Beware of Best Buy Open Box // What would you do!?

So I ordered a Sony 28mm F2 lens on EBay going for $350 on Best Buy there. Discription said it was "like new" so I pulled the trigger...

When the lens arrived were finger prints and cleaning smudges on the front lens element and it arrived looking like it was a demo display item; NOT COOL! I'm m filling a little ripped off. Also there some hairline blemishes on the outer edge of the ring just outside the front lens element with some light scratching and slight burring which also doesn t line up with the condition discription.

I know now I should simply just send back for an exchange but that doesn't take into account all the time being wasted on all of this. I feel like Best Buy just earned a lower rung in my latter for a source to avoid where discount lenses and good deals are concerned. I'm an old customer who really used to like them but I think I'm going to avoid doing future business with them...

Nate!

I sell used stuff but I never buy used stuff.

At least Best Buy will take their eBay sales back in their local stores for a full refund. Got a lens from them missing everything. Fully returned and refunded to my local store. I never buy new lenses, most used ones are perfectly fine.

I have bought a lot of used lenses.... none of them came in such condition. Luck of the draw I guess.

Just returned an Best Buy open box FE16-35 that was like new . . . and a good copy.  Just too big, but a great deal if needed.

Luck of the draw.

Jack

Return it at their expense - SNAD - unless you want a price concession (and they offer one).

Buying used is always a savings, and always luck of the draw.  I always try to be as transparent as possible in selling things - and expect the same of others - but sometimes that's not what you get.

Nathan Cowlishaw wrote:

So I ordered a Sony 28mm F2 lens on EBay going for $350 on Best Buy there. Discription said it was "like new" so I pulled the trigger...

When the lens arrived were finger prints and cleaning smudges on the front lens element and it arrived looking like it was a demo display item; NOT COOL! I'm m filling a little ripped off. Also there some hairline blemishes on the outer edge of the ring just outside the front lens element with some light scratching and slight burring which also doesn t line up with the condition discription.

I know now I should simply just send back for an exchange but that doesn't take into account all the time being wasted on all of this. I feel like Best Buy just earned a lower rung in my latter for a source to avoid where discount lenses and good deals are concerned. I'm an old customer who really used to like them but I think I'm going to avoid doing future business with them...

Nate!

I decided to keep the stinking lens and deal with it being used. Went and got a lens cloth and cleaned it all up. It's just not worth wasting my valuable time other than leaving two bits on here. Probably the last time I'll take a chance with Best Buy Open Box... Stupid dumbos are running the joint.

Nate

Just an FYI, I recently bought 3 "open box" like new lenses from Best Buy directly.  Not on Ebay, but from their Outlet or whatever it is called.  All 3 came looking brand new, untouched, with all the accessories.  Full warranty etc.  Best Buy has a 15 day return policy, for any reason.  So, I figured it was pretty low risk... if I didn't like it just drive the 5 minutes to my local BB and return it.  Obviously, YMMV...

I'd give BestBuy a chance to make things right.

... or just clean the front element and go ahead and enjoy the lens.

$100 off a $450 lens with full warranty actually sounds pretty tempting to me. (Especially if there is a decent return/exchange mechanism in place.)

Nathan Cowlishaw wrote:

So I ordered a Sony 28mm F2 lens on EBay going for $350 on Best Buy there. Discription said it was "like new" so I pulled the trigger...

When the lens arrived were finger prints and cleaning smudges on the front lens element and it arrived looking like it was a demo display item; NOT COOL! I'm m filling a little ripped off. Also there some hairline blemishes on the outer edge of the ring just outside the front lens element with some light scratching and slight burring which also doesn t line up with the condition discription.

I know now I should simply just send back for an exchange but that doesn't take into account all the time being wasted on all of this. I feel like Best Buy just earned a lower rung in my latter for a source to avoid where discount lenses and good deals are concerned. I'm an old customer who really used to like them but I think I'm going to avoid doing future business with them...

Nate!

IMO, "Open Box" is a second hand product I would only buy if I could check its condition before closing the deal, or at least sent it back for a full refund, postage costs included, if it doesn't fullfils its promises!

Sorry to hear, but as you say, you can return it and refund your money, so the ball is on your court now, I believe...

All the best,
Pedro

"Open Box" is just like it sounds , Not new. I'm sure most open box items were on the shelves so I'm not sure why one would be upset with finger prints. I could understand if there was a problem and if there was they have a good return policy. I have purchased several items open box from Best Buy and I did have one lens with fingerprints but after cleaning it has given me over a year of trouble free service.

machz wrote:

"Open Box" is just like it sounds , Not new. I'm sure most open box items were on the shelves so I'm not sure why one would be upset with finger prints.

Unless it was too good of a deal (after adding tax in) I'd probably pass on a BB in store Open Box - just because you know for sure every goober who might have handled this lens did not treat it as if it were their own property - which may include dropping it, sticking things in places where they don't belong - letting kids with food and sticky hands play with it - and who knows what else?  lol

If, OTOH, Open Box means another photographer tried it out and it didn't suit their needs so it was a return - that's the best case scenario.    YMMV

Nathan Cowlishaw wrote:

Nathan Cowlishaw wrote:

So I ordered a Sony 28mm F2 lens on EBay going for $350 on Best Buy there. Discription said it was "like new" so I pulled the trigger...

When the lens arrived were finger prints and cleaning smudges on the front lens element and it arrived looking like it was a demo display item; NOT COOL! I'm m filling a little ripped off. Also there some hairline blemishes on the outer edge of the ring just outside the front lens element with some light scratching and slight burring which also doesn t line up with the condition discription.

I know now I should simply just send back for an exchange but that doesn't take into account all the time being wasted on all of this. I feel like Best Buy just earned a lower rung in my latter for a source to avoid where discount lenses and good deals are concerned. I'm an old i customer who really used to like them but I think I'm going to avoid doing future business with them...

Nate!

I decided to keep the stinking lens and deal with it being used.

this is assumed with open box items. There is now way to know exactly how used.

Went and got a lens cloth and cleaned it all up.

not terribly difficult eh? FWIW I just got a cheap used lens from an independent seller. The description was like new and it arrived COVERED in dust and fingerprints. It took me less time to clean the thing then it would have taken to repackage and ship it.

It's just not worth wasting my valuable time other than leaving two bits on here.

You did save $100 on a 450 lens. With full warranty

Probably the last time I'll take a chance with Best Buy Open Box... Stupid dumbos are running the joint.

no doubt. You cannot have your cake and eat it too.

Bought all of my gear/lenses used off eBay over the past decade or longer. In general, most gear is in better condition than it appears in the listing photos, and shutter counts on bodies trend low (my crown jewel from eBay was my A7ii, incorrectly described as an A7 original, came with just the body (not even a body cap) but in perfect shape with 700 clicks... I'd assume it was used for a wedding or something?).  Lenses from eBay are almost always fine unless described as otherwise.

The worst experience I've had online was with a Best Buy Open-box lens.  Lens arrived in a static safety bag... missing every accessory (no box, caps, paperwork, nothing) and finger printed up like crazy -- also had heavy scratch/glue marks on the mount from where they attached the  loss-prevention cable system. Definitely a floor model, not my cup of tea so I returned it for full credit.

MikeTakesPix wrote:

Bought all of my gear/lenses used off eBay over the past decade or longer. In general, most gear is in better condition than it appears in the listing photos, and shutter counts on bodies trend low (my crown jewel from eBay was my A7ii, incorrectly described as an A7 original, came with just the body (not even a body cap) but in perfect shape with 700 clicks... I'd assume it was used for a wedding or something?). Lenses from eBay are almost always fine unless described as otherwise.

The worst experience I've had online was with a Best Buy Open-box lens. Lens arrived in a static safety bag... missing every accessory (no box, caps, paperwork, nothing) and finger printed up like crazy -- also had heavy scratch/glue marks on the mount from where they attached the loss-prevention cable system. Definitely a floor model, not my cup of tea so I returned it for full credit.

Like a said... A bunch of dumbos! Obviously they don't know proper camera gear care. Not like BH Photo or Adorama. Simply avoid Best Buy!