Is it ok to buy a refurbished camera? Or is it better to buy a new one? Does it matter?

Question

Im thinking of buying a new digital camers, some people have said that its better to buy a refurbished one, does it matter? Or shold you just buy a new one?

Answer 1

I had your dilemma last year while researching digital cameras to buy. In the end, I chose brand new. Here's why:

Refurbished means something was wrong with the camera that's been fixed. What's to say that same issue won't go wrong again? Do you really want to spend $100 or more to fix it? Refurbished cameras have about 90-120 days in warranty. Most problems occur OUTSIDE that timeframe, making the warranty not worth it. If the refurbished camera's warranty is longer, usually it's limited to just the repair, not the rest of the camera.

New cameras have longer warranties. Most are standard one year, & up to 3-5, depending on if you bought an extended warranty from Sears, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. New cameras haven't been dropped, used or mishandled by anyone until you have the box in your hands. Sometimes, buying an open box model is good too. As long as the camera's never been dropped or banged against the display counter, these models are fine for purchase.

I didn't end up buying a digital camera after all. My mom won a Kodak V530 with a printer dock from the ABC show The View's 12 Days of Christmas giveaway in 2005. It's a 5 megapixel camera that allows me to use 3, 4, 4.5 & 5 megapixes to take pictures on. I've played with all the options & 4 is the best one so far. 5 is too much for simple 4x6 pictures that I tend to take more of.

I don't use the printer dock at all. It's easy to use BUT the paper & ink prices are way out of my budget. I upload the pictures to the included Kodak EasyShare software, edit if needed, then upload the pictures to www.walmart.com to let them print out. I pay for them ahead of time so all I have to is pick them up at the store. Other stores allow this too. Wal-Mart's just closer & cheaper for me.

I spent several months on researching cameras. I like the Canon A series (A60, 80, 95, etc), the Kodak EasyShares & Sony's Cybershots. All 3 make easy to use cameras for beginners & intermediate digital camera users.

Answer 2

I wouldn't say that it is "better" to buy a refurbished camera.

Consider a refurbished camera with a warranty if you are trying to get decent equipment at a savings. Often, "refurbs" are just returned merchandise that can't be sold as new. These cameras are fine and never had anything wrong with them. I've bought a couple without problems. Some refurbs are cameras that actually needed a repair, but they are repaired and certified by the factory to be as good as new and they should come with a warranty. Do not buy a refurb if it is not a "factory refurb" item. Although a refurb should come with a 90-day or 1 year manufacturer's warranty, you can buy third party warranty for 5 years for about $40-50. (You can do this for new equipment, also.) This may not be a bad idea if you are buying an "upscale" refurb. It would still cost a lot less than a new item in most cases.

You can find refurbs at rebutable dealers on eBay, among other places.

Answer 3

If you get a refund option (bring it back in 10-20 days) I would try the refurbished (returned because it didn't work). If you have to send it back to the manufacturer, don't buy it. Also, when you get any camera use it immediately and compare it to friends cameras. Is it too big, too heavy, blurry? charger doesn't work. can't download to computer?

Answer 4

If there are follow-up questions, the implication is that the original answers weren't conclusive. Maybe fresh answers have more chances of helping the questioner reach a satisfying conclusion. So, I'd go with answering randomly. There is a way of "connecting" with someone on these boards to keep track of their questions and answers (4 people have connected to me); but I don't know how to do it.

Answer 5

I thought of that when recently purchasing a digital camera. BUT, they are so inexpensive today that I felt that if I researched remanufactured ones, they would at least be comparable in price.

Sorry, I've had no experience in remanufactured.

Answer 6

depends on the price. depends on what you want to do with the camera. New offers the better mega pixel count. Also more features.
If it is just for snapshots and works ok , used is fine. If you want it for a keeper in the future better go new with the options you may want.
Carl

Answer 7

No, I would never buy a used digital camera. New digital cameras are very reasonably priced these days...so don't even consider anything else.

Answer 8

Only if your not picky about warranties and customer service.