Refurbished cameras might come from any number of sources... They might have been a demo unit at a trade show or in a retail store, a loaner camera (or lens) in the Canon Professional Services arsenal, a customer return or exchange for any number of reasons, overstock or simply had damaged packaging that prevented it from being sold at regular retail. So what's done with them before being offered as refurbished likely varies a lot too.
At the very least, they are closely inspected and, if needed, cleaned up. A refurb likely gets more careful individual inspection than a brand new camera coming off the assembly line. If any fault is found or has been reported, that would be repaired.
IMO, refurbs are a great way to save a few $. Before Canon established their online store, refurbs used to be sold off through a few of the major retailers (B&H, Adorama). I've bought both cameras and lenses that way. Now they are mostly just sold direct through the Canon Online Store. I haven't personally had occasion to buy a refurb direct from them, but wouldn't hesitate to do so. They come with the same warranty as new, anyway. I buy my gear to use it anyway, not for show... so I don't care about a minor cosmetic issue or if the box is a plain one, so long as the gear works as it should and has plenty of "life" left in it.
***********
Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & PRINTROOM
They have been great to me.
