Advice on receiving used camera as 'new' from Amazon

Not sure if this is the right forum to ask this but I need some advice / outside opinions.

I purchased a D7200 from Amazon, 'new' condition, with Amazon LLC as the seller (bought directly from them). When I received it, it was not 'new' but clearly either used, demo, or return. The camera was in good condition, no issues, but had a shutter counter of 55 already, plus some settings modified (such as preexisting date/time, etc.)

So I called Amazon and they overnighted me a new one. Well, this one is even worse. It has a shutter count of 2500 and is scratched up. Obviously, I'm not keeping this one.

My question is, should I keep the original one, at least once I verify with Nikon that it's under valid warranty? Or is it worth the hassle of returning both cameras, waiting for refund, then trying to find one in a local shop? Basically, is a camera with a shutter count of 55 anything to worry about, quality wise? I've taken about 500 pics with it already and haven't noticed any issues, though it is annoying to receive a used camera without getting a discount.

Also, I advise everyone NEVER to buy cameras or lenses from Amazon but if you do, buy it from a seller with high ratings and not from Amazon LLC itself.

Return both!!! Never settle for this kind of stuff. Amazon is a big company and they will take care of you. I buy everything from Amazon and they have treated me so so well, it also helps if you're a Prime member, they definitely give you priority customer service.

Try again, you'll get a new one, I'd never settle for paying new retail for a camera and then settling for a used one they sent me. Nope nope nope.

Thanks for the advice. I decided to persist and call Amazon CS again (3rd time). This time I got someone who was very helpful. He said if I wanted to keep the 1st camera (50 shutter count) I could get a 20% partial refund. I decided to do this, so I can use it towards a new lens. It's still under warranty and eligible to be returned if there is any defect or issue discovered.

algmiyazaki said:

Thanks for the advice. I decided to persist and call Amazon CS again (3rd time). This time I got someone who was very helpful. He said if I wanted to keep the 1st camera (50 shutter count) I could get a 20% partial refund. I decided to do this, so I can use it towards a new lens. It's still under warranty and eligible to be returned if there is any defect or issue discovered.

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I would see if you can check the serial number with Nikon to be sure you have a full warranty. It might be a refurb or maybe someone else registered it. I love Amazon, but it sounds like they have some bad inventory. Maybe its due to their great return policy. They should send all camera returns back to the manufacturers. They don't have the expertise to know if they are getting back a new or used camera.

I think that is a good idea; I have a ticket open with Nikon to verify the serial. I know it's not refurb (doesn't have refurb dots by serial) but still want to check the warranty.

You also might want to check on Lenstag, to see if its' stolen. Probably not, but if a seller is shady enough to be selling you a used item as “new”, then you never know what other shadiness might be involved as well..

Dont want to upset anyone but without much effort you can get a programme on the internet to reset the shutter count to anything you want....check if the register matches the count ..ie register 9867 shutter count only 2500.
I would be sure this is not what has happened to you but ebay sales from unknown sources (individuals) will always be suspect just like cars.

20% off sounds like a good deal..I usually buy warranted cameras and grey lenses.

10 Gauge said:

Return both!!! Never settle for this kind of stuff. Amazon is a big company and they will take care of you. I buy everything from Amazon and they have treated me so so well, it also helps if you're a Prime member, they definitely give you priority customer service.

Try again, you'll get a new one, I'd never settle for paying new retail for a camera and then settling for a used one they sent me. Nope nope nope.

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x2 here. After two tries, I would send both back and buy from a legit retailer. Local camera store first (if you have one), or one of the big retailers like B&H, Adorama, Roberts Camera, etc.

algmiyazaki said:

Thanks for the advice. I decided to persist and call Amazon CS again (3rd time). This time I got someone who was very helpful. He said if I wanted to keep the 1st camera (50 shutter count) I could get a 20% partial refund. I decided to do this, so I can use it towards a new lens. It's still under warranty and eligible to be returned if there is any defect or issue discovered.

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Good Luck with the selection, that 20% discount can go a long way.

I would be certain this is indeed, a NEW body and not used/refurbished. As posted above, validate the serial number with Nikon USA and validate you have a NEW body warranty, nothing less.

I find this pretty bloody disturbing. I buy a lot from Amazon and NEVER thought that they would pull this kind of crap. I used to work in retail many years ago and IIRC, it is illegal for a retailer to sell an open box item as new (maybe only in California - dunno).

@algmiyazaki When you spoke to them, was there no surprise from them that you received an open box item, or even two?

The problem with Amazon can be the vast size of the company and how many shipments / returns they receive every day.

People claim to return things as new and unopened, and under a very quick inspection when Amazon receives it back, they may just throw it back in to inventory if it looks good to go. This can lead to the problem that the OP has run in to. They should probably revise their return system to where any DSLR's that are returned go back to Nikon to be refurbished and repackaged.

ScottinPollock said:

@algmiyazaki When you spoke to them, was there no surprise from them that you received an open box item, or even two?

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I've seen a lot of this in Amazon reviews, people receiving previously returned items, for all sorts of things. This is something Amazon CS reps are probably very used to hearing about.

That's unfortunate. Seems Amazon is slipping these days. I notice lately that search has become polluted with a plethora of Chinese junk... not much better than eBay.

Love Nikon said:

Dont want to upset anyone but without much effort you can get a programme on the internet to reset the shutter count to anything you want....check if the register matches the count ..ie register 9867 shutter count only 2500.
I would be sure this is not what has happened to you but ebay sales from unknown sources (individuals) will always be suspect just like cars.

20% off sounds like a good deal..I usually buy warranted cameras and grey lenses.

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How do I check the register? I checked the shutter count by uploading a raw file to a shutter count checking program. I also noticed that the file naming sequence matched this, at least on the first camera (DSC_55, and shutter count was 55).

I'm not sure how this happened with Amazon. Two CS reps seemed surprised, one did not (though she just didn't seem to care at all). I don't know how they get their stock; either these were returned or the problem is on the end of whoever provides Amazon with camera stock. I'm definitely more skeptical about buying electronics or expensive items from them in the future.

I'll let you all know when Nikon replies to my inquiry about verifying the serial number. If anything looks wrong, I will send it back and order from B&H.

Amazon LLC is an authorized Nikon Retailer, so they get their stock from the legit USA Nikon stream.

That's disheartening. Now I'm not even sure if my last body, which I got from Amazon about 2.5 years ago, was brand new or not. I was newer to photography and didn't know the signs to look out for. Also not sure about all the lenses I purchased! Well, at least they've all worked and I know to be skeptical from now on.

I just got off the phone with Nikon. They verified the serial number. The camera was sold new to Amazon in June. It's under warranty for 1 year from the purchase date on my Amazon receipt. Likely, this was a return camera from another Amazon customer.

I also checked that site to make sure it wasn't a stolen body.

I've done extensive tests on the camera and have noticed no issues - no oil spots or dust on image sensor, focusing issues, freezes, etc., to make sure it wasn't returned because of a defect.

So I think I can rest easy, especially after getting a few hundred back in refund. I think it's unlikely someone reset the shutter count.

I think you got a fair deal after the discount considering Nikon will honor the warranty as new to you. Someone probably had buyers remorse for an unknown reason and returned it.

ScottinPollock said:

That's unfortunate. Seems Amazon is slipping these days. I notice lately that search has become polluted with a plethora of Chinese junk... not much better than eBay.

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what Chinese junk are you referring to?

Amazon sells/fulfills plenty of new items as well as offers a seller system very similar to ebay. People like you and me can have an amazon store and sell new/used items at will. It is important that the BUYER read and understand what they are buying properly BEFORE making the purchase. Amazon still has excellent customer service from my personal experience.

carguy said:

what Chinese junk are you referring to?

Amazon sells/fulfills plenty of new items as well as offers a seller system very similar to ebay. People like you and me can have an amazon store and sell new/used items at will. It is important that the BUYER read and understand what they are buying properly BEFORE making the purchase. Amazon still has excellent customer service from my personal experience.

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I think they do have excellent customer service when trying to resolve issues, however it would appear that they sometimes sell opened and used returns as 'new'. There's no other explanation, according to Nikon CS. A quick internet search will find that I'm not the only one who has had this problem. Of course, this is the first time for me after 10 years purchasing frequently from them (at least the first time I've discovered it, anyway) but it's still rather shady that they'd do it at all. It wasn't just a one-time fluke considering both cameras I got were opened and used. Now I'm already skeptical of the memory cards I ordered that are in "frustration-free packaging". How will I know if they're new or not?


It's worth noting for those who didn't catch this that it is Amazon LLC who is selling these directly, they are NOT from another seller on Amazon.

algmiyazaki said:

I think they do have excellent customer service when trying to resolve issues, however it would appear that they sometimes sell opened and used returns as 'new'. There's no other explanation, according to Nikon CS. A quick internet search will find that I'm not the only one who has had this problem. Of course, this is the first time for me after 10 years purchasing frequently from them (at least the first time I've discovered it, anyway) but it's still rather shady that they'd do it at all. It wasn't just a one-time fluke considering both cameras I got were opened and used. Now I'm already skeptical of the memory cards I ordered that are in "frustration-free packaging". How will I know if they're new or not?


It's worth noting for those who didn't catch this that it is Amazon LLC who is selling these directly, they are NOT from another seller on Amazon.

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Agreed. One reason why I only buy items like this from a camera shop, preferably local.