New Camera Came With Damaged Strap

Schmidt · 07-23-2013, 01:36 PM

Has anyone heard if this happening... Just purchased a new Pentax DSLR from a reputable local dealer. Upon opening the box everything seemed alright, then I removed the neck-strap from its plastic baggie to find that one end is extremely frayed, while the other end is neatly cut to a spear-tip. My first thought was that the camera must've been a return or demo model, but the store assured me that wasn't the case and maintained it was brand new (both the store and Pentax customer service say it was likely a quality control issue). The store offered me a new strap but I've already been in touch with the OEM on that and waiting for a reply.
I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience (with any camera brand), or if I should be concerned that my kit was opened by someone else and returned in less-than-new condition.

Roob-N-Boots · 07-23-2013, 02:40 PM

Check the shutter count.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/pages/check-shutter-count-exif.html

Rob22315 · 07-23-2013, 03:08 PM

I got a K-01 'new' from one of the big dealers that had a firmware version not available during producction. I believe it was a repackaged return. Turns out it had a processor defect too so I returned the whole thing for a real new camera. Sounds to me like you got a return.

Schmidt · 07-23-2013, 03:27 PM

Roob-N-Boots: I did happen to check the shutter count: Right after taking my very first shot it was 2. So it would seem the shutter was actuated once prior to my unpacking the camera. I have no idea if this is considered normal.

Rob: I'm not sure what firmware version is on. I'll have to doubke-check.

What I'm worried about is that someone might have returned the camera after mistreating it, maybe before even taking a single shot with it. I dunno what I'm gonna do about it but tomorrow is the end of my return period.

wildlifephotog · 07-23-2013, 03:46 PM

I've seen brand new cameras with shutter counts of 60 +. They are final tested before packing.
The strap issue is probably just what they said it was, a QC issue. Someone didn't melt and cut the one end before wrapping it.

hooverfocus · 07-23-2013, 03:52 PM

Does the camera show any signs that it's been used before?
I cannot think of anything one can do to mistreat a camera (and why?) all the while without taking a single shot with it.

If there are no other external signs, then it's most likely what wildlifephotog said.

Schmidt · 07-23-2013, 05:09 PM

Wildlifephotog & hoverfocus, there are absolutely no signs the camera has been used. Seems to work OK and takes some nice pictures.
Thanks all for the replies. I guess it is a QC issue.

07-23-2013, 01:36 PM	#1
Schmidt Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 89	New Camera Came With Damaged Strap Has anyone heard if this happening... Just purchased a new Pentax DSLR from a reputable local dealer. Upon opening the box everything seemed alright, then I removed the neck-strap from its plastic baggie to find that one end is extremely frayed, while the other end is neatly cut to a spear-tip. My first thought was that the camera must've been a return or demo model, but the store assured me that wasn't the case and maintained it was brand new (both the store and Pentax customer service say it was likely a quality control issue). The store offered me a new strap but I've already been in touch with the OEM on that and waiting for a reply. I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience (with any camera brand), or if I should be concerned that my kit was opened by someone else and returned in less-than-new condition.

07-23-2013, 02:40 PM	#2
Roob-N-Boots Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Palm Springs CA Posts: 393	Check the shutter count. https://www.pentaxforums.com/pages/check-shutter-count-exif.html Last edited by Roob-N-Boots; 07-23-2013 at 02:46 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
new k-x came! shots with manual lens + question	acrollet	Pentax DSLR Discussion	4	12-09-2009 09:24 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax Camera Strap New	davealta	Sold Items	2	08-23-2008 03:23 PM
For Sale - Sold: [CLOSED] FS: Brand New Neoprene Detachable Camera Strap	mayoapo	Sold Items	6	10-29-2007 05:47 PM

07-23-2013, 03:08 PM	#3
Rob22315 Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alexandria VA USA Posts: 315	I got a K-01 'new' from one of the big dealers that had a firmware version not available during producction. I believe it was a repackaged return. Turns out it had a processor defect too so I returned the whole thing for a real new camera. Sounds to me like you got a return.

07-23-2013, 03:27 PM	#4
Schmidt Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 89 Original Poster	Roob-N-Boots: I did happen to check the shutter count: Right after taking my very first shot it was 2. So it would seem the shutter was actuated once prior to my unpacking the camera. I have no idea if this is considered normal. Rob: I'm not sure what firmware version is on. I'll have to doubke-check. What I'm worried about is that someone might have returned the camera after mistreating it, maybe before even taking a single shot with it. I dunno what I'm gonna do about it but tomorrow is the end of my return period.

07-23-2013, 03:46 PM	#5
wildlifephotog Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 924	I've seen brand new cameras with shutter counts of 60 +. They are final tested before packing. The strap issue is probably just what they said it was, a QC issue. Someone didn't melt and cut the one end before wrapping it.

07-23-2013, 03:52 PM	#6
hooverfocus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 210	Does the camera show any signs that it's been used before? I cannot think of anything one can do to mistreat a camera (and why?) all the while without taking a single shot with it. If there are no other external signs, then it's most likely what wildlifephotog said.

07-23-2013, 05:09 PM	#7
Schmidt Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 89 Original Poster	Wildlifephotog & hoverfocus, there are absolutely no signs the camera has been used. Seems to work OK and takes some nice pictures. Thanks all for the replies. I guess it is a QC issue.