Abe's of Maine

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

I am considering buying a Digicam from "Abe's of Maine."
He has the lowest price and is listed as a "Trusted Store" (4* out of 5*
max.) by DealTime which is a link provided by Steve's Digicams .
Several other vendor rating sites also give Abe's a very high rating.
I always worry about those Brooklyn camera stores after seeing some of
their store fronts posted by Don Wiss from time to time in this NG.
Seems as I recall Don cautioning us about Abe's, but the post was a long
time ago and I can't trust my poor old memory for that length of time.
The fact that their name is Abe's of Maine but they are located on Coney
Island Blvd. in Brooklyn makes me a little uneasy. Seems like they are
trying to give the false impression that they are a folksy, back-home
type store in the backwaters of Maine, out of the dog-eat-dog world of
big city stores?
Anyone have any experiences (Good or Bad) with this vendor?
Bob Williams

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 02:38:41 -0800, in rec.photo.digital Bob Williams
<mytbobnospam@cox.net> wrote:

>I am considering buying a Digicam from "Abe's of Maine."
>He has the lowest price and is listed as a "Trusted Store" (4* out of 5*
>max.) by DealTime which is a link provided by Steve's Digicams .
>Several other vendor rating sites also give Abe's a very high rating.
>I always worry about those Brooklyn camera stores after seeing some of
>their store fronts posted by Don Wiss from time to time in this NG.

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller2003.html
----------
Ed Ruf Lifetime AMA# 344007 (Usenet@EdwardG.Ruf.com)
See images taken with my CP-990/5700 & D70 at
http://edwardgruf.com/Digital_Phot [...] index.html

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Second that on B&H. I have dealt with them most of my life, starting with
their days as a small storefront in the 'teens streets arovnd Union Sqvare.
I have ordered from them ever since I left NYC in '89 and have never had one
problem.

On 1/25/05 5:16 AM, in article gWpJd.6623$V24.3050@fe03.lga, "Don B"
<bvroker@charter.net> wrote:

>
>
> Bob Williams wrote:
>> I am considering bvying a Digicam from "Abe's of Maine."
>> He has the lowest price and is listed as a "Trvsted Store" (4* ovt of 5*
>> max.) by DealTime which is a link provided by Steve's Digicams .
>> Several other vendor rating sites also give Abe's a very high rating.
>> I always worry abovt those Brooklyn camera stores after seeing some of
>> their store fronts posted by Don Wiss from time to time in this NG.
>> Seems as I recall Don cavtioning vs abovt Abe's, bvt the post was a long
>> time ago and I can't trvst my poor old memory for that length of time.
>> The fact that their name is Abe's of Maine bvt they are located on Coney
>> Island Blvd. in Brooklyn makes me a little vneasy. Seems like they are
>> trying to give the false impression that they are a folksy, back-home
>> type store in the backwaters of Maine, ovt of the dog-eat-dog world of
>> big city stores?
>> Anyone have any experiences (Good or Bad) with this vendor?
>> Bob Williams
>>
> I have been warned away from them. The only two NY stores I will deal
> with are B&H and Adorama.
>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Archived from Don B <buroker@charter.net> on Tue, 25 Jan 2005 05:16:15
-0600:

>
>
>Bob Williams wrote:
>> I am considering buying a Digicam from "Abe's of Maine."
>> He has the lowest price and is listed as a "Trusted Store" (4* out of 5*
>> max.) by DealTime which is a link provided by Steve's Digicams .
>> Several other vendor rating sites also give Abe's a very high rating.
>> I always worry about those Brooklyn camera stores after seeing some of
>> their store fronts posted by Don Wiss from time to time in this NG.
>> Seems as I recall Don cautioning us about Abe's, but the post was a long
>> time ago and I can't trust my poor old memory for that length of time.
>> The fact that their name is Abe's of Maine but they are located on Coney
>> Island Blvd. in Brooklyn makes me a little uneasy. Seems like they are
>> trying to give the false impression that they are a folksy, back-home
>> type store in the backwaters of Maine, out of the dog-eat-dog world of
>> big city stores?
>> Anyone have any experiences (Good or Bad) with this vendor?
>> Bob Williams
>>
>I have been warned away from them. The only two NY stores I will deal
>with are B&H and Adorama.


Ditto on Adorama. Their customer service is second to none.

vm

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Bob Williams" <mytbobnospam@cox.net> wrote in message
news:41F621B1.6040702@cox.net...
> I am considering buying a Digicam from "Abe's of Maine."
> He has the lowest price and is listed as a "Trusted Store" (4* out of 5*
> max.) by DealTime which is a link provided by Steve's Digicams .
> Several other vendor rating sites also give Abe's a very high rating.
> I always worry about those Brooklyn camera stores after seeing some of
> their store fronts posted by Don Wiss from time to time in this NG.
> Seems as I recall Don cautioning us about Abe's, but the post was a long
> time ago and I can't trust my poor old memory for that length of time.
> The fact that their name is Abe's of Maine but they are located on Coney
> Island Blvd. in Brooklyn makes me a little uneasy. Seems like they are
> trying to give the false impression that they are a folksy, back-home
> type store in the backwaters of Maine, out of the dog-eat-dog world of
> big city stores?
> Anyone have any experiences (Good or Bad) with this vendor?
> Bob Williams
>

www.resellerratings.com

compare the rating against, say B&H.

and then read the feedback to know what you might expect...

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Bob Williams"
> I am considering buying a Digicam from "Abe's of Maine."
> He has the lowest price and is listed as a "Trusted Store" (4* out of 5*
> max.) by DealTime which is a link provided by Steve's Digicams .
> Several other vendor rating sites also give Abe's a very high rating.
> I always worry about those Brooklyn camera stores after seeing some of
> their store fronts posted by Don Wiss from time to time in this NG.
> Seems as I recall Don cautioning us about Abe's, but the post was a long
> time ago and I can't trust my poor old memory for that length of time.
> The fact that their name is Abe's of Maine but they are located on Coney
> Island Blvd. in Brooklyn makes me a little uneasy. Seems like they are
> trying to give the false impression that they are a folksy, back-home
> type store in the backwaters of Maine, out of the dog-eat-dog world of
> big city stores?
> Anyone have any experiences (Good or Bad) with this vendor?
> Bob Williams


Before I knew better I ordered from them. They overcharged on a battery
and shipping to make up the difference on the advertised low price, bringing
the total to more than B&H or Adorama. They'll never have another shot at
my wallet.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Do not trust people who give good ratings to places they make money from.
Abe's has a greater than two decade reputation for shafting the public. They
do NOT sell cheaper, they simply advertise cheaper then screw the customer
who falls for their trap.
Buy from someone reliable like Adorama. I've been buying form them for 15
years or more now and never had a bad experience. Get recommendations from
REAL people then sort through them and buy from honest stores.
Adorama is at http://wwwadoramacamera.com


--
http://www.chapelhillnoir.com
home of The Camera-ist's Manifesto
The Improved Links Pages are at
http://www.chapelhillnoir.com/links/mlinks00.html
A sample chapter from "Haight-Ashbury" is at
http://www.chapelhillnoir.com/writ/hait/hatitl.html

"Bob Williams" <mytbobnospam@cox.net> wrote in message
news:41F621B1.6040702@cox.net...
> I am considering buying a Digicam from "Abe's of Maine."
> He has the lowest price and is listed as a "Trusted Store" (4* out of 5*
> max.) by DealTime which is a link provided by Steve's Digicams .
> Several other vendor rating sites also give Abe's a very high rating.
> I always worry about those Brooklyn camera stores after seeing some of
> their store fronts posted by Don Wiss from time to time in this NG.
> Seems as I recall Don cautioning us about Abe's, but the post was a long
> time ago and I can't trust my poor old memory for that length of time.
> The fact that their name is Abe's of Maine but they are located on Coney
> Island Blvd. in Brooklyn makes me a little uneasy. Seems like they are
> trying to give the false impression that they are a folksy, back-home
> type store in the backwaters of Maine, out of the dog-eat-dog world of
> big city stores?
> Anyone have any experiences (Good or Bad) with this vendor?
> Bob Williams
>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

This ahole has been spamming of late. If you look him up on resellerrating
you will find he is one of the places with an almost ZERO rating from
customers. YOu would be better off buring you money.

--
http://www.chapelhillnoir.com
home of The Camera-ist's Manifesto
The Improved Links Pages are at
http://www.chapelhillnoir.com/links/mlinks00.html
A sample chapter from "Haight-Ashbury" is at
http://www.chapelhillnoir.com/writ/hait/hatitl.html

"

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Jeremy"
>
> "Fletis Humplebacker"
> >
> >
> >
> > Before I knew better I ordered from them. They overcharged on a battery
> > and shipping to make up the difference on the advertised low price,
> bringing
> > the total to more than B&H or Adorama. They'll never have another shot at
> > my wallet.
> >
> >
>
> Isn't is fascinating how otherwise reasonable, smart people can be duped
> over just a few dollars in lower price?



As is assuming too much. I hadn't bought photo gear via
mail order before and was unaware of the schemes. I
purchased many thousands of dollars of equipment for
at least 15 yearsfor my business prior to that and never had
such an experience. Try not to be so smug.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Yip Yap wrote:
> "Don B" <buroker@charter.net> wrote in message
> news:gWpJd.6623$V24.3050@fe03.lga...
>
>>I have been warned away from them. The only two NY stores I will deal with
>>are B&H and Adorama.
>>
>
>
> I'll add J&R to that list. They are excellent, and their
> shipping costs are a bit lower than B&H.
>
> www.jandr.com
>
> -- Yip
>
>

Interesting!
All of my really GOOD past experiences in camera eqipment purchases were
with B&H, Adorama and J&R Music. The very same ones being advised here.
Thanks all, for the confirmation
Bob

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Bob Williams wrote:
>
> I am considering buying a Digicam from "Abe's of Maine."
> He has the lowest price and is listed as a "Trusted Store" (4* out of 5*
> max.) by DealTime which is a link provided by Steve's Digicams .
> Several other vendor rating sites also give Abe's a very high rating.
> I always worry about those Brooklyn camera stores after seeing some of
> their store fronts posted by Don Wiss from time to time in this NG.
> Seems as I recall Don cautioning us about Abe's, but the post was a long
> time ago and I can't trust my poor old memory for that length of time.
> The fact that their name is Abe's of Maine but they are located on Coney
> Island Blvd. in Brooklyn makes me a little uneasy. Seems like they are
> trying to give the false impression that they are a folksy, back-home
> type store in the backwaters of Maine, out of the dog-eat-dog world of
> big city stores?
> Anyone have any experiences (Good or Bad) with this vendor?

Abe's of Maine
http://www.abesofmaine.com
Customer Satisfaction
Six-Month Rating: 4.64
Six-Month Reviews: 35
Lifetime Reviews: 80




Lifetime Rating: 4.59 Average Reseller: 7.23
High Average: 9.08
Low Average: 3.55



6.50 Pricing of Products and Services
2.79 Likelihood of Future Purchases
3.59 Shipping and Packaging
2.14 Customer Service
0.00 Return or Replacement

> Bob Williams

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

pjruiz(nospaam) wrote:
>
> Check out ephotocraft. I just bought a 20D/17-85mm kit from them, and
> I'm anxious to do business with them again. Their price was fair - $1998
> plus $10.44 for ground ship. The salesperson was kind, helpful,
> courteous and unhurried. They're located in VA near DC. They advertise
> that they handle no gray market items. 6 mos. rating was 10.0 for 18
> reviews. Lifetime was 9.94 for 44 reviews.
>
> http://www.ephotocraft.com/Amazing [...] CCWARE-512

very strange rating... the numbers do not seem to make sense.


ePhotoCraft
http://www.ephotocraft.com
Customer Satisfaction
Six-Month Rating: 10.00
Six-Month Reviews: 18
Lifetime Reviews: 44




Lifetime Rating: 9.94 Average Reseller: 7.23
High Average: 9.08
Low Average: 3.55



6.94 Pricing of Products and Services
9.55 Likelihood of Future Purchases
10.00 Shipping and Packaging
10.00 Customer Service
10.00 Return or Replacement
This merchant has fewer than 20 reviews in the past 6 months.

>
> Paul

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 14:19:04 -0800, Bob Williams
<mytbobnospam@cox.net> wrote:

snipped
>>
>
>Thanks All!
>Sure helps to run things past you guys.
>Abe's is out.
>B&H is in.

Check out 17th Street Photo.

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1755.html


>www.resellerratings is a really an EXCELLENT site.
>I really benefited from reading the customer replies
>Bob Williams

******************************************************

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president
represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of
the people. On some great and glorious day the plain
folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at
last and the White House will be adorned by a downright
moron." [1920]

H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"John A. Stovall" <johnastovall@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:5aidv01t5u1u5ekkkoqj6qmabcr9h9vlat@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 14:19:04 -0800, Bob Williams
> <mytbobnospam@cox.net> wrote:
>
> snipped
>>>
>>
>>Thanks All!
>>Sure helps to run things past you guys.
>>Abe's is out.
>>B&H is in.
>
> Check out 17th Street Photo.
>
> http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1755.html
>
>
>>www.resellerratings is a really an EXCELLENT site.
>>I really benefited from reading the customer replies
>>Bob Williams
>
> ******************************************************
>
> "As democracy is perfected, the office of president
> represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of
> the people. On some great and glorious day the plain
> folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at
> last and the White House will be adorned by a downright
> moron." [1920]
>
> H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

Hi, John, I find your Mencken quote rather amusing, since there are those
who'd contend that the office of the President has been occupied by the
"downright moron" he mentions several times in the past, including Andrew
Jackson and Franklin Pierce... ;-)
It's a tradition, it seems...

--
Skip Middleton
http://www.shadowcatcherimagery.com

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Tue, 25 Jan 2005, Bob Salomon <bob_salomon@mindspring.com> wrote:

> RadioActiveDeals <eli@radioactivedeals.com> wrote:
>
>> however I
>> have a retail store that has been open for almsot 24 years.
>
>What is it's name?

RadioActive Electronics. See it here:
http://donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores/h0101.htm

Don <donwiss at panix.com>.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Bob Williams wrote:
> I am considering buying a Digicam from "Abe's of Maine."
....
> Anyone have any experiences (Good or Bad) with this vendor?

Bob,

I had good luck with them. I ordered a Pentax Optio 750Z from them and
it was delivered in good working order with a U.S. warranty only about
three days after I ordered it.

I suggest you look at a Popular Photography magazine and read what they
say about "Checkrated" vendors. I identified myself to Abe's as a Pop
Photo reader asking for Checkrated service as described in the
magazine. Maybe that made a difference. I don't know. But it
couldn't have hurt.

Alan

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Don Wiss"

> RadioActive Electronics. See it here:
> http://donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores/h0101.htm
>
> Don <donwiss at panix.com>.


LOL. Looks like the high bid got the sign job.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Forget any stores in Brooklyn.
Just go with J&R, Circuit City, CompUSA, etc.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Skip M responds:

>"Developwebsites" <developwebsites@aol.comBATSPAM> wrote in message
>news:20050126232908.11119.00000329@mb-m28.aol.com...
>> Forget any stores in Brooklyn.
>> Just go with J&R, Circuit City, CompUSA, etc.
>
>Oh, yeah, because Circuit City and CompUSA carry such a full line of camera
>equipment and have such a knowledgeable staff.

Hey, don't forget Best Buy. Some years ago, I went in there to check out a
digital camera. They had it. Same price as the local camera store. The guy
could even figure out how to zoom the lens. It takes utter gall to charge full
retail for a product and not be able to offer such a simple direction. Circuit
City is worse. The sales types in the ones I've been in bounce two extremes:
they're all over you wanting to help; they're too busy conversing with their
compatriots to bother with a lousy 900 buck sale. I've never seen a CompUSA.
Maybe that's good luck?

Charlie Self
"They want the federal government controlling Social Security like it's some
kind of federal program." George W. Bush, St. Charles, Missouri, November 2,
2000

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 22:04:02 -0800, "Skip M" <shadowcatcher@cox.net>
wrote:

>"Developwebsites" <developwebsites@aol.comBATSPAM> wrote in message
>news:20050126232908.11119.00000329@mb-m28.aol.com...
>> Forget any stores in Brooklyn.
>> Just go with J&R, Circuit City, CompUSA, etc.
>
>Oh, yeah, because Circuit City and CompUSA carry such a full line of camera
>equipment and have such a knowledgeable staff.

And list prices. I have had no problems with the Brooklyn stores I
have used other than the usual attempts to load you with accessories.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Bob Williams wrote:
> I am considering buying a Digicam from "Abe's of Maine."
> He has the lowest price and is listed as a "Trusted Store" (4* out of
5*
> max.) by DealTime which is a link provided by Steve's Digicams .
> Several other vendor rating sites also give Abe's a very high rating.
> I always worry about those Brooklyn camera stores after seeing some
of
> their store fronts posted by Don Wiss from time to time in this NG.

I wouldn't worry about the outside of the store so much. Check
resellerratings.com. Abe's of Maine is not well regarded (4.72 rating).

I have used, without incident:

buydig.com: 8.64
B&H: 8.69
Adorama: 5.56
Amazon: 6.67

In general, Amazon and Buydig have had the best prices. I bought a 20D
from Amazon, and the final price, after all rebates, credits, etc., was
a lot less than anywhere else.

I'm kind of surprised at the the low rating of Adorama. I did run into
one issue with them last year, where they would not honor the price on
their web site, and they simply cancelled my order, but I'm sure that
it was a pricing error, since the price for what I ordered was
abnormally low.

Buydig is the same as Beach Camera (8.99 rating). Beach used to be one
of the worst of the worst, I remember trying to buy a film SLR from
them back in the early 1990's, and fortunately I didn't lose any money.
But maybe there is a possibility for a bad company to turn around. A
colleague bought a Canon 20D from Buydig without incident.
For the NY area stores, Buydig is almost always the least expensive.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In message <UWxJd.5854$8Z1.723@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com>,
"Yip Yap" <yip@no.spam> wrote:

>I'll add J&R to that list. They are excellent, and their
>shipping costs are a bit lower than B&H.
>
>www.jandr.com

Their prices are generally higher, and I don't think they do refunds as
liberally as Adorama and B&H.
--

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>>< ><<>
John P Sheehy <JPS@no.komm>
><<> <>>< <>>< ><<> <>>< ><<> ><<> <>><

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On 27 Jan 2005 11:26:12 -0800, "Scharf-DCA" <scharf@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>Bob Williams wrote:
>> I am considering buying a Digicam from "Abe's of Maine."
>> He has the lowest price and is listed as a "Trusted Store" (4* out of
>5*
>> max.) by DealTime which is a link provided by Steve's Digicams .
>> Several other vendor rating sites also give Abe's a very high rating.
>> I always worry about those Brooklyn camera stores after seeing some
>of
>> their store fronts posted by Don Wiss from time to time in this NG.
>
>I wouldn't worry about the outside of the store so much. Check
>resellerratings.com. Abe's of Maine is not well regarded (4.72 rating).
>
>I have used, without incident:
>
>buydig.com: 8.64
>B&H: 8.69
>Adorama: 5.56
>Amazon: 6.67
>
>In general, Amazon and Buydig have had the best prices. I bought a 20D
>from Amazon, and the final price, after all rebates, credits, etc., was
>a lot less than anywhere else.
>
>I'm kind of surprised at the the low rating of Adorama. I did run into
>one issue with them last year, where they would not honor the price on
>their web site, and they simply cancelled my order, but I'm sure that
>it was a pricing error, since the price for what I ordered was
>abnormally low.
>
>Buydig is the same as Beach Camera (8.99 rating). Beach used to be one
>of the worst of the worst, I remember trying to buy a film SLR from
>them back in the early 1990's, and fortunately I didn't lose any money.
>But maybe there is a possibility for a bad company to turn around. A
>colleague bought a Canon 20D from Buydig without incident.
>For the NY area stores, Buydig is almost always the least expensive.


Bought my husband's Canon A95 from Buydig.com... no problem at all.

Bought my own Olympus C-5050 from KEH.com, used... and got a great
camera with pristine lens.

I'd say both are worth checking!

Cynthia