abufletcher Posted November 19, 2004 Share Posted November 19, 2004 When it comes to reselling a Leica lens, just how important is having the original box? Does this greatly effect the resale value of a lens? I know it shouldn't but we're talking Leica here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry_ting2 Posted November 19, 2004 Share Posted November 19, 2004 The original box is unimportant, unless its a collectible lens, or if you are trying to sell your lens in "like new" condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wai_leong_lee Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 It's the most important thing in the world... next to the lens. Wai Leong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek_stanton2 Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 If you have it, keep it. If not, forget about it. If i'm buying a lens, i do appreciate it coming in all the original packing. It doesn't affect my decisions, though. But, yah, if it's advertised as "Like New," i would expect it to be sold like something that is as close to 'new' as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake_tauber Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 Very important. Without a Leica box, this would just be a picture of cement.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abufletcher Posted November 20, 2004 Author Share Posted November 20, 2004 Let me rephrase the question. Suppose I have a late model "mint" Leica lens to sell but suppose that I don't have the original box for it (with matching serial #) but rather have some other Leica box (with different SN on box). Is not having the box going to make reselling the lens more difficult and/or lower the resale price? Can not having the original packaging knock as much as $100 of the price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elek Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 Shouldn't affect the value, except for collectors. But without the box, I doubt you could or should refer to it as "mint," as mint means never used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek_stanton2 Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 I'm not a "collector." For me, when buying used equipment, the box is a 'bonus.' I don't expect to pay extra for it. I always keep boxes, though. And, if i'm selling, i will include mention that they are included. But, whether i can provide it or not, i don't adjust prices one way or the other. I do believe, though, that original packaging gives the buyer more confidence if the condition of your item is 'Like New' or 'Mint.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_spiers Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 "mint means never used." I don't agree with that, and I doubt whether many dealers in secondhand equipment would either. Mint means "not a mark on it, pristine". It does not mean that it's never been used. And mint does not imply that the box, packaging etc are present. If they are, great, and it will surely say so in the ad, but it shouldn't be assumed. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elek Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 I guess it depends on what you collect. In the coin and stamp world, for example, mint doesn't mean taken out of its case and handled. It really means mint, as in fresh from the mint, which I guess is where the term originated. Now that I think about it, the coin term is uncirculated. But in the world of photography, mint covers a wider range, I suppose. And when you toss in online auctions, the word is really bastardized. Nitpicking, no doubt, on my part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_ng Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 I think the rock is more interesting O.o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadge Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 My view is that buying a lens with the original box greatly reduces the chance of accidentally buying a stolen lens. Of course you can always do a reported stolen check on Leica web site but no guarantee that the original owner will have known of this service and used it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abufletcher Posted November 20, 2004 Author Share Posted November 20, 2004 Thanks. For the most part this discussion has been useful. The box (etc.) shouldn't influence the price but may be considered part of what lends a a buyer a sense of confidence -- confidence both in the seller and in the product. And I suppose that that confidence itself must have some fair market value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben z Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 Slight clarification: the above could be true of a lens which shows no signs of use and can't be told from new. A lens which shows use (finish wear and/or marks on the glass)isn't going to be worth a lick more just because the owner stashed the box away back when he bought it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h_kan_th_rngren Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 If the original box is included I take that as an indication that the item has more likely been owned by careful people than otherwise. It has probably not been passed between many hands either. The original box is a strong plus when I consider buying something, but I would not pay anything extra for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 The box is critical for lens internment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert knapp md Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 Agree. Box has that "je ne sais quoi" buyer's appeal. Keep all boxes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djl251 Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 My Canon boxes have outlasted their lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_r._fulton_jr. Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 I have a cardboard carton filled with Leica boxes from Leica stuff I've bought. I have a box of boxes. My wife thinks this is the silliest thing ever. A box of boxes. I'm not convinced of their value. My wife isn't convinced of my sanity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakley Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 <i>"mint means never used." <p> I don't agree with that, and I doubt whether many dealers in secondhand equipment would either. Mint means "not a mark on it, pristine". It does not mean that it's never been used. </i><p> To coin collectors (from whom the term originates), "mint state" means a coin in the condition in which it left the mint, which has "never been circulated in the chain of commerce". <p> This means "never been used". It implies, but not strictly, "in pristine condition". In fact, because coins do sometimes leave the mint in less than pristine condition, there exist different grades of "mint state", using a point scale, to indicate degree of "pristine-ness". There are also special "proof sets" issued by the mint and certified by the mint to be in pristine (or even better than pristine - e.g. with special polising in some areas and frosted finish in others) condition. <p>I have no idea what "mint state" might mean to camera producers or collectors, neither of whom operates a mint. <p> I do know what "like new" and "like new in box" mean to me when I'm considering buying a camera which is not sold as "new with warranty". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike starchuk Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 Reading this forum always makes me smile.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icuneko Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 Think outside the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsr Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 Leica boxes in good condition have an intrinsic value of their own. If you wish to sell a Leica to a buyer who is indifferent about having the box, you might consider selling the box separately. Collectors are funny; I've seen all manner of Leica packaging being offered at tidy prices. Best regards, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted November 20, 2004 Share Posted November 20, 2004 I've sold a few boxes for good money from Leica bodies and lenses that were stolen, and other boxes that I ran across here and there that I bought cheaply. I suspect that even a beat-to-crap (but functioning) double stroke M3's value would be enhanced if you had the original box, instruction book, and import certificate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 I still keep a large box full with boxes for Leica stuff. No clue why I have it though. I am not planning to sell any of my stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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