topic Re: EOS R8 packaging damaged, missing manual, missing US warranty card in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R8 packaging damaged, missing manual, missing US warranty card

Genetics2010 — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:12:51 GMT

I live in the USA and purchased the R8 off of the US Amazon site from a third party Brand New(body only). A relatively large seller that is a company. When I got the camera the box was a bit beaten up and the manual was not in a plastic - Also a little worn and bent. The Charger was a two piece charger with cord. I also did not get the USA & Canada only paper. My question is if I should be concerned in any way? I mean the camera and battery look brand new. However I can't verify shutter count because canon makes it impossible.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

rs-eos — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 18:16:29 GMT

By "third party", was it an authorized Canon Reseller? In any case, return it. Also see Where to Buy. Personally, even though Canon and authorized resellers sell within Amazon, I never trust Amazon for any electronics.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

shadowsports — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:47:36 GMT

Greetings,

I would not keep the device. Could it be ok, maybe. The risk it might not be, is not worth it. Why take a chance. The R8 is available everywhere in brand new condition and with USA Warranty. Shutter count is the least of your worries. The reasons for not purchasing from non-authorized dealers or shady sellers are many and clear. You are free to do what you want, but I suggest you consider our recommendations. You'll enjoy your camera and will know its new, and one that's intended for sale in the US buying from an authorized dealer.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

Tronhard — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 18:32:08 GMT

Definitely return the device as soon as possible. Do not use it.
If it does not have US documentation it is likely a very grey market unit or one that has been brought over by a 3rd party and taken on by the reseller. It is also likely used and the numbering reset. I strongly advice to make a photographic record (not using that camera) of the camera, the charger and documentation before returning it, in case there is some prevarication from the reseller.
If you want to buy a camera get it from an authorized reseller or via Canon's Refurbished site - those cameras may never have been used but the box open, or even just excess stock. They are good as new and come with a guarantee from Canon.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

Genetics2010 — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 21:50:23 GMT

Thank you for all the responses. The reason I purchased it was because it was the same price the Canon website had except their package included about 13 extra bundled items (like tripods & SD card, etc.)

But after reading all your advice... I am extremely upset and uneasy with keeping my purchase. I did video record the unboxing and everything from my Canon M50 because I create YouTube Videos. The problem is that I have taken 4 pictures from the camera itself already. I feel like if I try to return the R8 they will charge me a restocking fee. Plus I opened a lot of the bundled items(cheap pieces of garbage) but who knows what they value those as when I try to return the R8 bundle.

I have been investigating now. I am not able the find this Amazon third party seller in the newest list of authorized US sellers list I got off Canon website. I have tried using there Amazon profile name and there business name and I don't see them in the list. I have also been checking there one star comments. One person left a review yesterday stating that they sold him a grey market camera. Another person said they received a fake Canon camera. But I don't think this R8 is fake... Some people say they are hard to contact with issues.

I feel like this is going to be a battle to get ALL of my money back. I'm not even sure where to start... Do I try to contact the seller first? I don't think they are going to give a complete refund. Do I contact Amazon return services? or do I just start the Return process send it back and wait for the battle to begin?

I'm so upset now. I feel sick to my stomach and I will never order from market places or third parties again. Any additional advice would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

rs-eos — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 22:05:35 GMT

Avoid those bundles; they are not worth it. And they could very well be gray market items in which a shady seller could even take out premium parts (like original batteries) and replace them with inferior parts. The draw is that the seller makes it seem like an incredible deal; it's not.

Not surprised that you could not find the seller on Canon's authorized seller list.

In terms of how to get a refund, you'll need to work with Amazon. From your account on Amazon, you should be able to see your recent orders. Then, there should be a button like "Return or replace items" near the item you purchased.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

rs-eos — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 22:07:32 GMT

As an extra note, even if you have to pay a restocking fee, it will be well worth it to return. Take it all as a lesson learned, pick up a new EOS R8 from an authorized seller, and then enjoy creating photos/videos.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

shadowsports — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 22:16:25 GMT

Agree, definitely photo document the return. Repackage, ship insured and request a signature.

If you purchase from Canon, B&H or Adorama, you'll have your new camera in 3-6 days.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

Genetics2010 — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 22:43:17 GMT

Thank you everyone. I am going to return the camera and purchase from a reputable dealer. BTW, what about BestBuy? or Amazon if it is Shipped and Sold by Amazon?

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

rs-eos — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 22:58:23 GMT

I personally would still be leary of Amazon; I just don't trust them for electronics at all. Best Buy can be OK. However, it has happened that Best Buy sometimes attempts to resell open gear as brand new. So be careful with them.

My personal choice is B&H Photo. I have also on occassion purchased from Adorama. No issues at all with either.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

Genetics2010 — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 23:32:55 GMT

I just placed an order for the EOS R8 from Canon Refurbished. However. They take $180 off of $1349 when the list price for the new one on Canon is $1299. IDK, I don't want to complain as everyone has been so nice, so I just went ahead and ordered it.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

snwj — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 23:33:45 GMT

maybe your credit card company can get you relief

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

rs-eos — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 23:37:40 GMT

It could be that the current sales prices don’t apply to refurbished items.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

Tronhard — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 17:24:42 GMT

I feel for you... These massive bundles are a trap. They often contain a lot of poor quality items, many of which you may never use in order to make the whole thing look like a massive deal - usually, they are not. The old saying: "you get what you pay for" is never truer than under these circumstances.
Definitely contact the credit card company and see what they can do for you, and get in touch with the supplier - they should have left some documentation of their details. Also, contact Amazon to let them know the goods were not as advertised and send them images of the grubby documentation and foreign charger.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

Waddizzle — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 19:06:57 GMT

@Genetics2010 wrote:
Thank you everyone. I am going to return the camera and purchase from a reputable dealer. BTW, what about BestBuy? or Amazon if it is Shipped and Sold by Amazon?

“ Do I contact Amazon return services? or do I just start the Return process send it back and wait for the battle to begin? “

Every time I order from Amazon they send me a “How was your order?”” email. You can use the link inside the email to initiate a return.

As far as Best Buy goes, the Best Buy online marketplace is not all that different from Amazon. The main difference is that the Best Buy marketplace is limited to electronics and related accessories.

Amazon and Best Buy are both Factory Authorized Canon dealers. You will also find resellers that are not Factory Authorized Canon dealers on both sites. I discourage people from using big box stores for big ticket items, mainly because of inventory control issues, which can vary widely from one location to the next.

I make nearly all my camera gear purchases through Canon and B&H. There are other reputable dealers out there. Those are just the two that I use. I have had no reason to try another vendor.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

Waddizzle — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 19:52:07 GMT

“ However, it has happened that Best Buy sometimes attempts to resell open gear as brand new. So be careful with them. “

This issue is more prevalent than people realize. I would not blame the Best Buy brand because this is an issue that occurs in most big box store brands like Price Club, BJs, Sam’s Club, etc.

The basic problem is how they store big ticket items like cameras, televisions, and other expensive items. The items are not displayed on the sales floor. Only a demo model is on display.

The inventory stock is typically kept in a separate, locked area. This sounds as if should be so far, so good. But this practice is what creates the issue.

New items are often stored on the same shelf adjacent to customer returns of the same product. Any given store may or may not separates the products into “new” and “returns”. Most locations do not.

The fact that Canon does not ship their products in sealed boxes does not help. A customer may return a camera saying the charger does not work. So a Sales Associate may cannibalize parts from a “new” box, which may later be sold as a new product at another customer at a later date.

Even worse, because customer returns are typically stored adjacent to new items, a sales associate my not know, recognize, or care about the difference.

This is how “open box” items can be sold as a “new” item. there isn’t a strategy to deceive or cheat customers. It is mostly sloppy business practices.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

Tronhard — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 21:47:15 GMT

That's interesting about your comment about unsealed boxes Bill. When I have got the more recent items here in NZ they have actually had a seal. I think that may be something to do with the conditions of sale specific to NZ.
You can't return an item because you don't like it, or find it not suitable for your purposes if the seal is broken. So if the seal is unbroken you should get away with it within 5 working days of receipt.
You can return an item that is faulty under manufacturers' warranties - which for most places in the world seems to be 1 year.
However, all sales of products or services not supplied for professional use are subject to a piece of legislation called the Consumers' Guarantees Act: What is the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act? | LegalVision
This essentially puts the onus on the vendor of the product to service, support or replace it in the event of a failure, poor performance or breakage for what is considered a reasonable time and sits outside the maker's warranty.
For camera equipment that period is 5 years, so Canon have adapted and simply offered a 5-year warranty with all their gear:

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

justadude — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 21:58:03 GMT

You are correct, Ricky. I bought my refurb R8 for the short time they had it for $999 in January. The refurb site listed the normal full retail price of $1,499 - saying $500 off, even though there was a Canon sale going on at the time for $1,299.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

justadude — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 22:08:01 GMT

"When I have got the more recent items here in NZ they have actually had a seal. I think that may be something to do with the conditions of sale specific to NZ."

That must be a NZ thing, Trevor. The boxes in the U.S. are not sealed. The camera store I usually go to will even have you open the box in the store, just to make sure everything is in the box.

Re: Help! Bought an EOS R8 from third party Amazon Seller

Tronhard — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 22:47:47 GMT

If you find a part missing, then that is covered under CGA. While sending it back because you don't like it is a bit more restrictive, I think it is more than made up for with the 5 year warranty! No-one here, if they are aware of their rights, buys an extended warranty.
There are grey market providers, but even they are subject to the CGA.