Used Excellent+ Nikon 70-300mm VRII bargain?

A local camera store has this for sale for $345. I'm a sucker for a bargain. Also might be suffering with a slight case of GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome?) NikonUSA has this new for $589 (same ballpark at Amazon) and refurbished for $299. I know a lot of people advise to not fear the refurbished. Not even sure what my question is since only I can answer if it's worth it to me to add to my lens collection. If YOU were in the market for a telephoto zoom and owned a D3300 and/or a D7000, would this be a good choice at this price? Is this the lens that is supposed to have the pleasing bokeh if you are using for a portrait?

BTW, this is only my second post (first new thread), so if not in the right category, sorry. I only sneak on this site while I'm at work so I am rushing.

SHAkers718 said:

A local camera store has this for sale for $345. I'm a sucker for a bargain. Also might be suffering with a slight case of GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome?) Nikon USA has this new for $589 (same ballpark at Amazon) and refurbished for $299. I know a lot of people advise to not fear the refurbished. Not even sure what my question is since only I can answer if it's worth it to me to add to my lens collection. If YOU were in the market for a telephoto zoom and owned a D3300 and/or a D7000, would this be a good choice at this price? Is this the lens that is supposed to have the pleasing bokeh if you are using for a portrait?

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That's a very nice lens and a very good price in my opinion based on what you're posted. As you point out, the Nikon 70-300mm VRII is a $600 lens, give or take, when bought new. I can't really tell anything about the bokeh, however.
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I have this lens and it is amazing for portrait and bokeh.
Yes that is a good price. Jump on it.

Doggone it. After I got the confirmation I needed to go ahead with this purchase from the two responses (thank you), I called the store to ask if they actually had the lens on premises or if they were acting like a broker by listing this for an individual seller. Her response was "oh, sorry, we sold that yesterday! we should have taken it off the web page." Now I'm wondering if the refurbished for $299 would be the way to go or sit tight, watch and wait for another Excellent condition lens to be offered for sale. I guess the refurbished comes with a short 90-day warranty. Provided of course that it also hasn't sold already.

I'd take a NIKON refurb over used more often than not. Especially when the refurb is cheaper

SHAkers718 said:

Now I'm wondering if the refurbished for $299 would be the way to go or sit tight, watch and wait for another Excellent condition lens to be offered for sale. I guess the refurbished comes with a short 90-day warranty. Provided of course that it also hasn't sold already.

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I'd be quite happy with a factory refurb at that price. I say nab it if you can...
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I had to register first at NikonUSA. Then I searched for the lens in the search field and the $299 refurbished option appeared. When I clicked on it, adding it to a cart was not an option. It does not appear if I go directly to the refurbished section, only if I search by lens is there the regular option and the refurbished option. Maybe the link just takes you to an older selection? Seems strange because wouldn't there be tons of them for the same product if they didn't kill the link when they were sold? In any event, thank you all for your QUICK and enlightening responses! It was helpful to get your assessments, not only of the lens, but the price as well as your opinions on factory-refurbished products. The hunt is on...