Issues with the 70-300 f/4.5 IF-ED-VR

I sold my nikon 55-200mm a few months back. I was not satisfied with the results. In addition, I technically did not take care of it when I initially started with photography so that affected the results. Part of the reason I sold it was due to the fact that I fell in love with primes and rarely used my zooms. I missed that extra reach. Over the last few months, I have been doing my research. I decided on the nikon 70-300mm 4.5 IF-ED-VR. I finally had the time and $$$ to purchase it. I needed it before saturday so I went to the best buy deep into the center of Houston. They had 3 available, 2 new and one open boxed item. The two new ones where full of dust on the outside as well as particles on the inside. I was astonished because they where suppose to be new. The open box item was even worse but that was expected. I walked out without a lens. I went to my local best buy. My close friend who works there told me one was expected there today. I went in and bought it within 10 mns. I did notice a little bit of dust but nothing major (or so I thought). I cleaned it up when I got home. After cleaning it, I noticed that certain particles would not come off. It seems to be on the inside of the lens. It is about 3 small particles and one small scratch. Maybe a centimeter long.

My issue is this, after looking at 3 new lenses, why did all of them have such issues? Is this common with zooms? I use to have these issues with my 55-200 but decided it was how I initially did not take care of it. My friend told me 2 more are expected there over the weekend. I plan to either switch it out or go back to primes. I love love love my primes. Right now I only have the 35 and 50 1.8g and the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 II. I love all these lenses and don't seem to have these issues. I now truly take care of my lenses. I am shocked at how I treated them at first.

Should I just return it for good or accept that all zooms are like this? My other issue is the weight. I have small hands. I planned to get a monopod to deal with the weight. As well, I can exchange the lens for the nikon 85mm 1.8g, which is suppose to be my xmas gift. Either way, I plan to get this lens, with or without a zoom. But I do want a nice zoom for various reasons. I choose the 70-300 because I can use it once I transfer to FX in the next year or so. It is within my price range as well. I just hate settling for such issues on what is supposed to be a new item. What would you do in my shoes?

Disappointing,i had to blow dust out of my new D7000 before i could use it,they say some dust in a zoom is unavoidable dont know if thats true or not,ime not even looking in mine.

Sorry to hear of your troubles with your new lens. From new I dont think they should have dust inside, and definitely no scratches.
My 70-300VR was clean as a whistle when I got it, I think it still has no dust inside after quite a bit of use, but I will check for sure in the morning when I get the chance.

Thank you. I appreciate the efforts. I just want to know what is acceptable or normal. I am curious to know if it is an issue with this shipment or if its common with zooms in general. I just cleaned it up again. I plan to test it out on a white background tomorrow. I just got home too late to do so. I live in a small apartment so I don't have enough room to back up to take the photo right now. Tomorrow is a new day! Hoping for the best. I wouldn't mind the dust on the inside so much IF it wasn't on the inside of the actual glass. On the other two lenses, it was everywhere!

Mine was purchased through a local camera store--nice clean box and clean lens. Have you considered purchasing it through B&H or Adorama? I'm wondering if it is because of how Best Buy is storing their lenses at a warehouse. I doubt they come from Nikon with that much dust. I wouldn't keep one like that. Quite a bit of my gear comes from B&H, but I wanted and needed this lens sooner than I could have received it via B&H.

Of all the lense purchases i've done. I've never had issues with any of them. Most of them were purchased new and the packaging they came in makes it impossible for even the pouch to have dust on them. So yes, the lenses you buy especially new one should be crystal clean. Keep in mind when theses lenses are put together and even packaged. The environment this happens in is equivelant of a hospital surgery room. I'm not sure how you treated you're lenses but keep in mind. Lenses should last a life time. Photographers who baught there's 30 years ago still use them today. I always keep mine with caps on, in there pouches, in a bag.

Back when I got my d3100 and also the 55-200 with it from Best Buy, I had no dust issues. Everything looked clean and new. Lenses were wrapped in their plastic bags inside the boxes. Best Buy is not my preferred store, but at the time, the price was too good to pass up. Were your dirty lenses also bagged inside the box? All my Nikon lenses, actually every new lens I've bought, were wrapped in a plastic bag with a desiccant pack and taped shut. I wouldn't accept the dirt.

Well my original 55-200 came in pristine condition. I was the one who messed it up by not taking care of it and by clumsy accidents that I never intended to happen. This was about 2 years ago though. I learned from it and no longer take my lenses for granted. Now I keep my lenses in a secure location, clean them well, store them well, with the cap on when not in use, and take them on and off with caution. I wish I had done that then. Now I can securely say, my current lenses will last a lifetime.

As for the 70-300, I just purchased it today. I have bought all my lenses but one lens from best buy except my Tokina which I bought from adorama. I like to check out what I am buying beforehand. I love the hands on approach. I've never had such issues with best buy. The two lenses at the first BB I went to said they where new and no one had opened them. I knew this was a lie because of how they where packaged inside. As for the one I purchased today, It just got off their delivery truck last night and had only been put out in the locked shelf display for about 30 minutes before I arrived. My friend, a BB employee, made sure to keep me updated on it so that I could come snatch it up right away. I wanted to make sure no one got their hands on it to mess it up as the other "new" lenses had been. I don't think the dirt is worth it. I am paying for new therefore I expect new. I hope the other lenses that arrive don't have such issues.