Thee meaning of "refurbished" for camera stuff

[Good To Be Retired]

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I've always wondered what, exactly, has to be done to a photographic item in order for it to be considered "refurbished".  I once saw an offer for a "refurbished" lens cap 

So I asked, regarding an offer for a filter.

Here's the definition used by one major seller, in their own words:

"Most likely nothing.  Seller refurbished is (deleted to conceal identity) term that just means an item has been cleaned, repaired if necessary, and tested to be functional."

Edited May 12, 2020 by Good To Be Retired

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[lykaman]

Threads have been cleaned & lubricated, glass has been strategically inspected, markings have been inspected and touched up", when Sold will be lovingly packed and shipped...      L

[Reini]

Don't be like that ... there is a lot of work to be done on a filter.
If most knew what it meant, they would write about it. > including CLA< 😁

[jaeger]

refurbished is just a fancy word, by definition it was defects but now fixed.  by the way, leica does not tell you it's refurbished, instead they sold as new after customer return.

Edited May 12, 2020 by jaeger

[Good To Be Retired]

11 minutes ago, Reini said:

Don't be like that ... there is a lot of work to be done on a filter.
If most knew what it meant, they would write about it. > including CLA< 😁

I can see that.  Might be an opportunity to create an entire new cottage industry refurbishing filters.  I could set up shop in the spare bedroom.

Fees could be something like:

• Leica filters.            $125 plus parts
• Hasselblad filters.  $100
• Nikon filters.            $75
• Cannon filters.        $60
• Sony filters.             $40
• All others.                $25
• Medium format filters require estimate (no charge for estimate)

Edited May 12, 2020 by Good To Be Retired

[jdlaing]

It depends on who does the refurbishment as to how extensive it is. 
 

If the factory or original manufacturer does it it will perform and look as new.

[luigi bertolotti]

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12 minutes ago, Good To Be Retired said:

I can see that.  Might be an opportunity to create an entire new cottage industry refurbishing filters.  I could set up shop in the spare bedroom.

Fees could be something like:

• Leica filters.            $125 plus parts
• Hasselblad filters.  $100
• Nikon filters.            $75
• Cannon filters.        $60
• Sony filters.             $40
• All others.                $25
• Medium format filters require estimate (no charge for estimate)

... and at least $200 for any polarizer, and $50 for a custom "soft effect" filter (an UV provided by customer, and you make some regular handmade scratches).😎

Edited May 12, 2020 by luigi bertolotti

[lykaman]

9 minutes ago, luigi bertolotti said:

... and at least $200 for any polarizer, $50 for a custom "soft effect" filter (an UV with handmade scratches).😎

Very reasonable!..    Do your charges include Return Shipping?

[Jeff S]

An extended warranty provides a good clue as to extent and quality of refurbishment.

Jeff

 

[pippy]

14 hours ago, jdlaing said:

It depends on who does the refurbishment as to how extensive it is.......If the factory or original manufacturer does it it will perform and look as new.

This is the sticker on the side of the box for my factory-refurbished M9M;

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Confirming what jdlaing says in post #6 it was, indeed, in factory-new condition and, as seen above, came with a 1 year warranty.

A "refurbished" lens-cap, OTOH, sounds fascinating! I suppose if it was an early, rare type of satin-chrome Leica cap which had possibly had some light marking there is a chance that the seller buffed them out and in so doing trebled its value?............

Philip.

Edited May 13, 2020 by pippy

[AceVentura1986]

FWIW, I’ve bought a considerable amount of refurbished cameras over the years and have never had a bad experience. My first was a Canon 1DII that looked indistinguishable from new and had fewer than 300 exposures on the shutter. My most recent was my M9M that, again looked indistinguishable from new and a so Jade fewer 400 actuations.