Abe's of Maine: I’ve noticed that most people on this site doesn’t like Abe's of Maine. Can you tell me why. I have bought a Nikon 70-200 mm lens and a D780 from them and have had no...

PSims46 Loc: Maryland

I’ve noticed that most people on this site doesn’t like Abe's of Maine. Can you tell me why. I have bought a Nikon 70-200 mm lens and a D780 from them and have had no problems with them. I’m just wondering what I am missing about them. Thanks to everyone who responds to my question.

trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia

There was a post on here a few weeks ago about Abe's. It went on for three or four pages and every statement was a slam against Abe's. You should try to find that post as it condemned Abe's with very strong opinions.

Trapper1

rcarol

PSims46 wrote:

I’ve noticed that most people on this site doesn’t like Abe's of Maine. Can you tell me why. I have bought a Nikon 70-200 mm lens and a D780 from them and have had no problems with them. I’m just wondering what I am missing about them. Thanks to everyone who responds to my question.

The short answer is that Abe's sells grey market products and in the case of Nikon, you will not be able to get your cameras or lenses repaired by Nikon USA. In the case of Canon, they will not recognize the warranty but they will repair your camera or lenses for a fee.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

rcarol wrote:

The short answer is that Abe's sells grey market products and in the case of Nikon, you will not be able to get your cameras or lenses repaired by Nikon USA. In the case of Canon, they will not recognize the warranty but they will repair your camera or lenses for a fee.

It's not just that they sell grey market, but they don't say what that involves. Respected sellers sell grey market, but they reveal that. Many people who might buy from Abe's don't know the difference or even that there is such a thing as grey market.

PSims46 Loc: Maryland

I’m fairly new to the ins and outs of the market. What is gray market exactly. My equipment says it’s Nikon and there are serial numbers. Does it mean that I really don’t have a lens and camera made by Nikon. I don’t understand if it says Nikon on the equipment why Nikon would not fit it. I’m really confused. How does one find out if you have gray market equipment.

PSims46 Loc: Maryland

JohnSwanda wrote:

Many people who might buy from Abe's don't know the difference or even that there is such a thing as grey market.

That would be me. I don’t understand gray market at all. Never knew it existed before the conversation about Abe’s of Maine.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

PSims46 wrote:

I’m fairly new to the ins and outs of the market. What is gray market exactly. My equipment says it’s Nikon and there are serial numbers. Does it mean that I really don’t have a lens and camera made by Nikon. I don’t understand if it says Nikon on the equipment why Nikon would not fit it. I’m really confused.

It's equipment meant for sale in other parts of the world. So the warranty wouldn't be good in the USA. And Nikon won't even repair it at their repair facilities, so you would have to get it repaired at an independent repair place, and they may not be able to get the parts. Otherwise, the equipment is the same.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

🙀 I guess this Abe's of Maine horse is going to take another 1000 whacks and still not be dead.

Will

PSims46 Loc: Maryland

JohnSwanda wrote:

It's equipment meant for sale in other parts of the world. So the warranty wouldn't be good in the USA. And Nikon won't even repair it at their repair facilities, so you would have to get it repaired at an independent repair place, and they may not be able to get the parts. Otherwise, the equipment is the same.

That’s really stupid of Nikon. They make the equipment but won’t fix it because it’s for another part of the world. I just hope I never need to get something fixed if I have gray market equipment. Do you know how I can I find out if my equipment is gray market.

therwol Loc: USA

PSims46 wrote:

That’s really stupid of Nikon. They make the equipment but won’t fix it because it’s for another part of the world. I just hope I never need to get something fixed if I have gray market equipment. Do you know how I can I find out if my equipment is gray market.

Call up Nikon and read them the serial numbers. They'll tell you.

Nikon probably makes a lot of money on the cameras and other equipment they import. They fix the prices higher than in most parts of the world. They won't work on anything that didn't come through them with some rare exceptions. If you were physically overseas and bought a Nikon product from a dealer and have the receipt, they will work on the equipment for a fee. They will not do warranty work, however. For that, you have to send it back to the Nikon importer in the country where you bought the equipment.

trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia

There is a web page that gives all Nikon camera and lens country of origin batched by serial number. I beleive it was compiled by an Australian and it is extremely comprehensive. I will try to dig out the title of the post and put it on here.

Trapper1

Hip Coyote

Perhaps do a search on this forum for, "Abe's." No need to re-plow this ground again.

rcorne001 Loc: Cary, NC

Soul Dr. wrote:

🙀 I guess this Abe's of Maine horse is going to take another 1000 whacks and still not be dead.

Will

1,000 PLUS!

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

I purchased my Nikon D500 camera from them at a great price, it IS a USA model....I verified the serial number with Nikon and registered the camera on Nikon's site.....I have no idea why so many people are against Abe's...I have had no issue's with them or the equipment I have purchased from them.

rcarol

CindyHouk wrote:

I purchased my Nikon D500 camera from them at a great price, it IS a USA model....I verified the serial number with Nikon and registered the camera on Nikon's site.....I have no idea why so many people are against Abe's...I have had no issue's with them or the equipment I have purchased from them.

How many four-leaf glovers do you have?