A:Answer Just make sure that you check the lens thoroughly. Additionally, the sales page does tell you if another company is shipping the lens.
I purchased the 70-200mm f/4 from Best Buy as a brand new lens. Although I love the lens, I don't use that focal length that often. Imagine my surprise when on very close close examination there were 3 small scratches next to each other. There's no way that I could have scratched the lens like that. It was like someone had an issue with the lens, exchanged it, and marked it in a way to ensure that BB sent a fresh lens. The other odd item is that this is the only Nikon lens I've owned where the gold lettering rubbed off. The lens was made in Thailand. I'm not saying not to buy from BB, I'm saying that when you receive the lens inspect it immediately!
Here are the other Nikon lenses I own, all G mounts: macro 105, 85 1.8, 50 1.4, 24-120 f4 (kit lens for the 750); 18-200 vr ii and 35 1.8 (for the 7000).