Trade-Ins

The Cape May Bird Observatory will accept trade-ins and deduct the assessed trade-in allowance from the cost of your pre-tax purchase. Instruments eligible for trade-ins include: Bausch and Lomb Elite, Nikon LX and LXL, Leica (or Leitz), Swarovski and Carl Zeiss. You are invited to inquire about the eligibility of other instruments. Trade-in evaluations should be arranged in advance and value will be assessed on the basis of performance, wear, length of ownership and retail price at the time of purchase.

Optics may also be donated to CMBO for use in our classes or resale and the value can be deducted from your income tax.

At this time trade-ins cannot be accepted by mail.  Please call 609.884.2736 for more information.

Quality Used Optics

The price of superior optics has almost doubled in the past three years, forcing many buyers to settle for something less than the Leica, Zeiss or Swarovksi instrument that they aspire to.

Rather than settle for less, why not be both demanding and frugal and buy a superlative used instrument? The savings are considerable, and the quality and performance remains the same.

We are pleased to offer this service. First, to support the birding community and second, to give instruments built to last a lifetime, the lifetime of use they deserve. Many of the instruments in our selection are taken in-trade at our own stores. Some are factory reconditioned.

We examine and test every used or reconditioned instrument upon receipt and subject them to a "10 Point Binocular Check" Evaluation before shipping to you (a copy of the evaluation certificate is enclosed with the instrument).

Some refurbished instruments come with a limited factory warranty; any such warranty will be included with qualifying purchases. All used instruments hold a 30 day warranty against defect. There is no restocking charge for un-abused used or refurbished instruments returned within 10 days of the date of sale; a $50 restocking charge applies to un-abused used or refurbished instruments returned within 10 to 30 days of purchase.

Buyers interested in quality used optics are advised to examine our selection in person or to call Brian Moscatello at 609.884.2736 to discuss availability and prices.

Savings off the price of new instruments range from 20 to 75% - which is pretty darn good for binoculars built to last a lifetime.