topic Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens in EF & RF Lenses

Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

wenamun — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:17:10 GMT

Greetings!

I just purchased a new Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM on Amazon (sold by/shipped from Amazon), which arrived today.

The box has no seals on it whatsoever. The white field on the top of the box has two stickers that cover the original bar code (see photo). One has "Canon Inc. Made in Japan (etc.)" and a bar code and two alphanumeric codes. Then another sticker was added, not covering the first sticker but clearly placed after. That one has been blacked out, but I can see that it has a bar code and another alphanumeric, which is followed by "2004" in a much larger font. None of these numbers matches the serial number faintly engraved on the body of the lens.

The lens itself looks clean... except for an imperfection on the front element, tiny but large enough for my nearsighted eyes to notice it unaided. I can't tell if it is on the front or back of the glass. It is quite close to the rim.

Can anyone suggest what might be going on here regarding the box? I think I ought to return it for the lens flaw alone, never mind the seemingly suspicious packaging, but I am very curious about what they sent me.

Thank you in advance!

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

wq9nsc — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:54:15 GMT

I wouldn't accept any new lens with an obvious imperfection visible in a lens element. It MAY not impact the image quality but when buying new you expect and should receive pristine condition.

For curiosity, does the lens have the proper warranty card with it and does that match the serial number? It could have been a poorly handled return of a new lens OR someone may have damaged a lens or purchased a used one with an issue and scammed Amazon by buying a new one and returning the damaged one.

In any case, return it and try again. But I much prefer B&H to Amazon and the price is typically the same or better at B&H and I believe they still have the card option where they "eat" the sales tax with the expectation that a majority of customers will let the card purchase turn into a high interest (36%) "loan". I used that for several years but was removed from the program after costing them a few thousand for covering my IL sales tax while they collected no interest (four 1DX series camera bodies and four "great white" telephoto primes along with a 200-400 f4 "extender" lens and a 70-200 f2.8) since I always paid the amount in full as soon as the gear arrived. I don't think their partner bank liked my costly business practices, I thought of it as scamming the scammer. 🤣

Rodger

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

wenamun — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 01:05:09 GMT

Ah—I hadn't thought to check the warranty card! It is there, but with a completely different number. Back it goes....

I do regularly buy from B&H, but I bought this from Amazon for a particular reason. Fortunately, my need is not urgent. I can live a while longer without a wide angle for my R5 M2. (I just switched to Canon earlier this year to go FF mirrorless with less weight than the equivalent Nikon gear; my DSLR gear remains on hand as a backup.)

Thank you so very much for your help, Rodger!

--Noreen

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

wq9nsc — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 01:51:47 GMT

You are welcome Noreen! Dealing with Amazon can be interesting at times 🙂

Rodger

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

wenamun — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 02:21:48 GMT

Indeed, Rodger, it can! I got lucky this time, however. 🙂

When I started the return process, they were offering only a refund, not a replacement. Less than ten minutes with an online rep (human, I believe) resulted in arrangements for a replacement. If I remember, I will report back with the next result!

--Noreen

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

ebiggs1 — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:04:49 GMT

Sold and shipped by Amazon does not mean it is a Canon USA product. It means exactly what it says. Amazon is not a photography retail store B&H, as are several others, are real photography stores. We like Amazon. We are Prime. But, IMHO, Amazon is not the place to buy big ticket or specialized items like a high dollar top of the line camera lens.

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

ebiggs1 — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:07:32 GMT

In my 'heyday' of photography I got to know Henry at B&H and Helen at Adorama pretty well. They are, I suppose were by now, super helpful but any person at either store will service you and answer any questions.

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

justadude — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 15:39:39 GMT

I couldn't agree more. While my dealings with Adorama are zilch, I can't count the number of times I've been on the phone with various employees at B&H. Their staff is very well trained, very knowledgeable, and if they don't have an answer they check with someone else in store instead of guessing. That last part about not guessing seems to be a dying art with many businesses.

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

wenamun — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 19:47:08 GMT

The replacement lens arrived even before I brought the first one back to a return center. The glass is perfect and all the serial numbers (lens, box, warranty card) match.

As I said, I had a reason for buying this from specifically Amazon and was hoping that things would work out, because otherwise I would have to wait. Now I am going to register it with Canon. If I don't report back with a problem, assume that that process went smoothly!

Thank you, everyone!

--Noreen

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

zakslm — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 14:11:04 GMT

Ditto!

Amazon is very good about returns and quick delivery times not to mention selection.

Those conveniences must be balanced vs. the confidence and the accompanying peace of mind of dealing with an established, reputable retailer.

By the way, Henry is (at least as of about a year ago) still at B&H. He was mentioned by a friend in a Facebook post. My friend had an issue with B&H and Henry was assisting in resolving that issue.

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

Tintype_18 — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 16:25:59 GMT

This waves a red flag, IMO.

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

SignifDigits — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 17:16:05 GMT

Since this is Amazon and around the holidays I want to share experiences and some important things to note. Perhaps we should post this or something like it every holiday buying season. Amazon IS on the Authorized Dealer list at https://www.usa.canon.com/contact-us/where-to-buy/authorized-dealers?srsltid=AfmBOor9wXEvwz9BPLcIxM8dWUJ-L7aTMkj5_BTPdDRFeFAA55UeiUDL. When you see an item and put it into your cart it tells you specifically where you are purchasing something from. When you're browsing and looking at an item if it says "Visit the Canon Store" this SEEMS a good indication that you're ordering direction from Amazon, yes? No. I just put a R6 Mark ii bundle in the cart and when I go to the cart is says "shipped from XYZ" THAT is where you item is coming from, not Amazon direct. In this case the XYZ IS an authorized dealer. Sometimes it will say "Amazon LLC" as well, but not often anymore. I think most of their sales are being satisfied by others. I have had XYZ (authorized dealers - names you would recognize) send me gray market products instead of US market products. Amazon is very good about returns and/or replacements, BUT it's a way for these dealers to make additional margin on consumers who do not know the difference. I once ordered a refurbished product from Amazon. It was NOT refurbished but a NIB gray market item, which, of course, carries only the return policy and no warranty whatsoever. I no longer even try refurbs from anyone other than Canon direct. So, I like the 5% rebate that I get using an Amazon credit card, but I always have to check as Amazon and the dealers they use to fulfill the order (Canon authorized or not) are NOT going to be the ones to ensure I get what I've paid for. I want to have assurance that when I pay full USA retail for a Canon product that's what I will get, but that falls on my shoulders, not theirs. I assume the same is true for other brands other than just Canon.

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

ebiggs1 — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 17:31:33 GMT

It is an issue because Amazon doesn't make it clear where you are buying from unless you are really paying a lot of attention. People assume I am on the Amazon web site so I am buying from Amazon. Not an unjustified thing but as always it is buyer beware and read everything.

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

Stephen — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 17:44:48 GMT

When buying on Amazon, the seller and shipper must BOTH be Amazon, or you are not getting the product from an Authorized Canon Dealer; you are purchasing from a reseller, which is Gray Market.

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

ebiggs1 — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 17:56:18 GMT

Marketplace as Amazon calls them which are third-party sellers account for the majority of sales on Amazon. It is reported that it makes up around 62-63% of all sales. That means the majority of items you buy from Amazon is not Amazon. Not necessarily a bad just make sure you read everything very carefully before you click the buy button.

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

SignifDigits — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 18:37:58 GMT

I have had the shipper in the cart show "Amazon LLC" (or whatever it says - something like that) and STILL get the order fulfilled by a third party authorized Canon dealer sending me a gray market product. So Stephen, even IF Amazon shows both the seller and shipper in your cart as Amazon, Amazon can STILL fulfill via a third party authorized dealer who MIGHT (mistakenly or purposely) send you a gray market item. Rule of thumb when buying Amazon is take a "zero trust" policy and verify everything before and after the sale. I may sound negative, but I've bought a lot of items from Amazon with good success.

My concern is that there are a lot of folks out there who are less informed on what to check and how - aka this OP for instance.

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

wenamun — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 20:27:33 GMT

For the record, yes, shipper and seller both were indicated throughout as Amazon for the new lens and the replacement. Nowhere is there any indication of a third party in the documents related to the order or on the shipping box. Upon receiving the replacement, I had no trouble registering it with Canon in the United States. And when I uploaded my receipt to Canon, I also included records related to the return. I of course did not try to register the damaged/reboxed lens, so we can only speculate regarding its origin or how it wound up on an Amazon delivery truck to arrive on my doorstep.

Re: Sticker and blacked-out bar code on the box of a new Canon lens

SignifDigits — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 20:49:33 GMT

Yeah, I only found out about the third party when I looked at the shipping address on my Amazon box one time. Sounds like Amazon shipped you a returned lens as new, but, as you say, impossible to know. Kudos to you for letting the bells and whistles go off when things didn't look right to you!