Honest Abe, Maybe not so much.. (Page 4): 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...

jims203 Loc: Connecticut

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)

Another one of their tactics is to keep promising that you will get your rebate. If you let them do it long enough the bank will not pull their funds. Don’t allow more than a week or 10 days- then call the bank. As noted many times here these guys are crooks and experts in frustration.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

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

I would also include MPB. An outstanding used buyer/seller IMO.

rayclay Loc: Arab, AL., USA

I have (been screwed) on eBay.

philo Loc: philo, ca

I purchased a eos r on ebay for a good price. before i received it, canon dropped the price by $300 so without using the camera I asked to return it. The seller offered me a $250 credit if i kept the body, and i said ok. I cancelled the return.
I started to use the camera and learned that the camera has problems. The mode button and the q button doesn't work. I can't change Mode. So I sent a email to the seller saying that i now wish to return the camera. Have to wait a few days to see what happens. My next step would be for Ebay to step in.

CaptainBobBrown

The original "Abe’s Electronics Center, Inc." dba "Abe's of Maine" filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2012 and was subsequently sold to an outfit calling itself “Westpark Electronics, LLC.” By early 2013 had become a bait and switch operator, lost their Canon dealership relationship, and expanded on the earlier Abe's practice of upsell calls after a purchase to outright misrepresentation and fraud. Go to this link for details of their history and warnings about a number of other such operations to avoid:
https://www.cpricewatch.com/blog/2014/05/warning-avoid-abes-of-maine-and-other-bait-switch-retailers

If it's too good to be true...

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

rayclay wrote:

I have (been screwed) on eBay.

Hard to believe, ebay stands behind the seller. All you needed to do was open a case on ebay and they would have backed you. DID YOU DO THIS? I doubt it. You just want to vent don't you.
I have done business for over 15 years on ebay. It is honest and has a great protection protocol that guarantees a full refund within 30 days of purchase, no questions asked, buyer protected 100% of the time.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

donrent wrote:

I have brought every Camera , every photo item, (for years and years) from one, and only one place.

And that is EBay.

NEVER had a bad deal or been screwed !

I've had good luck with eBay as well. But I am careful and read closely. B&H and Adorama are great as well. Amazon is good too, again if you are careful. Virtually no worries with B&H and Adorama though.

St.Mary's

To repeat---My memory says you never read on UHH anything positive about Abe's of Maine.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

Abe's of Maine is located in Linden, NJ. I had a similar experience several years ago when I tried to purchase a Sekonic light meter. The model I was trying to purchase was new and top of the line and was listed at $40 less than B&H. After placing the order I got a call within 15 minutes telling me that they were out of stock and that they would "upgrade" my order to a better unit at no additional cost. I explained that there was no "better" unit and they could cancel my order. I argued with the salesman for at least another 10 minutes and only after threatening to file a claim with the BBB and my credit card company did he finally cancel the order. My last contact ever with Abe's.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Quickflash wrote:

Several years ago, I heard on UHH that Abes of Maine was a good reputable camera store,

Dave

Dave,

I find it very unlikely that ANYONE here on UHH would say that Abes of Maine was a good and reputable camera store, even several years ago. I've read many questions as to the reputation of Abes, and EVERY time I've seen UHH members tell other members to steer away from them. Most people would have admently told you to forget buying from Abes. Nonetheless, you found out the hard way how screwed they are. They aren't the only online camera sales company we would tell you to steer clear of.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

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)

I'm a little surprised by your first sentence of the second paragraph. I don't remember ever seeing a positive review of Abes but, rather, lots and lots of poor reviews. I too was baited-and-switched by them back in the '70s, ending up with a nice Pentax camera and a piece of junk zoom lens.

redlegfrog

Rongnongno wrote:

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

Years ago I learned the value of an American Express account when I had trouble with "one of those" camera stores.
I called AMX and told them what had happened, they said no problem and stopped the transaction then said call and let us know what happens. It couldn't have been easier.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

donrent wrote:

I have brought every Camera , every photo item, (for years and years) from one, and only one place.

And that is EBay.

NEVER had a bad deal or been screwed !

You are lucky - I've had some rotten apples to deal with on Ebay.... the sad part is that 3 of them were Mom & Pop brick-n-mortar Camera stores, where I expected good product and treatment, thank goodness for Ebay's protection policies.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

This is not really any help with your current situation, but, get a credit card from one of the major banks and this kind of thing is easy to take care of. On a recent trip to Utah, I reserved a room from an independent motel (the only kind available where I was staying). I was told that if I arrived after a certain time, a key would be secured outside to the office door. I arrived after the stated time, found the office, but no key. I called the only number I had for the place, and got a recorded message giving the same statement. I walked all around the building (the owner's home), knocked on all the doors, but got no answer. I went through several of the other motels there who were still open, and finally found one who had an available room for the duration of my stay. The next day I received a call from the motel where I originally registered, telling me that he had been in the house, and had heard nothing from me. When I asked about the key, he denied saying that it would be there. To make a long story short, he billed me anyway. I protested to my bank, sending them all the paper from the transaction, and they gave me immediate credit. Get a good bank, and keep all your correspondence. With a bank like this, it would be the seller's responsibility to reclaim the merchandise. And stop saying "exact same."

Quickflash Loc: Loganville, Ga

Once again, I thank you all for your comments. Several people have strongly suggested that I immediately open a dispute with the CC company. I started to do that, but they advised me to wait up to 15 days and if I have not gotten the full refund by then, I should open the dispute. They assured me that they will stand behind me and that I will get my money back.
I'm no longer sure where I heard good reviews for Abe, but I must be mistaken about it being here. I do know about 42 street camera and other similar crooks, but this is last time I ever try to save a few bucks this way. If I want to save, I might go to Canon for refurbished items, or KEH for used, maybe even eBay. If this thread stops anyone from buying from Abe, I got more than even once I get my refund.

Paraphrasing, someone claimed I came crying back to UHH about my stupid purchase. I don't think that person understood my purpose for this thread. I am more angry at myself than I am at Abe. I'll get over it. Meanwhile, I just want people to know not to deal with them. I'm not crying, I have my big boy pants on and I'll get over it. I hope that person does too.