Let me preface this by saying that I do not usually order things so close to when I need them. However, I have two photo shoots this week: one on Friday which is casual, and a big shoot on Saturday. So earlier this week I ordered a Lexar 16gb 600x cf card with expedited shipping from Amazon.com which was sold through them by Abe's of Maine. Ive heard of Abe's but had never used them before... now I know. Trust = lost.
Card came in tonight, wrecked. The memory card's retail packaging is crushed and damaged, the seal was already broken, the case is broken and wont stay closed, the card is scratched up and dirty (yes actual dirt/lint), there are visible fingerprints on the case and card... RAGE. I was sent a damaged, used item. You would think that when someone orders a "professional" grade high dollar memory card AND expedited shipping that they would at least send a new item. Nope, this thing looks like they pulled it out of the trash, wiped it on their jeans and shipped it to me.
I called Amazon and although the guy apologized, he said that I need to contact Abe's and that there is nothing that they can do. I called Abe's and they are closed. The recording says that they are open tomorrow from 10am to 2:30pm. They are closed Saturday and Sunday.
I just want what I paid for, a new Lexar 16gb 600x cf for my shoots this week.
So I sent Abe's a love note...
Order ID 002-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:
1 of Professional LCF16GCRBNA600 16 GB CompactFlash (CF) Card [ASIN: B002TZSFY2]
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I ordered a "Professional" 16gb Lexar 600x compact flash card earlier this week with expedited shipping. I have two photo shoots, one on Friday and one on Saturday that I need this card for. The card just came in tonight (8:30pm Thursday Nov 17,2011) and it is damaged, broken, and clearly used. The retail box that it came in is dinged, bent, and just in terrible shape. The seal on the box was already broken. The interior plastic packaging is also bent and damaged. The case that the card comes with is broken and wont stay closed. Both the memory card itself and the case are covered in finger prints and scuff marks/scratches. The memory card is clearly used.
I have a $2000 camera and I will not put this dirty, used card in it to even check to see if it functions. This is unacceptable. Not only did I pay for a "professional" high end memory card, but I paid for expedited shipping and handling. A used card should NEVER have been sent to me, let alone one in such poor shape. I absolutely need a 16gb 600x card at least for my photo shoot on Saturday. I have paid a lot of money to set up this photo shoot, which would all go to waste. All I want is what I paid for, a NEW Lexar 16gb 600x cf card. Not a filthy used, dented up card and a headache. I have attached images taken with my cell phone right after I opened the package.
Tomorrow I am going to be at the photo shoot all day and into the night. I dont have time to race around and try to find a memory card locally. I will try to call in to your retail location to see if anything can be done, however I will not have much time to do so.
To say that I am shocked and disappointed would be an understatement. In all of my years of photography and ordering online, this is the worst experience that I have had. I regret trusting in Abe's to provide what I needed, to provide what I paid for and what was promised.
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Here are some pictures I took with my cell phone. If I had a card Id take them with my 7d!
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Minor Update: I ended up calling Amazon again to see if there was any way that they could get me a card for Saturday. The rep was able to order me a new card at the same price of $90 (it is $127.43 sold through Amazon), and add on $8.06 one day shipping. It is coming from Amazon's warehouse in Tennessee. He assured me that it will be here tomorrow (Friday) in time for my shoot Saturday. We shall see. He was really nice though and the first rep did not offer this option to me. So Im glad that I called back. I really hope that it gets here in time. Its kind of annoying though to have both charges on my card. He said that until Abe's issues me a refund that's how it is.