I too was interested in one of these "Refurbished by Canon" lenses, particularly the 70-200 f/4 L. Adorama's USA price is $585 and Adorama's refurbished price is $500. That's about 15% savings. After reading this thread, I visited Canon's website and then called Adorama.
<p>
Canon's warranty terms for the lens at hand (I would imagine all lenses have the same terms) state, "A Product, when delivered to you in <b>new condition in its original container</b>, is warranted against defects . . . ."
<p>
I felt that this was probably fair warning, but, given some of the comments from the thread, I decided to call Adorama. I spoke to Norman, I believe (I have a hard time with Northern accents, so I can't be sure). He told me that the lenses sold as "Refurbished by Canon USA" were not warranted by Canon, but were covered by Adorama's 100 day warranty. I asked him if he could email me the warranty terms or point me to their location on their site and he told me that the warranty was not in writing anywhere. He assured me that they sell thousands of these lenses a year without a problem and started getting kind of defensive and pushy about the whole thing. I simply wanted to review under what terms I could claim under the warranty. After I expressed this concern, he said that if I didn't feel comfortable about it, then maybe I shouldn't buy one. I politely thanked him and hung up.
<p>
I'm glad that some of you who have purchased refurbished lenses have had good experiences. However, I don't think that I'll take the chance and will pay out the extra $85 to get a new product and Canon's 1 year warranty. I'm not saying Adorama is being shady. I simply don't feel comfortable about purchasing a $500 lens with a 100 day warranty that has no written terms. I know plenty of people who have had positive experiences with Adorama and I may end up buying the USA model from them. I just wanted to pass on this info and potentially clear up the warranty debate.
<p>
I've attached Canon's warranty below for your reading pleasure.
<p>
Canon Limited Warranty
<p>
The limited warranty set forth below is given by Canon U.S.A., Inc. (Canon U.S.A.) in the United States and Canon Canada Inc., in Canada (herein referred to collectively as "Canon") with respect to the Canon Binoculars and Photographic Lens Products packaged with this Limited Warranty and identified by model number on this limited warranty card (each a "Product")when purchased and used in the United States or Canada.
<p>
This Limited Warranty is only effective upon presentation of this warranty card and proof of purchase.
<p>
A Product, when delivered to you in new condition in its original container, is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship as follows: for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase, defective parts or a defective Product returned to Canon, or its authorized service providers, and proven to be defective upon inspection, will be repaired with new or comparable rebuilt parts or exchanged for a refurbished Product, as determined by Canon or the authorized service provider n their sole discretion. Replaced parts and exchanged Products will become the property of Canon.
<p>
When returning a Product for warranty service, the shipping charges must be prepaid and the Product should be shipped in its original container, or an equivalent, properly packed to withstand the hazards of shipment and be fully insured. A copy of the warranty card and proof of purchase should be enclosed, as well as a description of the problem (including film samples, where appropriate). Repairs will be made and the Product will be returned, shipped at NO CHARGE, within the country of repair.
<p>
This warranty only covers defective materials or workmanship encountered in normal use and service of a Product and does not apply in the following cases:
<p>(a) Loss of or damage due to abuse causing deterioration, mishandling, accident or failure to follow operating instructions.
<p>(b) If a Product is defective as a result of leaking batteries or liquid damage.
<p>(d) Malfunction resulting from the use of acessories, attachments, product supplies, parts or devices (including, without limitation, batteries, film, flash attachments and other accessories) with this Canon photographic equipment that do not conform to Canon specifications.
<p>(e) Damage resultiing during shipment. (Claim must be presented and examined by the shipper.)
<p>(f) Damage or service resulting from modifications or alterations to a Product in any way (including any alteration or removal of its serial number or identification marks).
<p>
NO IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, APPLIES TO THE PRODUCT AFTER THE APPLICABLE PERIOD OF THE EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY STATED ABOVE, AND NO OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTY OR GUARANTY, EXCEPT AS MENTIONED ABOVE, GIVEN BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO A PRODUCT SHALL BIND CANON (SOME STATES AND PROVINCES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU). CANON SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR LOSS OF REVENUES OR PROFITS, INCONVENIENCE, EXPENSE FOR SUBSTITUTE EQUIPMENT OR SERVICE, STORAGE CHARGES, LOSS OR CORRUPTION OF DATA, OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY LOSS OF FILM) CAUSED BY THE USE OR MISUSE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, A PRODUCT, REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL THEORY ON WHICH THE CLAIM IS BASED, AND EVEN IF CANON HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL RECOVERY OF ANY KIND AGAINST CANON BE GREATER IN AMOUNT THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PRODUCT SOLD BY CANON AND CAUSING THE ALLEGED DAMAGE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, YOU ASSUME ALL RISK AND LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGE OR INJURY TO YOU AND YOUR PROPERTY AND TO OTHERS AND THEIR PROPERTY ARISING OUT OF USE OR MISUSE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE PRODUCT NOT CAUSED DIRECTLY BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF CANON (SOME STATES AND PROVINCES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU). THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL NOT PRODUCT, OR THE PERSON FOR WHOM IT WAS PURCHASED AS A GIFT, AND STATES YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY.
<p>
Canon U.S.A., Inc., One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, NY 11042-1198<p>
"Refurbished by Canon"
in Canon EOS Mount
Posted
I too was interested in one of these "Refurbished by Canon" lenses, particularly the 70-200 f/4 L. Adorama's USA price is $585 and Adorama's refurbished price is $500. That's about 15% savings. After reading this thread, I visited Canon's website and then called Adorama.
<p>
Canon's warranty terms for the lens at hand (I would imagine all lenses have the same terms) state, "A Product, when delivered to you in <b>new condition in its original container</b>, is warranted against defects . . . ."
<p>
I felt that this was probably fair warning, but, given some of the comments from the thread, I decided to call Adorama. I spoke to Norman, I believe (I have a hard time with Northern accents, so I can't be sure). He told me that the lenses sold as "Refurbished by Canon USA" were not warranted by Canon, but were covered by Adorama's 100 day warranty. I asked him if he could email me the warranty terms or point me to their location on their site and he told me that the warranty was not in writing anywhere. He assured me that they sell thousands of these lenses a year without a problem and started getting kind of defensive and pushy about the whole thing. I simply wanted to review under what terms I could claim under the warranty. After I expressed this concern, he said that if I didn't feel comfortable about it, then maybe I shouldn't buy one. I politely thanked him and hung up.
<p>
I'm glad that some of you who have purchased refurbished lenses have had good experiences. However, I don't think that I'll take the chance and will pay out the extra $85 to get a new product and Canon's 1 year warranty. I'm not saying Adorama is being shady. I simply don't feel comfortable about purchasing a $500 lens with a 100 day warranty that has no written terms. I know plenty of people who have had positive experiences with Adorama and I may end up buying the USA model from them. I just wanted to pass on this info and potentially clear up the warranty debate.
<p>
I've attached Canon's warranty below for your reading pleasure.
<p>
Canon Limited Warranty
<p>
The limited warranty set forth below is given by Canon U.S.A., Inc. (Canon U.S.A.) in the United States and Canon Canada Inc., in Canada (herein referred to collectively as "Canon") with respect to the Canon Binoculars and Photographic Lens Products packaged with this Limited Warranty and identified by model number on this limited warranty card (each a "Product")when purchased and used in the United States or Canada.
<p>
This Limited Warranty is only effective upon presentation of this warranty card and proof of purchase.
<p>
A Product, when delivered to you in new condition in its original container, is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship as follows: for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase, defective parts or a defective Product returned to Canon, or its authorized service providers, and proven to be defective upon inspection, will be repaired with new or comparable rebuilt parts or exchanged for a refurbished Product, as determined by Canon or the authorized service provider n their sole discretion. Replaced parts and exchanged Products will become the property of Canon.
<p>
When returning a Product for warranty service, the shipping charges must be prepaid and the Product should be shipped in its original container, or an equivalent, properly packed to withstand the hazards of shipment and be fully insured. A copy of the warranty card and proof of purchase should be enclosed, as well as a description of the problem (including film samples, where appropriate). Repairs will be made and the Product will be returned, shipped at NO CHARGE, within the country of repair.
<p>
This warranty only covers defective materials or workmanship encountered in normal use and service of a Product and does not apply in the following cases:
<p>(a) Loss of or damage due to abuse causing deterioration, mishandling, accident or failure to follow operating instructions.
<p>(b) If a Product is defective as a result of leaking batteries or liquid damage.
<p>© Defective materials or workmanship where the defect is due to a Product having been serviced or modified by other than Canon or a Canon authorized service provider.
<p>(d) Malfunction resulting from the use of acessories, attachments, product supplies, parts or devices (including, without limitation, batteries, film, flash attachments and other accessories) with this Canon photographic equipment that do not conform to Canon specifications.
<p>(e) Damage resultiing during shipment. (Claim must be presented and examined by the shipper.)
<p>(f) Damage or service resulting from modifications or alterations to a Product in any way (including any alteration or removal of its serial number or identification marks).
<p>
NO IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, APPLIES TO THE PRODUCT AFTER THE APPLICABLE PERIOD OF THE EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY STATED ABOVE, AND NO OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTY OR GUARANTY, EXCEPT AS MENTIONED ABOVE, GIVEN BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO A PRODUCT SHALL BIND CANON (SOME STATES AND PROVINCES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU). CANON SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR LOSS OF REVENUES OR PROFITS, INCONVENIENCE, EXPENSE FOR SUBSTITUTE EQUIPMENT OR SERVICE, STORAGE CHARGES, LOSS OR CORRUPTION OF DATA, OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY LOSS OF FILM) CAUSED BY THE USE OR MISUSE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, A PRODUCT, REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL THEORY ON WHICH THE CLAIM IS BASED, AND EVEN IF CANON HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL RECOVERY OF ANY KIND AGAINST CANON BE GREATER IN AMOUNT THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PRODUCT SOLD BY CANON AND CAUSING THE ALLEGED DAMAGE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, YOU ASSUME ALL RISK AND LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGE OR INJURY TO YOU AND YOUR PROPERTY AND TO OTHERS AND THEIR PROPERTY ARISING OUT OF USE OR MISUSE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE PRODUCT NOT CAUSED DIRECTLY BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF CANON (SOME STATES AND PROVINCES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU). THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL NOT PRODUCT, OR THE PERSON FOR WHOM IT WAS PURCHASED AS A GIFT, AND STATES YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY.
<p>
Canon U.S.A., Inc., One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, NY 11042-1198<p>
Canon Canada, Inc., 6390 Dixie Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1P7