Honest Abe, Maybe not so much.. (Page 2): Thanks to all who replied. I appreciate your feedback. My main reason for posting this is to possibly prevent others from making the same...

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Thanks to all who replied. I appreciate your feedback. My main reason for posting this is to possibly prevent others from making the same mistake I did.
Happy Holidays to all!!!

Dave

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Quickflash wrote:

Canon refurbished might be something I should look at also. At least with them I know I have a warranty and a quality product with no nonsense. This will be my other alternative to B&H and Adorama.

Hunt’s, KEH, Cameta, Sammy’s, Roberts, and Mikes’s are all excellent as well.

If you are buying used in the future or if your first two choices don’t have exactly what you want, you will need a broader playing field, and all of these are first rate businesses.

Andy

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Rongnongno wrote:

There is a simple solution to all this crap. br b... (show quote)

Good to know. We use USAA and BofA. USAA has the great reputation and BofA has a good reputation and is one of the 900 lb gorillas in the room. I have been with them since 1966 through all the mergers etc, the first in '98 they got worse, since they have gradually gotten better though in my opinion not as good as pre '98.

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

robertjerl wrote:

Good to know. We use USAA and BofA. USAA has the great reputation and BofA has a good reputation and is one of the 900 lb gorillas in the room. I have been with them since 1966 through all the mergers etc, the first in '98 they got worse, since they have gradually gotten better though in my opinion not as good as pre '98.

Yes, I have USAA also for insurance, but not banking. They are great!

Hip Coyote

It seems like it is time to report these folks to a federal authority. They are doing business across state lines, via the internet, telephone (wire), etc. They have a pattern of practice that is problematic.

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

AndyH wrote:

Hunt’s, KEH, Cameta, Sammy’s, Roberts, and Mikes’s are all excellent as well.

If you are buying used in the future or if your first two choices don’t have exactly what you want, you will need a broader playing field, and all of these are first rate businesses.

Andy

Thanks Andy, but so far B&H and Adorama has never disappointed me and always seem to have what I want. Even in this case, they both had the same camera in stock, but I outsmarted myself thinking I was saving a little money.

MDI Mainer

I have never had a bad experience buying from Abe's, but I have only ever bought from their Amazon store.

My guess is that selling on the Amazon platform brings them so much business that they don't dare try any of their usual shenanigans lest they get kicked off.

And the purchase is subject to Amazon's customer protection protocols, so there's little room for them to play around.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

MDI Mainer wrote:

I have never had a bad experience buying from Abe's, but I have only ever bought from their Amazon store.

My guess is that selling on the Amazon platform brings them so much business that they don't dare try any of their usual shenanigans lest they get kicked off.

And the purchase is subject to Amazon's customer protection protocols, so there's little room for them to play around.

The only problem is they still only have grey market cameras and lenses since they aren't an authorized dealer.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Quickflash wrote:

Hi and happy holidays to my friends here on UHH. I don't post here often but I do lurk a lot, so I wanted to start out with something positive before I start my rant.
Several years ago, I heard on UHH that Abes of Maine was a good reputable camera store, but I had never dealt with them before. Fast forward to Dec. 12. I was looking for a new camera online and noticed that Abes of Maine, (who I have reason think is actually in New Jersey, if so, just another thing he lies about), had a Canon 90D on sale for about $100 less that everyone else. Their website led me to believe that this was the exact same, brand new 90D I would get if I went to my usual favorite stores, (Adorama & B&H). So I bought it. Within 5 minute I get a call from a fast-talking salesman from Abe's trying to sell me a warranty, a memory card and God knows what else. When I questioned the need to purchase a warranty on a brand new camera, it was only then that I became aware that I had purchased a Gray Market Camera! Now I know some people like to save some money and think that gray market is just fine. After all it is the same exact camera, just without a manufacturers warranty. So if that's what you want, Abe's has it, but they just don't like to talk about it, or the fact that they are not even a Canon authorized dealer! To my way of thinking, that is a deceptive way to do business, and so I immediately told the guy to cancel the sale. He responded by saying that he would 'Upgrade my purchase" by giving me a legit Canon USA camera with full USA warranty, plus a memory card that retails for something like $160 and only charge me an additional $79.00 for the entire deal. He convinced that me this was not a gray market camera, so I said okay. Right after I hung up, I had a bad feeling about this.
The following Monday the package comes. I open the package and find the camera packed in a box that originally included a kit lens, but the lens was removed. I take out the camera, go online to Canon's website to register that camera, and found out that they sold me a gray market camera after all.
I repacked the camera and got on the phone to Abe's of Maine.
After talking to no less than 7 people as I was passed around from one person to another and to voicemail, I finally got someone to help me.  I explained the situation to her no less than 3 times and asked her to send me a shipping label for the return. She said she could not promise that, but would try. Obviously she did not try hard enough, because now it cost me $30.85 to return this item because their salesman lied to me at the time of purchase!!!
Anyway, I sent it back at my own expense, and learned my lesson. From now on I will only buy cameras and the like from Adorama or B&H. Meanwhile, although they sent me an email stating they have issued a refund, as of this moment, my card has not be credited. I was hoping to get that credit in time for me to place an order from Adorama and receive my new camera in time for the holidays. That is not going to happen. If I don't get the refund soon I will file a claim with the credit card company. I would have done that already, but the CC company suggested I wait and give them a chance to do right.
This was supposed to be my xmas present from my girlfriend, so I guess it will eventually be a New Years present, or maybe easter or Yom Kippur! I'll have to wait.

Dave

Hi and happy holidays to my friends here on UHH. I... (show quote)

Abes of Maine has been around for eons andI have never heard anything good about them!!!!
File your CC claim now!!!

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Quickflash wrote:

Hi and happy holidays to my friends here on UHH. I don't post here often but I do lurk a lot, so I wanted to start out with something positive before I start my rant.
Several years ago, I heard on UHH that Abes of Maine was a good reputable camera store, but I had never dealt with them before. Fast forward to Dec. 12. I was looking for a new camera online and noticed that Abes of Maine, (who I have reason think is actually in New Jersey, if so, just another thing he lies about), had a Canon 90D on sale for about $100 less that everyone else. Their website led me to believe that this was the exact same, brand new 90D I would get if I went to my usual favorite stores, (Adorama & B&H). So I bought it. Within 5 minute I get a call from a fast-talking salesman from Abe's trying to sell me a warranty, a memory card and God knows what else. When I questioned the need to purchase a warranty on a brand new camera, it was only then that I became aware that I had purchased a Gray Market Camera! Now I know some people like to save some money and think that gray market is just fine. After all it is the same exact camera, just without a manufacturers warranty. So if that's what you want, Abe's has it, but they just don't like to talk about it, or the fact that they are not even a Canon authorized dealer! To my way of thinking, that is a deceptive way to do business, and so I immediately told the guy to cancel the sale. He responded by saying that he would 'Upgrade my purchase" by giving me a legit Canon USA camera with full USA warranty, plus a memory card that retails for something like $160 and only charge me an additional $79.00 for the entire deal. He convinced that me this was not a gray market camera, so I said okay. Right after I hung up, I had a bad feeling about this.
The following Monday the package comes. I open the package and find the camera packed in a box that originally included a kit lens, but the lens was removed. I take out the camera, go online to Canon's website to register that camera, and found out that they sold me a gray market camera after all.
I repacked the camera and got on the phone to Abe's of Maine.
After talking to no less than 7 people as I was passed around from one person to another and to voicemail, I finally got someone to help me.  I explained the situation to her no less than 3 times and asked her to send me a shipping label for the return. She said she could not promise that, but would try. Obviously she did not try hard enough, because now it cost me $30.85 to return this item because their salesman lied to me at the time of purchase!!!
Anyway, I sent it back at my own expense, and learned my lesson. From now on I will only buy cameras and the like from Adorama or B&H. Meanwhile, although they sent me an email stating they have issued a refund, as of this moment, my card has not be credited. I was hoping to get that credit in time for me to place an order from Adorama and receive my new camera in time for the holidays. That is not going to happen. If I don't get the refund soon I will file a claim with the credit card company. I would have done that already, but the CC company suggested I wait and give them a chance to do right.
This was supposed to be my xmas present from my girlfriend, so I guess it will eventually be a New Years present, or maybe easter or Yom Kippur! I'll have to wait.

Dave

Hi and happy holidays to my friends here on UHH. I... (show quote)

Yes, we all like to save money and get a bargain deal. And resulted in nothing but a headache for you. I surely hope you know about 42nd Street Photo too. They do the same thing you experienced from Abe's of Maine. Buying a Gray Market Canon camera isn't quite the same as Nikon. If you pay out of pocket for a repair, Canon will repair your Gray Market camera. Nikon will not do so. I hope you get this resolved. And now you know about Abe's of Maine. Yes, uhh members have stated positive results with that Photo Shop. They are very far and few between. Good luck.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Quickflash wrote:

Hi and happy holidays to my friends here on UHH. I don't post here often but I do lurk a lot, so I wanted to start out with something positive before I start my rant.
Several years ago, I heard on UHH that Abes of Maine was a good reputable camera store, but I had never dealt with them before. Fast forward to Dec. 12. I was looking for a new camera online and noticed that Abes of Maine, (who I have reason think is actually in New Jersey, if so, just another thing he lies about), had a Canon 90D on sale for about $100 less that everyone else. Their website led me to believe that this was the exact same, brand new 90D I would get if I went to my usual favorite stores, (Adorama & B&H). So I bought it. Within 5 minute I get a call from a fast-talking salesman from Abe's trying to sell me a warranty, a memory card and God knows what else. When I questioned the need to purchase a warranty on a brand new camera, it was only then that I became aware that I had purchased a Gray Market Camera! Now I know some people like to save some money and think that gray market is just fine. After all it is the same exact camera, just without a manufacturers warranty. So if that's what you want, Abe's has it, but they just don't like to talk about it, or the fact that they are not even a Canon authorized dealer! To my way of thinking, that is a deceptive way to do business, and so I immediately told the guy to cancel the sale. He responded by saying that he would 'Upgrade my purchase" by giving me a legit Canon USA camera with full USA warranty, plus a memory card that retails for something like $160 and only charge me an additional $79.00 for the entire deal. He convinced that me this was not a gray market camera, so I said okay. Right after I hung up, I had a bad feeling about this.
The following Monday the package comes. I open the package and find the camera packed in a box that originally included a kit lens, but the lens was removed. I take out the camera, go online to Canon's website to register that camera, and found out that they sold me a gray market camera after all.
I repacked the camera and got on the phone to Abe's of Maine.
After talking to no less than 7 people as I was passed around from one person to another and to voicemail, I finally got someone to help me.  I explained the situation to her no less than 3 times and asked her to send me a shipping label for the return. She said she could not promise that, but would try. Obviously she did not try hard enough, because now it cost me $30.85 to return this item because their salesman lied to me at the time of purchase!!!
Anyway, I sent it back at my own expense, and learned my lesson. From now on I will only buy cameras and the like from Adorama or B&H. Meanwhile, although they sent me an email stating they have issued a refund, as of this moment, my card has not be credited. I was hoping to get that credit in time for me to place an order from Adorama and receive my new camera in time for the holidays. That is not going to happen. If I don't get the refund soon I will file a claim with the credit card company. I would have done that already, but the CC company suggested I wait and give them a chance to do right.
This was supposed to be my xmas present from my girlfriend, so I guess it will eventually be a New Years present, or maybe easter or Yom Kippur! I'll have to wait.

Dave

Hi and happy holidays to my friends here on UHH. I... (show quote)

Sorry about the experience.
Guess you do not lurk here enough as this has been a topic several times over the years.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

Since I use Nikon, buy direct from manufacturer. No problems.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Thanks for posting, Dave. Abe's of Maine is a frequent subject among new queries about camera stores, always met with warnings by UHH'ers not to buy from there. You experience gives concrete evidence to support these.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Dave, no comment on Abes of Maine but about the return. When returning an item you should receive a confirmation email and an Estimated time for your credit card to get reimburse. Up to 5 business days. If you did not receive this, contact your CC company now. They Only require you to return item to get the dispute started. I recently went thru the same thing for different type of equipment.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Quickflash wrote:

Hi and happy holidays to my friends here on UHH. I don't post here often but I do lurk a lot, so I wanted to start out with something positive before I start my rant.
Several years ago, I heard on UHH that Abes of Maine was a good reputable camera store, but I had never dealt with them before. Fast forward to Dec. 12. I was looking for a new camera online and noticed that Abes of Maine, (who I have reason think is actually in New Jersey, if so, just another thing he lies about), had a Canon 90D on sale for about $100 less that everyone else. Their website led me to believe that this was the exact same, brand new 90D I would get if I went to my usual favorite stores, (Adorama & B&H). So I bought it. Within 5 minute I get a call from a fast-talking salesman from Abe's trying to sell me a warranty, a memory card and God knows what else. When I questioned the need to purchase a warranty on a brand new camera, it was only then that I became aware that I had purchased a Gray Market Camera! Now I know some people like to save some money and think that gray market is just fine. After all it is the same exact camera, just without a manufacturers warranty. So if that's what you want, Abe's has it, but they just don't like to talk about it, or the fact that they are not even a Canon authorized dealer! To my way of thinking, that is a deceptive way to do business, and so I immediately told the guy to cancel the sale. He responded by saying that he would 'Upgrade my purchase" by giving me a legit Canon USA camera with full USA warranty, plus a memory card that retails for something like $160 and only charge me an additional $79.00 for the entire deal. He convinced that me this was not a gray market camera, so I said okay. Right after I hung up, I had a bad feeling about this.
The following Monday the package comes. I open the package and find the camera packed in a box that originally included a kit lens, but the lens was removed. I take out the camera, go online to Canon's website to register that camera, and found out that they sold me a gray market camera after all.
I repacked the camera and got on the phone to Abe's of Maine.
After talking to no less than 7 people as I was passed around from one person to another and to voicemail, I finally got someone to help me.  I explained the situation to her no less than 3 times and asked her to send me a shipping label for the return. She said she could not promise that, but would try. Obviously she did not try hard enough, because now it cost me $30.85 to return this item because their salesman lied to me at the time of purchase!!!
Anyway, I sent it back at my own expense, and learned my lesson. From now on I will only buy cameras and the like from Adorama or B&H. Meanwhile, although they sent me an email stating they have issued a refund, as of this moment, my card has not be credited. I was hoping to get that credit in time for me to place an order from Adorama and receive my new camera in time for the holidays. That is not going to happen. If I don't get the refund soon I will file a claim with the credit card company. I would have done that already, but the CC company suggested I wait and give them a chance to do right.
This was supposed to be my xmas present from my girlfriend, so I guess it will eventually be a New Years present, or maybe easter or Yom Kippur! I'll have to wait.

Dave

Hi and happy holidays to my friends here on UHH. I... (show quote)

Most credit cards are about a month behind on charging. Like mine, if I charge say on the 22 of December, I will not have to pay that bill until February cause the closing date on my card was December 21st for my January bill. Check your card to see when the closing date is. And, I would also call your card company and explain what happened with Dishonest Abe and see what they think the timeline will be to see your refund. Usually a refund happens in no more than a couple of days. Dishonest Abe's could be holding on to your original purchase to gain interest on it.
If you had read any of the posts here on Dishonest Abe's you could have saved yourself some trouble's.