Refurb (Canon) vs Used "E" at Adorama?

Want to poll the experts on used lenses...

Looking to pick up a 17-40 F/4 L either at Adorama or Canon, both have an almost identical price...

My question is predicting the used quality -- The Canon Store listed model is a "Refurb" , while the Adorama is a used lens in "E" condition. I've purchased used lenses from Adorama in the past, and have been satisfied with the fairness of their grading process. On the other token buying directly from Canon infers that the item was serviced and certified by their technicians.

Does anyone have any insight into which would provide the less "risk" vs highest quality for purchase? What exactly does "refurb" mean as far as quality, and how would that stack up against Adorama's "E" rating?

Appreciate any assistance ..

Canon refurb comes with a one year manufacturer's warranty. Adorama I believe is 30 days for used items.

It the price is the same or close, go with the refurbished. Same warranty as buying brand new.

For the same price, I would go with the refurb from Canon. I have bought refurbished bodies and lenses from Canon, and have never been able to tell the difference from new. Plus you get a 14 day return period, and the full 1 year warranty from Canon.

Qlayer2 wrote in post #17836416
Canon refurb comes with a one year manufacturer's warranty. Adorama I believe is 30 days for used items.

It the price is the same or close, go with the refurbished. Same warranty as buying brand new.

The returns period is 30 days; as for the warranty, Adorama provides our own 90 day warranty for all of our used equipment. The Adorama Used Warranty provides full coverage for manufacturing defects.

DanangMonkey wrote in post #17836414
Want to poll the experts on used lenses...

Looking to pick up a 17-40 F/4 L either at Adorama or Canon, both have an almost identical price...

My question is predicting the used quality -- The Canon Store listed model is a "Refurb" , while the Adorama is a used lens in "E" condition. I've purchased used lenses from Adorama in the past, and have been satisfied with the fairness of their grading process. On the other token buying directly from Canon infers that the item was serviced and certified by their technicians.

Does anyone have any insight into which would provide the less "risk" vs highest quality for purchase? What exactly does "refurb" mean as far as quality, and how would that stack up against Adorama's "E" rating?

Appreciate any assistance ..

This should answer all your questions about refurbs:

http://www.adorama.com​/help/GeneralInfo#refu​rbished

tim1970 wrote in post #17836418
For the same price, I would go with the refurb from Canon. I have bought refurbished bodies and lenses from Canon, and have never been able to tell the difference from new. Plus you get a 14 day return period, and the full 1 year warranty from Canon.

Personally, I have bought 3 refurb Canons and have been delighted with each one.....(though you get 30 days return period from Adorama)

tim1970 wrote in post #17836418
For the same price, I would go with the refurb from Canon. I have bought refurbished bodies and lenses from Canon, and have never been able to tell the difference from new. Plus you get a 14 day return period, and the full 1 year warranty from Canon.

If you don't live in NY, then you don't have to pay sales tax from Adorama. However, if you buy from the Canon store, you will no matter what state you live in. So is the price the same here?

FEChariot wrote in post #17836735
If you don't live in NY, then you don't have to pay sales tax from Adorama. However, if you buy from the Canon store, you will no matter what state you live in. So is the price the same here?

Excellent point! Something I completely neglected to consider.


Heres how the two line up:

- Adorama Used lens is priced $9 more than the Canon Refurb

- Sales tax will bring the difference to $37.50 more expensive for the Canon Refurb

Other Factor: If purchased at Canon I receive the Manu warranty, PLUS $50 in Canon E-Cash .... That $50 could tilt the difference toward Canon and would pay for the Lens Hood that I would have to purchase anyways.

Leaning toward Canon at the moment..... Unless Helen wants to sweeten the pot (hint hint ). By the way Helen, I should have received $75 in Adorama Rewards cash from my last purchase by now, that could tilt the deal back in favor of Adorama.

DanangMonkey wrote in post #17836852
Excellent point! Something I completely neglected to consider.

Heres how the two line up:

- Adorama Used lens is priced $9 more than the Canon Refurb

- Sales tax will bring the difference to $37.50 more expensive for the Canon Refurb

Other Factor: If purchased at Canon I receive the Manu warranty, PLUS $50 in Canon E-Cash .... That $50 could tilt the difference toward Canon and would pay for the Lens Hood that I would have to purchase anyways.

Leaning toward Canon at the moment..... Unless Helen wants to sweeten the pot (hint hint ). By the way Helen, I should have received $75 in Adorama Rewards cash from my last purchase by now, that could tilt the deal back in favor of Adorama.

How about shipping? And not just the shipping to you but what about return shipping? When I got my 85/1.8 from Adorama, not only was the shipping to me free, but as the lens back focused, the shipping back to Adorama was free and so was the shipping of the second copy to me which was much better.

On the other hand when I needed to send my brand new 50/1.8 to canon for warranty work where they replaced a bad board, I had to pay shipping.

no contest...refurb direct from canon with a 1 year warranty...the price of the refurb will be going up on jan 2nd btw...if you are going to be buying a used lens, it should be priced around 400-450....there's one on ebay for $390 buy it now...

DreDaze wrote in post #17837011
no contest...refurb direct from canon with a 1 year warranty...the price of the refurb will be going up on jan 2nd btw...if you are going to be buying a used lens, it should be priced around 400-450....there's one on ebay for $390 buy it now...

Looks like I'm going with the direct Canon Refurb... It worth the extra $30 - $50 to me for the peace of mind.

DanangMonkey wrote in post #17836852
Excellent point! Something I completely neglected to consider.

Heres how the two line up:

- Adorama Used lens is priced $9 more than the Canon Refurb

- Sales tax will bring the difference to $37.50 more expensive for the Canon Refurb

Other Factor: If purchased at Canon I receive the Manu warranty, PLUS $50 in Canon E-Cash .... That $50 could tilt the difference toward Canon and would pay for the Lens Hood that I would have to purchase anyways.

Leaning toward Canon at the moment..... Unless Helen wants to sweeten the pot (hint hint ). By the way Helen, I should have received $75 in Adorama Rewards cash from my last purchase by now, that could tilt the deal back in favor of Adorama.

email me: Helen@adorama.com

The no sales tax and free shipping tips the cost scale in favor of Adorama, so it's a matter of whether you want to spend a little extra money for a 1 year versus 90 day warranty. The 17-40L is a pretty reliable lens, so chances are if anything were to go wrong with this lens it would happen right away and not in months 4-12. In this particular case, I would probably go with Adorama.

Throwing a monkey wrench in here... have you looked at KEH?

HelenOster wrote in post #17837184
email me: Helen@adorama.com

Will Do Helen ...thanks

Scott M wrote in post #17837397
The no sales tax and free shipping tips the cost scale in favor of Adorama, so it's a matter of whether you want to spend a little extra money for a 1 year versus 90 day warranty. The 17-40L is a pretty reliable lens, so chances are if anything were to go wrong with this lens it would happen right away and not in months 4-12. In this particular case, I would probably go with Adorama.

Well, Canon also has free shipping (for the purchase), so that's a wash ...

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #17837403
Throwing a monkey wrench in here... have you looked at KEH?

Ted... Seriously considering KEH as they have some competitive deals, but have no experience with them. All of my used lens purchases have been through Adorama and B&H. Want to include them for consideration, but I don't hear them mentioned that much on POTN; not sure how their ratings/support/reliab​ility align with the other two biggies... Can you fill in the blanks?

I need to pull the trigger in the next 48 hours, or will lose the Canon deal at the current price.

Thanks --- Brian