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

Back in August I purchased a Canon 80d from Abe’s. I knew it was grey market and decided to go for it. Just as you report I received a call from a salesman. In my case, however, he offered me a non grey market camera for 100.00 more than I had paid.
I opted to take that for 799.00. That price was as low as I had seen anywhere. I received the camera, registered it with Canon, assuring it was not grey.
Since I went in knowing that the item was grey and expecting a call I was not at all unhappy with the end result.
We will never call them Honest Abe but there are still good deals to be had.

Back in August I purchased a Canon 80d from Abe’s. I knew it was grey market and decided to go for it. Just as you report I received a call from a salesman. In my case, however, he offered me a non grey market camera for 100.00 more than I had paid.
I opted to take that for 799.00. That price was as low as I had seen anywhere. I received the camera, registered it with Canon, assuring it was not grey.
Since I went in knowing that the item was grey and expecting a call I was not at all unhappy with the end result.
We will never call them Honest Abe but there are still good deals to be had.