New D810 obviously returned - would you worry?

[JimAustin]

From B&H. Normally when you get a new camera you need to set up the menus--choose language etc. Already done in this case. Plus, a bunch of plastic things (not even sure what they are) loose in the case. So I checked shutter activations in Photoshop: More than 500.

I've taken maybe 20 shots and there's no sign of trouble, but it's a half-hour subway ride (roughly) to B&H. Would you exchange it for now, or not worry?

 

[Surfnsun]

Bunch of plastic things?

Anyway, if you're not satisfied with the way it was packaged, return it. Easily done. Your details were too vague for anyone to really give you advice since we weren't there and didn't see it. I'm sure the responses will be that it would bother some, while others wouldn't be bothered...Clear enough? haha

Personally I'd just return it. Too expensive of an item to be packed poorly.

 

[JimAustin]

Bunch of plastic things?

Anyway, if you're not satisfied with the way it was packaged, return it. Easily done. Your details were too vague for anyone to really give you advice since we weren't there and didn't see it.

Yeah, not my best post. The plastic things are cable clips, for HDMI and USB. Never saw those before in a camera box.

My concern is not with how it's packed. It's that it has obviously been used (500+ exposures before I touched it) and returned. That's worrisome in a couple of ways. The main one is, let's say you got a new $3000 camera and you dropped it--not far enough to make a mark maybe, but enough to give it a good jolt. Still works fine, but you worry you did some damage. So you take it back.

I'd happily take a camera used and vetted by a known, experienced photographer and found to be shipshape. But when someone you never met has taken it out a time or two, I think I'd rather take my chances with the Nikon factory's quality control.

So there, I've just answered my own question.

 

[capanikon]

This doesn't surprise me given the number of people I see who buy something and then want to return it. They should have more carefully researched the purchase before buying.

 

[j_photo]

With expensive purchases, I ask to open the box before paying. I've never had a problem. But I would rather discover anything while still in the store.

In your case, I would return the camera. Any number of things could have happened to it. For that much money, I don't expect someone else's rejected merchandise.

 

[michaeladawson]

From B&H. Normally when you get a new camera you need to set up the menus--choose language etc. Already done in this case. Plus, a bunch of plastic things (not even sure what they are) loose in the case. So I checked shutter activations in Photoshop: More than 500.

I've taken maybe 20 shots and there's no sign of trouble, but it's a half-hour subway ride (roughly) to B&H. Would you exchange it for now, or not worry?

You paid for a new camera. You got a demo camera. I'd return it.

 

[BasilG]

A representative from B&H sometimes frequents these forums. Would be interesting to know what he has to say about this.

 

[Reilly Diefenbach]

I never worry. I buy locally or from Bestbuy. Never from any internet retailer in the greater New York/New Jersey area. Too many used products sent out as new.

 

[MattPointZero]

From B&H. Normally when you get a new camera you need to set up the menus--choose language etc. Already done in this case. Plus, a bunch of plastic things (not even sure what they are) loose in the case. So I checked shutter activations in Photoshop: More than 500.

I've taken maybe 20 shots and there's no sign of trouble, but it's a half-hour subway ride (roughly) to B&H. Would you exchange it for now, or not worry?

100% that camera would be going back to the store, and to be honest I would be expecting an apology and something as a goodwill gesture against my time and cost of going back - that, or I would be calling them and asking them to send the new item by courier and for that one to be picked up. As an absolute minimum, if you were keeping that one they should be adjusting the price to reflect a lightly used or ex demo product.

I imagine the store will be quite embarrassed. Definitely return it, this isn't a 9.99 item. The cost and effort should be theirs, not yours to rectify something that they shouldn't have done.

Good luck!

 

[Iain G Foulds]

... I guess the challenge is proving that you didn't just take those 500 photos? It sounds good advice to open the box before paying.

 

[lickity split]

Send it back and call customer service and get in their ear about it to me that's just B&H trying to get slick with one of its customers , You .

 

[TOF guy]

100% that camera would be going back to the store, and to be honest I would be expecting an apology and something as a goodwill gesture against my time and cost of going back - that, or I would be calling them and asking them to send the new item by courier and for that one to be picked up. As an absolute minimum, if you were keeping that one they should be adjusting the price to reflect a lightly used or ex demo product.

I imagine the store will be quite embarrassed. Definitely return it, this isn't a 9.99 item. The cost and effort should be theirs, not yours to rectify something that they shouldn't have done.

Totally agree.

 

[TOF guy]

... I guess the challenge is proving that you didn't just take those 500 photos? It sounds good advice to open the box before paying.

If my recollection serves me right you only get to hold the box once you've paid at B&H.

 

[JimAustin]

I never worry. I buy locally or from Bestbuy. Never from any internet retailer in the greater New York/New Jersey area. Too many used products sent out as new.

I'm in New York B&H IS local. I bought at the retail store.

 

[overniteman]

First off, I wouldn't worry, B&H stands behind everything they sell.

But, I'd bring it back for a pristine camera. You pay for new, get new. It'll always gnaw at you.

 

[lickity split]

... I guess the challenge is proving that you didn't just take those 500 photos? It sounds good advice to open the box before paying.

If my recollection serves me right you only get to hold the box once you've paid at B&H.

 

[Iain G Foulds]

... Over: Still, how does he prove that he didn't just take those 500 shots, then changed his mind? It's seems more complicated.

... If you can't open the box until you pay for it, then when you open the box, you find a used camera...

... But, it has to go back. It has to. Soon as possible.

 

[JimAustin]

First off, I wouldn't worry, B&H stands behind everything they sell.

But, I'd bring it back for a pristine camera. You pay for new, get new. It'll always gnaw at you.

OP here: I agree with this. They seem to have screwed up here, but I've had good service from B&H, both before I moved to NYC (over the Internet and, before that, out of the backs of the photo magazines) and especially since. I'm sure they'll make this right. The main reason I was posting was to solicit opinions on how much I ought to care. I've received plenty of those.

 

[JimAustin]

... Over: Still, how does he prove that he didn't just take those 500 shots, then changed his mind? It's seems more complicated.

I think this is straightforward. First, according to their return policy, I don't need to make up an excuse. Within 30 days, I can return it for any reason. Second, they probably know; they have a very sophisticated merchandise-tracking system; they can easily trace the history of that camera. I thought of one other reason, but I've forgotten it now.

... If you can't open the box until you pay for it, then when you open the box, you find a used camera...

... But, it has to go back. It has to. Soon as possible.

I sent them an email last night. I'll wait until I hear back, and then I'll return it.

I'll add, as I did at the end of another post, that I've had good experiences with B&H for years. I'm confident they'll make this right.

 

[Reilly Diefenbach]

There are about 20 Bestbuy stores in the NY area, where they label open box as such and give a discount. Just sayin!