BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Hello my fellow UHH members.......yesterday I was all excited to purchase a new lens from a prominent camera online store back East. I saw a price that I thought was a very good deal. I don't like the idea of bashing this company so I will not say their name. I will show you their online advertisement and also share their "motto" which I feel is very hypocritical. "The store you can trust since 1979". The reason why I am sharing with you my thoughts is to help steer you away from the old "bait and switch" type stores. In the photo of the online advertisement shows the lens with the tripod collar on it and a very good price for the lens. In reality, you do not get the tripod collar with the lens. The tripod collar will cost you another $200. The lens also does not come with a lens hood, lens cap or cap on the back end of the lens. That is all extra. Once again, if you see a deal that seems to good to be true, it probably is. I felt this store was trying to be deceptive in their advertising. I felt they were trying to lure me in and then try to sell me the upgraded package they had waiting for people like me. I had to call the company to see if the extra parts were included and they were not. At least they were honest about that. While on the phone the sales representative did tell me all about the "package deal" which included all the extra parts at an extra cost of course. I'm not trying to bash this company, just to warn my fellow hoggers to be cautious when dealing with the "good deals". I ended up not purchasing the lens, I had a bad taste in my mouth regarding honesty.

(Download)

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I'm sure they had to purposefully remove the caps for that deal.
One tipoff for me is the price of memory cards from any suspect store.
If the price for your main item is unbelievably low, check on the price of their memory cards.
Usually double or more than normal.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Hi Brent, you seem to have some very shady merchants in the US, and those prices are stupid.

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Yes GoofyNewfie, I agree with you. It's the old "bait and switch" thing. They try to get your attention and then bump up the prices.
My goal was to buy the lens from the company then from other companies buy the lens caps, lens shades and tripod collar. It ended up to be a major hassle so I decided to not even buy the lens from that deceptive company.

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

John, you live in the UK.......yes, we do have some very shady merchants here. You need to watch out. What are your prices for that lens in the UK??

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

When I purchased that lens it came with the hood, cap, storage bag and since it's not a standard collar, the collar, all in one box from Canon.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Store in question

Abe's of Maine has been a family owned and operated business since our inception in 1979. Originating as a Mom and Pop electronics retailer in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, we began to cultivate the outstanding customer service we are proud to provide for our customers today.

Minimal research brings this on DPR.

One guy reports that this business was sold a few years back and now 'it is less than reputable, stay away'.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

WOW. Good article by NBC.

The Watcher

Brent, This might be of interest.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/pho/d/canon-efis-lens-in-excellent/6480006246.html

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

And did you pay about $2050 for everything?

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Rongnongno, that is very interesting. Thank you for sharing this with us.

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Thanks Longshadow.

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Thank you for the link The Watcher. I must say that the price is right BUT, I am interested in the "II" version.

Joe Blow

This is just a suggestion, but if your store was Abe's of Maine, write your experience down and send it to the New Jersey Attorney General. Or, if it was 42 St Photo, send it to the New York AG. Only if people complain about "Bait & Switch" can our government stop it.

For reference; https://www.cnet.com/news/bait-and-switch-online-electronics-stores-caught-in-fraud/

Paulie Loc: NW IL

Not sure about the UK in particular, but from my experience dealing with other places there, the prices there are easily 40-50% higher for most of things. Camera bodies, lenses, accessories and also cars, motorcycles... People have a choice to buy cheaper from out of country, but they lose warranty just like when you deal with the grey market items here in the US.