Hi everyone, I fully understand the concept of Abe’s of Maine - I’m not looking to be cautioned on the context. What I’m curious of is if there are generally positive experiences buying from Abe’s if you know what you’re getting into (grey market)? I don’t consider myself being scammed if I know I’m buying an out of market camera as this is my informed decision. What I’d like to know is your experience buying from them - have you received a complete package for the grey market item you’ve bought or do they send our refurbs listed as new items (this for me is a scam)? If you’ve knowingly purchased (lenses and bodies) what has your experience been? Are you receiving retail products or are they out-of-box etc?
Appreciate the insights!!
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I needed a second fx3 for a job, and needed it fast. I called in around 3pm central time, told him I needed it the next day. They told me probably not but they’d call me back. They called me back in 10 minutes, held the fedex pick up guy (at least that’s what he said) until I paid and had it to me the following morning. I planned on breaking the camera, but we didn’t, and it’s still going strong! They didn’t try to upsell me anything and told me to contact them directly with warranty issues- shady part is they made it seem as though it was not grey market. But everyone else was out of stock. That’s my positive review.
Just research customer reviews on reseller ratings and BBB. Their sales staff will call you to upsell prior to approving the credit card charges.
Plus they’re in Brooklyn not Maine.
Knew one friend who purchased a camera from them and they removed the battery, charger, cables, instruction manual, and other stuff from the box and wanted a substantial amount (about the same if he went and bought the missing parts individually on his own, keep in mind that the official charger and battery probably go for $50 and $80 respectively) for them when he called and asked for the missing parts.
I helped my dad order a camera from them or someone similar. Years later, he sent it in for repair and the company refused to repair it because it was “illegally sold” or some language like that.
Grey market. You can buy gear much more cheaply in various other countries, so sketchy retailers basically buy inventory from those countries, import it, sell it slightly below its domestic MSRP to incentivize buyers, and pocket the difference. Basically, it’s a way to inflate profit margins while still undercutting other retailers. Problem is that just about every manufacturer is wise to this and refuses to have anything to do with the gear in question, and the only way to know for certain that you don’t have a grey market product is to check the serial number with the manufacturer, at which point the retailer already has your money and will usually make it very difficult to get it back.
I have bought grey market gear before (my 70-200/2.8 II was one, actually) but not through Abe’s. There’s less funny business to be had with a lens vs. a body, though.
do not consider doing business with them
u want a bargain? Canon USA refurbished or KEH or MPB, for used gear with a warranty
or
a retail dealer that sells new and used gear
B&H or Adorama
or “Amazon Renewed”
B&H used gear has always worked out well for me
Keh is solid
Add in MPB as well. Have used all of the ones mentioned and have not had an issue with any of them.
Can attest to MPB’s responsiveness - recently bough a Nikkor 300mm F4 ED to find a broken aperture ring … a couple of emails later the return shipping was authorized and return shipping label sent to me … they offered a full refund or exchange for another item [which was my chosen option] … broken lens is on it’s way back and I expect another by next week. Smooth process, courteous & accommodating staff and policies … I’m hooked.
I called them about a high end lens, it was about 15% less than trusted sources. They explained it was a “white box” international lens, admited that Nikon would service it. I asked about an American retail version, and it was the same price as everyone else. So I was way more comfortable getting it straight from Nikon.
Every time I’ve called them they do the grey market switcharoo and say oh yeah the website says “in stock” but it’s going to take “3 weeks from China”, and no warranty.
Also, the last guy I spoke with “Ted” was super rude and just talked over me the whole time.
Yeah, fuck them. They are all assholes.