Anyone purchase a camera from Abe's of Maine?

dlscott56dlscott56 Registered Users Posts: 1,324 Major grins
edited April 17, 2015 in Cameras
Thinking about ordering a new dslr body and was wondering if anyone has good or bad experience through Abe's of Maine?
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  • VA64SkyhawkVA64Skyhawk Registered Users Posts: 34 Big grins
    edited January 11, 2011
    You might check with resellerratings.com first. They have a very checkered history.
    http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Abe_s_of_Maine
  • dlscott56dlscott56 Registered Users Posts: 1,324 Major grins
    edited January 11, 2011
    You might check with resellerratings.com first. They have a very checkered history.
    http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Abe_s_of_Maine

    Hmmm, that's enough to scare me away for a purchase of this size.

    Thanks for the link!
  • cab.in.bostoncab.in.boston Registered Users Posts: 634 Major grins
    edited January 11, 2011
    A friend of mine purchased his 50D there and raved about them. He was extremely happy with the customer service, speed of shipping, etc. That said, I personally am more than happy sticking with Adorama and B&H... I have never found Abe's (or anyone else) to actually have better prices, and certainly not better service than either of them.
    Father, husband, dog lover, engineer, Nikon shooter
    My site 365 Project
  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited January 11, 2011
    It's wierd, they seem to have good and bad reviews. A person I know ordered from them and was very happy with everything. If it saved me a lot of money I'd go for them.
  • dlscott56dlscott56 Registered Users Posts: 1,324 Major grins
    edited January 11, 2011
    It is weird that they seem to either have raving reviews or terrible ones? I've purchased from both Adorama and B&H. Mostly B&H and love them. There was a $10 price difference on an item so thought it was worth thinking about anyway. I think I'll stick with B&H on this one.
  • HelenOsterHelenOster Registered Users Posts: 173 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2011
    .....I personally am more than happy sticking with Adorama and B&H... I have never found Abe's (or anyone else) to actually have better prices, and certainly not better service than either of them.

    That is SO good to hear! iloveyou.gif

    BTW, I'm only ever an email away if you ever need advice or after-sales support: HelenO@adorama.com
    Helen Oster
    Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
    http://twitter.com/HelenOster
    Helen@adorama.com
    www.adorama.com
  • billythekbillythek Registered Users Posts: 104 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2011
    dlscott56 wrote: »
    It is weird that they seem to either have raving reviews or terrible ones? I've purchased from both Adorama and B&H. Mostly B&H and love them. There was a $10 price difference on an item so thought it was worth thinking about anyway. I think I'll stick with B&H on this one.

    Abe's will often (maybe always?) give you an "up-sell" call (try to get you to buy something more). I know it happened to me when I made my only purchase from them. They are not worth the hassle.

    They will deliver the goods, though, so not a total rip-off. Just a little high pressure. Kind of like asking "do you want fries with that?", only a lot more insisting and expensive.
    - Bill
  • WinsomeWorksWinsomeWorks Registered Users Posts: 1,935 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2011
    dlscott56 wrote: »
    Thinking about ordering a new dslr body and was wondering if anyone has good or bad experience through Abe's of Maine?
    I've purchased equipment or film from them now & then, & haven't ever had trouble that I recall. They've been around a long time-- has to be at least 20 yrs. or more I'd guess.
    Anna Lisa Yoder's Images - http://winsomeworks.com ... Handmade Photo Notecards: http://winsomeworks.etsy.com ... Framed/Matted work: http://anna-lisa-yoder.artistwebsites.com/galleries.html ... Scribbles: http://winsomeworks.blogspot.com
    DayBreak, my Folk Music Group (some free mp3s!) http://daybreakfolk.com
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2011
    dlscott56 wrote: »
    Thinking about ordering a new dslr body and was wondering if anyone has good or bad experience through Abe's of Maine?

    Abes of Maine is no longer actually abes of maine...but rather Abes of the Brooklyn consortium ....... I have purchased many items from ABM but then I noticed an address and phone number change and called well it seem they sold out to a great Brooklyn company that was known for upsales then if you refused the upsale they would tell you the product you wanted for that fantastic price was either out of stock or grey market and to all the stuff normally packed inside it would cost $$$$$$ more...........

    so I refused then and now to do business with such people..........I wish they had not done what they did as ABM was a Fantastic friendly company to buy from and usually the cheapest on either coast during the late 70's - early 90's.....
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • GrainbeltGrainbelt Registered Users Posts: 478 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2011
    Just had a thread on a brand-specific forum I frequent about this same topic. User had an upsell phone call, delayed shipping, general PITA experience.
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2011
    HelenOster wrote: »
    That is SO good to hear! iloveyou.gif

    BTW, I'm only ever an email away if you ever need advice or after-sales support: HelenO@adorama.com

    Really...just an email away...hmmm check your inbox for an email from info@artscottfotografie from 1-3-2011......got no reply yet.....
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • FlyNavyFlyNavy Registered Users Posts: 1,350 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2011
    "....... had an upsell phone call, delayed shipping, general PITA experience."
    __________________


    That is exactly what happened to my son last year. We had to get real nasty with them.
  • dlscott56dlscott56 Registered Users Posts: 1,324 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2011
    Boy, am I glad I checked here first! Gotta love this place. Now I'm just checking B&H everyday for availability of the D7000 ne_nau.gif. For some reason you can't get an email on this item when it becomes available. Have to keep coming back to check.

    Anyway, thanks for all the feedback.
  • GadgetRickGadgetRick Registered Users Posts: 787 Major grins
    edited January 13, 2011
    Have bought from them many times in the past. They do try and upsell you but that's not a big deal to me. Actually, you can use this to your advantage because, during this upsell they will negotiate price.

    I find they're (sometimes) cheaper than others but not always. Do your research on pricing.

    They've always shipped fast and I've always gotten what I expected.
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,127 moderator
    edited January 13, 2011
    Art Scott wrote: »
    Really...just an email away...hmmm check your inbox for an email from info@artscottfotografie from 1-3-2011......got no reply yet.....

    Art,

    I let Helen know that you sent her an e-mail. She did not receive it. Please send her another e-mail. If she does not get back to you there is a problem somewhere. At that point you might try sending from another e-mail address.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • zoomerzoomer Registered Users Posts: 3,688 Major grins
    edited January 13, 2011
    As other already said: All of those online stores that look so much cheaper than than B&H should be avoided.

    I have had good luck with B&H and Buydig. I am sure there are other good ones, these are just the ones I use regularly.
  • HelenOsterHelenOster Registered Users Posts: 173 Major grins
    edited January 13, 2011
    Art Scott wrote: »
    Really...just an email away...hmmm check your inbox for an email from info@artscottfotografie from 1-3-2011......got no reply yet.....

    My apologies; I ran a search and haven't received anything from you. Did you get the correct email? HelenO@adorama.com
    Helen Oster
    Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
    http://twitter.com/HelenOster
    Helen@adorama.com
    www.adorama.com
  • AbesofMaineAbesofMaine Registered Users Posts: 2 Beginner grinner
    edited January 13, 2011
    Hi,

    My name is Sarah and i manage some customer relations at Abe's of Maine.

    - Noticed this thread and wanted to clarify a few things:

    We actually were originally from Maine, owning a small Mom and Pop Shop in Old Orchard Beach-- We moved to Brooklyn (and then out of Brooklyn to New Jersey) because Abe, my boss and the president, relocated to the tri state area. you can read more about our history here-- http://www.abesofmaine.com/abesHistory.do

    We try to provide the best possible service and take customer feedback very seriously. We monitor blogs and review forums and take every piece of feedback as an opportunity to grow. You can see our Promise and policy here :http://www.abesofmaine.com/abesPromise.do

    That being said, if you have any questions or comments feel free to email me or message me here. I am here to help

    Email- Sarah (at) Abesofmaine.com
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2011
    HelenOster wrote: »
    My apologies; I ran a search and haven't received anything from you. Did you get the correct email? HelenO@adorama.com

    I did a cut and paste of your email addy....sent as a FWD from my info@artscottfotografie.com .....thanks
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,127 moderator
    edited January 14, 2011
    Art Scott wrote: »
    I did a cut and paste of your email addy....sent as a FWD from my info@artscottfotografie.com .....thanks

    Because of the Adorama schedule of operation I believe that Helen is off today and tomorrow. Please be a little more patient. She will get back to you as soon as she possibly can.

    Helen and Henry Posner, Helen's alter ego at B&H (now I probably started something :D) are pretty wonderful and both are here to help. thumb.gifclap
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • henryphenryp Registered Users Posts: 144 Major grins
    edited January 16, 2011
    ziggy53 wrote: »
    Because of the Adorama schedule of operation I believe that Helen is off today and tomorrow. Please be a little more patient. She will get back to you as soon as she possibly can.

    Helen and Henry Posner, Helen's alter ego at B&H (now I probably started something :D) are pretty wonderful and both are here to help. thumb.gif

    Thank you. I appreciate the kind words and agree Helen's tops! B&H and Adorama are closed Friday afternoons and all day Saturdays.
  • Solaros1Solaros1 Registered Users Posts: 6 Beginner grinner
    edited January 16, 2011
    I purchased my first digital camera from Abe's of Maine and was always very pleased with their service and price but I've spent way more of my money with B&H (and a little with Adorama). I don't think you can go wrong dealing with any of these three but my first choice is always B&H. I always look at KEH too to see if I can pick up what I need off the used market as well.
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited January 16, 2011
    Solaros1 wrote: »
    I purchased my first digital camera from Abe's of Maine and was always very pleased with their service and price but I've spent way more of my money with B&H (and a little with Adorama). I don't think you can go wrong dealing with any of these three but my first choice is always B&H. I always look at KEH too to see if I can pick up what I need off the used market as well.

    I've spent my hard earned money at Adorama and B&H. My last purchase was a Nikon P7000 from B&H. A month later they had it for about $25 less on their website. I got in their "chat" with a customer service rep. He said they only price match for 15 days but he woud check when the price changed. Next thing I know he said sorry that he couldn't help me and cut off the chat. No explination-No nothing. Just a sorry and good-bye. A few days went by and I got an email asking how my contact went with customer service...I wrote them back telling how I was treated. I'ts been a week now and no response from B&H. Hmmm I guess they really don't care now that they have my money.
  • HelenOsterHelenOster Registered Users Posts: 173 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2011
    ziggy53 wrote: »
    Because of the Adorama schedule of operation I believe that Helen is off today and tomorrow. Please be a little more patient. She will get back to you as soon as she possibly can.

    Helen and Henry Posner, Helen's alter ego at B&H (now I probably started something :D) are pretty wonderful and both are here to help. <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/thumb.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >clap

    <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> Thanks, Ziggy. Yes, I finally took a complete Friday off for the first time in over a year.

    [Not sure what Henry thinks about being called my alter ego :giggle - I do know that I've gained a great deal from his knowledge & experience]

    henryp wrote: »
    ...I appreciate the kind words and agree Helen's tops! ......

    Thanks, Henry; you're not so bad, yourself!
    Helen Oster
    Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador
    http://twitter.com/HelenOster
    Helen@adorama.com
    www.adorama.com
  • henryphenryp Registered Users Posts: 144 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2011
    Solaros1 wrote: »
    ... I've spent way more of my money with B&H ... my first choice is always B&H.
    Thank you. We appreciate this.

    captain78 wrote: »
    I've spent my hard earned money at Adorama and B&H. My last purchase was a Nikon P7000 from B&H. A month later they had it for about $25 less on their website. I got in their "chat" with a customer service rep. He said they only price match for 15 days but he woud check when the price changed. Next thing I know he said sorry that he couldn't help me and cut off the chat. No explination-No nothing. Just a sorry and good-bye. A few days went by and I got an email asking how my contact went with customer service...I wrote them back telling how I was treated. I'ts been a week now and no response from B&H. Hmmm I guess they really don't care now that they have my money.
    We do care, and I apologize. Please e-mail me with your original B&H order number. I cannot promise I can do anything about the price change since as you noted it was "a month later," but I am certainly concerned you were not treated with courtesy and respect.
  • JustinThymeJustinThyme Registered Users Posts: 112 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2011
    I tried Abes once and that was enough for me to never look there again. I attempted to purchase a 70-200 2.8L IS. Put it in my cart checked out etc. Next day I get a call to sell me more stuff that I didnt want. After refusing the price listed was now a typo on the website but they would sell me a refurb for the listed price which I declined. My card had already been charged and to make a long story short it ended with getting my CC company involved to get the money back.
    My advice is to stick with B&H and Adorama. They consistantly have the best no BS pricing and if you have issues resolution is a phone call away. My only issue with Adorama is after they adopted a new free shipping method it takes forever to get your purchase ( more than a week from 40 miles away). Helen has a way to fix this if you contact her and I complained that I shouldnt have to (they may have fixed this but cant say). Living in NJ when I order from B&H with the free shipping I usually have the purchase next day. With either the customer service in a no hassle process and shuold you need to return you can either walk in or call for an RMA and its a done deal.

    As for price changes as noted above they change all the time, sometimes controlled by the manufacturer. I wouldnt complain over $25 a month later. If they followed this then they would be losing money all the time. I think a 15 day price guarantee is sufficent. If they stretch it to a month then someone will be looking for two months. Next thing you know someone is looking to get price matched on a camera body a year later that is no longer sold.
    Canon CPS Gold Member
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited January 17, 2011
    As for price changes as noted above they change all the time, sometimes controlled by the manufacturer. I wouldnt complain over $25 a month later. If they followed this then they would be losing money all the time. I think a 15 day price guarantee is sufficent. If they stretch it to a month then someone will be looking for two months. Next thing you know someone is looking to get price matched on a camera body a year later that is no longer sold.

    If you read my thread you'll see that my gripe was the way the customer service guys treated me two different times. I understand that they must "draw the line" somewhere and if it's 15 days that's fine. It's the customer service that I got that has me pi$$ed.
  • dlscott56dlscott56 Registered Users Posts: 1,324 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2011
    I have to say I'm impressed by the fact that all 3 stores have people watching these threads and responding to concerns people have had. I didn't know they did that. However, after reading of such varied reviews of Abe's, both here and on other forums, I'm leery and will continue to order from B&H where I've had such a good experience. I only wish they had a way to get notified when the Nikon D7000 is in stock. Instead I'm having to check the site constantly (hate to admit it but am checking daily).
  • philtherowerphiltherower Registered Users Posts: 49 Big grins
    edited January 18, 2011
    I ordered my 30D from Abe's a couple years back and it was about 100 bucks cheaper than Adorama or BH. I don't have any problems with Abe's and if they have the item in stock (as it will be hard to get one for a while), I'd say go for it. I actually ordered my D7000 from Ritz though because that's the only place that had it in stock and everyone's selling for the same price and they're reputable.
  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2011
    Ritz is reputable... but I'm surprised they had a good price, they always seem to have higher prices than other places.
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