Author Topic: Refurbished From Adorama. Your take? (Read 5809 times)

NYTumbleweeds · « **on:** August 03, 2009, 17:03 »

My 40D was damaged recently and insurance is working to replace it. I have been looking into the refurbished models at Adorama. Anyone have experience or opinion on a refurbished piece of equipment?

Whiz · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2009, 17:20 »

For expensive cameras, I prefer to buy new. I once purchased a refurbished 5D from Adorama, and it had problems. I was able to return it easily enough though, and I received my money back. For the record, I decided to purchase a new camera from Adorama after my refurbished experience; it works splendidly. So while I'm happy with my new camera, in my experience, it's a gamble to buy refurbished. Even more so when it's an expensive item.

Phil · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2009, 18:34 »

I bought 2 refurbished lenses once. both weren't very good for that lens (poor sample variations). I think basically they had been returned by other people but the manufacturer said they where "within tolerance" and acceptable and just resold them. So imo I wouldn't buy refurb lenses, camera may be a whole different story.

NYTumbleweeds · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2009, 22:16 »

Thank you...sounds like a gamble. Will think some more on it!

HelenOster · « **Reply #4 on:** August 05, 2009, 12:43 »

Quote from: NYTumbleweeds on August 03, 2009, 17:03

My 40D was damaged recently and insurance is working to replace it. I have been looking into the refurbished models at Adorama. Anyone have experience or opinion on a refurbished piece of equipment?

A refurb may be an ex-store demo, possibly used in field tests or sales displays, or it may have been ordered in error and returned to the retailer (who can't then sell it as 'new' so it has to be sent back to the manufacturer for refurbishment). A refurb can also have simply been pulled from the production line if something appears faulty, or if it hasn't passed the final inspection.
Most of the time it is a very minor issue that needs correcting, nevertheless, once it is pulled from the normal flow of production, it gets flagged as a refurbished model, so you may get a unit straight from the factory that has never been used.

A refurbished item will have been checked over by the manufacturer by hand, inspected very thoroughly, diagnosed, and calibrated by experienced technicians, and could therefore turn out to be more dependable than a new item - which will only have been checked by a process of systematic quality control protocol (ie by random sampling as it comes off the conveyor belt).

In the past Adorama warranted Canon refurbished for 90 days; since 1st May, all Canon refurbished products from Adorama come with a 1 year return-to-Adorama warranty; 14 days from date of receipt for a full refund, and the balance for repair or replacement.

Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

[email protected]
www.adorama.com

PixelBytes · « **Reply #5 on:** August 05, 2009, 12:52 »

Adorama's a good store, with a good return policy. It might be worth trying because you can return it.

But FWIW I have bought several refurbished cameras and lenses over the years and have never been fully satisfied with any of them.

leaf · « **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2009, 14:32 »

I have bought a few refurbished things and generally think they are a great chance to get a deal. They should be as good as new. Any camera have something wrong with it, new or refurbished.