This was my first (and LAST) order from Abe's of Maine. I ordered a $1,200 Canon lens.
I ordered online and "Fred" insisted on calling me to confirm the shipping order. Fred wanted to sell me a bunch of extras. I had a difficult time getting him off the phone. I finally convinced him I did not need any extra items. If I wanted the extra items, I would have ordered them in the first place!
The lens was shipped. Since this order was more troublesome then other equipment I have ordered in the past, I did a little research on internet. I specifically searched photo.net and someone had made a comment that Abes of Maine had a prior history of sending used equipment instead of new. I immediately did not trust them.
UPS came to the door - I was not home. UPS left a "Sorry we missed you note" on my door. I called the UPS number and asked them to hold it for pickup that same evening. The UPS representative told me that the delivery was restricted to only someone in my house (not a neighbor) and it could not be held for delivery until after a mandatory 3 attempts for delivery. I told UPS don't bother coming back because I could not be there at the time of delivery. On the third day, the UPS driver got tired of coming to my house so he let my neighbor sign for the lens.
After the first delivery attempt, I sent Abes of Maine a compliant email asking why they put so many restrictions on the delivery. Well, it did not surprise me they never responded by phone or email.
My neighbor signed for it on the third attempt. When I got back home that day, the neighbor brought it up to the house. I asked him to stay as a witness because the package was "bulged". Who stuffs a $1,200 lens in a box that is too small??!
I opened the box and pulled out the lens box. It was a little crushed in the sides. The packing (plastic wrapping) of the lens was not the normal factory wrap for Canon. The lens had obviously been opened before it was shipped to me. The end cap was damaged. It was obviously used. When I unscrewed the lens cap (camera end of the lens), the inside of the cap has dust and debris in it. White flecks to be exact - in my opinion, this cap did not originally come with this lens.
I immediately called "Fred" — all of sudden Fred had no time for me. Imagine that!
Fred sent me to customer service. Customer service eventually gave me a RMA number after I requested it twice. Customer service offered to have UPS pick up my lens the next day. I explained I was not going to leave the lens on the front step waiting for UPS to pick it up. It took an act of congress to sign for the lens and now they want me to leave it unattended on the front step & I don't think so!
I explained to customer service I would pay to return by insured mail. After 25 minutes in the phone, I hung up and put it in the car to take to the post office. Know what Abes of Maine did the next day??? They sent UPS to pick up the lens - now I look stupid for not having the lens ready for UPS.
Hey Abes of Maine - I DID NOT give the lens to UPS. I took responsibility for returning that lens to you.
Abes of Maine, you make it difficult to buy. You send me used merchandise you sell as new (opened in front of a witness and I took pictures), you don't listen when I tell you NOT to tell UPS to come to my door. Why oh Why would I EVER want to buy another thing from you?!!!
I ordered a new lens from another online retailer. I expect when you get my lens, a FULL refund will be issued and you should be grateful I don't bill you for my cost to return your USED lens.
TO those who read this & don't put yourself through the headache, buy your good from another retailer!!!
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