How can the shop resell a known bad lens? :(

[thw]

I was at a fairly well known camera shop today to look at the Sigma 10-20 lens. They only had one copy. I brought my camera and laptop there. After taking several shots at 10 mm, I told them the lens was bad as one side of the photos was consistently blurred. They put the lens back in the box and replaced it on the shelf.

Shouldn't the defective unit be sent to Sigma for fixing before it can be resold? How can shop keepers be so unethical here in Singapore?

[solarii]

Nothing unusual...

Some even replace the lens back on the shelf AFTER someone returns it.

I once found a receipt dated one week earlier for a lens I bought, tucked below the bubble wrap... clearly wasn't mine but someone else's who probably bought the lens earlier but returned it.

Tested the lens but found nothing amiss so I left it at that.

And this was from a reputable shop. I won't list the name cos I still deal with them and they're honest and friendly, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Since I can't find anything wrong with the lens, its not right to list their name here since I dunno the full story.

But the lens wasn't "brand new" as one might think and expect.

I think I know which shop you're talking about... there are certain clues which experienced buyers can pick out...

[EiRiK]

Originally Posted by solarii And this was from a reputable shop. I won't list the name cos I still deal with them and they're honest and friendly, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. .

how can they be honest when they do such things?

[haagen_dazs]

its generally a dirty world out there.
and thats the truth. and that is the problem too..

[solarii]

Originally Posted by EiRiK how can they be honest when they do such things?

Well, by and large honest. They don't quote me ridiculous prices, offer discounts from time to time and generally give good service.

Like I said, I didn't find anything wrong with the lens so I gave them the benefit of the doubt. Of course if it were not working fine, I would not hesitated to boycott them AND list their name here... after demanding a one-to-one exchange of course!

[singscott]

Hey do tell which shop it is so rest of us will be more careful

[zaxh81]

Sigma lens in canon subforum.

[thw]

Originally Posted by zaxh81 Sigma lens in canon subforum.

Yes, but it's for Canon mount.

[r32]

Returned lenses are always going to be ones that people feel are "rejected" or "pre-used". There's always two sides of the coin, one, the buyer who buys a lens and finds that it isn't performing well or changed his mind and wants another lens (the big mail order retailers in the US allow this).

He's going to be happy that he has a generous return policy to take advantage of.

On the flip side of the coin it introduces a nagging doubt whether the so-called new lens you bought is really new. I have to admit, when my friend bought a 70-200mm F/4L from Adorama, I scrutinized it really closely (down to checking the copper end contacts) to find out of it was really fresh from factory.

Sure, retailers should and probably do return lenses that customers have rejected because it didn't perform according to specs, but lenses that are returned because the buyer changed his mind probably finds it way back onto the shelf if its judged that the next guy coming along probably can't tell the difference.

It is a difficult situation with no easy solution. You want a true mint lens, wait for a new shipment to come rather than buy off the shelf, or find a shop that has a non-existent return policy.

[Jackals]

Originally Posted by singscott Hey do tell which shop it is so rest of us will be more careful

ya..for the benefit of the consumers u should disclose the shop name

[solarii]

Originally Posted by r32 Returned lenses are always going to be ones that people feel are "rejected" or "pre-used". There's always two sides of the coin, one, the buyer who buys a lens and finds that it isn't performing well or changed his mind and wants another lens (the big mail order retailers in the US allow this). He's going to be happy that he has a generous return policy to take advantage of. On the flip side of the coin it introduces a nagging doubt whether the so-called new lens you bought is really new. I have to admit, when my friend bought a 70-200mm F/4L from Adorama, I scrutinized it really closely (down to checking the copper end contacts) to find out of it was really fresh from factory. Sure, retailers should and probably do return lenses that customers have rejected because it didn't perform according to specs, but lenses that are returned because the buyer changed his mind probably finds it way back onto the shelf if its judged that the next guy coming along probably can't tell the difference. It is a difficult situation with no easy solution. You want a true mint lens, wait for a new shipment to come rather than buy off the shelf, or find a shop that has a non-existent return policy.

Indeed this is very true. A double edged sword. You get the flexibility to change yr mind later on and return the product for a refund, but there's always a chance that what you buy may not be "brand new".

Thing is, this return policy is virtually non-existent in Singapore. Virutally NO retailer allows you to return a product after u purchase it... rare exception is the 1-to-1 exchange some may offer if the product is faulty within the first wk.

But in general you cannot return an item you bought, even if you want to exchange it for another and top-up the difference. Very different from countries like the US where returning something you do not want/like is common.

[boen]

Originally Posted by Jackals ya..for the benefit of the consumers u should disclose the shop name

pls be careful when disclosing the name as the one who disclose may be sued for tarnishing the name...
buyers.. just be careful when buying any lens of camera.. test it well b4 committing, if dunno how to test, ask those who know come with u lor.
and never believe everything a salesman says..
cheers

[gomobile]

SIgh, we live in a place where the victim get sued.

[alan1996]

Originally Posted by solarii Indeed this is very true. A double edged sword. You get the flexibility to change yr mind later on and return the product for a refund, but there's always a chance that what you buy may not be "brand new". Thing is, this return policy is virtually non-existent in Singapore. Virutally NO retailer allows you to return a product after u purchase it... rare exception is the 1-to-1 exchange some may offer if the product is faulty within the first wk. But in general you cannot return an item you bought, even if you want to exchange it for another and top-up the difference. Very different from countries like the US where returning something you do not want/like is common.

For me, I prefer the shop to have a return policy. This is why.
I once bought an original software. This is to replace my current one. On the box and on review (from their web site link), it state how good it is. This software does not have a trial version. So I went to the shop and buy one. After trying it for a few hours, I find that my old software is better. The shop has no return policy so now it is out of my computer and in my room collecting dust. So much for “Buy Original”. After that, no more money to buy or upgrade my old software for the next 1 year.

[solarii]

Originally Posted by gomobile SIgh, we live in a place where the victim get sued.

Not true... you have to distinguish between what is fair comment and slander.

The Law of Defamation allows you to comment, even if what you say tarnishes the reputation of the person/organisation, provided what you say is true, factual and substantiated.

If you cannot prove what you say, or it is untrue, it is only right that the party affected be allowed to seek recourse.

The Law of Defamation does not violate your right to free speech... it just prevents you from spewing rubbish that is untruthful and cannot be proved.

If a shop cheated you and you can prove it, you can name them openly and even criticise them. A case in point is the last IT Show whereby a certain company promised to deliver the new 30D but did not. You can say that they resort to under-hand sales tactics, since they promised to deliver the item, collected money, but did not adhere to the agreement. They cannot sue.

[boen]

Originally Posted by solarii Not true... you have to distinguish between what is fair comment and slander. The Law of Defamation allows you to comment, even if what you say tarnishes the reputation of the person/organisation, provided what you say is true, factual and substantiated. If you cannot prove what you say, or it is untrue, it is only right that the party affected be allowed to seek recourse. The Law of Defamation does not violate your right to free speech... it just prevents you from spewing rubbish that is untruthful and cannot be proved. If a shop cheated you and you can prove it, you can name them openly and even criticise them. A case in point is the last IT Show whereby a certain company promised to deliver the new 30D but did not. You can say that they resort to under-hand sales tactics, since they promised to deliver the item, collected money, but did not adhere to the agreement. They cannot sue.

yup...,

so be careful when making any statement.. heh...

[pianodancer]

My view on this matter is: life is never black or white. Every item you buy off the shelf has the potential of being opened and 'used'. I'm sure most electronic retailers allow you to test the actual product before you purchase. For lenses, you might want to test several copies before accepting one. For those that you decided not to buy, retailers will pack them back into the boxes, thereby becoming 'used'. Testing before purchase is one way for the retailer to let you check the condition and quality of the item before your commitment to purchase.

I shall not OT too much, but if you are interested, do read my views at my blog portal:
http://portal.chester.sg/content/view/93/2/

[Danntbt]

Don't the shop offer warranty for lens valid for 3 months?

[JediForce4ever]

you might never know....that in the factories..the old discarded lens parts in perfectly working condition are reused to make your brand new lenses.

refurbishing.

For me, any lens, new or old....as long as it works perfectly, I wont complain....

Anyway..whats the deal in getting a totally brand new, untouched lens?It wont gurantee that it'll last longer or that it'll give better image quality right?

[Artosoft]

Originally Posted by JediForce4ever you might never know....that in the factories..the old discarded lens parts in perfectly working condition are reused to make your brand new lenses. refurbishing. For me, any lens, new or old....as long as it works perfectly, I wont complain.... Anyway..whats the deal in getting a totally brand new, untouched lens?It wont gurantee that it'll last longer or that it'll give better image quality right?

Yes. As long as it is working, lens mount no sign of heavy used before, front and rear element no finger print, no obvious dust inside. Go for it.

Regards,
Arto.