Question about returning new very slightly damaged items

Indy78 · 02-05-2014, 06:52 PM

I bought a new camera online and it finally arrived. The first thing I noticed was that the pakaging (not the outter packaging for post - the inner packag like you would find in the store) was slightly damaged, a couple a scratches/dents. I then started looking at/inpecting my camera. On the bottom there is a mechanism which you lift up and twist to open the battery cover, well this looks damaged. It is a very small area, but about half of it looks like it has been scratched to me. I have shown it to two other people - one said just don't worry about it get out there and have fun with your new toy. The other said that it looks like something that happened during manufacture and also not it worry about it. The rest of the camera looks fine.

I am considering returning it - because in my mind it has arrived in less then *perfect* condition. Do people return items for these minor cosmtic issues?Or are these kind of things just accepted? I feel like if I wanted a damaged item I would have bought second hand. Also I feel like if i want to sell this at some point to upgrade - then the damaged box and damaged to the bottom has already caused it to be not in mint condition.

Hope you can help.

vonBaloney · 02-05-2014, 07:31 PM

If someone else bought it and returned it, maybe there was a reason besides they just didn't want it? Anything you buy new should look f'ing *new*. Exchange it for something NEW NEW.

DSims · 02-05-2014, 07:32 PM

I'm not sure what camera model you bought - it would have been interesting to hear. Probably doesn't matter that much, though.

You can use it a little and still return it, right?

If it works well, and you're happy with how it works and the photos you get, keep it. If you return it, you may just get another one with a different, but more bothersome defect.

On the other hand, if you're not happy with how it works, then definitely return it.

Indy78 · 02-05-2014, 08:01 PM

vonBaloney- hmm that is pretty much how I feel. But the people I showed it to basically laughed and said I was 'insane' for caring about such small things

DSims- it is a Pentax K-5 IIs. I haven't actually used it as I am waiting for the arrival of a lens- I bought it seperately. So I have no idea if it works - I guess I should have a play with it. I did think about the case where I return it and just get another one with a new problem.

I guess I am just wondering if this is a silly concern.........

Indy78 · 02-05-2014, 08:02 PM

Or if people actually return cameras for this kind of thing.....

DSims · 02-06-2014, 01:36 AM

Originally posted by Indy78

Or if people actually return cameras for this kind of thing.....

I used to be a person who would, but sometimes ended up regretting it. So my rule now is if I really like it, except for some small detail, I keep it. With some products the sample variation is enough that I may not be as happy with the replacement (and this has happened to me a number of times).

In other words I'm picky, but I'm learning not to be too picky anymore.

Matt Miller · 02-06-2014, 01:49 AM

As stated above, if it's purely cosmetic and the camera functions 100% to your liking, I'd keep it. Otherwise return it for a replacement. Life is easier when we don't sweat the small stuff. Actually, I think it was George Carlin who said it best "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things".

Last edited by Matt Miller; 02-06-2014 at 01:55 AM.

dansamy · 02-06-2014, 01:55 AM

VERY *minor* cosmetic issues, I'll overlook.

vonBaloney · 02-06-2014, 08:11 AM

Buying something new that obviously wasn't actually new (that looked like someone had handled it post-factory boxing) would drive me insane forever -- now if it breaks in a year I'd be thinking "Aggh...knew I should have returned it!". Whereas if it looked perfect and it broke I'd just say, "Oh well, things break." Plus it is just WRONG -- where has this camera been and why isn't it new? (Dealers are not supposed to re-sell returns, so it should never ever happen.)

Now, if it looked like a cosmetic manufacturing defect, that would be less disturbing in that I wouldn't feel like someone is trying to screw me, but still -- why would I want a damaged camera that I paid new money for? Especially something that will probably affect the resell value later.

Either scenario I'd exchange in a heartbeat. It would go straight back in the box and I wouldn't even try out the whole camera so I wouldn't know whether it worked perfectly otherwise or not...

Indy78 · 02-07-2014, 06:24 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks for all the input. I couldn't stand it anymore so took it to a local store and they replaced it right away. I suspect someone had handled/used it. I also felt that if I wanted to resell in the future, it had already lost its mint condition. What pushed me to make my final decision was that if I wanted something second hand I would have bought something second hand on ebay

dansamy · 02-07-2014, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by Indy78

Thanks for all the input. I couldn't stand it anymore so took it to a local store and they replaced it right away. I suspect someone had handled/used it. I also felt that if I wanted to resell in the future, it had already lost its mint condition. What pushed me to make my final decision was that if I wanted something second hand I would have bought something second hand on ebay

And gotten the price for a secondhand one. If I pay the new price, I want the new product!

**monochrome** · 02-07-2014, 08:13 PM

I think you did the right thing. If I buy something new I want something new. That's like buying a new car that they drive over from Kansas City so when I get it there's 260 miles on the ODO. Nope - I want 12.

However, as I've gotten older I've accepted that no matter how careful I am I'm going to scratch or mark every single brand new thing I buy within a month. It isn't that I'm careless or hard on my gear, but I use it. I just use it. Somehow my wife can keep that 'new car' smell forever - I just can't do it. I kind of overlook little things and I no longer worry about every last dollar of resale.

I just sold a used Q body for $75 that I had made a tiny mark on one of the strap lugs. Buyer's happy; I'm happy (whereas before I'd have been sick about it for a week) and bought a CLA'ed perfect operating condition but really brassy black Spotmatic for -- $75. I used to hunt for the EX+ cosmetic stuff and baby it and I was always afraid to use it. In some ways I'm actually having more fun with the Spottie than the K3.

Indy78 · 02-08-2014, 10:32 PM

exactly dansamy! monochrome yes damage is inevitable eventually I guess but at last I know that I caused it while enjoying my camera. Not come other person.
Thanks again

VisualDarkness · 02-10-2014, 01:04 AM

I bought a Da*300 that weirdly packaged (even worse than Pentax usual way) and had loads of dust on it. Luckily it lead me to further investigation and I also noticed fingerprints. But the worst things were a dirty outline around the front element and a permanent mark on the nearly unreachable rear element.

Somebody must have handled it and tried to cover his or her tracks. Do I have to say that I got a replacement without a question?

02-05-2014, 06:52 PM	#1
Indy78 New Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 11	Question about returning new very slightly damaged items I bought a new camera online and it finally arrived. The first thing I noticed was that the pakaging (not the outter packaging for post - the inner packag like you would find in the store) was slightly damaged, a couple a scratches/dents. I then started looking at/inpecting my camera. On the bottom there is a mechanism which you lift up and twist to open the battery cover, well this looks damaged. It is a very small area, but about half of it looks like it has been scratched to me. I have shown it to two other people - one said just don't worry about it get out there and have fun with your new toy. The other said that it looks like something that happened during manufacture and also not it worry about it. The rest of the camera looks fine. I am considering returning it - because in my mind it has arrived in less then perfect condition. Do people return items for these minor cosmtic issues?Or are these kind of things just accepted? I feel like if I wanted a damaged item I would have bought second hand. Also I feel like if i want to sell this at some point to upgrade - then the damaged box and damaged to the bottom has already caused it to be not in mint condition. Hope you can help.

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02-05-2014, 07:31 PM	#2
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	If someone else bought it and returned it, maybe there was a reason besides they just didn't want it? Anything you buy new should look f'ing new. Exchange it for something NEW NEW.

02-05-2014, 07:32 PM	#3
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	I'm not sure what camera model you bought - it would have been interesting to hear. Probably doesn't matter that much, though. You can use it a little and still return it, right? If it works well, and you're happy with how it works and the photos you get, keep it. If you return it, you may just get another one with a different, but more bothersome defect. On the other hand, if you're not happy with how it works, then definitely return it.

02-05-2014, 08:01 PM	#4
Indy78 New Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 11 Original Poster	vonBaloney- hmm that is pretty much how I feel. But the people I showed it to basically laughed and said I was 'insane' for caring about such small things DSims- it is a Pentax K-5 IIs. I haven't actually used it as I am waiting for the arrival of a lens- I bought it seperately. So I have no idea if it works - I guess I should have a play with it. I did think about the case where I return it and just get another one with a new problem. I guess I am just wondering if this is a silly concern.........

02-05-2014, 08:02 PM	#5
Indy78 New Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Or if people actually return cameras for this kind of thing.....

02-06-2014, 01:36 AM	#6
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by Indy78 Or if people actually return cameras for this kind of thing..... I used to be a person who would, but sometimes ended up regretting it. So my rule now is if I really like it, except for some small detail, I keep it. With some products the sample variation is enough that I may not be as happy with the replacement (and this has happened to me a number of times). In other words I'm picky, but I'm learning not to be too picky anymore.

02-06-2014, 01:49 AM	#7
Matt Miller Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Cambridge, Iowa Photos: Gallery Posts: 339	As stated above, if it's purely cosmetic and the camera functions 100% to your liking, I'd keep it. Otherwise return it for a replacement. Life is easier when we don't sweat the small stuff. Actually, I think it was George Carlin who said it best "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things". Last edited by Matt Miller; 02-06-2014 at 01:55 AM.

02-06-2014, 01:55 AM	#8
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450	VERY minor cosmetic issues, I'll overlook.

02-06-2014, 08:11 AM	#9
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Buying something new that obviously wasn't actually new (that looked like someone had handled it post-factory boxing) would drive me insane forever -- now if it breaks in a year I'd be thinking "Aggh...knew I should have returned it!". Whereas if it looked perfect and it broke I'd just say, "Oh well, things break." Plus it is just WRONG -- where has this camera been and why isn't it new? (Dealers are not supposed to re-sell returns, so it should never ever happen.) Now, if it looked like a cosmetic manufacturing defect, that would be less disturbing in that I wouldn't feel like someone is trying to screw me, but still -- why would I want a damaged camera that I paid new money for? Especially something that will probably affect the resell value later. Either scenario I'd exchange in a heartbeat. It would go straight back in the box and I wouldn't even try out the whole camera so I wouldn't know whether it worked perfectly otherwise or not...

02-07-2014, 06:24 PM - 1 Like	#10
Indy78 New Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Thanks for all the input. I couldn't stand it anymore so took it to a local store and they replaced it right away. I suspect someone had handled/used it. I also felt that if I wanted to resell in the future, it had already lost its mint condition. What pushed me to make my final decision was that if I wanted something second hand I would have bought something second hand on ebay

02-07-2014, 07:54 PM	#11
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450	Originally posted by Indy78 Thanks for all the input. I couldn't stand it anymore so took it to a local store and they replaced it right away. I suspect someone had handled/used it. I also felt that if I wanted to resell in the future, it had already lost its mint condition. What pushed me to make my final decision was that if I wanted something second hand I would have bought something second hand on ebay And gotten the price for a secondhand one. If I pay the new price, I want the new product!

02-07-2014, 08:13 PM	#12
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	I think you did the right thing. If I buy something new I want something new. That's like buying a new car that they drive over from Kansas City so when I get it there's 260 miles on the ODO. Nope - I want 12. However, as I've gotten older I've accepted that no matter how careful I am *I'm* going to scratch or mark every single brand new thing I buy within a month. It isn't that I'm careless or hard on my gear, but I use it. I just use it. Somehow my wife can keep that 'new car' smell forever - I just can't do it. I kind of overlook little things and I no longer worry about every last dollar of resale. I just sold a used Q body for $75 that I had made a tiny mark on one of the strap lugs. Buyer's happy; I'm happy (whereas before I'd have been sick about it for a week) and bought a CLA'ed perfect operating condition but really *brassy* black Spotmatic for -- $75. I used to hunt for the EX+ cosmetic stuff and baby it and I was always afraid to use it. In some ways I'm actually having more fun with the Spottie than the K3.

02-08-2014, 10:32 PM	#13
Indy78 New Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 11 Original Poster	exactly dansamy! monochrome yes damage is inevitable eventually I guess but at last I know that I caused it while enjoying my camera. Not come other person. Thanks again

02-10-2014, 01:04 AM	#14
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	I bought a Da*300 that weirdly packaged (even worse than Pentax usual way) and had loads of dust on it. Luckily it lead me to further investigation and I also noticed fingerprints. But the worst things were a dirty outline around the front element and a permanent mark on the nearly unreachable rear element. Somebody must have handled it and tried to cover his or her tracks. Do I have to say that I got a replacement without a question?