Buying second-hand: what matters to you?

Agree with most - I find that stuff is :

- easier to sell with a box
- attracts a higher price
- gives the impression that it is probably better looked after than one without
- makes posting the lens a doddle
 
I'm definitely a 'Box-Man' :D

(Btw, if you have boxes for a Nikkor 85mm 1.8, 50mm 1.8, 18-70mm, 18-135mm & Tamron 28-300mm, please give me a shout!)
 
I like the maker's box because I know when it's sent through the post there's less likelihood of the lens getting damaged and if it does get damaged it's an awful lot easier to prove it was correctly packed.

I've been there and lost a lot of money because a thieving weasel didn't pack a lens correctly and though RMSD paid out (can't understand why), he kept the payout as it was sent to him by RM so was paid twice. I think the lens was damaged before it was sent and his intention was to rip me off as it was packed in rolled up newspapers without any bubblewrap and the box looked undamaged. No way to treat a valuable lens. Had the lens been in the original packing it was unlikely to have been damaged in transit.

Caveat emptor!
 
I like boxes:$

I have all manner- dyson box, lens boxes, rollerblade boxes, helmet boxes, shoe boxes, computer boxes,camera boxes etc- I hate to think, in fact, I think I still have a box for a compact camera I've thrown out years ago- might investigate that one when I'm back home:lol:

They do take up an inordinate amount of room- I should maybe flat pack them- some recent loft insualtion upgrading affected my storage capability so I have a few boxes strewn about in the open just now as I'm undecided as to what to do:'(:nuts:

I think it does show a bit of consideraton although yes, they might have just bought the box purely for the sale.

Some boxes also look good and a lot of effort has gone into the design/ graphics although I admit I have a fair few non descript brown boxes but I know what goes in it even if it's 20 yrs ago- yes, yes I know;)

For you, perhaps try flat packing or pick a lens price point and try selling the ones below it on ebay while keeping the others.
 
Its good to know I'm not the only weirdo who keeps all the boxes of stuff I buy
 
Whilst I'd prefer to buy something with the box, it really doesn't bother me very much. The condition of the lens is 99% of what I think about.
 
I usually go for a box, but have recently bought a lens without a box....lens is mint, and i know (i think) its been looked after....has everything else which is the main thing.

The box would only really come handy when selling, but i'm sure if someone really wants it, they'd still take it, just like i did :)

After all, the box just sits in the cupboard all its life.....
 
StewartR said:
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?
Click to expand...

Not at all important to me (most of my gear is 2nd hand), it's a bonus but i wouldn't pay extra for it and i wouldn't even think about match the serial number of the packaging to the lens.

Yes seller reputation is very important, but with ebay strong feedback history is all you need.

what's important is you get a good sharp copy free of marks/fungus/oil, and ideally has all the accessories (caps/hood etc)
 
Dave Pickett said:
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...............
Click to expand...

Do you not consider that this attitude restricts not only the resale value but also the number of potential buyers ?

Steve

Sent from my iPad using TP Forums
 
As long as its in the condition its described as and priced according to that condition, Im usually pretty happy. Ive never been too fussed about the boxes as I dont see them adding any value, but as long as all the associated parts that were in the box are present then its a done deal.
 
I know this sounds silly, but when I buy second hand I like the idea of buying it in a box. It makes me feel like the lens would have been looked after.
 
When throwing away boxes, always take them to tip or make sure they can't be seen in your recycling bin. Having a big empty box for a 50" TV outside the house is like a big sign saying "come rob me, I got new stuff!"

Thinking on Stuart, you would tell people that it was an ex hire lens, so will the box make that much difference, as people know that it has had a very used life, but has been cleaned every time it was hired?
 
I really wouldnt look at storage space for these, as the reality is that the storage for a coupls of years would probably cost more than the difference between boxed and unboxed. If its not costing you anything at the moment then keep them.

However, sounds like a pretty packet could be made on ebay selling all the boxes, so go for it!
 
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...

Not overly important compared to the condition/age/use of the item.
A small difference - am more liekly to buy with box than within (general expectation of looked after better) but would not expect it to affect the price for than about £10-£15
Knowing the seller and how they look after the kit negates the implied safety of the box
Can't say I'd look at the serial numbers - thaving a box (albeit a replacement) still implies care and consideration to me




Dave Pickett said:
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...............
Click to expand...

He said can, not does.

A reputable person may or may not have the box.

A thief is very unlikely to have the box
 
I am the same, like to see it in the box for the same reasons stated above.
Not stolen, looked after (maybe) etc.

Also if you get rid of all the boxes now, when you want to sell the lenses what are you going to pack them in?

Could cost you a few quid in jiffy bags, boxes and bubble wrap in the future. ;)
 
Definitely also a box person, if I buy something the box is always kept as pristine as possible for resale, always found it adds tens of £s on when sold, and same when buying second hand, if I have the choice between a boxed item and an unboxed item I'll always go for the boxed item, it conveys (to me) that the item is from someone who looks after their gear and has taken the effort to keep the box and so will also have taken the effort to look after the item as well.
 
I have no interest in the box for personal use. It's just something else to store in the loft. But I keep them because, while I'm not planning to sell anything, I think it is an encouragement to the buyer when selling if you can supply the complete package as originally sold.

As for serial numbers, I would want them to match. It might sound picky, but I don't want the box for the box's sake. I would want a full matching set. Some random box that doesn't belong with that lens - may as well not bother.

I think having the original box is a nice sweetener for the deal, but the value is more in the mind than the pocket. It's the warm fuzzy feeling that it would give that you had "all the bits", rather than just the bare lens, that would make it seem more tempting, but not necessarily more valuable.
 
Box and all packaging is valuable, no question. You'll get a better price, quicker. It's about confidence and comfort with the deal. Serial numbers must match - non-matching is worse than no box! Smacks of stolen.

However, I would say it's really only a priority for as-new, mint/excellent condition goods, which I imagine ex-hire lenses being sold off relatively cheaply are not going to be, by definition. I don't think it matters so much then, if at all, as the lens is obviously and openly nothing like new! The psychology of the purchase is different.
 
I think the real question here - is it keeping the boxes going to make it worthwhile in the long run.

i think the answer is no.

Stewart has said that he needs more space, so say he needs to rent somewhere at 50/week.

The cost of that needs to be offset against the better price. yes - there will be lots of boxes in there - but realistically how many lenses is Stewart going to sell in the next two years?

plus, with a good market for boxes on ebay, get that money now and save the storage costs and i reckon you wont be any worse off than if you kept the boxes, plus the money is in your pocket now and you can use it to buy another lens or two.
 
If I had the option of buying a lens with the box vs. one without, at the same price, I'd buy the one with, purely because it's protected on it's way to me. But I'd be more interested in having all the caps and hood and any other accessories included when it was new. The one thing I wouldn't be too bothered about would be the pouch you get with Nikon lenses.
 
I am amazed at the paranoia surrounding boxes and the value people place on pieces of cardboard.

Of course a thief might break into a store and steal stuff in boxes......

Sadly we live in a throw away society, if I kept all the boxes the house would be even more overun with junk than it is now!

And think about how futile this all is, the OP keeps the box in his loft eventually sells an item in the box for a small premium, and the purchaser then puts the box in his loft cluttering up his house!!!

I have got past the stage of pampering my cameras, I use them, if they get a knock, so what at least they are getting used.............I dont buy cameras with a view to selling, I buy them to use..............

but each to their own, a bit like some people buy a car on condition (me) and others wont touch one without a full service history..........never seen the logic in this either
 
I would rather have the box and think It makes a difference if you come to re sell later, it is a question that comes up a lot in the for sale section, DOES IT COME WITH ORIGINAL BOX.:D
 
I agree that for resale value it's nice to have. Personally I would expect to pay a little more for exactly the same lens with box than without. The main thing in my mind would be it looks better to some people when selling on, and the lenses I've sold I've always been asked if it comes with box etc..
 
So it seems the main reason people want to keep the boxes is for resale value, can we all just agree not to pay more for a boxed lens?! :)

It's win-win, the people who are cluttering up their house with boxes can sell them on ebay safe in the knowledge that it won't affect re-sale value, nothing secondhand will come boxed, so new buyers don't need to clear entire cupboards before getting some new kit, and the folks that really like boxes will have a vast supply on ebay for all their boxy needs :D. Sorted.
 
Well I tracked down said Sony box- Camera long been chucked after it broke. User manual/ unopened disc and discovered there was a sony charger for AA's and AAA's as well as some cables in the bottom compartment- all quite exciting for 5 or so seconds:lol:. Pretty sure I never saw the charger when I had the camera...must be getting old

Going to sort some boxes this weekend (not lens ones;)) as also went to look in the loft for something and couldn't move because of bloody cardboard boxes.
 
It would not worry me I,m not sure where my boxes are :D
If I was looking for a lens I would want to know that the lens is a sharp copy with no scratches on the lens elements rather than worry about a box
Pete
 
If I was buying a lens and it was being sent via a carrier rather than me picking it up in person, I would MUCH rather it was sent in its original box than just wrapped in a few layers of bubble wrap. TBH, I would like it in its box then wrapped in bubble wrap and put in anothr box - IMO, it's hard to overprotect something delicate like a lens. I'd like the number on the box to match that on the lens too.
 
I would prefer the original box as it gives me a reassurance (which is purely psychological I know) that the owner has not misused the lens, ie they have taken care to keep the box so they will have taken care with the lens. Mad theory, I know.
 
I like original boxes for a number of reasons:

a) If the owner still has the box then it is possible they look after things more than others (THOUGH NOT ALWAYS OF COURSE!!!)
b) If I need to return the item to Canon for instance (especially during guarantee period), they can't say I didn't box it properly.
c) Resale value (to picky individuals like myself)
d) Insurance purposes for lost/stolen lenses.

e) Isn't storing boxes what lofts are for???

I'd still buy a lens without the box etc. but will scrutinise more and expect to pay (slightly) less...

I know there are some people who basically rip boxes apart to get at the items inside, I open carefully in case the product is cr@p (which is often these days) and I want to return it. Looks a lot better if it is in pristine condition rather than just the item on its own or no box.
 
I always keep and prefer the original packaging also,right down to the polystyrene end caps and plastic bags that the case was in. :D

As SLRuser stated,it gives the impression that the previous owner (possibly) took more care of it.
 
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...

1 - It's not vital, but it's nice.
2 - Nope, doesn't make a difference to me
3 - It's important that I know I'm going to get what I pay for, and knowing exactly the condition and usage, any potential issues before I decide whether to pay for it. :)
4 - It'd be nice that if it came with a box it'd be the one for that lens, to aid in resale. It might look a bit dodgy to a future purchaser if the box & lens didn't match. :)
 
Having the box gives a very small indication that the item has been looked after. In no way definitive I know. It does make the item easier to package and post so it stands a chance of arriving in the condition that it was sent in.

However, if I was buying from someone like OP I would happily accept no box on the basis that he's a reputable guy who won't cr@p on me.
 
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...

1. Not vital but I do like it.
2. Not really but more likely to buy.
3. No, if I know the seller is trustworthy the box becomes less important.
4. Yes, vital. I would assume dodgy otherwise and walk away.

I keep my boxes mainly because I like to have them when I sell (and I always do in the end). It does seem to matter to people. I want to make any sale as fuss and hassle free as possible and having the original box helps.
 
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