Extra Fee For Guaranteed New?

Lately I haven't had much luck buying new camera/lenses from big name retailers; despite the fact that they advertise the item as new, they'll ship me an item that has obviously been used (especially Amazon).

So, that got me thinking. Since online retailers care only about money (customer service is no longer a priority for them), if they offered a guarantee that the item they are shipping to you is 100% new (not a floor demo, not returned), for an extra fee (maybe 3% cost of the item), would you select that option?

I'm sure some folks here will argue the following:

- They have NEVER received a used item when purchasing new from their favorite retailer.

- Why should they have to pay extra for something online retailers are supposed to provide anyway? If it's sold as new, then we are SUPPOSED to receive a new item.

- If we buy new but receive a used item, we simply send it back and let the retailer eat the shipping cost as punishment for trying to deceive us.

- We should be grateful we received a slightly used item that was sold as new, because that is the cost of doing business today, and it is unrealistic to expect brand new items despite having paid extra for new to begin with.

- It doesn't matter whether or not the new item we paid for has been used; all that matters is that it works and camera equipment is meant to be abused anyway.

So, what's your opinion? Would you pay an extra fee to ensure 100% that the new camera or lens you are ordering is 100% new and that no one has returned it or played around with it as a demo model?

I would not, if it is advertised as new then it should be new. It’s a pretty clear definition.

Personally, the only such issues I have had has been purchasing equipment from individuals that say “new in box” but in reality are not. Even that has only occurred once.

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I think that if you stick to reputable retailers you will only get a truly new item. . And in my view, Amazon is certainly NOT a reputable retailer.

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No.

I can't really comment as I have never received a used item (that I am aware of I suppose) from any retailer but keep in mind that there are two Amazons. The first is purchasing from Ammy direct that is that they are delivering the goods to you and the second is some smaller retailer using the Amazon system. When using something other than Amazon direct I always do a bit more homework on the retailer the item is coming from as unfortunately we live in a world of scammers. Several times I have found a product for a low price and when i dig a bit deeper into the company providing the product, then Google-Earth their location, it comes up as someones house. It's just some guy selling stuff out of the basement.

But, how were you able to tell that the item was used and what was the item?

gjl711 wrote in post #19424460
I can't really comment as I have never received a used item (that I am aware of I suppose) from any retailer but keep in mind that there are two Amazons. The first is purchasing from Ammy direct that is that they are delivering the goods to you and the second is some smaller retailer using the Amazon system. When using something other than Amazon direct I always do a bit more homework on the retailer the item is coming from as unfortunately we live in a world of scammers. Several times I have found a product for a low price and when i dig a bit deeper into the company providing the product, then Google-Earth their location, it comes up as someones house. It's just some guy selling stuff out of the basement.

But, how were you able to tell that the item was used and what was the item?

Regarding recent camera-related Items I have purchased from Amazon that have been used/reboxed; a Sony A7c body, Sony 40mm f2.5 recently. Non photography related items sent used but sold as new have been at least 4 watches.

The easiest way to tell if your lens is not new is by inspecting the lensmount. A new lens mount will not have the tell-tale "track marks" found on used lenses. Every time you mount a lens on your camera body you'll see tiny lines or marks left on the lens mount caused by the pin that secures your lens to the camera body. Also, look for packaging clues; people who return lenses or cameras rarely go through the trouble of repackaging everything as it came from the factory. Also, check for obvious signs of dust, fingerprints, signs of wear, and in the case of cameras check to see that it's set to factory settings.

I have purchased "new" watches from Amazon that came with bits of hair stuck to the metal bracelets!

As for 3rd party vendors, whenever I buy camera equipment I NEVER buy from a 3rd party vender (unless it's Adorama); I always buy "Sold by Amazon, Shipped by Amazon".

An 'outsiders' perspective: it's an obvious result of easy return policy. In Australia we can usually return something but takes some negotiation and I can't imagine what it would be like trying to return another item to the same seller. Years after first discovering the easy returns available to US consumers, it's still strange to read about gear being bought to try out with understanding there's no obligation to keep it within the first 30 days. All that 'tried and returned' gear has to end up somewhere.

Choderboy wrote in post #19424618
An 'outsiders' perspective: it's an obvious result of easy return policy. In Australia we can usually return something but takes some negotiation and I can't imagine what it would be like trying to return another item to the same seller. Years after first discovering the easy returns available to US consumers, it's still strange to read about gear being bought to try out with understanding there's no obligation to keep it within the first 30 days. All that 'tried and returned' gear has to end up somewhere.

They end up in Amazon bulk pallet sales. Pay some amount and you get something. Always a surprise.
https://www.amazon.com …s?k=bulk+pallet​s+for+sale
There are tons of Youtubes where someone buys a return pallet, sorts it and re-sells it. Some folks are making a living doing this.
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=-VbM2CgeTEc

No, I would not pay any extra. Returns stateside are easy so that relies on the merchant to not accept and re-sell items that are obviously used or missing packing contents.

I buy my camera gear locally, through B&H or Adorama to make sure I get "new" as well as authentic USA warrantied. B&H or Adorama will note that it is an open box, display item, LN, used...

This is why there are camera rental depts locally and online. To me that is taking advantage of the return policy and why some companies have a 10-20% "restocking fee". There used to be a strict no returns on electronics unless defective and replacement was for the same model. Not these days...

Canon products are in boxes that are not sealed. Most retailers will let you return an item provided all the bits and pieces are there, the warranty card has not been filled in, and everything is in new condition. I'm pretty sure the stuff that is returned goes back on the shelf. I have bought "new" items that for sure were opened and handled before. Is that still new? Yes, it is, I think.

It is disappointing to receive a new item that has been handled and used. I believe that is how the system works, though, at many retailers.

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If I bought a new camera from a retailer, and then received a camera that had been used, I would file a report with the Better Business Bureau.

I would also post negative reviews on a few prominent websites.
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Archibald wrote in post #19424842
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I have bought "new" items that for sure were opened and handled before. Is that still new? Yes, it is, I think.
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Yes, I agree.

Let's be clear that just because a camera has been taken out of the packaging and handled, does not mean that it has been used. . It could have greasy fingerprints on it, it could have dust inside of it, and it could have some tiny dents or dings ..... but still be new. . The only thing that would cause it to be officially "used" is if someone has mounted a lens to it, turned it on and changed some settings, or actually taken a photo with it. . Anything short of that and it is still technically "new".

EDIT:

Just to clarify what I said in an earlier post, Amazon is horrible, even when buying direct from Amazon and not from a 3rd party using the Amazon platform. . I would not buy something as important as a camera from such an irreputable retailer.


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Back in the day it was common for you to bring in your camera and try out a few lenses before settling on one. When I first went digital, I had a heck of a time with front/back focusing bodies/lenses. I would have to go through several before i found one that worked for me. Then the 50D came along and I no longer worried about it.

Why would anyone agree to pay an extra fee when there are already options out there that don't try to pass off used items as new?

If BH, Adorama, or even Canon Direct ends up costing slightly more, but you know you aren't getting a used item, then I guess you can consider that a "fee". As others have mentioned, Amazon is absolutely not where I am going to purchase any high ticket items. I personally know someone who oversees all operations in one of their warehouses and the repackaging and sale of returns situation is not pretty. Might as well just assume the item is used, or at least was in the possession of someone else, if it says "Shipped by Amazon"

I know a retailer that does not accept returns. They have signage up in the store, and the receipt says "no returns". At that place, you don't run any risk of getting an item that was trialed and returned to the store. And that retailer gets BAD BAD ratings! Because people buy and then can't return if they made a mistake or changed their mind.

So as a retailer, what do you do? No returns earns negative reviews. A liberal return policy gets you love and praise.

Archibald wrote in post #19424866
I know a retailer that does not accept returns. They have signage up in the store, and the receipt says "no returns". At that place, you don't run any risk of getting an item that was trialed and returned to the store. And that retailer gets BAD BAD ratings! Because people buy and then can't return if they made a mistake or changed their mind.

So as a retailer, what do you do? No returns earns negative reviews. A liberal return policy gets you love and praise.

A couple of months ago I purchased a "new" (purchased from Amazon-shipped & sold by Amazon- so take with a grain of salt) Sony 40mm f2.5. It was severely decentered; everything on the left side of my images were out of focus. If I would have purchased that lens from a store with no returns, I would have been upset. I would have had to send it to Sony for repair, then in turn, they would have sent it back to me refurbished. I would have ended up with a refurbished lens that I paid full retail for!

Now, if that same retailer accepted my return and they in turn sent it back to Sony, (not reboxed it and sold to someone else) then I fail to see how the retailer is losing money. Rarely do retailers pay for shipping on returns unless the merchandise is defective.