Factory seconds...does Pentax sell them?

Raptorman · 10-31-2009, 10:52 PM

Do they?

Where is a good source for refurbished cameras?

*LeDave* · 10-31-2009, 11:10 PM

Best Buy sells them all the time.

Venturi · 10-31-2009, 11:47 PM

I bought my flash (AF540FGZ) for $138 from Amazon Warehouse Deals. It was a customer return, never used, everything in the box still in the cellophane wrappers.

Raptorman · 11-01-2009, 12:25 AM

With regards to the equipment sold by Best Buy, I know with rifles..that if you buy the Wal-Mart rifle and compare it with the exact rifle at a sporting goods store its the same action but the stock, sights, etc. are lower quality. Is this true with cameras? I mean if I buy it at a huge retail store or a specialty store is there any difference between one and the other?

I just wanna make sure I don't need to watch out for that.

*felixkh* · 11-01-2009, 03:28 AM

refurbished cameras are basically customer returns due to some reason or other and Pentax would have done repairs before reselling them again as reburbished units.

No such thing as highwer quality from big store and lousy quality from places like Best Buy

*brecklundin* · 11-01-2009, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Raptorman

Do they?

Where is a good source for refurbished cameras?

I am not sure that any lens maker would want to sell "seconds". Refurb lenses are a different matter but a second could have any number of flaws from decentering to front/rear element issues which slipped through QA/QC inspection. All of which would certainly do some damage to the brand's reputation.

Now, a cosmetic second I could see...heck people would snap those up, especially Pentax shooters since there is so much legacy glass out there that looks awful cosmetically yet is simply outstanding optically. To me that is the fun side of shooting Pentax.

Still an interesting idea...I suspect that there are a lot of what would be considered cosmetic seconds out there as warehouse deals or simply listed as demo/used stock at the various online sellers.

*woodworm* · 11-01-2009, 11:06 AM

I'm pretty sure that Pentax had a shop on ebay for refurbished items but I can't find it now?

*Igilligan* · 11-01-2009, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by brecklundin

I am not sure that any lens maker would want to sell "seconds". Refurb lenses are a different matter but a second could have any number of flaws from decentering to front/rear element issues which slipped through QA/QC inspection. All of which would certainly do some damage to the brand's reputation.

Now, a cosmetic second I could see...heck people would snap those up, especially Pentax shooters since there is so much legacy glass out there that looks awful cosmetically yet is simply outstanding optically. To me that is the fun side of shooting Pentax.

Still an interesting idea...I suspect that there are a lot of what would be considered cosmetic seconds out there as warehouse deals or simply listed as demo/used stock at the various online sellers.

They just sell them as firsts!

Apparently in the case of DA ltd zooms... they don't sell them as refurbs, they just send you a refurb when you send your lens in for repair. Not sure if that is the case for all lenses?

code4code5 · 11-02-2009, 09:50 PM

I asked Penax via their facebook site what they do with their factory returns and seconds. I was told that Pentax has existing companies which sell their refurbished units and that wasn't changing any time soon. I proposed that since they are a Colorado based company, perhaps they could open an outlet here. No go.

*waqas* · 11-03-2009, 09:30 AM

Pentax should make their stuff more available, too bad there isn't a single store near me where I could walk in and get my hands on a new camera before buying it. I won't hesitate to get a K-7 but there are countless people who would never know about Pentax because they never saw one at their nearest retailer.

*brecklundin* · 11-04-2009, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by Igilligan

They just sell them as firsts!

.....

Apparently in the case of DA ltd zooms... they don't sell them as refurbs, they just send you a refurb when you send your lens in for repair. Not sure if that is the case for all lenses?

Ummm...I am not sure here, but, errrrrwellllummmmm, DA ltd ZOOMS?

Seems "Limited Zoom" might be a bit of an oxymoron. Or when talking Pentax gear some might call it redundant....hehehehe....

JOKING for those with an amputated sense of humor...

*Wheatfield* · 11-04-2009, 10:51 PM

Factory seconds...does Pentax sell them?

They get rebranded as Canon Rebels.

*ChrisPlatt* · 11-07-2009, 12:54 PM

Second as in second quality? No manufacturer would do that.

When I worked for Olympus new items returned for whatever reason went to camera repair for refurbishment and thorough testing.
So called B-stock inventory was used to replace unrepairable equipment under warranty and offered for sale to employees at discount.

Chris