Unboxing Nikon camera

[world25]

I have decided to buy a Nikon camera sometime this week.

Because I am paying over $500, I don't want to purchase a product that has already been open, used, or touched. We all know that the Christmas season just passed and there are a lot of return products.

Can anyone tell me if the Nikon camera box is usually sealed or have any plastic wraps around the box? (buying in store).

The reason I am asking is because a couple years ago I nearly bought a PS3 that has been opened (they taped it back and tried to sell it to me). I was at the checkout counter when I noticed this and immediately asked to get a new box.

Thank you.

[Kasakato]

None that I recall.

[world25]

None that I recall.

Thanks for the reply. I guess there is no way to confirm if it is used/played around with for a couple minutes/untouched...especially paying for a product that cost over $500.

[import_nation]

Nope most of the Nikon cameras I've repacked (use to work at future shop and best buy) can be packed in a way where it looks like it was never opened. Just pay attention to the cables and the way they are wire tied, should be neat and the wire tires shouldn't look messed with. Also pay attention to how wrinkly the packaging is. Finger prints on the camera are also another way of telling. The battery is usually in a bag that wrinkles easily and has tape holding it shut. If you pay close attention the tape should look like it's never been removed. Also look on the battery for wear lines where it runs down the guide on the battery compartment.

Good luck,
ex pro repacker
lol

[world25]

Nope most of the Nikon cameras I've repacked (use to work at future shop and best buy) can be packed in a way where it looks like it was never opened. Just pay attention to the cables and the way they are wire tied, should be neat and the wire tires shouldn't look messed with. Also pay attention to how wrinkly the packaging is. Finger prints on the camera are also another way of telling. The battery is usually in a bag that wrinkles easily and has tape holding it shut. If you pay close attention the tape should look like it's never been removed. Also look on the battery for wear lines where it runs down the guide on the battery compartment.

Good luck,
ex pro repacker
lol

Thanks for the info and tips.

[mebiuspower]

Oh my god a human have touched it!!! Camera is totally ruined.

[import_nation]

When it comes to cameras certain things do matter.. Trust me.. People buy cameras. Swap out the battery with their old one that barely works and return the whole camera. So when you buy it, you have no idea you are getting an old battery. You also have to consider people who buy cameras to use them and return them try to clean them before returning them. They might wipe down the front lens with a paper towel and end up scratching the front glass element. This isn't as critical for a point and shoot since the optics were never that good to being with.. But it's still worth considering.

For DSLRs there are even more things to consider. Shutter count is one.. In those 14-30 days for return policy it's not hard to knock out a ton of photos if you are on vacation or shooting an event.. I've ran cancount on returned Canon DSLRs and seen people hit close to 3000 actuations. Lower end DSLRs have an actuator life. Other things to consider is improper lens change and cleaning of the DSLR causing damage to the mirror, CMOS sensor, inner and outer element of the lens. Changing your lens in a dusty room? You are going to get tons of dust inside the camera body. Dust on the element of the lens. The guy who is returning it is either going to try to clean it (and likely damage it) or leave it and you get a camera that takes photos with loads of dust marks. Is it a big deal? Well sort of.. You can try to clean it yourself but for DSLRs its generally recommended to send it back to Canon to have it cleaned. It's a hassle and might cost money. Just something to keep in mind when you go meh. I guess it depends how much you care. For a entry level DSLR most consumers might not. For a pro series camera I would think it's a bigger deal.

This all comes down to business ethics. It cost money for companies to send products back or place returned items to open box. If the item looks unused they will sell it as brand new.

[craftsman]

When it comes to cameras certain things do matter.. Trust me.. People buy cameras. Swap out the battery with their old one that barely works and return the whole camera. So when you buy it, you have no idea you are getting an old battery. You also have to consider people who buy cameras to use them and return them try to clean them before returning them. They might wipe down the front lens with a paper towel and end up scratching the front glass element. This isn't as critical for a point and shoot since the optics were never that good to being with.. But it's still worth considering.

For DSLRs there are even more things to consider. Shutter count is one.. In those 14-30 days for return policy it's not hard to knock out a ton of photos if you are on vacation or shooting an event.. I've ran cancount on returned Canon DSLRs and seen people hit close to 3000 actuations. Lower end DSLRs have an actuator life. Other things to consider is improper lens change and cleaning of the DSLR causing damage to the mirror, CMOS sensor, inner and outer element of the lens. Changing your lens in a dusty room? You are going to get tons of dust inside the camera body. Dust on the element of the lens. The guy who is returning it is either going to try to clean it (and likely damage it) or leave it and you get a camera that takes photos with loads of dust marks. Is it a big deal? Well sort of.. You can try to clean it yourself but for DSLRs its generally recommended to send it back to Canon to have it cleaned. It's a hassle and might cost money. Just something to keep in mind when you go meh. I guess it depends how much you care. For a entry level DSLR most consumers might not. For a pro series camera I would think it's a bigger deal.

This all comes down to business ethics. It cost money for companies to send products back or place returned items to open box. If the item looks unused they will sell it as brand new.

It's not really business ethics that's the problem... it's consumer ethics.

A business sells a product on the idea that the consumer will get the product the consumer chooses and will keep and use. All of the points you listed above are caused by the customer and not the business. Even the return policy was the result of customers demanding it. If the business refuses to take a product back, then the customer kicks up a fuss and the business is portrayed as the bad guy. And if the business takes it back, and sells it again, then the business is the bad guy again. The original customer who abused the new equipment and then returns it is the real bad guy but no one ever hears (or cares) about that.

Of course, there will be times that the original customer will receive a defective product and it breaks within the return period. Most retailers are happy to exchange it at that point. Unfortunately, most consumers aren't truthful on the reason for return and FAIL to disclose the correct information. I've seen products that were defective but the customer states that they got a duplicate gift or their wife didn't like it and they claim that there is nothing wrong with it. The retailer or the OEM can't test every product returned. I've also seen customers claim that the product was defective but really they didn't want it any more or used it for what they wanted to and wants to turn it into a free rental. Once again, if the business refuses the return or exchange then they are made out to be the bad guys.

[apvm]

in is right, a friend of mine bought a camera a few years ago, the kit lens was an old one which wasning working properly, he had a hard time returning it. The manager finally approved exchange only but no refund and that was only because he bought the extended warranty from FS. So best if possible check them in stock after you bought it and infront of a CSR.

[world25]

Thanks for your reply and sharing your story. This thread isn't really a debate on who is right or who is wrong.

I got the information I wanted and it's just a 'buyer beware' situation right now. I am hoping that someday Nikon or other camera brands will implement the seal or some kind of plastic wrapper for the box (especially for expensive products such a camera).

[1337rice]

You can also tell if the battery has been used by looking at the metal contacts. If there is a dark line marked on it, it has been used.

[Mayosandwich]

If you want to be 100% sure then do a cotton swab test for human DNA. Take it to the lab to get it tested and should hear back within 2 days.

[pessamystic]

Thanks for your reply and sharing your story. This thread isn't really a debate on who is right or who is wrong.

I got the information I wanted and it's just a 'buyer beware' situation right now. I am hoping that someday Nikon or other camera brands will implement the seal or some kind of plastic wrapper for the box (especially for expensive products such a camera).

don't wait for that! one thing to be sure of is that the shutter shows 1 or very, very low when you buy it. ask the seller what to expect and tell them you will not be buying it if the shutter is above 5 or 10. or 20. also, check the battery age using the menu. nikon has been releasing bad batteries showing an age of 1 right away. i have one of those.

[apvm]

Thanks for your reply and sharing your story. This thread isn't really a debate on who is right or who is wrong.

I got the information I wanted and it's just a 'buyer beware' situation right now. I am hoping that someday Nikon or other camera brands will implement the seal or some kind of plastic wrapper for the box (especially for expensive products such a camera).

Agreed, plastic wrapper with company transparent logo or seal tape with company logo like those Asus laptop.

[warpdrive]

this happened to me....I bought a Nikon DSLR at FS and when I got home, it didn't ask me for the time when I turned it on, and the shutter had been activated dozens of time. I returned it and got a new one.

If I paid for a new item, I should get one that wasn't used before.