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

[wenamun]

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!

[wq9nsc · Accepted solution]

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

[wenamun]

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

[wq9nsc]

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

Rodger

[wenamun]

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

[ebiggs1]

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.

[ebiggs1]

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.