No Box? No Sale?

daveward

Senior Member
I'm hoping this might help others when buying used from private parties. Can someone chime in with comments re: the following questions:

1. Assume you find a Nikon camera body of interest with most common accessories but the ad says "no box". Is this a red flag? Can't you verify the camera serial number and that it is a US model without the box?

2. Is the reason to verify it's a US camera the ability to send it to Nikon for repair? Any other reason?

Thanks.
 

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
Lots of people throw away boxes. I am not one of them.
The serial number is on the bottom of the camera. I guess Nikon can verify it.

I would prefer to have the box, but I don't know that it is necessarily a problem if there isn't one.
 
Last edited:

480sparky

Senior Member
The only value in the box itself is it lends some credibility to the seller the camera isn't stolen.

Serial number is on the camera... I've never taken a single picture with a box. If you want a box, buy new...

....or buy one off ebay. Some people sell their empty gear boxes.
 

daveward

Senior Member
One reason for the question is that I understand that the Nikon warranty paperwork also shows the serial number, so I believe the box is unnecessary for that purpose. Correct?
 

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
Isn't the serial number embedded into the files anyway?

Should be able to retrieve the SN from the image EXIF.
Out of curiosity, I just looked at images on my smugmug page. The image info includes camera model and serial number.
 
Last edited:
https://www.lenstag.com is an interesting site. You register all your gear there and it can find where your photos are online. not Facebook though since it strips all EXIF data.

I originally threw away all my boxes but not anymore. At least they are useful if you have to ship your gear away for repair.
 

carguy

Senior Member
I'm hoping this might help others when buying used from private parties. Can someone chime in with comments re: the following questions:

1. Assume you find a Nikon camera body of interest with most common accessories but the ad says "no box". Is this a red flag? Can't you verify the camera serial number and that it is a US model without the box?

2. Is the reason to verify it's a US camera the ability to send it to Nikon for repair? Any other reason?

Thanks.
Having a box does nothing for me personally when buying used gear. While I do save my boxes (I always have for some reason), many people do not. I do not pay more for any gear because a box is included.

The Serial number is on the gear itself, having a box has no bearing on that.
 

LouCioccio

Senior Member
I have bought items from KEH (directly) and Ebay all items used. There was no manufacture box just the shipping box and packing. I have bought refurbished (ex: iMac brown no logo box, a Nikon D7K brown no logo box). The refurbished came with either an Apple Warranty as it was bought from Apple and the Nikon came from Cameta Camera with a 90 day Nikon warranty plus an 9 month balance with Cameta Camera.
The last two things I bought was off of eBay a SB800 Flash and the vender said after firing a flash he heard a "click" I heard nothing but I wear two hearing aids:loyal:! The other was a Nikon F4s really clean from Japan and seems to work but have to get the film developed other wise it operated per information with G lenses, boy you can see the vignette on DX lenses!! And D and AIS lenses in various modes.

Lou Cioccio
 

editorial_use_only

Senior Member
I think your questions have been answered, but

Assume you find a Nikon camera body of interest with most common accessories but the ad says "no box". Is this a red flag?

No. Having the original box and all the original accessories may increase resale value though.

This isn't always true, but I have found it true often enough. When I'm looking for new-to-me used gear, given all the ads, I'll start by reading the offers that include the original box. Generally, I've found that owners who keep the original box tend to have equipment in better condition. It isn't always true but I've found it true often enough that now it's a habit.

Can't you verify the camera serial number and that it is a US model without the box?

Yes, you can.

Is the reason to verify it's a US camera the ability to send it to Nikon for repair?

As observed above, if you are not the original owner, the original Nikon warranty will not transfer to you.

If your concern is that you want a manufacturer's warranty, you will need to buy New. Or, look into one of services. KEH, the used camera broker, was offering an extended warranty on all their used gear for example.

I have a couple of pieces of import gear bought used but never had them serviced so I can't speak from personal experience. Occasionally, someone comments that Nikon US service won't touch imported gear for repair. If you search around for the subject, I'm sure you'll find some threads. You can always send your gear to an independent repair shop though.
 

john*thomas

Senior Member
Having the boxes does increase resale value. I am not trying to justify that, just noting it as something factual. If the best deal is something out of the box, fine with me. I've kept my boxes even though the wife hates them taking up closet space simply for ease of resale.
 
Top