Is this packaging acceptable? (70-200L II)

sandwedge wrote in post #18232482
1. I have not fully tested the lens, yet.

2. The outside of the box was not damaged. I am under no obligation to open and view the contents of the box while in the presence of the carrier. They were long gone before I opened the box in the comfort of my own living room. The issue here is not with the carrier, it is with the packaging done by the seller.

I contacted Helen at Adorama very soon after starting this thread, via email. I haven't heard back yet - that's not a problem, it's been a short time, Helen has a very good reputation and I am sure that she will respond.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with me addressing this issue on a public forum. Many who have responded say that the packaging is not acceptable. Some have said that they stopped doing business with sellers who packaged in this way. If anything, this thread will help fellow photographers make informed purchasing decisions.

This is NOT acceptable and is NOT the Adorama packaging protocol. I have not received any email from you, Douglas - just checked spam and trash, and my PMs - PLEASE email me with your order # asap : Helen@adorama.com

I knew it wouldn't take long, Helen to the rescue!

sandwedge wrote in post #18232482
I contacted Helen at Adorama very soon after starting this thread, via email. I haven't heard back yet - that's not a problem, it's been a short time, Helen has a very good reputation and I am sure that she will respond.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with me addressing this issue on a public forum. Many who have responded say that the packaging is not acceptable. Some have said that they stopped doing business with sellers who packaged in this way. If anything, this thread will help fellow photographers make informed purchasing decisions.

HelenOster wrote in post #18233246
This is NOT acceptable and is NOT the Adorama packaging protocol. I have not received any email from you, Douglas - just checked spam and trash, and my PMs - PLEASE email me with your order # asap : Helen@adorama.com

.....oooo....the plot thickens......get the popcorn.....

Thanks, Helen. I just checked - I misspelled adorama in your email address, so you obviously didn't get it. I'll be home in about 30 minutes and will resend it with the correct address and my order number. My apologies.

Thanks,

Doug

I stand by you, Doug. It is not acceptable to ship expense items this way, which can be damaged from being dropped.

Those who have purchased from me knows I packed the heck out of my gears, especially the expensive ones...and I don't even make 1% of what B&H and Adorama makes

Helen, thanks for owning up to this one, as you always do and do it promptly!

To the poster who said "get the popcorn"...wth are you talking about??

Buckeye1 wrote in post #18233329
I stand by you, Doug. It is not acceptable to ship expense items this way, which can be damaged from being dropped.

Those who have purchased from me knows I packed the heck out of my gears, especially the expensive ones...and I don't even make 1% of what B&H and Adorama makes

Helen, thanks for owning up to this one, as you always do and do it promptly!

To the poster who said "get the popcorn"...wth are you talking about??

Thanks.

As for the "popcorn" comment, it's due to the fact that I had said I emailed her and today she said she didn't get it. Therefore, it might look like there's drama there.

In actuality, I incorrectly spelled adorama in the original email address. Somewhere, there's a Helen at "adorma".com that is truly baffled by my email.


edit: original email forwarded to Helen. Of course, then I remembered that she wanted the order number also, so another email sent.

Just curious, what's the outcome you're looking for here...the lens works, the box is in good shape...you're not returning it...are you after a discount, or just want someone in packaging to get chewed out?

I'm just confused as to what the point of it all is...

DreDaze wrote in post #18233351
Just curious, what's the outcome you're looking for here...the lens works, the box is in good shape...you're not returning it...are you after a discount, or just want someone in packaging to get chewed out?

I'm just confused as to what the point of it all is...

I am not asking for a discount. The lens has not been tested. I may decide to replace the lens. I have spoken with several photographers, some professional, some hobbyists, that say that I should return it.

I respect that some in our community disagree with me on the packaging. I fully hope that you are correct in the idea that the lens could be shipped in its box alone. I contacted Canon USA today to try to confirm this. The technician I spoke with said that he has worked there for 18 years and he has not heard that the lens could be shipped inside its own box alone. He said, as we all know, that when Canon ships a lens to a customer, they put it inside another box with plenty of cushioning.

edit: I have bought several lenses in the last few years (most of the ones in my signature). ALL of them arrived with an obvious abundance of protection. I paid $1,899 for this lens combo (yes, with rebate). I expected it to arrive packaged to the same standard that all of my other lenses have arrived.


If anybody would like to provide me with real data that says that the lens could be shipped in its own box alone, I would appreciate it - it would help ease my mind.


I sincerely hope that the mistake made by Adorama either wasn't their fault or at least is something that can be fixed so that others will receive proper packaging.

HelenOster wrote in post #18233246
This is NOT acceptable and is NOT the Adorama packaging protocol. I have not received any email from you, Douglas - just checked spam and trash, and my PMs - PLEASE email me with your order # asap : Helen@adorama.com

Pretty much what I've been saying in the thread. It's a rouge packer that didn't do his/her job correctly.

I feel that OP could have presented his original question without specifying who the vendor was. Does it make any difference who sent the package? The conversation could have carried on without shaming Adorama.

Couldn't you have asked Helen for a return before causing all the bad PR?

As for the package - It could have used a bit more aggregate... An expensive lens and printer without proper packaging is just bad optics (no pun intended).

I just feel like it's a lot of expended time and effort...instead of using all that time to research shipping standards, take the lens out of the box...give it a whirl, you've got the pics of how it was shipped if it does require a return...but to say you should return it before even using it is a bit paranoid to me...whats the harm in taking it out?

Colorblinded wrote in post #18233252
I knew it wouldn't take long, Helen to the rescue!

Seriously, what would we do without Helen? I hope she got a good bonus check for keeping me and I think others coming back to Adorama!

DreDaze wrote in post #18233403
I just feel like it's a lot of expended time and effort...instead of using all that time to research shipping standards, take the lens out of the box...give it a whirl, you've got the pics of how it was shipped if it does require a return...but to say you should return it before even using it is a bit paranoid to me...whats the harm in taking it out?

I took it out for about ten minutes and took a few shots. I've been spending most of my free time dealing with this thread. I'll be able to fully test it on Saturday.

Larry Johnson wrote in post #18232295
Adorama did the same to me with a new camera. They shipped it fast and free, but lucky it wasn't damaged. I snapped a pic just in case.

Hosted photo: posted by Larry Johnson in
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forum: Market Watch

The token strip of bubble wrap is priceless...

Thanks for the laugh!

DreDaze wrote in post #18233351
Just curious, what's the outcome you're looking for here...the lens works, the box is in good shape...you're not returning it...are you after a discount, or just want someone in packaging to get chewed out?

I'm just confused as to what the point of it all is...

Hopefully so Adorama can ensure nobody else packing products does the same thing. As Helen said, this is not how Adorama wants them packaged either. If it saves future customers from the same concern, and if Adorama does indeed require a higher standard of packing care (which I'll chose to believe Helen on since I've never seen a reason to believe otherwise), it'll be better for future customers or the next time OP buys something.