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Abe's of Maine Bait and switch
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Feb 12, 2019 11:38:36   #
Dossile
 
Either Adorama or B&H for advice and purchases. Add in Crutchfields if it’s an audio/video or computer oriented purchase. Leave the rest alone. All three price match Amazon and you know you are getting first quality with a valid warranty and the most current product. Amazon, EBay and all the bait and switch companies like Abe’s and you throw your fate to the wind.

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Feb 12, 2019 11:58:46   #
rcarol
 
ken_stern wrote:
OK - They jacked him around
But
Look it's the same damn lens - Soooo - pay 100 more from any one else & feel morally justified
Bait & Switch at least too me is when they end up attempting sell you something at or near the same price which is of a lesser quality from what was originally advertised

Definition of bait and switch
1 : a sales tactic in which a customer is attracted by the advertisement of a low-priced item but is then encouraged to buy a higher-priced one
2 : the ploy of offering a person something desirable to gain favor (such as political support) then thwarting expectations with something less desirable
OK - They jacked him around br But br Look it's th... (show quote)


I'm not sure it is the "same damn lens". I found nothing in their ad that would lead me to believe that this anything other than a grey market lens.

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Feb 12, 2019 12:12:44   #
jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska
 
I got baited and switched by them back in the '60s, ended up with a worthless zoom lens. Guess I didn't know any better back then.

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Feb 12, 2019 12:16:45   #
JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles
 
Order from B&H

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Feb 12, 2019 12:37:15   #
newvy
 
Mob.com $1039 used excellent condition I traded and bought some gear there and had no problem.

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Feb 12, 2019 12:41:52   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
limeybiker wrote:
I have been lusting for a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens, for some time, so I decided to give Abe's a chance to disprove their BAD Reviews.
So Sunday after saying farewell to my last motorcycle, with cash in my hand I ordered and paid by VISA.

Today I get the phone call I half expected, it does not come with a hood, bag, tripod clamp so I have to buy the attachment kit, so the bait Valentine's Day Sweetheart Deal at https://www.abesofmaine.com/Nikon_AF-S_NIKKOR_200-500mm_f_5_6E_ED_VR_Lens_1028991.html
which clearly shows the tripod clamp at $1089.00, climbs to $1300.00.
I cancelled the order.

Anyone with a good deal available?
I have been lusting for a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-50... (show quote)


Those bastards! How dare they live up to their four decades long reputation of screwing customers!

Adorama, B&H, Cameta Camera, KEH used, and MPB used are the sites that show up in the most popular and trustworthy columns here.

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Feb 12, 2019 13:13:48   #
scg3
 
I gave up on "Abe's of Maine" -- rather a joke since it's in Brooklyn -- 40 years ago after one more of their bait-and-switches. As the old line goes, people don't change unless they want to, and Abe's doesn't.

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Feb 12, 2019 13:17:36   #
ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca
 
OK guys -- This really is my really-really last swan song on this subject -- I don't own stock in this place -- I don't now or have I ever work for them -- I'm just a retired guy living in Ca. that loves photography -- I told you my experience -- I agree it was not as enjoyable or as uncomplicated as it would have been if I had purchased my cameras from say B&H -- BUT - I knew what I wanted & I got what I wanted & I got the cameras for a combined savings of a $1,000 dollars less then any other place. Do they screw customers? All I can report back to you is that they didn't screw this customer! If I ever purchase another camera in my lifetime I will check these folks out along with all the other usual suspects.

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Feb 12, 2019 13:39:44   #
nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY
 
limeybiker wrote:
I have been lusting for a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens, for some time, so I decided to give Abe's a chance to disprove their BAD Reviews.
So Sunday after saying farewell to my last motorcycle, with cash in my hand I ordered and paid by VISA.

Today I get the phone call I half expected, it does not come with a hood, bag, tripod clamp so I have to buy the attachment kit, so the bait Valentine's Day Sweetheart Deal at https://www.abesofmaine.com/Nikon_AF-S_NIKKOR_200-500mm_f_5_6E_ED_VR_Lens_1028991.html
which clearly shows the tripod clamp at $1089.00, climbs to $1300.00.
I cancelled the order.

Anyone with a good deal available?
I have been lusting for a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-50... (show quote)


Wow. You took a chance, out of misplaced goodness of your heart, on a vendor who you KNEW is not trustworthy. That's like having a convicted pedophile who seems like a nice guy do daycare for your kids.

I suppose Abe's does have satisfied customers somewhere, but why chance it yourself?

Think twice the next time?

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Feb 12, 2019 14:01:12   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
Bokehen wrote:
Just another reason I really dislike these third party retailers like Abes, B&H Adarama.. If at all possible buy direct it's what I've done and I haven't been disappointed in my purchases.

During Black Friday, I purchased a Pentax KP from B&H for $700 {down from $900+ the week before} and a 55-300 PLM lens. Shortly after the package containing exactly what I ordered arrived, B&H reduced price of the lens by $20. After I contacted them, they very graciously gave me a $20 refund. B&H has always been responsive. You have no business listing them with Abes!!

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Feb 12, 2019 17:25:21   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
travisdeland wrote:
Given that this is a Nikon lens, and the Nikon attitude toward grey market repair, for the approx. $100 difference, I'd be more concerned with that aspect. Breaking up the lens kit is a way around the MSRP requirements.


The Abe's listing also doesn't specify if it's a gray market lens or not. If the total price comes out to be less than B&H or Adorama are charging for one, I'd bet that it is gray market.

If it's gray market, there's no factory warranty. Plus if anything breaks Nikon USA will not work on gray market items, even if you pay for the work. You'd have to get it repaired elsewhere, which is still a problem if any replacement parts are needed because Nikon will not sell parts to anyone outside their short list of "authorized factory repair" shops.

Hopefully it would never break and need repair, but if it ever did, it might end up being a $1300 paper weight!

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Feb 12, 2019 17:32:29   #
Toby
 
limeybiker wrote:
I have been lusting for a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens, for some time, so I decided to give Abe's a chance to disprove their BAD Reviews.
So Sunday after saying farewell to my last motorcycle, with cash in my hand I ordered and paid by VISA.

Today I get the phone call I half expected, it does not come with a hood, bag, tripod clamp so I have to buy the attachment kit, so the bait Valentine's Day Sweetheart Deal at https://www.abesofmaine.com/Nikon_AF-S_NIKKOR_200-500mm_f_5_6E_ED_VR_Lens_1028991.html
which clearly shows the tripod clamp at $1089.00, climbs to $1300.00.
I cancelled the order.

Anyone with a good deal available?
I have been lusting for a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-50... (show quote)


Plenty of info on Abe's here on this blog. None of it good. I don't even go to their sight for any reason. Becareful, I have noticed that Amazon sometimes has items they sell from Abe's. Even though I have had good luck with Amazon I will not buy anything from Abe's regardless of who is the intermediary

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Feb 12, 2019 22:37:51   #
Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley
 
Barndog wrote:
I have found that the best quality gear for the best price is through MPB. They are my go to company now. They also beat the heck out of Roberts on the same lenses. Free shipping also.


Yep, I have had very good dealings with mpb.com too.
Good prices and good service. And give you more for your used gear than the others too.

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Feb 12, 2019 23:00:25   #
DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA
 
henryp wrote:
Thank you.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens B&H # NI20050056VR - https://bhpho.to/2SqQauZ
includes 95mm Snap-On Lens Cap
LF-4 Rear Lens Cap
HB-71 Bayonet Lens Hood
CL-1434 Semi-Soft Lens Case
Tripod Collar
Limited 1-Year Warranty & Limited 4-Year USA Warranty Extension with Online Registration


That's the way mine arrived a few weeks ago and I have Adorama's customer service covering my back AND it's a US lens

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Feb 13, 2019 00:49:56   #
billbarcus Loc: IPNW
 
Never, I say NEVER, deal with Abe's

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