What's your experience buying refurbished from Canon Direct USA?

[unfocused]

That's unusual. I have purchased a lot of refurbished items (most recently a 100-400 II) and they have always been pristine. That said though, if it is just cosmetic I wouldn't worry about it, especially since refurbished now come with a full one-year warranty.

 

[studeb]

That was my initial thought, its just cosmetic. I also wonder about down the road issues, like if the paint would be cause for warranty problems?

It seems like this is the first report of a non-pristine refurb. Maybe it really is a unicorn!

 

[Pookie]

I bought my 200mm f/2 refurb... not a single issue and if I didn't tell you you'd think it was brand new (now it's a little beat but back then it had that "new" car smell). Came with everything that a new one would come with... I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one the exact same way.

 

[kaswindell]

I bought my 5d3/24-105 kit as a refurb earlier this year when the price dropped and have been very happy with it. No problem with the order and it arrived 2 days after the order was placed.

 

[monkey44]

We can only reiterate what has been said here -- we bought two cameras refurb, and one lens at different times a couple years ago ... all three arrived within a few days of the order, and if it wasn't for the refurb sticker, we'd have thought it was brand new and shipped by accident. Perfect condition and the 7D came with only four shutter clicks - right, that's four!!!

We'd have no hesitation buying refurb from Canon again.

 

[tpatana]

I've bought several items, and each of them looked like new. No clue that anyone would have ever used/touched them before.

 

[drmikeinpdx]

I've made several purchases through the Canon refurb store and have always had good luck.

My one complaint is that they always charge sales tax. I'm not sure why that is, but I have to take that into account when I'm comparing prices with other online photo retailers.

 

[dickgrafixstop]

Yes....and no. Bought camera and lens which arrived with no problems and am still using both. Then I bought a
camera for my granddaughter and it arrived DOA. Return rigamarole was interesting and frustrating, but eventually a replacement was shipped after a second credit card charge. Refund did arrive but they sure take longer to return money than to take it. Replacement camera is working well and my granddaughter is a new Canon booster.

 

[alberrt]

My experience was a disaster and is still going on. I ordered a 28-105 refurbished lens on 12-10 and immediately got an email from canon thanking me for my order and telling me they would notify me when it shipped. I also immediately got an email showing an hold to my paypal account for the purchase. On 12-17 I called to check and see when this would ship as this was a Christmas present. I was told that the order could not be filled as there was not enough stock (yet I see here and in other forums that if this is not stock it will show in the screen where I purchased it). I was further told that they were not going to notify me. I had not received any notice that there was an issue, I just randomly decided to call. I was also told there was no raincheck; just no lens, no notification, and nothing I could do. SOL.

So a ordered one from 42nd St photo and had it the next day, brand new for the same price delivered! I know it is 'grey market' but it is a canon lens same as I would have received from Canon and they actually delivered it.

I also and still struggling to get the amount released from my pay pal account even though Canon has a recorded call where I asked for them to release the hold as they were not going to ship.

Too bad I didn't start with NIKON.