Question about buying lenses on Amazon or Ebay at DVinfo.net

Kajito Nagib · July 17th, 2014, 01:33 PM

I never bought a new or used lens or Amazon or Ebay I usually buy my lenses with B&H or Adorama however the lens I want to purchase (Canon 24-70 F/4.0) is listed on B&H for $1499.00 but on Amazon and Ebay it's listed as new for around $930. Even though some of the sellers have a top rated + symbol with great feedback I'm just wondering why the big price difference. I'm not sure if these lenses are defective in anyway. Any idea what's going on here?

Robert Benda · July 17th, 2014, 01:57 PM

Taking a look, the $930 price you see is for a used lens, not new. As long as you're OK with that, you're probably fine as long as you follow a few simple rules:

Note that there are many used lenses all about the same price, but from different sellers. That's a good sign. If we saw one WAY lower than everyone else, we'd worry.

The sellers generally have a lot of reviews, which is also good. We avoid new sellers with great bargains.

Never ever contact a seller directly. Sometimes I see Amazon sellers with a note *email me at XXXX before buying*. Those people are trying to rip you off.

And if you're really concerned, order the used one that says "fulfilled by Amazon." It comes directly from their warehouse, so you'll get it sooner, and it's been looked over at least a little by someone.

Kajito Nagib · July 17th, 2014, 02:12 PM

Is there a 1 year warranty with these lenses?

Robert Benda · July 17th, 2014, 02:29 PM

I would doubt it, but it would be up to the seller, not Canon, since they're not new.

Kajito Nagib · July 17th, 2014, 02:46 PM

I just noticed on Amazon some sellers have a 3 year warranty. Thanks again!

Jim Michael · July 17th, 2014, 03:39 PM

Don't count on that store being there in 3 years to make the warranty good unless it has a long track record. It's pretty easy to create a business entity, make a bunch of shady deals, and then kill the entity before moving operations to a new store.

Kajito Nagib · July 18th, 2014, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Michael

Don't count on that store being there in 3 years to make the warranty good

Indeed! I will probably purchase the lens with Ebay since they have buyers protection don't know about Amazon the only thing I've ever purchase with them is books.

James Manford · July 18th, 2014, 10:12 AM

Buy used and then buy insurance for your gear ... then you're covered!

July 17th, 2014, 01:33 PM	#1
Kajito Nagib Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 432	Question about buying lenses on Amazon or Ebay I never bought a new or used lens or Amazon or Ebay I usually buy my lenses with B&H or Adorama however the lens I want to purchase (Canon 24-70 F/4.0) is listed on B&H for $1499.00 but on Amazon and Ebay it's listed as new for around $930. Even though some of the sellers have a top rated + symbol with great feedback I'm just wondering why the big price difference. I'm not sure if these lenses are defective in anyway. Any idea what's going on here? __________________ -kAj http://www.sweetproductionmedia.com/

July 17th, 2014, 01:57 PM	#2
Robert Benda Trustee Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Crookston, MN Posts: 1,353	Re: Question about buying lenses on Amazon or Ebay Taking a look, the $930 price you see is for a used lens, not new. As long as you're OK with that, you're probably fine as long as you follow a few simple rules: Note that there are many used lenses all about the same price, but from different sellers. That's a good sign. If we saw one WAY lower than everyone else, we'd worry. The sellers generally have a lot of reviews, which is also good. We avoid new sellers with great bargains. Never ever contact a seller directly. Sometimes I see Amazon sellers with a note email me at XXXX before buying. Those people are trying to rip you off. And if you're really concerned, order the used one that says "fulfilled by Amazon." It comes directly from their warehouse, so you'll get it sooner, and it's been looked over at least a little by someone.

July 17th, 2014, 02:12 PM	#3
Kajito Nagib Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 432	Re: Question about buying lenses on Amazon or Ebay Is there a 1 year warranty with these lenses? __________________ -kAj http://www.sweetproductionmedia.com/

July 17th, 2014, 02:29 PM	#4
Robert Benda Trustee Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Crookston, MN Posts: 1,353	Re: Question about buying lenses on Amazon or Ebay I would doubt it, but it would be up to the seller, not Canon, since they're not new.

July 17th, 2014, 02:46 PM	#5
Kajito Nagib Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 432	Re: Question about buying lenses on Amazon or Ebay I just noticed on Amazon some sellers have a 3 year warranty. Thanks again! __________________ -kAj http://www.sweetproductionmedia.com/

July 17th, 2014, 03:39 PM	#6
Jim Michael Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 895	Re: Question about buying lenses on Amazon or Ebay Don't count on that store being there in 3 years to make the warranty good unless it has a long track record. It's pretty easy to create a business entity, make a bunch of shady deals, and then kill the entity before moving operations to a new store.

July 18th, 2014, 10:12 AM	#8
James Manford Trustee Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,393	Re: Question about buying lenses on Amazon or Ebay Buy used and then buy insurance for your gear ... then you're covered!