Avoid Abe's Of Maine
Apr 10, 2018 11:34:14 #
joer wrote:
I didn't prove anything. You know nothing about my motives and you are making assumptions in an ignorant state...so your judgment and opinion have no merit.
you must be from Chicago
Apr 10, 2018 11:34:30 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
Abe's of Maine and even 42nd Street were actually reputable stores at one time... many years ago. But they changed hands and it's been downhill ever since. I don't think Abe is even in Maine any more 
Apr 10, 2018 11:37:13 #
I'm new to this forum, but not new to photography or buying used equipment, online or in person. I bought a Nikon lens from BH online a few years ago to go with my Nikon D60 (my first digital camera) and while it seemed to work okay, I decided to upgrade to a faster lens of similar size. I sent the first lens to KEH to sell, and they replied that it had some flaw or other and offered to either repair and return, or send back as is. I elected the repair and to this day I don't know if I was scammed, as I had not used the lens very much and as I said, I was new to digital equipment. KEH is in Atlanta and used to have a walk-in store (before online buying too over) and I found them helpful, although I did not buy anything from them in those days, as I had a source for used Olympus equipment with a walk-in store.
Anyone have experience with KEH.com?
Anyone have experience with KEH.com?
Apr 10, 2018 11:46:18 #
Tom Daniels wrote:
To be honest I have bought from B&H, Adorama e... (show quote)
After being bit a few years ago, thankfully on nothing expensive, I limit my purchases to those camera stores I know are reputable. I am somewhat more cautions with Amazon. If you read their listings closely you will frequently notice there is no mention of warranty on the specific item being offered. I have seen them say this is a grey market item without warranty and I have seen pricing way below street where there is no mention of warranty whatsoever. I inquired once and never got a response. Just saying.
Apr 10, 2018 11:47:03 #
I wonder what would happen if you refused the lens hood and the tripod foot and told them to just send the lens that is in their ad. Would they open a box from Tamron and remove those items and then send it? For God's sake, those items come from the factory with the lens.
Apr 10, 2018 12:22:51 #
Nancysc wrote:
I'm new to this forum, but not new to photography ... (show quote)
KEH is top notch. Others here will chime in.
Apr 10, 2018 12:25:17 #
pdsilen
Loc: Roswell, New Mexico
If I make a purchase online, no matter how big or small, unless its a well known company, I always check it out. First I contact the Better Business Bureau. And then I look of ripoffreport.com I especially contact Ripoff Report. If the business you're investigating is a shady company you'll find a long list of complaints. This way you'll know in advance the integrity of the business you'll be dealing with.
Apr 10, 2018 12:28:47 #
Nancysc wrote:
I'm new to this forum, but not new to photography ... (show quote)
I bought a lens from KEH about a year ago. It was a vintage Canon EF lens. One of those that came in a half dozen iterations over the years. Anyhow I bought what I thought was the version I wanted and it wasn't. A simple phone call and they sent me a return label and refunded my money. Can't ask for anything better than that.
Apr 10, 2018 12:31:37 #
timcc
Loc: Virginia
DaveO wrote:
I hate to belabor this, but there was nothing snarky about my initial post, but more of a statement of surprise that a member with years of many posts on this forum had not seen or did not use the forum as others constantly do, but instead go ahead and make a purchase he undoubtedly questioned from the beginning. The first snarky reply was from the OP. My mistake was continuing to reply.
Your first response may not have been snarky, but it was a personal criticism of the OP and added nothing substantive to the subject of the post. The OP fired back, and it quickly went downhill from there. I agree with you that the mistake you both made was to keep the nasty stuff going.
Most of us are here to learn and exchange information on photography. I'm sure that you and the OP are in that group, too. We should all discourage letting thin skins, egos, or just plain grumpiness-on-a-given-day mess up a good forum, IMHO.
Apr 10, 2018 12:44:37 #
Jim70
Loc: Delaware
Thanks for the post. I last dealt with Abe's of Maine about 10 years ago and everything was fine then. Looking at them now for a lens but I'm taking them off my list based on your experience. I was suspicious since everyone else's price was about the same and their ws significantly lower. Usually, there's a reason - TANSTAFL!
Apr 10, 2018 13:02:58 #
traderjohn wrote:
Nutmegers tend to be like that. Sad lonely.
Clearly a generalization, which was hopefully intend as humor.
Apr 10, 2018 13:03:17 #
Tom Daniels wrote:
I must say though over the years B&H has amazed
me. I would every year stop in B&H when I was in NY (I lived in Philly) One salesman
helped me with audio for production (over 10 years ago) that would not break
the bank. He explained his thoughts on the gear package. I still use some of the stuff.
If you ask their experienced sellers they will say "why buy that camera" this is the
same and less money.
me. I would every year stop in B&H when I was in NY (I lived in Philly) One salesman
helped me with audio for production (over 10 years ago) that would not break
the bank. He explained his thoughts on the gear package. I still use some of the stuff.
If you ask their experienced sellers they will say "why buy that camera" this is the
same and less money.
Thank you. Amazing people is among our primary goals.
Apr 10, 2018 13:12:33 #
Nancysc wrote:
I'm new to this forum, but not new to photography ... (show quote)
I never had a problem selling to or buying from them. Once they sent me the wrong item, I called, they sent me a shipping label to return it, and then immediately sent me the right piece. Their ratings are usually conservative. I had a hard time telling what they rated as “excellent” from brand new, except it did not come in the original box.
Apr 10, 2018 13:12:57 #
pdsilen wrote:
First I contact the Better Business Bureau. And then I look of ripoffreport.com I especially contact Ripoff Report. If the business you're investigating is a shady company you'll find a long list of complaints. This way you'll know in advance the integrity of the business you'll be dealing with.
I'm a big fan of researching before buying but IMO you've chose the wrong venues. The BBB does nothing but collect complaints from customers whose dissatisfaction may or may not be valid. They then ask the retailer to respond. They do not adjudicate complaints, they do not make any effort to help settle complaints, they do not provide arbitration. The customer complains and as long as the retailer replies, they're satisfied, even if the retailer's reply is to tell the customer to suck an egg. I get the BBB comments here. Most are not valid, some are just ludicrous, and the few which are legit could have been resolved as easily with a call or email to our customer service team.
Ripoffreports is no better -- a collection of rarely valid complaints often couched in the most juvenile fashion.
If you want to look at more reliable sources of customer feedback I suggest you consider resellerratings com and trustpilot.com. Both are reliable, try to filter out bogus comments, try to verify the poster is a real customer. YMMV
Apr 10, 2018 15:49:45 #
bellgamin
Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
If it wasn't for Dave, this interesting, funny, often educational thread would probably have dried up on page 2. A bit of jovial bickering can add spices to a potentially bland discussion.
By the way, check out trustpilot.com regarding "abes of maine" -- abes is rated by over 700 people & receives a 4-star rating! So tra la la, let the games begin..... 😈
By the way, check out trustpilot.com regarding "abes of maine" -- abes is rated by over 700 people & receives a 4-star rating! So tra la la, let the games begin..... 😈
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