Refurbished Cameras? Good deal or junk?

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 00:37:38 -0600, Cynthia P
wrote:


I've been shopping for a camera for my husband for Christmas... and
it's got me feeling like I wouldn't mind an upgrade to my own camera,
which I could then resell and pay for some of the new camera's price.

What I'm thinking I might like and can possibly afford, is an Olympus
C-5050. Does anyone know if it uses the same size CLA tube and 43-46
step up ring that the C-3030 does?

I've noticed that Olympus is selling refurbished cameras on eBay with
a 90 day warranty.

So, what are the pitfalls of a refurbished camera? Would I be buying a
can of worms or possibly get a nice camera?

Is a 90 day warranty long enough for any major problems to surface?

Please feel free to share any experiences you have about refurbished
digital cameras, especially from Olympus.

Cynthia

I've bought two cameras from Olympus that were Refurbished.

The products came with all original accessories (minus third party
software) and a 90 day warranty.

Both cameras were excellent! One was a Stylus 300 and the other a
Stylus 35 mm.

If you happen to get two C-5050's my 'Christmas' tree has an
opening...LOL

--
Scott in Florida

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 00:37:38 -0600, Cynthia P
wrote:


I've been shopping for a camera for my husband for Christmas... and
it's got me feeling like I wouldn't mind an upgrade to my own camera,
which I could then resell and pay for some of the new camera's price.

What I'm thinking I might like and can possibly afford, is an Olympus
C-5050. Does anyone know if it uses the same size CLA tube and 43-46
step up ring that the C-3030 does?

I've noticed that Olympus is selling refurbished cameras on eBay with
a 90 day warranty.

So, what are the pitfalls of a refurbished camera? Would I be buying a
can of worms or possibly get a nice camera?

Is a 90 day warranty long enough for any major problems to surface?

Please feel free to share any experiences you have about refurbished
digital cameras, especially from Olympus.

Cynthia

I've bought two cameras from Olympus that were Refurbished.

The products came with all original accessories (minus third party
software) and a 90 day warranty.

Both cameras were excellent! One was a Stylus 300 and the other a
Stylus 35 mm.

If you happen to get two C-5050's my 'Christmas' tree has an
opening...LOL

--
Scott in Florida

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 07:02:40 GMT, Ken Weitzel
wrote:



Gene Palmiter wrote:

When a person is hired to build digital cameras they get a bit of training
in doing one part of the process. If all these trained monkeys do it right
you get a good camera. When one messes up you get one that doesn't work.
It's then sent to be repaired by the best technicians in the shop and
everything is tested. Only after being individually repaired and tested by a
real tech does it get marked as refurbished and sold for less than one that
has not been tested. In many cases there was nothing wrong with it at
all...it was just bought by someone who changed their mind. I buy
refurbished whenever I can....no problems so far.


Hi...

The only possible downside is that you won't get
any 3rd party software that was included in the
package originally - like elements, for instance.


Considering I have Elements 3.0... not a huge downside. G Hell, I
don't even care if they don't include the Olympus Camedia Master
software... I have never used it yet.

Cynthia

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 07:02:40 GMT, Ken Weitzel
wrote:



Gene Palmiter wrote:

When a person is hired to build digital cameras they get a bit of training
in doing one part of the process. If all these trained monkeys do it right
you get a good camera. When one messes up you get one that doesn't work.
It's then sent to be repaired by the best technicians in the shop and
everything is tested. Only after being individually repaired and tested by a
real tech does it get marked as refurbished and sold for less than one that
has not been tested. In many cases there was nothing wrong with it at
all...it was just bought by someone who changed their mind. I buy
refurbished whenever I can....no problems so far.


Hi...

The only possible downside is that you won't get
any 3rd party software that was included in the
package originally - like elements, for instance.


Considering I have Elements 3.0... not a huge downside. G Hell, I
don't even care if they don't include the Olympus Camedia Master
software... I have never used it yet.

Cynthia

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 07:04:12 GMT, Ken Weitzel
wrote:



Cynthia P wrote:

I've been shopping for a camera for my husband for Christmas... and
it's got me feeling like I wouldn't mind an upgrade to my own camera,
which I could then resell and pay for some of the new camera's price.

What I'm thinking I might like and can possibly afford, is an Olympus
C-5050. Does anyone know if it uses the same size CLA tube and 43-46
step up ring that the C-3030 does?

I've noticed that Olympus is selling refurbished cameras on eBay with
a 90 day warranty.

So, what are the pitfalls of a refurbished camera? Would I be buying a
can of worms or possibly get a nice camera?

Is a 90 day warranty long enough for any major problems to surface?

Please feel free to share any experiences you have about refurbished
digital cameras, especially from Olympus.

Cynthia

Hi Cynthia...

You got it wrong

HE's supposed to buy YOU a new camera for Christmas

Fair is fair!


He'll be buying me other stuff... G

Besides, I may wait and do this after Christmas. We'll see.

Cynthia

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 07:04:12 GMT, Ken Weitzel
wrote:



Cynthia P wrote:

I've been shopping for a camera for my husband for Christmas... and
it's got me feeling like I wouldn't mind an upgrade to my own camera,
which I could then resell and pay for some of the new camera's price.

What I'm thinking I might like and can possibly afford, is an Olympus
C-5050. Does anyone know if it uses the same size CLA tube and 43-46
step up ring that the C-3030 does?

I've noticed that Olympus is selling refurbished cameras on eBay with
a 90 day warranty.

So, what are the pitfalls of a refurbished camera? Would I be buying a
can of worms or possibly get a nice camera?

Is a 90 day warranty long enough for any major problems to surface?

Please feel free to share any experiences you have about refurbished
digital cameras, especially from Olympus.

Cynthia

Hi Cynthia...

You got it wrong

HE's supposed to buy YOU a new camera for Christmas

Fair is fair!


He'll be buying me other stuff... G

Besides, I may wait and do this after Christmas. We'll see.

Cynthia

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 06:49:49 GMT, "Gene Palmiter"
wrote:

When a person is hired to build digital cameras they get a bit of training
in doing one part of the process. If all these trained monkeys do it right
you get a good camera. When one messes up you get one that doesn't work.
It's then sent to be repaired by the best technicians in the shop and
everything is tested. Only after being individually repaired and tested by a
real tech does it get marked as refurbished and sold for less than one that
has not been tested. In many cases there was nothing wrong with it at
all...it was just bought by someone who changed their mind. I buy
refurbished whenever I can....no problems so far.


That's what I was thinking, but I wanted to find out if anyone had had
problems before I delve.


Cynthia

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 06:49:49 GMT, "Gene Palmiter"
wrote:

When a person is hired to build digital cameras they get a bit of training
in doing one part of the process. If all these trained monkeys do it right
you get a good camera. When one messes up you get one that doesn't work.
It's then sent to be repaired by the best technicians in the shop and
everything is tested. Only after being individually repaired and tested by a
real tech does it get marked as refurbished and sold for less than one that
has not been tested. In many cases there was nothing wrong with it at
all...it was just bought by someone who changed their mind. I buy
refurbished whenever I can....no problems so far.


That's what I was thinking, but I wanted to find out if anyone had had
problems before I delve.


Cynthia

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 09:59:36 -0500, "Mark Weaver"
wrote:

There's a difference between 'refurbished' and 'factory refurbished'.
Cameras (or other products) sold as 'factory refurbished are typically sold
with the full, new-product warranty. I've bought one factory refurbished
digicam (a Kodak a few years ago) and assorted refurbished computer
products--the condition, packaging, etc were indistinguishable from new. In
fact, in some cases, I'm pretty sure the products *were* new but were marked
as 'refurbished' as a way to clear overstock while still maintaining the
full price of the ones sold as 'new'.

BUT--there are a lot of vendors selling 'refurbished' products that are not
refurbished by the factory and come with short warranties. That sounds like
what you're running into. I'd be careful of an eBay refurb with a 90 day
warranty (unless it was *very* cheap).



It's Olympus America selling these... so I'd assume factory
refurbished! But they only have the 90 day warranty, according to the
auctions.


Olympus defines a “Reconditioned Product” as any product that has been
returned by our retail partners or our customers. Once the product is
returned, Olympus conducts a rigorous evaluation of the appearance and
all product functions to make sure that the item meets our quality
standards. Your product will function identically to a brand-new
Olympus product, however it is possible for a reconditioned product to
have a scratch or blemish on the surface. Products purchased directly
from Olympus will include all Olympus components that a new Olympus
camera includes, such as media cards, instruction manuals, cables,
etc. Please note we cannot supply third-party software such as Adobe
PhotoShop LE originally packaged with some of our products. All
products include a full 90 Day North America Manufacturers Warranty
covering all defects.



Cynthia

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 09:59:36 -0500, "Mark Weaver"
wrote:

There's a difference between 'refurbished' and 'factory refurbished'.
Cameras (or other products) sold as 'factory refurbished are typically sold
with the full, new-product warranty. I've bought one factory refurbished
digicam (a Kodak a few years ago) and assorted refurbished computer
products--the condition, packaging, etc were indistinguishable from new. In
fact, in some cases, I'm pretty sure the products *were* new but were marked
as 'refurbished' as a way to clear overstock while still maintaining the
full price of the ones sold as 'new'.

BUT--there are a lot of vendors selling 'refurbished' products that are not
refurbished by the factory and come with short warranties. That sounds like
what you're running into. I'd be careful of an eBay refurb with a 90 day
warranty (unless it was *very* cheap).



It's Olympus America selling these... so I'd assume factory
refurbished! But they only have the 90 day warranty, according to the
auctions.


Olympus defines a “Reconditioned Product” as any product that has been
returned by our retail partners or our customers. Once the product is
returned, Olympus conducts a rigorous evaluation of the appearance and
all product functions to make sure that the item meets our quality
standards. Your product will function identically to a brand-new
Olympus product, however it is possible for a reconditioned product to
have a scratch or blemish on the surface. Products purchased directly
from Olympus will include all Olympus components that a new Olympus
camera includes, such as media cards, instruction manuals, cables,
etc. Please note we cannot supply third-party software such as Adobe
PhotoShop LE originally packaged with some of our products. All
products include a full 90 Day North America Manufacturers Warranty
covering all defects.



Cynthia