What exactly is Refurbished.

[astroNikon]

I was just thinking .. what exactly is "refurbished"

for example. If I buy a camera from a store, and go take tens of thousands of shots over a couple days (yeah I know, but say you go birding or butterflying), and then I decide to return it because I couldn't catch one butterfly in focus (or in frame lol).

If the manufacturer replaces the shutter is the camera actually considered "0" shutter activations now ?
Everything could look as new as the day it came out of the box, but with 50,000 activations ... and if they replace the shutter then it's back to ZERO.

Just curious.

 

[Braineack]

they wont replace the shutter...

they'll make sure it's within spec, and sell it again--but they can't, legally, as new.

 

[Big Mike]

I don't know if we can really get a good history for what a 'refurbished' cameras has been though...but there are some fairly common paths that might get them there.

Firstly, when things are being mass produced, there are quality checks along the way. Anything that fails a test is pulled from the production line. The problem is fixed but they don't simply return the item to the production line, so it is put into the 'refurbished' path.

Cameras that are used as demos in stores, cameras that are bought and returned etc.

Either way, before they are sold as refurbished, they are very likely given a very good inspection & testing. New products, on the other hand, only have a small sample that are fully inspected & tested.

So, the chances of getting a product that works perfectly, is actually a little higher when you buy refurbished, rather than new.

Of course, if the item has been used a lot, the wearable parts may wear out sooner (for you) than a new product....but I wouldn't worry too much about that.

 

[IzzieK]

And refurbished is cheaper by far...

 

[astroNikon]

I know, my d600 is refurbished. Love it.
I was just curious exactly what was refurbished.

For instance, CoastalConn's first d7100 he put a ton of shots on it. Then returned it for a replacement because it was backfocusing. I'm wondering what ever happened to that camera that had a couple tens of thousands of shots on it. Do they just sell it as used, or replace the shutter and say "refurb'd" with zero shutter activations as it's new.

 

[Big Mike]

I'm wondering what ever happened to that camera that had a couple tens of thousands of shots on it. Do they just sell it as used, or replace the shutter and say "refurb'd" with zero shutter activations as it's new.

I don't 'know'....but I'd guess that they inspect and service any of the moving/wearable parts and sell it like that. They would only replace it, if that were cheaper than any repairs/service that it required. I think that referbs do carry the same warranty as new, so 'should' be OK....but I guess there is a chance that it would wear out in 7 years, instead of 9 (just an example).

 

[TheLost]

'Refurbished' and 'Beef Taco' have a lot in common...

As long as you buy from a reputable vender you should be safe. Otherwise, you never know whats inside.

 

[astroNikon]

Where's the BEEF ?
lol

 

[KmH]

Then returned it for a replacement because it was backfocusing. I'm wondering what ever happened to that camera that had a couple tens of thousands of shots on it.

In that situation they probably trash the camera and take a business tax write-off.

They don't spend much effort or money to do any repairs to returned, demo, etc, cameras they will sell again as refurbished.
They do make sure a camera is in spec and they will do minor, easy and little labor involved cosmetic repairs.

It is my understanding that if any production line repairs get done, once the camera passes spec that camera is still sold as new, not as refurbished.

Cameras returned rather than sent in for warranty work that do require repair also get trashed and written off as a business loss.
When a malfunctioning camera is submitted for a valid warranty repair but the repair is above a certain cost target, the camera maker will send the customer a new camera and trash the warranty repair camera and take a tax write-off.

 

[snowbear]

There may also be some local laws that come into play -- governments have a tendency to create or adopt definitions for things like products and services.