Canon Estore - a rip off!

When I first learned of the Canon Estore; I thought that this might be a good place to buy refurbished Canon equipment. WHAT A SILLY IDEA…!

The Canon Estore has prices that are WAY OVER what Adorama charges for the same items with the same warranties in effect (90 days).

As an example here is the selection of refurbished Canon DSLR cameras at the Canon Estore:

http://estore.usa.cano​n.com/webapp/wcs/store​s/servlet/CategoryDisp​lay?catalogId=10051&st​oreId=10051&categoryId​=29252&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=1​2078&top_category=1207​8&pageView=&subCat=Y

The 50D body runs $1,100 and that body along with a 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens goes for $1,200. Adorama has the body for a hundred dollars less, with free shipping and Adorama sells the refurb 50D with the same 28-135mm lens for $75 less or $1,125.

http://www.adorama.com​/searchsite/default.as​px?searchinfo=50D%20re​furbished

For an even greater difference in pricing consider a refurbished 40D camera! Canon is selling the refurb 40D along with the 28-135mm IS lens for $1,050 while Adorama is selling the same camera and lens, along with a 4GB CF Memory Card, Spare BP-511 Lithium-Ion Battery, Camera Case, Mack 2 Year Warranty. Digital Remote Release, Professional Lens Cleaning Kit for $835 again with free shipping!!!

http://www.adorama.com​/ICA40DRB.html?searchi​nfo=40D+refurbished

Some people may feel more comfortable buying direct from Canon and will pay the extra money. Or maybe they don't want to compete with new product sales.

But, yeah, in general direct-from-the-manufacturer pricing is a big ripoff. If they can sell them to Adorama, and then Adorama can make money and undercut them by 10-30%, then you know Canon is making 100% markup on stuff from the E-store.

My take on this issue is that Adorama is selling you equipment that they took in trade. It's probably on the shelf five minutes after the previous owner leaves the store. I can't vouch for Canon, but they do say that the cameras are refurbished. A complete performance inspection and refit that may include a new shutter can cost more than $200, for example, if one sends in one's camera for service.

joedlh wrote in post #8232298
My take on this issue is that Adorama is selling you equipment that they took in trade. It's probably on the shelf five minutes after the previous owner leaves the store. I can't vouch for Canon, but they do say that the cameras are refurbished. A complete performance inspection and refit that may include a new shutter can cost more than $200, for example, if one sends in one's camera for service.

Actually the Adorama stuff is fully refurbed and tested - usually by Canon.

There could also be restrictions in place where Canon agreed to not undersell its distributors.

Frequently, manufacturers quote high prices in order to keep from competing for sales with their retailers.

Kinda like when I used to take visitors to the wineries in Napa. The wine was always way more expensive than at the Foster City Safeway.

They really aren't set up for low volume retail sales. Their overall volumes are less, thus their cost per sale is much higher. In addition, as a previous post mentioned, some consumers may feel more comfortable buying from the manufacturer, so they take advantage of that.

I wouldn't necessarily call it a "rip-off". A rip-off, in my opinion, is what the "bait-and-switch, always out-of-stock, do you want the plastic mount or metal mount L lens, $250 battery, 35% re-stocking fee, charge your card and never ship" crooks perpetrate.

Just to point out a small but big detail about the refurb warranty from Adorama on the 50D (and maybe other refurbs)... I know at one time, just 2 or 3 weeks ago it said "90 Day Warranty" at the lower section of the page... But Adorama dose it one better with a in store repair (I believe it is in store) "1 year warranty". Now IMO that just can't be beat for a refurb...

I added a screen shot from this link... http://www.adorama.com​/ICA50DKR.html

EDIT... Come to think of it, I never got the books that they talk about in that "item Includes" photo below... I will have to give them a call.

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MrSteve wrote in post #8233886
EDIT... Come to think of it, I never got the books that they talk about in that "item Includes" photo below... I will have to give them a call.

They are just the little marketing booklets that canon throws in with their cameras. Basically an advertisement on why you should buy more expensive lenses from Canon. Don't worry too much about them.

tkbslc wrote in post #8233917
They are just the little marketing booklets that canon throws in with their cameras. Basically an advertisement on why you should buy more expensive lenses from Canon. Don't worry too much about them.

Got ya thanks... After what you posted above, I did get them, well on CD, no paper... I want paper damn it!!!

MrSteve wrote in post #8233982
Got ya thanks... After what you posted above, I did get them, well on CD, no paper... I want paper damn it!!!

I'll sell you mine. And they were new, not refurbished...

tkbslc wrote in post #8233997
I'll sell you mine. And they were new, not refurbished...

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