29-07-2025
Photographer's fury at what turned up in box when she ordered new $2,500 Canon camera lens
A woman was left 'completely heartbroken' after shelling out more than $2,500 Canadian dollars for a high-end Canon lens - only to open the box and find a cheap box of staples.
Viktoryia Shkel, a photography enthusiast from Maple, Ontario, had ordered the pricey lens from Canon Canada as part of a 'damaged box' sale, hoping to upgrade her gear with the Canon EF 24-70mm model.
But when the package arrived in mid-June, Shkel says her excitement quickly turned to disappointment.
'I was completely shocked. I didn't know what to do,' she told CTV News Toronto.
The box was meant to hold a $2,577 ($1,872 USD) Canon EF 24-70mm lens - but when she opened it, she found a box of staples.
The outer packaging was sealed, but the interior lens box had already been opened - standard procedure, according to Canon, for discounted 'open box' or 'damaged box' items.
'There was no safety seal,' she noted.
To make matters worse, she said the weight of the staples matched that of the lens, possibly masking the switch during shipment.
The Canon EF 24-70mm lens Shkel ordered retails for over $2,500 - but what arrived was a box filled with staples, she claims
Shkel contacted Canon immediately and provided photographic evidence of what she received. But the company initially refused to offer a refund.
'They notified me that all protocols were followed... they said the lens was inspected in the facility and by the time the lens left, everything was intact.'
'I'm completely heartbroken. I'm completely shocked this happened to me and I'm really, really upset.'
