Would you buy refurbished?

Phil1974

Phil1974

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Been looking for D7000 for a little while but they are like gold dust at the moment. I've found one from a seller on Ebay that states its a refurbished model. The camera comes with a one year warranty. Sounds pretty good but what is the general thought on refurbished items and what are the potential issues?
 
For me it would depend on who it was refurbished by, the extent of the refurbishment and the guarantee offered.
 
I got my Canon 1d3 refurbed from Cameraworld it's minty like new and when I complained that the sensor was like the sky at night Canon sorted without question.

They wont tell you what they did to it but with a 12 month warrenty you cant go far wrong. I'd say go for it.
 
Yes. I have done and will do again if the need and opportunity arises. I bought my 40D as a refurbished model from the Canon refurbished seller on Ebay. It's still going strong.

It won't be new, it could be a customer return, display model or a review model. It will have anything from zero to a thousand or more shots on the clock.

You need to measure the warranty against the business supplying it, are they official refurbished resellers for Nikon? is the warranty backed by Nikon? are they reputable with a decent track record?
 
Phil1974 said:
Been looking for D7000 for a little while but they are like gold dust at the moment. I've found one from a seller on Ebay that states its a refurbished model. The camera comes with a one year warranty. Sounds pretty good but what is the general thought on refurbished items and what are the potential issues?
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Well refurbished items I would have thought would have gone through a second set of tests, examinations and inspections especially if done at the factory so I think you can buy with confidence. They wouldn't be offering the standard 1 yr warranty if they weren't confident all was well. Downside could be some small blemish and shutter count although in respect of the latter, they wouldn't be releasing anything that had too high a count.

Are returns possible with that listing in the event that it doesn't meet with your expectations?


Edit - Gramps made a good point about extent of refurbishment. I would go for factory or OEM authorised agent. Anything beyond that and I might be tempted to decline the offer.
 
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gramps said:
:plusone: Manufacturer refurbished is one thing, eBay seller refurbished is another.
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Well, yes except Nikon-refurbished cameras aren't done by Nikon, they contract the work out to Johnson Photopia's JP Solutions division.

I've had two cameras that they carried the work out on, one was DOA and the other had, on
delivery, a filthy sensor. My impression is that the "refurbishment" process consists of little more than a cursory inspection and a wipe over with a damp cloth.
 
gramps said:
:plusone: Manufacturer refurbished is one thing, eBay seller refurbished is another.
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Exactly. Anyone can give something a quick tidy-up and claim it's been "refurbished", even if it's on its last legs.

I'd be happy with a manufacturer refurb or a refurb by an established third party repairer, with guarantee, but I'd avoid anonymous or amateur "refurbs" like the plague.
 
Once bitten twice shy....... Bought a 1D MKIIn from the Canon Outlet on eBay, as you stated, it was a refurbished item, camera arrived, switch on alright, but attach a lens and the camera didn't work, several attempts and lenses later camera was packed up and sent back, and eventually got a refund. Later when a deal on TP fell through, the OP just couldn't part with it, I tried again, and this time got a good one. Has been back to Canon for a recal, but is still up and working 4 years since purchase. A friend had bought several camera's from them without incident. So if this is a recommended outlet for Nikon refurbished equipment and is offering a full 1 year Nikon warranty, then I would buy with confidence, just check there feedback history and look at the poor ratings if any to see how they handle any problems.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Well, yes except Nikon-refurbished cameras aren't done by Nikon, they contract the work out to Johnson Photopia's JP Solutions division.

I've had two cameras that they carried the work out on, one was DOA and the other had, on
delivery, a filthy sensor. My impression is that the "refurbishment" process consists of little more than a cursory inspection and a wipe over with a damp cloth.
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And then I read this......
Does this mean that Nikon sub all their refurb work to these guys?
 
I got a refurbed d80. Unit was spot on and is still going as my friend now uses it. Wouldnt spend serious money on it, if i was going high id save a bit longer and get new.
 
Yes I'd consider one, but would have to be at a discount over a brand new one, I've seen a few refurbs at virtually new price
 
andyred said:
Yes I'd consider one, but would have to be at a discount over a brand new one, I've seen a few refurbs at virtually new price
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Well they're selling at £819 which is cheaper than most even with the £80 cash back deal. So tempted but might hold off until PC World get some stock as they're only £849, so £769 with cashback. Just don't know when they'll have one :(
 
I bought my imac refurbished just after they had released the new models and I'm convinced that it was new....where do all the new old models go, they don't discount them! Even if there was a problem it gets sorted and probably gets more thoroughly tested than a new one. I also bought a manufacturer refurbished canon s95 from ebay which was like new but the box had been opened and it has worked perfectly for the last 6 months and saved a third off the cheapest new price that I could find.
 
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Phil1974 said:
Well they're selling at £819 which is cheaper than most even with the £80 cash back deal. So tempted but might hold off until PC World get some stock as they're only £849, so £769 with cashback. Just don't know when they'll have one :(
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If that's £849 for a new one then that's a good price from PC World. HDEW are selling them for £835 at the moment.
 
Alternatively, you could try here http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/nikon-d7000-digital-slr-camera-body-584-p.asp and get a new body cheaper than the refurb, if it was a body only. I've had a Canon 5D2 and a Canon 5D3 from Hdew and they have a very good rep here on the forum. It's even cheaper now at £815 with a 3 year warranty, they are grey imports but they have approved service companies to do the work under warranty. Great company, can't fault them, they even made sure I got my 5D3 in time by arranging a saturday delivery at no extra cost to me.
 
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I bought my 20D refurbished from Canon & it hasn't had any problems, unlike the second hand cameras I've bought. I've also had a few compacts from the Canon refurb store and they've all been fine, in sure ill be using them again the lithe future.
 
I've bought Nikon refurb from a dealer before with no issues. Just make sure you give it a full test in the store, and see if they'll knock anything extra off.

Cameraworld have new D7000 body only for £879 - so £799 with cashback. Online store lets you add it to the basket, but that doesn't mean they actually have any in stock right now though, might be worth a call.
 
I'd be happy to buy refurbished. With a year's warranty I'd say it offers less of a gamble than buying used from a random stranger on a forum or eBay. And despite what you might think about people on forums being a community, etc, if you don't actually know them face to face, they are a stranger. Offering no warranty.

So I'd say fill yer boots!
 
Also had a Nikon refurb before and came with 12 months warranty.

Had no problems.
 
I just bought a pair of 1dmk4's from Calumet, they were refurbs they cost me a grand less than a "brand new" one. The only thing that shows any sign of use is the box... The camera's are perfect and look "new"
 
I think I'm going to have a look at Cameraworld. Price seems really good and at least they have a shop to go to if any issues.
 
Shine On said:
I'd be happy to buy refurbished. With a year's warranty I'd say it offers less of a gamble than buying used from a random stranger on a forum or eBay. And despite what you might think about people on forums being a community, etc, if you don't actually know them face to face, they are a stranger. Offering no warranty.

So I'd say fill yer boots!
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I reckon I'd be happier with someone established from here.

After all negative feedback on here hurts alot more the ebay, where it could either be lost in a flood of sales, or overturned once you email them enough.
 
Fair enough Sean, but it's been seen on here before. If a person was to sell sub standard/mis advertised goods, they're unlikely to particuarly care what other strangers on a forum think if them. They've had your money, there is no comeback, it's tough luck.

I'm sure most of the people on a forum like this are sound, and they're posting history might give you an insight to who they are and their attitude towards their gear. the one's I've bought items from have been brilliant and totally straight up. But it still isn't a warranty though....
 
Shine On said:
Fair enough Sean, but it's been seen on here before. If a person was to sell sub standard/mis advertised goods, they're unlikely to particuarly care what other strangers on a forum think if them. They've had your money, there is no comeback, it's tough luck.

I'm sure most of the people on a forum like this are sound, and they're posting history might give you an insight to who they are and their attitude towards their gear. the one's I've bought items from have been brilliant and totally straight up. But it still isn't a warranty though....
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Touché although I would be very cautious, even on OCUK I rarely pay first with low trust users, just like at my time I had to send first and pay first. That's life, also yeah a quick perv on their profile to see what kinda person they are usually helps :P
 
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