Received used (!?) 5D III from Crutchfield

[unclemat]

Now I cannot believe my bad luck. After getting a defective one from Adorama, today I got 2nd body from Crutchfield. Came well packaged in box with peanuts, but the camera box itself is dented and molested - looks like opened before. I did not notice any marks, smudges or fingerprints on the camera or accessories, however.

Called Crutchfield and they will take it back. They are saying it must have come from factory like this.

EDIT: I'll see if the camera works okay before deciding to return it. It just sucks to get such an expensive toy in a beat up box. I initially thought it was used - made a mistake of inserting an empty but previously used card, so the camera likely picked up the last number and started with picture #69, so I thought it was removed from the box and perhaps use. But I cannot really tell if any pictures were taken with it. Neither EOSInfo nor eoscount.com are able to read the shutter count of 5dIII yet.

So the only issue is the beatup box, judging by crushed corner dropped on the floor. Whoever is handling these $3500 items could put more care into it.

 

[blackwind]

I remember reading somewhere on this forum/ others forum. That file name written on the card isnt actual shuttion actuation counts. I remember someone got his brand spanking new Mk2 and his first few photo has 5xxx something on it.

WHy dont you connect ur camera to pc and go to eoscount.com and u will see ur actual shutter count.

Cheers

 

[unclemat]

Actually seeing the beat up box I was suspcious and tried EOSInfo first but it did not work. eoscount.com does not seem to work with 5D III, either.

 

[blackwind]

Aww sorry forgetton to think, maybe there is not driver for mk3 just as yet.

But 0069 <= if it actual shutter counts isnt bad. Assuming they testing 69 shots before shipping out.

Else you can try eosinfo program, still not sure if it need driver for it.

Again if your gut feeling make u think it has been open/used return it for a replacement.

I know how it feels, If i feel something isnt right, doesnt matter what it is, It will keeps anoying me everytime i look at it. hehe

 

[unclemat]

Well, I forgot to format the card, so the image counter at #70 is probably because of that.

I managed to get eoscount.com to recognize the camera (per instructions here: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/canon/1060694-eos-shutter-count-check-via-internet-2.html#post7797227), and it says shutter count is six (I took only 3 pictures), but I don't know if the number is to be trusted, because the serial # reading is messed up.

Still I don't enjoy getting $3.5k product in a crushed box, so I think it's going back.

 

[unclemat]

Yes, eoscount.com can't read the shutter count properly. Took another 2 pictures, and the count is still showing as 6.

 

[jhanken]

As a big gear guy, I can understand the frustration. However, in a month or so, those 69 pictures and the less than pristine box will make no difference whatsoever in your long-term enjoyment and use, right? And isn't that what we should be focused on?

 

[dturano]

While it seems you may be more aware, over cautious, etc than most users, especially since the post seems like you received two cameras in one day and have issues with both?

Either way I understand where your coming from, i got a 17-555 2.8 once and when i got to my car and opened it i had a bad feeling, mounted it and shot a few, felt like it was taken from the packaging, which is not uncommon at local stores, they open one and let you test it, then re box it. I took it back they guy inspected it and said it wasn't sold but may have been used int he store, i said for the price i paid take one from the bottom of the pile (which was ont the shelf i could see) and while it wasn't any different i had a better feeling.

Its your money, its a lot of money to most and I would suggest you may want to purchase your next one at a local auth cannon dealer allowing you to inspect before leaving.

The $7 res-otck is better than most 15% interent retailers charge these days.

Hopefully a good copy falls your way shortly.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

There should not be a restock fee. Canon requires them to return a defective camera. They should not be restocking the camera so that someone else gets it!!.

I'd send a letter to Canon and CC to the Crutchfield customer service.

 

[unclemat]

No, no, no, $7 is for return shipping (I edited my post). $7 is no a big deal anyway, and Crutchfield rep agreed to waive it when I asked. I guess I am used to retailers paying for return shipping if there issue with the merchandise (like e.g. Adorama did without asking).

So Crutchfield was cool about it and they are OK in my book customer service wise. They generally have an excellent reputation in customer service department. Perhaps someone in warehouse screwed up and dropped the box. Please do not misinterpret my post.

Except the beat up box I do not have solid evidence of use. I should have reformatted the card in the PC before inserting it to the camera.

As for being over cautions. Perhaps. But I am not making up these things. Below is an example picture from camera #1 with defective shutter.