Refurbs and BH Photo - Exception to the rule, or is it?

All Bodies have a S/N that is related to just that body? wonder if you wanted to risk a 2nd hand body, if there is a contact for Canon to get a body history, This might solve 2 problems, loads of problems on a certain body, that has been back to Canon, and if a S/N was reported Stolen.

You think Canon would offer that as a Pro service at least on their Series one bodies, and L lenses (if they don't all ready)

madproff, you are absolutely right. I wrote the SN of the camera everywhere in my forms when I sent it in, as well as the original box it came in (Which displays its serial number).

Entering that Serial Number is the most important part of the process. It identifies the camera. Is my 1D Mk II so different than all others ?.. I remember them saying that I had gotten the wrong serial number in my forms, and that they were getting the right one (I was not surprised, I have written Part Numbers instead of serials before, in other things).

I am not sure. Even their excuse of the Lot number. It makes no sense, because the lot number has two letters, while no serial number has letters. At least in Canon Camera terms. At least in the 1D Series. So who knows.

Any company has its weak points, and This Repair Center seems to have a few leaks in process flow. Hey, it keeps guys like me employed and making enough money to have fun taking action photos out there.

UPDATE: The Epson P-2000 no longer recognizes the battery present. Works fine when plugged in, but not useful. Repair cost is $50 less than a new item. Wasn't worth the savings at the end of the day.

Any uber-techs out there who want a board-level repair job? P-2000 $75 to good home.

could that not be a faulty battery?

B&H never really sells "refurbs" they are "used" even if the box says refurb and your invoice will reflect this.

the B&H guy on DPR also said they never sell "refurb canon" but someone pointed out a random link and the b&h guy was surprised

for that reason alone i'd avoid "10" "refurbs" from B&H because the EW on a refurb is different/longer than a "used" body.

otoh they ahve alot of canon used gear and i'd always buy a mack warranty on used gear myself. in your case you could have had a 2year warranty for around $60.

mjgravina wrote in post #3912595
In March of this year, I decided to upgrade to a 1D Series.

With the Mk III not out yet, and leery of hitches and so forth, I studied at the MkII and MkIIN.

BH Had two Mk IIs, one Refurbished, and the other New. The Refurbished was about $500 less than the New camera, but still over $2600.

So I went ahead with the Refurb, and used the extra money for a UWA lens.

When the camera got to my hands, I found a bit strange that the device had a tad over 4k actuations. Little high for a Refurb (a 14 day return customer who does not want it, and it goes back to Canon for a cleaning, and then back to BH Photo).

About a week ago, the focusing screen went out. So I decided to send it in for Repair. Canon accepted it, and I contacted them today. As they tell me, this is a camera on its THIRD Visit to the Repair Service Center for Canon.

How could that be with a refurbished model? One of the times was a routine cleaning, but the other one was a Standard Repair. (Of what? Should that not be disclosed? Should it no longer be refurbed?).

Long story short, I am awaiting for the estimate. This can be very bad, as Canon could hit me for extensive repairs on an unit that seems to have had some rough past events before I owned it.

BH Photo? They said nothing. Oh, that my BH Photo warranty is out, and there is nothing they can do. And yes, even three trips to the Service Center with a Repair counts as Refurbed. They directed me to the Used Equipt. Contact page to write a complaint (like someone is going to read it).

So what do I do if Canon wants to hit me for $1000 for repairs?... I guess I am out of luck, huh... Then I end up paying more for this camera than for a Mk III or a MkIIN.

I will definitely keep you updated, but the moral of this story is my own new rule.

I will buy nothing that is not sealed in its box, with a NEW stamp on it, and specially an invoice of the company accepting warranty over it.

I've read many joking around about BH putting some returns right back on the shelf. I am having my doubts that what I thought insane, might be possible in some cases.

Anyhow, to all those of you contemplating buying a Refurb, please consider that it is simply a used device, and it could hide any secrets.

Info or tips on what to do -besides crapping up the money to pay for it-, I would really appreciate it.

Am I really over-reacting that bad?...

chinch wrote in post #3973588
B&H never really sells "refurbs" they are "used" even if the box says refurb and your invoice will reflect this.

the B&H guy on DPR also said they never sell "refurb canon" but someone pointed out a random link and the b&h guy was surprised

for that reason alone i'd avoid "refurbs" from B&H.

otoh they ahve alot of canon used gear and i'd always buy a mack warranty on used gear myself. in your case you could have had a 2year warranty for around $60.

Really good point. I have learned a lot from this deal.

I don't just post to tell people what to do, I like to share how I start off screwing up, and what happens as I learn. Thanks for your input, the warranty would have made a big difference.

MaDProFF wrote in post #3972506
could that not be a faulty battery?

No.

The local Epson repair center checked it out -- it is a replacement of the main board from their point of view, so it would have to go to Epson.

Ya live, ya learn.

"When the camera got to my hands, I found a bit strange that the device had a tad over 4k actuations. Little high for a Refurb (a 14 day return customer who does not want it, and it goes back to Canon for a cleaning, and then back to BH Photo)."

Why dident you just return the camera when you found this out and just bought a new camera instead?

Looks like the warning signs were there, you just needed to take action.

Good point, k9trainer.
This is why this thread exists. Hopefully there is nobody as dumb as me out there, and spills a bunch of money on a questionable device, without taking action.
Thanks for your input.

Thanks for sharing.
Its easy to feel like the dumbest f*@k in the world
when dealing with the best camera supplier in human history.
I guess the lesson is when in doubt send it back.

tmcman wrote in post #3980174
Thanks for sharing.
Its easy to feel like the dumbest f*@k in the world
when dealing with the best camera supplier in human history.
I guess the lesson is when in doubt send it back.

Took three pages, but you done it.

"WHEN IN DOUBT, SEND IT BACK"

So many of us get so blinded by the shiny little toy, that we are willing to stop thinking about our doubts and signals, and just ignore them (4k actuations on a refurb? Oh well, at least I got a new camera. he he). This was a huge lesson to me.

Thanks for your comments.

Hi, mjgravina, I have the MKIIn same as yours. It is from B&H and also at March this year. When I got it, the website description is "10". I am in Singapore. Before make decision, I have checked with them by email to confirm the 90 days return. Anyway, the body is perfect working now. The box printed Canon (refurbished), the body also have a small gold color sticker "refurbished". I think the right thing is that, if B&H can release the body history or repair record, that will be much better for us to make the decision. My MKIIn body serial number is "425192". Is here any friend can help to check this serial number is correct or not? Many thanks. Hi, mjgravina, waiting your news for the body repair.

Hi, Sorry all, I make a mistake, the message should address to PhotoJourno.

youming wrote in post #4024340
Hi, Sorry all, I make a mistake, the message should address to PhotoJourno.

The serial number is etched to the plastic body, usually above the metal tag at the bottom of the camera. Yes, your serial number sounds correct.

In my case, they determined that it was a sub-mirror problem, which caused some random shutter problems, and most definitely some focusing / exposure issues.

So they exchanged the entire mirror assembly, and shutter assembly. It was nice that it came back with 1400 actuations total. They even chainged the main board PCB.

I got it back, but the Viewfinder was not working. I was upset, but I guess these things happen. So I sent it back, they paid for shipping, and Management got involved. So things got done extremely well, and extremely fast for the second trip. All in all, the entire camera repair experience was about three weeks, and the final cost $195. About the serial number, who knows, it surprises me they did all this work for less than $200.

So:

- No foul to BH Photo
- Return it if it does not feel right
- Canon Repair can be pretty interesting, but they do pull through.

Hope this helps.

Chinch,
Both of my refurbs from B & H were boxed with a golden colored seal/sticker that said refurbished. The actual items were also marked the same way.. Additionally, B & H stated they were and advertised them as factory refurbished, so I am satisfied they were. Perhaps since that time they have stopped selling Canon refurbs, although I don't know that, but at one time they did.
Bob <><