Camera can't be returned/exchanged once a photo has been taken?

[jameszhan]

I have noticed that people in the forum can easily return or exchange their newly bought camera back to the retailer if it has any problems.

However, when I was preordering my A7 III from a local store, the salesperson told me once it is unboxed and once you have taken a photo with it, the camera will be considered used and you can't return it even if it is defective. He told me if the camera is faulty, I would have to contact Sony directly.

Is this normal?

NB The store is a very established one, not a sketchy place by any means (for my fellow Canadians, it's Vistek).

 

[npires]

No that's not normal well definitely not here in the UK. They are avoiding any responsibility for faults.

 

[DenImage]

I have noticed that people in the forum can easily return or exchange their newly bought camera back to the retailer if it has any problems.

However, when I was preordering my A7 III from a local store, the salesperson told me once it is unboxed and once you have taken a photo with it, the camera will be considered used and you can't return it even if it is defective. He told me if the camera is faulty, I would have to contact Sony directly.

Is this normal?

NB The store is a very established one, not a sketchy place by any means (for my fellow Canadians, it's Vistek).

In Australia that breaches the Australian Consumer Law.

I'd shop somewhere else (if possible) with a better returns policy.

Den

 

[biza43]

Yes, it is normal.

Policy changes from shop to shop, and from country to country.

 

[nidrig]

I have noticed that people in the forum can easily return or exchange their newly bought camera back to the retailer if it has any problems.

However, when I was preordering my A7 III from a local store, the salesperson told me once it is unboxed and once you have taken a photo with it, the camera will be considered used and you can't return it even if it is defective. He told me if the camera is faulty, I would have to contact Sony directly.

Is this normal?

NB The store is a very established one, not a sketchy place by any means (for my fellow Canadians, it's Vistek).

I don’t kow how it works in Canada, but in my country, it is also the case (to be returned to the manufacturer not the reseller), even for DOA.

The law here states that the reseller doesn’t take warranty, only the manufacturer does. But, to avoid long turn over and unhappy customers, what most resellers do, is to exchange the faulty item (from their own stock) and deal themselves with the manufacturer warranty (in case of DOA, for example).

But for items with a high demand, special order or simple warranty cases, it has to be dealt directly with the manufacturer.

In a sense, it is logical. If we except the case of DOA (assuming it’s easy to diagnose), how could the reseller possibly know what’s wrong? Unless they have accredited technicians.

 

[Richard3]

My friend don’t worry about it the sales clerk at fisted who told u that is full of crap even there website states returns are allowed , the guy you spoke to had no clue and if he’s the one that sold it to you he is safe guarding his commission sale . I would go to Henry’s much better than vistek.

 

[dkojevnikov]

I have noticed that people in the forum can easily return or exchange their newly bought camera back to the retailer if it has any problems.

However, when I was preordering my A7 III from a local store, the salesperson told me once it is unboxed and once you have taken a photo with it, the camera will be considered used and you can't return it even if it is defective. He told me if the camera is faulty, I would have to contact Sony directly.

Is this normal?

NB The store is a very established one, not a sketchy place by any means (for my fellow Canadians, it's Vistek).

The only store in Toronto that accepts returns on cameras and lenses in “opened” condition is Henry’s.

Vistek charges at least 10 restocking fees if you return the lens once opened. Downtown Camera quoted me at least 15%. Bestbuy changed its return policy for open cameras and lenses more than a year ago but the simply do not accept them in open condition. Aden Camera never accepted returns unless camera/lens is defective.

This is probably the reason why It is difficult to find popular lenses in stock at Henry's now.

 

[101Colors]

I have noticed that people in the forum can easily return or exchange their newly bought camera back to the retailer if it has any problems.

However, when I was preordering my A7 III from a local store, the salesperson told me once it is unboxed and once you have taken a photo with it, the camera will be considered used and you can't return it even if it is defective. He told me if the camera is faulty, I would have to contact Sony directly.

Is this normal?

NB The store is a very established one, not a sketchy place by any means (for my fellow Canadians, it's Vistek).

Why not ask the store manager to confirm this before making the initial purchase ?

 

[Goya]

Bestbuy changed its return policy for open cameras and lenses more than a year ago but the simply do not accept them in open condition.

Interestingly though, the lens I purchased from Best Buy came in a way that would make it impossible to tell if it had been "opened" as it wasn't sealed. Just like when I've bought lenses from B&H, they're not taped shut. Just the cardboard fold/flap and then rolled in some bubble wrap.

 

[jameszhan]

My friend don’t worry about it the sales clerk at fisted who told u that is full of crap even there website states returns are allowed , the guy you spoke to had no clue and if he’s the one that sold it to you he is safe guarding his commission sale . I would go to Henry’s much better than vistek.

Problem is Henry's told me I will have to wait til May to get the A7 III but Vistek says I can get it at the end of this month.

I can still withdraw my deposit. I will ask again once I'm at the store.

 

[jameszhan]

I have noticed that people in the forum can easily return or exchange their newly bought camera back to the retailer if it has any problems.

However, when I was preordering my A7 III from a local store, the salesperson told me once it is unboxed and once you have taken a photo with it, the camera will be considered used and you can't return it even if it is defective. He told me if the camera is faulty, I would have to contact Sony directly.

Is this normal?

NB The store is a very established one, not a sketchy place by any means (for my fellow Canadians, it's Vistek).

The only store in Toronto that accepts returns on cameras and lenses in “opened” condition is Henry’s.

Vistek charges at least 10 restocking fees if you return the lens once opened. Downtown Camera quoted me at least 15%. Bestbuy changed its return policy for open cameras and lenses more than a year ago but the simply do not accept them in open condition. Aden Camera never accepted returns unless camera/lens is defective.

This is probably the reason why It is difficult to find popular lenses in stock at Henry's now.

That's interesting to know! I definitely prefer Henry's over Vistek but I went with Vistek this time because so many people preordered the A7III at Henry's that I would be wait till May to get mine if I preordered there.

Maybe Henry's lenient return policy makes it worth it to wait instead of preordering at Vistek...second guessing my decision now haha

 

[captura]

I have noticed that people in the forum can easily return or exchange their newly bought camera back to the retailer if it has any problems.

However, when I was preordering my A7 III from a local store, the salesperson told me once it is unboxed and once you have taken a photo with it, the camera will be considered used and you can't return it even if it is defective. He told me if the camera is faulty, I would have to contact Sony directly.

Is this normal?

NB The store is a very established one, not a sketchy place by any means (for my fellow Canadians, it's Vistek).

The only store in Toronto that accepts returns on cameras and lenses in “opened” condition is Henry’s.

Vistek charges at least 10 restocking fees if you return the lens once opened. Downtown Camera quoted me at least 15%. Bestbuy changed its return policy for open cameras and lenses more than a year ago but the simply do not accept them in open condition. Aden Camera never accepted returns unless camera/lens is defective.

This is probably the reason why It is difficult to find popular lenses in stock at Henry's now.

Yes, Henry's is my usual choice for this and other reasons.

However I was in a Best Buy last week and asked a sales agent about their warranty. He said that every camera comes with their special warranty, which allows cameras to always be replaced as opposed to being repaired. Anyone know more about that?