Abe’s of Maine

[SwampGrizz]

Anybody done business with them? How was the transaction?

Edit
Should have Googled them before I posted this. Sorry. Got some bad reviews on Reddit and other sites.

 

[StevenAunan]

I bought something from them once, quite a few years ago. The transaction was fine. I have them on my list of vendors, but haven't purchased there recently.

 

[SwampGrizz]

Steven,
Thanks for responding. What I have seen so far is mixed.

 

[Dean Wilson]

Danger, Will Robinson!

AKA: Westpark Electronics, LLC

From the BBB:

"On May 22, 2007, this company's membership in the Metropolitan New York BBB was revoked by our BBB's Board of Directors due to the company’s repeated and unauthorized use of the BBB logo and failure to eliminate the underlying cause of complaints on file concerning: non-delivery of products, misrepresentation of availability of merchandise, refusal to honor cancellations or provide timely refunds, unprofessional conduct, failure to resolve customer complaints, overcharging, undisclosed cancellation of orders, improper upselling tactics, and bait & switch selling."

Warning: Avoid Abe’s of Maine and Other Bait & Switch Retailers

We often get asked why we never list Abe's of Maine, or post some of their "great deals", notably the EOS 6D for $1289. The short answer is, we classify the new Abe's of Maine as...

www.cpricewatch.com

https://www.bbb.org/us/nj/linden/profile/electronic-equipment-dealers/westpark-electronics-llc-0221-27002918/customer-reviews#0221_27002918_391429

 

[MSH411]

Dale, look closely at the description they sell quite a bit of grey market, they list as import. That's how they can offer more aggressive pricing.

 

[StevenAunan]

Danger, Will Robinson!

Yikes!

 

[SwampGrizz]

Yikes as well!!!
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[MikeZ]

I concur with all of the above warnings since I have not read anything positive about them. FWIW, there is no Abe and they are not from Maine (they're warehouse is in Brooklyn).

 

[SwampGrizz]

I concur with all of the above warnings since I have not read anything positive about them. FWIW, there is no Abe and they are not from Maine (they're warehouse is in Brooklyn).

Mike Z,
I think I'll start a Dale's of Savannah, and give them my in-law's phone number as the complaint line. Bait and switch.

 

[Bryan Conner]

Danger, Will Robinson!

AKA: Westpark Electronics, LLC

From the BBB:

"On May 22, 2007, this company's membership in the Metropolitan New York BBB was revoked by our BBB's Board of Directors due to the company’s repeated and unauthorized use of the BBB logo and failure to eliminate the underlying cause of complaints on file concerning: non-delivery of products, misrepresentation of availability of merchandise, refusal to honor cancellations or provide timely refunds, unprofessional conduct, failure to resolve customer complaints, overcharging, undisclosed cancellation of orders, improper upselling tactics, and bait & switch selling."

Warning: Avoid Abe’s of Maine and Other Bait & Switch Retailers

We often get asked why we never list Abe's of Maine, or post some of their "great deals", notably the EOS 6D for $1289. The short answer is, we classify the new Abe's of Maine as...

www.cpricewatch.com

https://www.bbb.org/us/nj/linden/profile/electronic-equipment-dealers/westpark-electronics-llc-0221-27002918/customer-reviews#0221_27002918_391429

When I read "Danger, Will Robinson" and 100% immediately got the reference, I realized that I am officially old.....haha. Thanks for the reminder Dean.

I tried to order something from Abe's of Maine probably at least 20 years ago and the experience was terrible. I knew what I wanted and ordered it only for them to tell me that what I was ordering wasn't really that good. Oh...this was ordered on the telephone from an ad in the back of Popular Photography or another magazine....so yes, I am old. The guy basically made me feel stupid for wanting to buy what I wanted instead of what he wanted to sell me.

I ended up hanging up on him and never tried again. I still wouldn't order from them today if I lived in America.

 

[SwampGrizz]

“When I read "Danger, Will Robinson" and 100% immediately got the reference, I realized that I am officially old.....”

X2

 

[Dean Wilson]

As long as I can carry a camera... I'm not old.

 

[OCDave]

Dale, look closely at the description they sell quite a bit of grey market, they list as import. That's how they can offer more aggressive pricing.

This raises a couple questions: Why does Canon allow this? How do I know where my own second-hand lens originated?

I recently stumbled upon a RF 70-200 f/4m at a local pawn shop. The sale price, $999, was irresistible to my weak constitution against buying another lens. I did attempt to find some Canon resource that would tell me if this was a grey market or even an authentic Canon lens, but I was unable to locate such a tool. It kind of feels like Canon caters to retailers like Abe's.

 

[Grumps]

This raises a couple questions: Why does Canon allow this? How do I know where my own second-hand lens originated?

I recently stumbled upon a RF 70-200 f/4m at a local pawn shop. The sale price, $999, was irresistible to my weak constitution against buying another lens. I did attempt to find some Canon resource that would tell me if this was a grey market or even an authentic Canon lens, but I was unable to locate such a tool. It kind of feels like Canon caters to retailers like Abe's.

My understanding on grey market imports is that checking whether they are genuine isn't that hard. With a new lens the trouble comes with "where is the guarantee valid?" With imports you may be looking at shipping the item back to the country of origin. With a second-hand lens you might be better looking at insurance by a thrid party or relying on the (time-limited) guarantee provided by the reseller.

Disclosure. I have a 500 f/4 IS (from new) which was a grey market import from the States. Bought new. Rather cheaper that a new purchase in the UK. The guarantee wasn't/isn't valid in the EU (as was). Pays yer money, takes yer choice.

I'm not/can't be sure of the country of origin of a couple of pre-loved Canon lenses I have.

I'm also not sure how Canon can stop it. Import/direct purchase from them only (from Japan)?

 

[Dean Wilson]

This raises a couple questions: Why does Canon allow this? How do I know where my own second-hand lens originated?

A Google query will immediately tell you whether a company is an authorized Canon dealer... which Abe's of Maine isn't.

The warranty cards for CanonUSA is white with a distinct red border and red logo, the serial number and product verbiage is printed different then the rest of the writing and of course, Canon USA or Canon Canada but not Canon Europe.

Canon won't honor a warranty from a purchase from a pawnshop, as it applies to the original owner with original receipt (register your lens!)

 

[OCDave]

A Google query will immediately tell you whether a company is an authorized Canon dealer... which Abe's of Maine isn't.

The warranty cards for CanonUSA is white with a distinct red border and red logo, the serial number and product verbiage is printed different then the rest of the writing and of course, Canon USA or Canon Canada but not Canon Europe.

Canon won't honor a warranty from a purchase from a pawnshop, as it applies to the original owner with original receipt (register your lens!)

Yes, I understand the warranty implications of purchasing a used lens. I am also aware of the distinction of the Canon USA warranty card. The question remains; how does one determine the provenance of a used Canon lens?

 

[Grumps]

Yes, I understand the warranty implications of purchasing a used lens. I am also aware of the distinction of the Canon USA warranty card. The question remains; how does one determine the provenance of a used Canon lens?

Determining the Age of a Canon Lens Using Serial Numbers and Date Codes

Yes, you can determine the age of a Canon lens using a serial number or a date code. Let us show you how!

www.the-digital-picture.com

Serial numbers? Whether you can find one on the lens itself. The original packaging may be useful.

https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer/serial-number-checker/