Buying second-hand: what matters to you?

StewartR

StewartR

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Stewart
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I'd appreciate some input from TP members about the psychology of buying second-hand.

What I want to know

  • When you're buying a pricey item (e.g. a lens or a camera) second-hand, how important is it to have the original packaging as well?
  • Does it make a difference to the price you'd be prepared to pay (and if so how much)?
  • Is it still important if you know the seller or at least know that the seller is trustworthy?
  • Is it important for the packaging to bear the exact serial number of the item you're buying, or is the box from an identical item with a different serial number OK?

Why I'm interested

As LensesForHire has grown, one of the unanticipated problems I'm experiencing is what to do with all the boxes which our lenses came in. I've got hundreds and hundreds of them, some quite large. Last year I boarded my loft but I'm running out of space up there. I could get some space in a self-store facility but that would cost.

The reason for keeping all the boxes is so that, if/when I decide to sell the lenses on, I'll have the box for the buyer. But I'm starting to wonder whether it's worth it. On the one hand, they're just cardboard boxes and bits of polystyrene. On the other hand, if they add say £10 to what I'd get for a lens (which doesn't seem much on a lens costing say £800), and I've got over 400 of them, then that's £4000 worth of cardboard boxes and bits of polystyrene....
 
I don't need or want the original boxes. I only saved the ones that I have no in case I want to sell them on here later as some people value the original box.

From a business standpoint, you'd probably make as much selling the boxes on ebay now as what they will be worth to you when you finally decide to sell the lenses.

For me, I want the lens, caps, and hood that came with it. Also a filter or holder if that was part of the original.

thanks
rick
 
To me its not realyl important, a bonus but not vital. Hood is important as that costs a bit to replace.

If it was a flash then the pouch would be nice, I've lost mine and finding it impossible to replace (genuine one for 430EX).

However I'd keep the boxes if I were you, or sell half maybe?
 
For me, It depends on the Item. If it was say and Nifty Fifty, or a Kit Len's. I don't really care. These items don't cost very much, so the box is hardly worth it. And the cheaper Len's only have like Front/Back caps and a Booklet, nothing really interesting. It it was say a Large L Prime, or Any L len's I'd probaly like to have the box as its got -Hoods/cases/Cards and other stuff in.

I'd deffo keep the boxes for the More Expensive stuff, but for the cheaper stuff. I dont' know if its worth it.
 
personally i wouldnt insist on a box for a 2nd hand item, as long as it had all of the orginal parts/accessories (hoods, tripod ring, padded case etc).

i do keep any boxes i do have however, some people do like to have them and will choose that over one for sale without.
 
Personally I think it is nice to have the original packaging but to me if a lens didn't have it's original box it is not something that would put me off buying the lens condition is the important factor to me
 
I am bothered - not for any indication of how the lens has been looked after etc............ but for resale should I choose to sell it on. Rightly or not the box does make a difference to second hand value. If the slight drop in stock value for a lens you've already depreciated (I assume) is acceptable or not if a question for you
 
I would prefer to have everything boxed and believe me, the box does matters.
Have a look on the bay and you will have more understanding. Some of the boxes do fetch some decent amount of money.
 
Think most private sellers like to see a box and other associated bits, seems to convey extra care has been taken of the goods

Maybe different in your case as i'm sure they will be described as ex-rental which should be reflected in the price due to the (possible) heavier usage and wear and tear.
 
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I've got a loft full of boxes for my stuff too. I think generally for the nice expensive stuff I'd like to get it in original packaging
 
Condition and coming complete with a lens hood far outweighs the necessity of a box, all the box to me is a item that goes in the loft until resale.

Is your equipment you've hired out generally well used and therefore having a box not make much of a resale difference?
 
All my lenses so far have come with boxes and I do value them, I think it just provides a bit more confidence in the seller.

That said if were're talking huge tele primes which have their own hard case it wouldn't be such a big deal.
 
I do try to keep the boxes as is seems to matter to those who might be buying, though it makes no difference to me if I am buying.
Buying from someone on a forum does make a little difference as there is some history, though like all too many I have been stitched up buying on (other) forums..
The main thing for me if selling is that the box it came in is likely to be as safe or safer than most others, thus giving peace of mind when posting.
 
I agree with the comment on the price of the actual lens & needing the box for it - I got a box from Canada for a Nikon 70-200 VR (mkI) so it made the sale easier esp as the lens was worth just under £1k.... But for kit lenses then I wouldn't really bother...

As to the serial number on the box being different - 50/50 but would still pay the same if it was the original box as when it cones to being sent at leat it has some half decent protection...

Yishal was after a Nikon 24-70 AF-S box thou (that would be 3999 boxes for you then :lol:)

If the seller was trust worthy then either it wouldn't matter so much about a box - but usually find they're the ones that would have the box to hand...

I dont mind buying used lenses but prefere to buy the body new (have done with all my Nikons) but with the lens - if its a bargain then used it is just as long its not in the condition as the one on ebay that was posted in the threads were it looked like it had been shot from a Cannon - althou it was a Canon lens :lol:

Also I keep all my boxes just in case any of my gear gets stolen whilst out an about then I have some proof of ownership to that piece of equipment if not receipt is about (althou I do keep them as well esp if brought new....)

I would've thought that as you deal with hiring out lenses that you would send them in their original boxes...

But then again those were my thoughts on the question asked - & my thoughts aren't always the same as others so there :razz: (just incase some nit picks my comment to pieces :lol:)
 
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For me i like boxes as if anything is included like pouches etc, they will genreally stay in the boxes which are easier to find and less likely to be thrown out by the wife. They do go in the back of a cupboard. Makes selling easier as you might take a hit on price and also you have something designed for it to package it in.

If buying a no packaged lens, i will be more inclined to worry about it being stolen.
 
can you not flatten the boxes and get rid of the packaging
when you do come to sell a sufficient amount of bubble wrap should do the trick
 
If it was a sale on here and the seller promised to pack well in fully insure the postage then it's not such a big deal.
If it was on ebay then I might not buy unless it was a bargain. No box can mean a stolen item.
 
If I'm paying £800 for a used lens, then I'd want the box, without the box I'd offer £25 less at least. To me having the box gives me an indication of the type of person the owner is. Somebody who wouldn't look after the box probably wouldn't look after the lens as much as somebody who would.

My loft has loads of boxes in it, but then I really look after my gear.

Steve
 
Jelster said:
If I'm paying £800 for a used lens, then I'd want the box, without the box I'd offer £25 less at least. To me having the box gives me an indication of the type of person the owner is. Somebody who wouldn't look after the box probably wouldn't look after the lens as much as somebody who would.

My loft has loads of boxes in it, but then I really look after my gear.

Steve
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Agreed. Maybe it's all physiological but I'm the same, I'd assume (rightly or wrongly) that a sale with no box means the lens hasn't been cared for as much :nuts:

If you decide to chuck the boxes, I'll have them :D :lol:
 
I would much prefer to buy something used with the original box, manuals etc. Not a fair analogy but used Rolex and high end watches can go for hundreds and sometimes thousands less (or more with box and papers depending which way you look at it) without the box and paperwork.
 
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It doesn't bother me that much if stuff is boxed or not, but as I tend to buy my camera gear 2nd hand and I do think it provides some comfort to think its been looked after. Although I just stick the box in the roof space until I'm selling it again.. Much prefer original accessories though. No 3rd party chargers, lens caps etcetc..
 
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A box will add value come resale time. The fact is that a lots of buyers are prepared to pay that little bit extra if an item is in the original box.

<thinks>

I'll give you £100 for the lot.:)
 
for the expensive stuff i'd prefer it to be boxed as Andy (EMA747) says it can sometimes shout out stolen.

The quickest way to reduce the space wise would be to flat pack the boxes, get loads of elastic bands to keep corresponding padding together and get a filing system to keep the instruction manuals together and the boxes in logical order...

If you would like to pay someone to organise it :D
 
No box can mean a stolen item.
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No get real! I normally chuck boxes away as soon as I open the item, that makes me a thief?
I do have a number of boxes for camera stuff but actually I am about to throw them, I dont intend selling any of my camera stuff anyway, and frankly if people are small minded enough to value a box over the condition of the item then I wont bother dealing with them!

Just a minor point, the OP in particular seems to have a loft full of boxes and polystyrene, a not inconsiderable fire hazard...............
 
While I'm new to this, not having a box didn't put me off buying a second hand body and provided a lens was coming from someone with decent feedback on here then I wouldn't worry unless I was planning on just trying and possibly selling again immediately if I didn't like it (or couldn't work it ;) )

In general I suspect lots of people who are passionate about photogrpahy probably would prefer a box and pay a little extra for it.
 
The only major advantage of buying a used lens with a box is that it tends to be more snuggly packaged.

Personally, as a buyer, I love to see two copies of a lens for sale one with and one without, as I'll usually go for the non boxed lens and get it cheaper whilst the perfectionists squabble over some cardboard.

However in answer to your question Stewart, if I were you I'd liquidate now. £4k is an awful lot to have gathering dust when it could be ploughed into another lens and making money.
 
I buy mostly seondhand and I consider having the box important for two reasons 1) it's unlikely to have been stolen and 2) if I decide to sell then it will sell more easily with the original packaging.

Have to say we now have a loft full of boxes as in today's eBay culture seems like everything needs it's original box - with three just out of their teens you can imagine all the empty boxes from their tech !!!!

Sent from my iPad using TP Forums
 
StewartR said:
  • When you're buying a pricey item (e.g. a lens or a camera) second-hand, how important is it to have the original packaging as well?
  • Does it make a difference to the price you'd be prepared to pay (and if so how much)?
  • Is it still important if you know the seller or at least know that the seller is trustworthy?
  • Is it important for the packaging to bear the exact serial number of the item you're buying, or is the box from an identical item with a different serial number OK?
Click to expand...



*I like to have the packaging. I don't really know why... I doubt is ever buy a used body, but a lens, maybe.
*the difference in price for me was $50. One came with the item only and the other included the packaging, all paperwork and manual, hood, pouch, etc.
*I don't buy from individuals. Its important that I trust the outfit I'm giving money to.
*I like my numbers to match. If I buy lens #2345 and lens #8765 shows up I would be alarmed that it could possibly be stolen. If I was told the box would not be the original I might be ok.
 
I am very fussy about packaging etc - I like to have the complete article. I had a thing for the gold Nikon boxed - so far only have the D5000 one an the 70-300 VR, but idi like them..,,..

Sent from my iPhone 4 using TP Forums
 
Without a doubt having the box makes gear easier to sell and the item more valuable.

Just look at the number of ads on the For Sale forum here on TP where "the box" is mentioned.

Personally, I think it makes packaging and posting (with the polystyrene inserts) more secure at the very least. A box ads an absolute minimum of GBP10 to the value of a decent lens IMHO.

Out of desperation do not suppose the OP has a Canon 24LII he wants to sell along with the box ? It is one way of clearing some space in the loft ! Just a thought.
 
The main reason I like to have the box is for the packaging, it was designed to carry the lens or what ever item it is so protection during shipping is the main reason. YEs I know a roll of bubble wrap will do the same job but its just nice to have a pile of white boxes with red and black bits on in a pile. Well all my boxes are neatly stacked up.

But saying that my latest lens purchase was 2nd hand and didnt come with the box but it did come in its own flight case (canon 300mm 2.8 IS) and I collected it rather than got it delivered.
 
A box gives comfort that the lens is not stolen - a theif is unlikely to go find the box in the loft whilst frantically ransacking a house before the owner comes home.

A box indicates someone who takes care of their items, so the product "should" be better looked after.

If I were you Stewart, I would sell the boxes of the cheaper lenses on Ebay and get the cash in now, whilst keeping hold of the more expensive boxes to make a sale 1) quicker and 2) fetch more money.

This may not help with storage much, as some more expensive lens will come in a bigger box, but will help to some extent.

When the time comes to sell a lens, you wold have to decide whether to sell through a third party (ebay etc) or direct through the website. Either way you would have provenance for the lens, could provide copies of invoices etc so this should add value.

If faced with a cost to store them, I would get rid of some. Cash now is better than cash later. That £4k in boxes is extra stock, or a damn good holiday.......
 
If I'm looking to buy a second hand lens and there's a few available in similar condition, I'd buy the one with the box even if it was a few quid more expensive.
I think having the box helps selling later on too.
 
lawrie29 said:
A box gives comfort that the lens is not stolen - a theif is unlikely to go find the box in the loft whilst frantically ransacking a house before the owner comes home.

A box indicates someone who takes care of their items, so the product "should" be better looked after.

If I were you Stewart, I would sell the boxes of the cheaper lenses on Ebay and get the cash in now, whilst keeping hold of the more expensive boxes to make a sale 1) quicker and 2) fetch more money.

This may not help with storage much, as some more expensive lens will come in a bigger box, but will help to some extent.

When the time comes to sell a lens, you wold have to decide whether to sell through a third party (ebay etc) or direct through the website. Either way you would have provenance for the lens, could provide copies of invoices etc so this should add value.

If faced with a cost to store them, I would get rid of some. Cash now is better than cash later. That £4k in boxes is extra stock, or a damn good holiday.......
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Agree with all of this. :thumbs:
 
Probably very Anal but i like the box and all the inserts, i also like the box to be in good clean condition.

If you look how many people advertise for boxes wanted or the amount and high prices they fetch on ebay, it seems i am not alone.
 
It's not about the lens, it's about the owner.

Someone anal enough to keep boxes is probably anal enough to baby their lenses and therefore there is a higher chance that the lens is in good condition. This is worth a small premium, purely for the confidence it gives to the buyer.

In this case, people will know the lenses are hire lenses and that they will have likely had a tough life and you are selling them for a reason. Having that history and the reason for sale would be far more important than the box IMO.
 
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StewartR said:
  1. When you're buying a pricey item (e.g. a lens or a camera) second-hand, how important is it to have the original packaging as well?
  2. Does it make a difference to the price you'd be prepared to pay (and if so how much)?
  3. Is it still important if you know the seller or at least know that the seller is trustworthy?
  4. Is it important for the packaging to bear the exact serial number of the item you're buying, or is the box from an identical item with a different serial number OK?
Click to expand...

1. Not at all. As long as it comes with the hood, tripod ring, if supplied originally (as finding replacements can be tricky/bizarrely expensive). In fact to be honest I'd prefer it not to come with the original box as it just takes up room, and people often knock money off their own items for not having it :D

2. Definitely not, I'm shooting with the lens, not the box. But if the seller wants to knock off a few quid because they threw the box away, then I'm not going to tell them otherwise :lol:. It being well looked after and good optics are my main requirements, a bit of cosmetic damage (scuffs and scrapes, not big dents/holes/signs it's been dropped!)

3. Yes, not just worrying about them taking your money and running, but so you know that when they're describing any defects, or saying that 'something is slightly wrong but doesn't affect performance' etc, that they're telling the truth. I'd buy small things from someone with little feedback (everyone has to start somewhere), but for something expensive I'd want to meet up unless they've got a lot of feedback for similarly prices items.

4. See #1 and #2, it could be in a cereal box for all I care, as long as it's properly packaged :D. The only thing I can see the benefit here is for insurance purposes, if they want more proof that you did own the item and you gave them the correct serial...

Hope this helps :thumbs:

Chris


Edit: Forgot to say though, for the kit I have which came with boxes, I'm holding onto them. It seems like throwing money away to chuck them, I don't see the benefit but if a buyer does, then I'll hold on. I only have about 4 though, not 400 so it's a bit different I guess!
 
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Never got a box with my 20D - didn't care as it was coming from a reputable dealer with a warranty. Didn't get a box for my 100-400L either, again from a reputable dealer with a warranty, didn't care. I've kept the boxes from my lenses purely for when I sell them on. When I'm buying I'm not fussed. Don't believe in cardboard value so would offer the same boxed or unboxed. The only time I'd pay a bit more would be if something like a used peli case was included.

Maybe you could flog all your boxes now Stewart, then when you do sell the lenses sell them with the more aged peli cases?
 
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