Ricoh Refurbished
Quote from JBP on April 6, 2022, 2:16 pmI was looking at Ricoh's refurb/open-box page here: https://us.ricoh-imaging.com/product-category/open-box-refurbished/
Some seem like good deals (the 100mm macro for $350, maybe) others not so much (the 18-135 for $350, it can be found used for ~$150-200 if memory serves). The K-3iii is $1600 which may be a good deal compared to a used model since it comes with a short warranty.
But what caught my eye is what isn't listed on that page, yet somehow I arrived at:
https://us.ricoh-imaging.com/product/smc-pentax-da%E2%98%85-300mm-f4-edif-sdm-refurbished/
A DA* 300mm for $500? Can that be true? It's not for sale because none are in stock, but I have a hard time believing that's the price when they are in stock. I will be refreshing that page every day, that's for sure. 😆
I was looking at Ricoh's refurb/open-box page here: https://us.ricoh-imaging.com/product-category/open-box-refurbished/
Some seem like good deals (the 100mm macro for $350, maybe) others not so much (the 18-135 for $350, it can be found used for ~$150-200 if memory serves). The K-3iii is $1600 which may be a good deal compared to a used model since it comes with a short warranty.
But what caught my eye is what isn't listed on that page, yet somehow I arrived at:
A DA* 300mm for $500? Can that be true? It's not for sale because none are in stock, but I have a hard time believing that's the price when they are in stock. I will be refreshing that page every day, that's for sure. 😆
Quote from James Warner on April 6, 2022, 6:53 pmI've seen some good deals there occasionally. Only a few months after the GR III was released they sold some refurb models there for $600. You would still be lucky to get one for that price used nowadays, let alone a few months after release! So yes, it's possible that they occasionally under estimate how much they could charge.
Instead of constantly refreshing the page you can use a free service like this to check the page every day for changes. It works pretty well:
https://www.wachete.com/
I've seen some good deals there occasionally. Only a few months after the GR III was released they sold some refurb models there for $600. You would still be lucky to get one for that price used nowadays, let alone a few months after release! So yes, it's possible that they occasionally under estimate how much they could charge.
Instead of constantly refreshing the page you can use a free service like this to check the page every day for changes. It works pretty well:
Quote from Beau Carpenter on April 7, 2022, 12:03 pmGR III for $600 🤯 That would have been amazing to snag.
Thanks for sharing the wachete service, never heard of that one before
GR III for $600 🤯 That would have been amazing to snag.
Thanks for sharing the wachete service, never heard of that one before
Quote from KankRat on April 10, 2022, 12:40 amFrom my experience "refurbished" can range anywhere from indistiguishable from "new" to downright used.
I would not buy anything from Nikon directly ever again, because of my last experience in dealing with their customer service was about as fun as a trip to the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles.
I would not buy anything without a pretty liberal return policy.
I only paid $600 for my very clean 300 at Roberts Camera (Used Photo Pro). Â There was some minor issue, they offered to take it back no questions asked.
Sounds like the Pentax flavor of 300mm f4 prime has some similar wonkiness as the Nikon. I would proceed with caution.
From my experience "refurbished" can range anywhere from indistiguishable from "new" to downright used.
I would not buy anything from Nikon directly ever again, because of my last experience in dealing with their customer service was about as fun as a trip to the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles.
I would not buy anything without a pretty liberal return policy.
I only paid $600 for my very clean 300 at Roberts Camera (Used Photo Pro). Â There was some minor issue, they offered to take it back no questions asked.
Sounds like the Pentax flavor of 300mm f4 prime has some similar wonkiness as the Nikon. I would proceed with caution.