Amazon lens packaging...

Matholwch

Matholwch

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I've had two Sigma 50mm f1.4 ART lenses delivered recently from Amazon, and both came without any padding whatsoever within the box. This is possibly the worst packaging of a lens I've ever encountered.
I've now returned both lenses, as I wasn't satisfied with their performance as I suspect that they took a fair bit of impact in transit, and neither were as sharp as my Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART - the 50mm is reputed to be even sharper, so was expecting stellar performance.
I complained about the poor packaging before my replacement (the 2nd lens) was dispatched, and that arrived with the exact same minimal packaging.
Has anyone else experienced the same with lens deliveries Amazon?

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Mentioned this several times over two years ago to them and they don't listen. I try not to buy lenses of them anymore and just buy more robust items which will take knocks in transit. The last lens was a Nikon 50mm 1.8g as I knew it came in a plastic packaging case, (a bit like egg cartons) and would take some transit movement. Otherwise I wouldn't have bothered and gone to Wex who I have found good.

It's probably a cost and time thing, not to wrap parcels in bubble wrap or similar.
 
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Its crazy, as I've had on occassions had massive inappropriately sized boxes from Amazon for tiny robust items, yet this delicate item gets the crap treatment. Did you also leave packaging feedback? Its very frustrating, as Amazon's price is the best in the UK at the moment ~£576, and they're UK stock (checked the serial number with Sigma UK), so qualify for the extended 3yr warranty (well worth the £50 price difference between Amazon UK and Italy... actually just checked, Amazon Italy is now £496, so more £80 difference).
 
I wonder if they are individually bubble wrapped when they are shipped over by the container load?
I think you're over reacting just a tad. The lens will be protected inside its own box.

Lenses are a lot more robust than you are making out and it would take a considerable knock to cause problems. Sigma have been known for pot luck QC, so you just may be unluckily.
 
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I have but its not really that much of an issue as Sigma lenses have their own soft pouches and boxes, so they are packaged well before they even go into an amazon box.

Did you try micro adjust the lenses?
 
Its not just lenses, it seems that these days books and other items are thrown in a random box and a bit of brown paper pushed in and sealed. Just like the OP's photo shows.

You are right they don't care and worst still, don't listen.

Some books that I have bought have been damaged badly in this way and the replacement arrives just the same. Eventually they offer you a credit but no replacement.

.........result is I avoid Amazon like the plague now.

The price difference becomes immaterial and if you look around carefully, there are plenty of traditional retailers and online retailers with a mail order service that make Amazon look like the amateurs they are. They have grown too big and don't give a stuff.

My purchases alone won't hit their bottom line, but as more people get fed up and move elsewhere, it must have an effect.
 
That packing looks adequate given that the lens is packed within its own box. I'd hazard a guess that it would be subjected to impacts far greater once it's mounted on a camera or transported in a camera bag. If the padding is too dense, it will merely transfer more of the impact energy. A modicum of 'give' is generally a good thing. It's akin to a spring.
 
ecoleman said:
I wonder if they are individually bubble wrapped when they are shipped over by the container load?
I think you're over reacting just a tad. The lens will be protected inside its own box.

Lenses are a lot more robust than you are making out and it would take a considerable knock to cause problems. Sigma have been known for pot luck QC, so you just may be unluckily.
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Get what your saying, but probably when they are shipped from Japan or wherever, they are probably packed into larger boxes and then put on a pallet and shrink wrapped. These make the transit smoother.

It's when they get to the local courier who is payed pennies as most are now self-employed that they are rushing to make a living. These parcels are just rattling around in the back of their transits and they don't care usually as they are pushed for time, or they dont know whats inside the boxes. With Wex at least they put some Fragile tape on the packaging to help with handling, and perhaps the couriers take more care as I have never returned a product to Wex.

I have in the past returned these to Amazon due to poor performance of lenses. It's not just a Sigma problem in my experience.

1 x Sigma 17-50
1 x Tamron 17-50
1 x Tamron 70-300
1 x Nikon V1 and lens.
 
Sigma lenses as has already been said come inside there own protective pouch and then inside there own box, there is no need for anything additional, can't really see the problem tbh.

The Sigma 50mm Art is well known for having a.f issues and will need heavily micro adjusted.
 
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those Sigma boxes are solid..

I have no problem with Amazon, purchased several cameras/lens from them no issues whatsoever but the beauty with Amazon is if you do have issues on its way back for refund/replacement without quibble.. poor performing Sigma is more likely Sigma QC rather than possible impact damage.

I think you are overthinking.
 
Maybe you need to tell the individual sellers, would that make a difference? I thought the individual shop seller packs them, not Amazon :thinking:
 
Granted it is in its Sigma pouch, but I've never experienced any other vendor posting by courier a lens without more impact protection. The sigma has 13 lens elements, my lens lives in my camera bag which has impact protection.
I did try micro adjustments on the first lens which arrived, and although sharper than my Canon 50mm f1.4, it was a far cry from the sharpness of the Sigma 35mm f1.4 - which shipped from Clifton Cameras, and came in a box padded with polystyrene pellets. Even Wex lens purchases come wrapped in thick bubble wrap and in a bag (no box - but is more acceptable as it has better impact protection).
The Sigma 50mm f1.4 has 13 lens elements, and although built to be sturdy - is a box is thrown about in transit, then there's scope for one of those elements to move, hence a degradation in image sharpness wide open - which is why I am opting for an ART lens, and not buying a Canon L lens.
 
strumstrum said:
those Sigma boxes are solid..

I have no problem with Amazon, purchased several cameras/lens from them no issues whatsoever but the beauty with Amazon is if you do have issues on its way back for refund/replacement without quibble.. poor performing Sigma is more likely Sigma QC rather than possible impact damage.

I think you are overthinking.
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Potentially, but I understood that the QC on Sigma ART lenses were much better, and their only downside (from experience) is the occassional AF issue. You may be correct, that its a Sigma QC issue not a transit, but certainly alarm bells ring having never bought a lens so poorly packed, Iand I've probably bought at least 15 lenses online in my time.

jonbeeza said:
Maybe you need to tell the individual sellers, would that make a difference? I thought the individual shop seller packs them, not Amazon :thinking:
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Amazon are the resellers, I wouldn't buy a Sigma lens from a third party in the UK - I might as well order from Hong Kong, and cut out the middle man if I'm not getting a UK Sigma warranty (3yrs no less).
 
Matholwch said:
Its crazy, as I've had on occassions had massive inappropriately sized boxes from Amazon for tiny robust items, yet this delicate item gets the crap treatment. Did you also leave packaging feedback? Its very frustrating, as Amazon's price is the best in the UK at the moment ~£576, and they're UK stock (checked the serial number with Sigma UK), so qualify for the extended 3yr warranty (well worth the £50 price difference between Amazon UK and Italy... actually just checked, Amazon Italy is now £496, so more £80 difference).
Click to expand...

I have had the same issues with Amazon: a massive box with loads of paper "padding" for a single t-shirt and a "just-about-big-enough" box with hardly any padding for a fragile/delicate item.

Regarding lenses, I have had to return a couple of Sigma lenses in the past as, when tried to register with Sigma UK they told me they were not UK stock.
 
CanonLady said:
I have had the same issues with Amazon: a massive box with loads of paper "padding" for a single t-shirt and a "just-about-big-enough" box with hardly any padding for a fragile/delicate item.

Regarding lenses, I have had to return a couple of Sigma lenses in the past as, when tried to register with Sigma UK they told me they were not UK stock.
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Yep, I was aware that Amazon UK have in the past sold non-UK Sigma stock, so it was one of the first things I did when the first lens arrived - verify that it was UK stock, and eligble for their warranty. Satisfied it was UK stock, I didn't bother checking the 2nd, besides it has also gone back now.
Have wondered whether my 35mm ART is an exceptional sample, so difficult to compare them in terms of sharpness.
 
adrianday said:
That packing looks adequate given that the lens is packed within its own box. I'd hazard a guess that it would be subjected to impacts far greater once it's mounted on a camera or transported in a camera bag. If the padding is too dense, it will merely transfer more of the impact energy. A modicum of 'give' is generally a good thing. It's akin to a spring.
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I've bought lenses from Amazon that have arrived packed in such a manner, and have not had a moments bother with them. I utterly agree with the above statement. Amazon pricing can be a bit random to say the least, but it is probably the first place I look for an item price. Pricing of photographic gear here in Ireland can be way, way more expensive that in UK. (Euro conversion, plus up to 10% on top) and Amazon will supply to here where Wex won't
 
Matholwch said:
Potentially, but I understood that the QC on Sigma ART lenses were much better, and their only downside (from experience) is the occassional AF issue. You may be correct, that its a Sigma QC issue not a transit, but certainly alarm bells ring having never bought a lens so poorly packed, Iand I've probably bought at least 15 lenses online in my time.



Amazon are the resellers, I wouldn't buy a Sigma lens from a third party in the UK - I might as well order from Hong Kong, and cut out the middle man if I'm not getting a UK Sigma warranty (3yrs no less).
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Not bought anything from Amazon so I don't know how it works. I thought individuals sold on Amazon, did not know Amazon sold stuff directly :)
 
Matholwch said:
Yep, I was aware that Amazon UK have in the past sold non-UK Sigma stock, so it was one of the first things I did when the first lens arrived - verify that it was UK stock, and eligble for their warranty. Satisfied it was UK stock, I didn't bother checking the 2nd, besides it has also gone back now.
Have wondered whether my 35mm ART is an exceptional sample, so difficult to compare them in terms of sharpness.
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You say you MAd the first, did you even try the second?
 
twist said:
You say you MAd the first, did you even try the second?
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With the first I did did MA with Lenscal, the 2nd seemed to be suffering from chromatic issues up close focusing, and looked slight sharper than the first, but still a long way off the 35mm. I was focusing at an angle with the 2nd so any shift in depth of focusing would've revealed if there was any sharp sweet spot.
 
Some camera stores will ship lenses in their original box with nothing but one of those polyurethane bags around it. Sigma boxes are very sturdy and tightly packed in my experience, and the lens being in the soft case means there is absolutely no room for movement inside the box itself (in my experience)
 
I thought there was a soft case with the sigma lenses - I think yuod notice it on the box if there was sufficient impact to damage the lens. Your more likely to have had a poor copy!
 
I agree with the OP Andreas it should be packed better than that for such an expensive item
Yes sigma lenses in the own boxes are well packed but it wouldn't cost much for amazon to wrap a bit of bubble wrap round the sigma box
I recived a computer hard drive from amazon packed in a similar way and since then anything delicate I won't use amazon again
 
Don't see the issue with this packaging. I think that if lens elements moved so freely there would be a lot more duff lenses reported.

One of the main reasons I use Amazon is the aftersales and customer service and returns policy. If Amazon are cheapest I'd keep buying/returning till you get one you are happy with.
 
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LCPete said:
I agree with the OP Andreas it should be packed better than that for such an expensive item
Yes sigma lenses in the own boxes are well packed but it wouldn't cost much for amazon to wrap a bit of bubble wrap round the sigma box
I recived a computer hard drive from amazon packed in a similar way and since then anything delicate I won't use amazon again
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It wouldn't cost much. But, more importantly, it wouldn't add anything. Do you seriously think Amazon don't have experts at hand to advise them as to how best package items? The lens box should provide sufficient protection for transit. The additional packaging Amazon place in the box provides at best, superficial protection. However, if it were too stiff, any external force wouldn't be absorbed by the packing. It would be transferred to the lens box. And consequently the lens.

Cars are safer now because they contain crumple zones. They absorb the energy of an impact and distort as a consequence. The passenger is subjected to far less of the impact force. It's the same thing.

If you don't believe me, consider the consequences of using a denser packing medium (i.e. concrete).
 
Bigdeaks said:
Don't see the issue with this packaging. I think that if lens elements moved so freely there would be a lot more duff lenses reported.

One of the main reasons I use Amazon is the aftersales and customer service and returns policy. If Amazon are cheapest I'd keep buying/returning till you get one you are happy with.
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Do Amazon accept a criteria of - I don't think this is sharp/a good sample, I wish to replace? I know that Wex photographic would understand, not sure if a non-specialist like Amazon would understand beyond doing it the once.
I agree that they have excellent after sales service.
 
Matholwch said:
Do Amazon accept a criteria of - I don't think this is sharp/a good sample, I wish to replace? I know that Wex photographic would understand, not sure if a non-specialist like Amazon would understand beyond doing it the once.
I agree that they have excellent after sales service.
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You're covered by the Sale of Goods Act (1979) and Consumer Contracts Regulations (these superseded the Distance Selling Regulations).
 
Matholwch said:
Do Amazon accept a criteria of - I don't think this is sharp/a good sample, I wish to replace? I know that Wex photographic would understand, not sure if a non-specialist like Amazon would understand beyond doing it the once.
I agree that they have excellent after sales service.
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While I have not returned a lens to them under those circumstances, I have returned all sorts of things for various reasons and would be amazed if they wouldn't. You could always ask them? In any case I can't see that Amazon would have any interest in testing/checking a return in these circumstances to verify and would pass it straight back to the manufacturer or just resell as a warehouse deal. I have never had even the slightest problem with the returns process and they usually send the replacement before even receiving the return.
 
LCPete said:
I agree with the OP Andreas it should be packed better than that for such an expensive item
Yes sigma lenses in the own boxes are well packed but it wouldn't cost much for amazon to wrap a bit of bubble wrap round the sigma box
I recived a computer hard drive from amazon packed in a similar way and since then anything delicate I won't use amazon again
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It would cost Amazon a fortune. Multiply that bit of bubble wrap by 400,000 orders a day.

If it's not needed, they're not going to use it.
 
To put things in perspective,

I had my Sigma 105mm Macro lens sent directly by Sigma a couple of weeks ago. The lens was packed in a double slide box and then was also protected by cardboard shredding. I would say the box was also thicker than the cardboard boxes used by Amazon???. So who would you trust most for correctly packaging the boxes containing lenses, Amazon or Sigma?

I will check later to see if I still have the box and photo the difference between them.

As for crumple zones for cars we are talking about one high impact collision and the reason they are used now, its a little different to possibly rattling around a Transit van for 12 hours a day in a carboard box.

Amazon are doing the very bare minimum IMO and they get away with it, to a large extent, but from my experiences I wouldn't buy an expensive lens from them again.

Some guidlines from Royal Mail for packaging >

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/A-Z-guide-on-wrapping-and-packaging

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/I-need-advice-about-wrapping-and-packaging
 
A quick google shows that Amazon and Currys are offering the lens for the same price. Amazon they post in poorly protected boxes. Currys you pick up in store.
Worth thinking about.
 
ecoleman said:
So for anything fragile, other than optics you are more than happy to have less protection?
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Fair comment, but where they've recieved multiple feedbacks on the quality of their packaging for certain items, which subsequently means that said items are resold in their warehouse costing them 10-15% (was the discount Amazon offered me to keep the first lens) which results in a loss of at least ~£50, then 15p worth of increased packaging is worth it.

mickledore said:
A quick google shows that Amazon and Currys are offering the lens for the same price. Amazon they post in poorly protected boxes. Currys you pick up in store.
Worth thinking about.
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Unfortunately a large part of my purchase was made up of Amazon gift vouchers (if I'd been aware of Curry's price, I would've plonked for their vouchers instead).
 
mickledore said:
A quick google shows that Amazon and Currys are offering the lens for the same price. Amazon they post in poorly protected boxes. Currys you pick up in store.
Worth thinking about.
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And how do you think it gets to each Currys store?
 
Someone did an experiment where they put some data loggers with accelerometers into packages and posted them, some had "fragile" labels on and some didn't. The ones with fragile labels suffered more knocks and general "handling" than the ones without.

Doesn't help your case but interesting none-the-less...
 
I got external hard Drive yesterday from Wex over night i would recommend there delivery great packing:cool:
 
Swanseajack said:
To put things in perspective,

I had my Sigma 105mm Macro lens sent directly by Sigma a couple of weeks ago. The lens was packed in a double slide box and then was also protected by cardboard shredding. I would say the box was also thicker than the cardboard boxes used by Amazon???. So who would you trust most for correctly packaging the boxes containing lenses, Amazon or Sigma?

I will check later to see if I still have the box and photo the difference between them.

As for crumple zones for cars we are talking about one high impact collision and the reason they are used now, its a little different to possibly rattling around a Transit van for 12 hours a day in a carboard box.

Amazon are doing the very bare minimum IMO and they get away with it, to a large extent, but from my experiences I wouldn't buy an expensive lens from them again.

Some guidlines from Royal Mail for packaging >

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/A-Z-guide-on-wrapping-and-packaging

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/I-need-advice-about-wrapping-and-packaging
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Yes this is what I'm trying to say it's not a big deal or expensive to package delicate stuff properly
Even if the lenses packed by amazon are ok going by my own example of the hard drive not packed properly I won't order anything like that from amazon again
For normal stuff they are fine and I still buy from amazon
 
ecoleman said:
It would cost Amazon a fortune. Multiply that bit of bubble wrap by 400,000 orders a day.

If it's not needed, they're not going to use it.
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Yes I'm not saying that I'm right and you're wrong it's just up to me and the OP where we chose to buy from
for certain things I would chose to buy from elsewhere if it means peace of mind
The last camera gear I bought a sony Rx100 was about the same price from amazon or Currys only a tenner in it and the amazon as far as I could work out was a grey import which didn't qualify for the Sony cashback
And I picked up the camera from the shop
 
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