Abe's Of Maine

Full review
Last update (3):

I won't say that I would never order from them again, but the chances of me doing so are very unlikely.  I originally thought, well, maybe I'll give them another chance, since the VP said he'd reimburse me shipping and credit me 25 dollars and maybe the guy that helped me which started this all was a bad seed, but after not being reimbursed and thinking about it, I don't want to go through this experience again.

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Update 2:

I ordered the product on 9 Jul 09 (paid for overnight shipping $75). I finally got it yesterday (29 Jul). I won't get too far into the details, but after I spoke with who I believe was the VP of the company who took personal interest in my case, he seemed shocked to learn of my situation and my review.

He offered to refund my shipping totally and also credit me $25.00 back.

I have not received the $25.00 or full shipping refund back yet, so I hope Abe's will stick to their word. (they didn't)  *note, when i did finally receive the product, it was in new condition.


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Original Post:
I just read a review about Abe's of Maine that has got me concerned, because as I am in the beginning of my state of waiting, I feel like I'm heading down the same path.  I too went to several websites looking for reviews on Abe's before buying through them, because I have never tried before.  They have an item that I have really been wanting and for a good price.  There were other places with similar prices, but shipping made this the best choice, even with 75.00 for overnight shipping, the price was still better.

So, I decided I would give it a shot, because they have so many good reviews compared to the other sites.  I ordered the product nine days ago, paid 75.00 for overnight shipping.  When I check my order status, it still says "Sent to Warehouse."  I don't know what that means.

I called them when I hadn't received my order on Monday earlier this week (today is Saturday).  The man on the phone said that the item had to be ordered from the company directly and they didn't have any control over the shipping and he apologized.  I let him know my discern and that they should state something for those items, because when someone pays 75.00 for overnight shipping, they want it overnight and expect it.  He apologized, and then gave me an excuse that they had so many items on their website, they can't keep track of it. 

I was polite to this guy and we talked a bit back and forth, and I was hoping he would offer to refund my delivery with overnight shipping still, however, the best he offered me was refund my overnight shipping money and still have me pay for ground shipping, which will take 4 - 7 business days.  He did say it would ship out on Thursday.  Once again, it is Saturday, and it still says "Sent to Warehouse."  The same thing on the tracking site as it has been since I ordered it. 

I will offer you three points here on why to stay away from this website and I recommend you do so.

1.  While I was talking with this guy, he didn't really listen to me.  I got the feeling this guy gets calls like this all the time and he is giving me the standard line.  WHen you call, it sounds like its some nice company with a woman's voice on the other line saying someone will be with you shortly.  I have a suspicion it is just a guys shop out of his home or whatever and customer service is the LAST thing on his mind. 

2.  He admitted it, he says he offers tons of items, but he doesn't know their status, what/where they are coming from or when they will ever arrive.

3.  Bottomline, what they are offering is too good to be true for the price.  Any good online store or brick and mortar store understands that your customer is number one, they are your bread and butter, and you take care of them.  Of course, when a customer is being belligerent or rude, sometimes you have to adjust your tone, but you take care of them nonetheless.  I was being 100% polite and respectful and I could picture this guy on the other end, holding the phone away from his face, making gestures with his hand, like I was wasting his time.  Let me say it again, when you pay any amount for shipping, you expect it to be there around the time promised.  WHen you pay for 75.00 of shipping, you darn well expect it to be on time.  I could tolerate a day late.  At this point, I have no idea where my item is and I am really hoping it comes. 

If you don't heed this, and you buy from this guy/website, than you will keep it alive and he will continue to scam people.  I HOPE you can have some willpower to resist the temptation of saving a few bucks and buy from a more reputable dealer, like Amazon or brick and mortar stores.  The price you pay is the price we all pay, when purchasing from this place, scam artists are encouraged and we lose our time, money and it just adds to the already insurmounting distrust which is out there. 

I really do hope this turns out better.  I hope I get my item.  I will gladly come back here and revise my review, but at this point, I'm a little fed up with how they treat their customers.  I would describe it as "the run around."   

P.S>  One thing I left out I remembered as I read over this again is they said they would give me a $100.00 dine card, which from what I understand is very limited and not really equal to $100.00 gift card you can use anywhere.  Checking out the restaurant.com website, it definitely appears so.  Not to mention, there's already coupon codes out there for the site that say purchases over $200.00  you get a $100.00 card anyway, and mine was well over $200.00. 

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Update 1:  20 Jul 09, I spoke with them and they didn't know the status, and had to call the "seller" to find out.  He called me back later and said that it should ship today and be here by either Friday or next Monday - I hope thats the case, because the tracking status still shows "sent to warehouse"