p.2 #2 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
When I was shooting Canon I was very concerned that I buy lenses with the box. I did buy one lens on craigslist without a box but when an FM member told the story of Canon damaging his 28-70 f/2.8L and giving him a new 24-70 in replacement, I contacted him to buy the box for his old lens. He did and I was happy.
I agree with those folks who believe the person who keeps the box is likely to take good care of his or her equipment. No, the box doesn't take photos and one can keep boxes and not become a "collector." I never understand such comments in a discussion like this.
All of that said, since beginning to shoot almost exclusively with manual focus Nikkor lenses I've completely given up on limiting myself to lenses with boxes. It is a very rare situation when someone who owns a thirty year old lens still has the box. When it happens it is nice, but I really am more interested in the lens and finding one in excellent condition is really the prize I'm after...
p.2 #3 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
Not having a box as a seller wouldn't say anything about my trustworthiness. For example... let's say I have an 24-70 f/2.8G that I want to sell but I threw away the box. The lens itself was dropped many times, but still works great. It's just a little stiff in the zoom ring.
I stumble upon this thread and go "Hmm, I better have a box to make the buyer feel a little better about purchasing an item from me." I go to eBay or the Buy and Sell forum to purchase an empty box for 25 to 50 bucks and mark up my price a little higher to recoup the cost.
Am I the only one who can see how silly this can be?
p.2 #4 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
Oh oh! Thinking of selling my D700 but don't have the box. Camera has less than 8000 actuation's and is in like new condition but it bugs me that I no longer have the box.
p.2 #6 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
honorerdieu wrote:
Not having a box as a seller wouldn't say anything about my trustworthiness. For example... let's say I have an 24-70 f/2.8G that I want to sell but I threw away the box. The lens itself was dropped many times, but still works great. It's just a little stiff in the zoom ring.
I stumble upon this thread and go "Hmm, I better have a box to make the buyer feel a little better about purchasing an item from me." I go to eBay or the Buy and Sell forum to purchase an empty box for 25 to 50 bucks and mark up my price a little higher to recoup the cost.
Am I the only one who can see how silly this can be? ...Show more →
Since you don't have an Upload and Sell subscription Tim I wouldn't likely buy from you under any circumstance simply because I rely on feedback to determine whether a seller is trustworthy. And if you were in fact playing games like that it would soon reflect in your feedback. A box doesn't tell the whole story. Like the poster above, my first consideration is working with a trustworthy seller. The seller who has the box simply gets extra credit... at least I would have said that in the past. You're right, of course, that the person without scruples can play games with any system. Then we can't trust anything about a listing... the description, the photos even ownership of the lens being offered. I don't think we need to go to such extremes to have a conversation on this subject however. We certainly don't need to denigrate folks with a contrary opinion.
p.2 #7 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
gilead wrote:
Oh oh! Thinking of selling my D700 but don't have the box. Camera has less than 8000 actuation's and is in like new condition but it bugs me that I no longer have the box.
If it bugs you don't worry. The owner of Lens Rental is forever listing boxes for sales. Check with him... he may have a box. I might even sell you mine since I've no intention to sell that camera... I bought it used WITH a box...
p.2 #8 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
CGrindahl wrote:
Since you don't have an Upload and Sell subscription Tim I wouldn't likely buy from you under any circumstance simply because I rely on feedback to determine whether a seller is trustworthy. And if you were in fact playing games like that it would soon reflect in your feedback. A box doesn't tell the whole story. Like the poster above, my first consideration is working with a trustworthy seller. The seller who has the box simply gets extra credit... at least I would have said that in the past. You're right, of course, that the person without scruples can play games with any system. Then we can't trust anything about a listing... the description, the photos even ownership of the lens being offered. I don't think we need to go to such extremes to have a conversation on this subject however. We certainly don't need to denigrate folks with a contrary opinion. ...Show more →
Curtis, I have been posting here since 2003 but not on a regular basis compared to the other members. I have an Upload and Sell subscription only when I need to sell an item and it's only several times a year. For the foreseeable future, I'm pretty set with the Nikon equipment that I have.
Before the Upload and Sell subscription went live on the Buy and Sell forum, I was a regular member in that forum with a lot of positive feedback that would get lost in the "positive feedback thread" that would be more than 20 pages long. Unfortunately, most of the positive feedback I received as both a seller and buyer did not cross over to the rating system we have now.
As a buyer, I have been disappointed several times due to inaccurate description and dishonesty from sellers. Whenever I sell items, I make every effort provide pictures and honest description of the functionality of the equipment that may not be communicated via photos. My idea of "like new" condition may be someone else's idea of "good" or "above average." My feedback left by others speaks for itself: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/feedback/15797
I guess the point I was trying to make was, simply having a box doesn't mean the lens is or will be in better condition. It may provide an ease of mind, but if the seller isn't communicating by providing accurate, honest description, I'm not sure how having a box change will that outcome.
p.2 #9 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
I never throw a box out that comes with any photo gear I buy. I just think it adds more value when you go to resell. When looking to buy gear it wouldn't be a deal killer if the box wasn't available but I sure would like one.
p.2 #10 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
Sorry that I started this thread now that it has denigrated into pissing. It was never about "the box" as my original post clearly stated. You have to love the Internet.
My deal for a used lens here on FM didn't work out, nor did the deal with the local seller, but not just because he didn't save the box.
I ordered new from Adorama tonight so I don't have to worry about the condition of the lens or the box. Since I can afford it I went for it and will get to experience that new lens smell this week. Ahhhhhhhh........
I plan to save the 17-55 f/2.8 box. You never know.
p.2 #11 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
Tim our paths have crossed on this site before and i know you to be an honorable person. I certainly wasn't suggesting otherwise with my comments, merely responding to your worst case scenario. That said, I'd encourage you to maintain an Upload and Sell subscription as a very affordable way of supporting this website. Yes, i spend a great deal more time here than you do, so although I very seldom sell anything on the Buy and Sell board, I maintain a subscription because I want Fred to be successful and this thread to remain alive. I sense that you value your time here as well. It is worth the investment.
And as a footnote, I checked your website and really love your work, especially the play with light and shadow. Your investment in the D3s has been well worth it.
p.2 #12 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
And to the OP, this is a topic that has been well worn and it unfolds very much as this one did. you have no way of knowing, of course, that you were stepping into the lion's den. Congratulations on your new lens. And yes, keep the box... I won't be buying that lens from you but you may make the next owner very happy, which might mean a quicker sale and even a higher price... AND, don't drop the lens...
p.2 #15 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
I never cared about the boxes and I don't understand how having a box would demonstrate that a seller took good care of his lenses.
Back in 2004, I spent 6 months in DC, living in a hotel room. At the same time, I made the switch to Nikon and bought a bunch of Nikon gear. I kept my lenses in a large, padded lens bag and threw out the boxes. So, most of my lens boxes are long gone.
I don't have a buy&sell record either. So, I guess that means I'm not trustworthy, in spite of the fact that I've been here since 2004 and I'm one of the few people that use my real name on every site I'm on and have done so for well over a decade of surfing the internet.
Never sold a lens or camera, so I still have every one I ever bought. That's why I don't have a buy/sell record. oops, forgot that I sold a 1.7 TC back in 2004, to a guy in GB. He trusted me enough to send me the cash via Western Union before I sent him the TC.
I almost sold a Sigma 70-200 to one of the old timers here, named Pavel, but he decided that I wasn't trustworthy because I didn't have paypal at the time.
In both cases, I hadn't listed the items for sale. I had mentioned having them, in some responses to threads here. Both contacted me to ask if I'd sell.
Trust is a funny thing. I've been buying from B&H for years, but when I went to DC, they wouldn't send anything to my hotel, saying it wasn't safe. So, I bought stuff from other vendors and had it sent to my hotel. I figured if the hotel signed for it, they were responsible. Never had a problem.
So, here I sit, a boxless deadbeat that can't be trusted.
p.2 #16 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
ja_joyce wrote:
I buy lenses to use, not to re-sell.
this. this is why i don't think you can say a person who keeps the box takes better care of their equipment. some people buy camera equipment to use, and don't give an ounce of though as to whether or not the box will net them an extra $50 if and when they decide to sell it some day.
p.2 #18 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
I don't have them in front of me but I believe most of the boxes have the serial number of the lens on the box.
I keep all of my boxes including their contents. You just get more for them when you want to sell them. It adds a significant amount of comfort for potential buyers knowing that you have the box. Simply put, more people are interested when you have the box. I for one, know that it is less likely stolen equipment if the seller has the "original" box with the matching serial number on the box.
I was super happy that I had the boxes for all of my Canon gear when I sold all of it to switch over to Nikon a few years ago :-)
p.2 #20 · Does The Box Matter To You When Buying Used?
This thread is like a Lite Beer commercial, "less filling"... "tastes great" and has become like the proverbial dead horse.... well beaten. I suggest that it is time to just let it fade away.
oops, forgot that I sold a 1.7 TC back in 2004, to a guy in GB. He trusted me enough to send me the cash via Western Union before I sent him the TC. 
