New camera

[mugge]

I have just purchased a new Olympus m1 mk 2. I found out that the camera has had 355 actuations. Does that constitute a new camera? Your input will be very welcome.
Cheers Ole

[LePetomane]

It doesn't for me. New means never used. Is it a gray market camera?

[Shadowman]

Perhaps it went through additional quality control, I've never verified actuations from any new camera I've purchased and have yet to buy a refurbished one.

[mugge]

It doesn't for me. New means never used. Is it a gray market camera?

Not at all, Paul. The shop had run out of stock. The salesman told me it had just been sitting in the display cabinet with minimal use. I checked the camera when I got home, after laboriously setting the camera settings to my liking. "Not happy, Jan."
Cheers Ole

[DanK]

it had just been sitting in the display cabinet with minimal use.

355 actuations sounds like a little more than "minimal" use. On the other hand, if this simply means that customers in the shop tripped the shutter, 355 won't matter in the long run. But if it means that people took it out of the shop, etc., then I would consider it a "demo", not a new camera.

[Manfred M]

355 actuations on a shutter that is likely designed to go to 150 000 - 200 000 is no big deal. It's certainly more than what I would expect to come out of testing after final assembly at the factory.

That being said, there should be some kind of a discount on a demo camera.

[William W]

If the salesman "told me it had just been sitting in the display cabinet with minimal use" then it is NOT a "purchased a new Olympus m1 mk 2." It is a purchase of a display model used for demonstration purposes, Olympus m1 mk 2.

As far as I understand Australian Consumer Law, (which are State based Laws, but generally the same), it depends on the timing of the Salesman's disclosure of the fact that it was a display model.

If it was before the purchase and/or when you were in the shop making the purchase, then that constitutes that the goods "were described fully" and, therefore you made the purchase and left the premises knowing the camera was indeed a display model and you knew that it was used. In this case, I believe that you have no case nor cause for upset.

There would be some grey area if you were told after you paid for it but before you left the shop that it was a display model and then on reflection when you got home you changed your mind.

If the salesman's disclosure was after the purchase had been transacted, i.e. after you left the premises when you later discovered and queried the fact that the camera had 355 clicks on it: then that is a breach because it is a reasonable expectation by the customer that the camera is new. In this case I believe that you are entitled to a full refund, provided that the goods have not been used or damaged and they are returned promptly in the original packaging - probably not even the packaging needs returning, if you push it, but easier if you have it.

IMO 355 clicks could be reasonably described as ‘minimal use’ – for example, the camera was on display for 6 months, had 30 people look at it, about 10 clicks each.

Even if the camera was fully described to you, because you are now unhappy with the purchase, then the shop might take it back and give you a full refund, simply as a act of customer service to you if you approach the owner accordingly.

WW

[MrB]

It would appear that you have not been sold a new camera. If you like the camera, and it is in cosmetically perfect condition, and if everything is working correctly, with such a low shutter count it is probably worth keeping. However, if you are still unhappy, you should have the legal right to an exchange or a refund. Alternatively you might contact the vendor and politely request the latter unless they would agree to some compensation, e.g. perhaps an extended warranty, or a spare OEM battery, or both!

Philip

[mugge]

I have just received an email from the store where I purchased the camera telling me to go to another store that I nominate for a full replacement - new camera. I am happy now, Jan.
Cheers Ole

[johnlarsen]

I have just received an email from the store where I purchased the camera telling me to go to another store that I nominate for a full replacement - new camera. I am happy now, Jan.
Cheers Ole

Pls observe that you can check number of shutter actuations. But a number of much more serious matters can not be checked: Storage conditions (was it during display sitting in direct sun over a weekend, raising the temp to above good for the battery), has potential customers used force while removing and inserting battery or lens, has liquids been spilled on electrical contacts causing possible early corrosion.
Just to mention that things can happen to a camera body unless you are the first one to open it's box.