quick to get it...but if you're goal is a certain lower price it's the best way to be on top of things


i looked back on canonpricewatch last year...towards the begining of november they gave predictions on what they thought the holidays would be...there was a 10% off $1,000 up to $100 in the 3rd week of november...then they had 15% off on dec. 6th...at the time they said not much was in stock, but it was restocked on the 10th at 15% off

so i'd say you have a good shot...set up a notification at $1,600 and you should be able to snag one

I would suggest signing up on Canon Price Watch.

Yes, I have signed up with CanonPriceWatch for a notification and in fact, received one a couple of days ago. Apparently one (1) lens came in stock. It was gone fairly quickly. That is fine though since a) it wasn't on sale and b) I just bought a 7D II and the $$ tree needs to catch up.

So the question remains. When CPW sends me notification that the lens is in stock should I pay full price and get one or wait until late Nov or early Dec hoping Canon will offer a discount on refurbished lenses. And if they offer a discount will my intended even be in stock?

Can we predict what Canon is gonna do?

going off of last year, and if you don't need it till the first of next year...i'd wait

Yea, that is more-or-less my plan. The lens would be needed for basketball & wrestling which start in Dec but really don't get going heavy until Jan.

they're on sale again...15% off refurbished

The sales tax is problem. I live in Texas, which has 8.25% sales tax, eating deep into the discount.

it's still 15% off though...you'd have to pay sales tax without the 15% off, so you're still doing better than anywhere new...for instance the lens the OP was looking at would still be $1545 after your tax...where else can you get a 70-200f2.8 IS II with a 1 year warranty for less?

Yes, indeed they are. And today, the lens I want became available.


.. It will be here in a few days

Had price watch set for 100-400ii. Got the email. Told wife I could sell my 100-400 I but still too much. So when my notification came up for the 16-35 f4 I didn't even try. Sad day here.

100-400 II is a tease. I get a notification that it is available and by the time I get there it shows as unavailable. LOL

And I'm very glad that is the case. Over the last 2 weeks I've spent waaay too much $$ on Canon refurb stuff. If they had a 100-400 II (or a few other things) then I may not be able to resist the temptation.