ebay or gray market? (Page 4): Sad, I used to hear a lot of positive things about Abe's of Maine. Either way, it is in her hands now. Thanks for your 2 cents, but I've already given my...

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

wolfman wrote:

Just checked Abe's website:
On that $298 body, there is no description of what's in the box, meaning, no battery, no cables, no battery charger.
To me a total rip-off place. Tell her to stay away from this place.
Even on the USA brands they are charging more than Nikon's MSRP, what does that tell you.
Bob

Sad, I used to hear a lot of positive things about Abe's of Maine.

Either way, it is in her hands now. Thanks for your 2 cents, but I've already given my 2 cents to her.

tamalero Loc: Mexico

bkyser wrote:

Sad, I used to hear a lot of positive things about Abe's of Maine.

Either way, it is in her hands now. Thanks for your 2 cents, but I've already given my 2 cents to her.

You can hear many good things.. but are they real legit good things?
I noticed these New Jersey and NY stores.. know how to manipulate the review systems.
Making it harder to find if they're legit or not.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

tamalero wrote:

You can hear many good things.. but are they real legit good things?
I noticed these New Jersey and NY stores.. know how to manipulate the review systems.
Making it harder to find if they're legit or not.

Abe's is a legitimate authorized dealer for many brands.They have their only brick and mortar store 10 minutes from my house and I have made many happy purchases there over the years. While I don't care for some of their practices, they are not scam artists. Your comments were inappropriate because they targeted NY and NJ specifically. There are camera equipment on line scams from other places as well. There are many more large photo stores in this region than elsewhere, and as a result there will also be more stores with dubious practices. Your statement makes you sound like a NY and NJ basher. To be even handed, you might have added that some of the best online sites in the whole country, like B&H and Adorama, are also in NY. Here is New Jersey we also have a less well known but excellent photographic super store call Unique Photo, which also has an online site, besides their large and excellent brick and mortar store, and is very reliable. They also do not charge for shipping. Perhaps you didn't mean to come across as you did, but for many this region seem to be an easy target.

tamalero Loc: Mexico

mwsilvers wrote:

Abe's is a legitimate authorized dealer for many b... (show quote)

I dont think they are inappropriate, because they warn you online for specifically New Jersey stores.
Where the classic Bait and Switch technique is used widely.
Take a google search and you will find out.

It of course doesn't target ADORAMA or B&H, as they are well respected and established.

As for ABE's. The reviews do not seem to lie.. the bait and switch has happened in expensive equipment.

Also, I do not give a crap about "NY" or "NJ". I'm mentioning them as I see the reviews online.
I have never been in NY or any zone nearby. So please do not prejudge when you know nothing about me.

skiman Loc: Ventura, CA

Dana C wrote:

The reality in my opinion is two fold. There is n... (show quote)

Nikon USA will not service grey market product even if you are willing to pay. Independent repair shops can fix simple things but not if it needs parts from Nikon. A used D3200 is about $300 and the cost of a Nikon (part required) repair plus the shipping could easily exceed that. You need to treat the purchase of camera in that price range as disposable if you go grey market or used.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

tamalero wrote:

I dont think they are inappropriate, because they ... (show quote)

You should not prejudge what goes in NY and NJ if you've never been here. As for you statement "I don't think they are inappropriate, because they warn you online for specifically New Jersey stores.", I have no idea what that even means or how you could make such a silly statement. Who are the "they" you refer to?

tamalero Loc: Mexico

mwsilvers wrote:

You should not prejudge what goes in NY and NJ if you've never been here. As for you statement "I don't think they are inappropriate, because they warn you online for specifically New Jersey stores.", I have no idea what that even means or how you could make such a silly statement. Who are the "they" you refer to?

:roll:

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

For the right price, I certainly would consider grey market. Sure there's a risk that the camera malfunctions shortly after, but there's also the possibility of theft, dropping the camera into a lake, etc. Life is full of risks. I bought my completely new grey market DSLR at a fraction of the cost of what I would have paid for a U.S. market version. Even if the camera suddenly ceases to work, I'm still way ahead; I'll just replace it with another inexpensive grey market camera. I won't lose any sleep over it.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

tamalero wrote:

You can hear many good things.. but are they real legit good things?
I noticed these New Jersey and NY stores.. know how to manipulate the review systems.
Making it harder to find if they're legit or not.

The good things I've heard were from here on the Hog and other forums.

Hopefully, this will stop soon. I can't help myself but to see if there are new replies, but seriously...this wasn't one of those "I have a friend" type questions, this really was a question someone asked me. I gave her my answer, and moved on. No need to bash someone for their opinion, or bash entire states, or whatever. I'm going to do my best to stop watching this topic, and hope that everyone realizes that opinions are not easily changed, so arguing isn't worth it.

I appreciate the help, but my part in the whole question thing is done. How about everyone go out and take some nice photos with their new/used/refurbished/ or gray market cameras :)

Bob Boner

Nikon will not repair grey market items. I once dropped a 600 f/4 Nikon, with body attached, and Nikon would not repair the lens because it was grey market. They would also not sell parts to an independent repair shop. They wanted the serial number, and, because it was grey market, would not sell the parts. I switched to Canon.

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

Bob Boner wrote:

Nikon will not repair grey market items. I once dropped a 600 f/4 Nikon, with body attached, and Nikon would not repair the lens because it was grey market. They would also not sell parts to an independent repair shop. They wanted the serial number, and, because it was grey market, would not sell the parts. I switched to Canon.

Yep. I believe that to be Nikon's BIGGEST mistake of all the things they do.