Abe's Of Maine No Problems with This Company Edison New Jersey

It is hard for me to believe the 2 complaints I read about Abe's of Maine. I've bought two cameras from them to date and thinking about buying a new lens from them. They are not always the lowest price mail order store but they do have specials and that is when I've purchased my cameras. I bought a Canon Powershot S-2 from them several years back and that was my first dealing with them. They had a low price and it arrived as promised... all done over the web with no phone interaction. I haven't had one problem with it since purchase and still use it regularly. In June, 2008, I bought a Canon 40D from them which was on special with a 28-135mm lens and a carrying case. I did make phone contact on this one and talked to a typical salesman. He did try to sell me some additional items but I've had the same experience in at least two other walk-in camera shops where I've done business. I did buy an extended warranty which I thought was relatively cheap. He did ask me if I wanted the 28-135 lens or something better-- I declined on that offer as I wanted the advertised price. I also bought an additional battery which he was pushing. I didn't think it was cheap but I was going to buy a spare anyway so I got the one offered. The camera arrived two days after the order with standard shipping, but I live within about 100 miles of their Edison, NJ location. The advertising said it came with a compact flash card but there was none in the package. I called up Abe's and gave them my order number. They said they would ship one out that day. I explained that I was going on vacation in three days and the person on the phone said it should arrive in two days or less. It didn't. However, I was passing near Edison, NJ on my trip to our vacation spot. I decided that I was going to stop at their retail store to see what they were about and complain that I didn't get the CF card yet figuring I might be able to buy an additional one from them at a discount since they didn't deliver on the one promised. I found their building which was just off the NJ Turnpike. It was in a large warehouse building. The showroom entranced looked like nothing but it was a surprisingly large place after I got inside. They had a lot of camera equipment and other electronics (TV's, printers, GPS, etc.) plus they sold larger appliances like refrigerators that are not mentioned at all on their web site or when you call. It obviously was a substantial place. There was one sales person on the floor and only one other customer in the showroom when I was there. After a very short wait, it was my turn and I explained the situation to the salesman. He simply handed me a brand new CF card off the shelf and said have a nice vacation. I asked how much I owed him for that and he said no charge, you should have received it initially and that was our mistake. I was pleased with that. I got home after two weeks on vacation and when I picked up the mail, there was a padded envelope from Abe's with the CF card that they said would be mailed to me during that prior phone conversation. I called them telling them that I would like to return the CF card since I had picked one up from the in-person. The salesperson told me not to worry about, it was on them. The camera has worked fine, no problems with it at all other than it is a very complex device and difficult to learn how to use properly. I have absolutely no complaints whatsoever about Abe's and I would be happy to do business with them any time. I can't understand the complaints that were registered and I guess it says something in that there are just 2 complaints on this web site. In my estimation, the people complaining either didn't communicate properly or have some type of person grudge against Abe's as far as I'm concerned. I will say that they don't always have the lowest price but it is usually within the same range as any of the mail order dealers. However, if you wait for a special, you can usually get a pretty good deal-- at least I know it will be a lot better than the local retail camera shops are willing to offer.

Frank
Wilmington, Delaware
U.S.A.