Pierre’s of Exchange St

This place and the owner are a joke! Joe, the owner, stated that he was ordering 2 brand-​new laptops for me from HP, factory direct with the features I wanted. I was told it would take a few days… it took a few weeks. Within a very short time after getting them home, both laptops had issues that the HP rep confirmed as defective — touch screen that would randomly work that we paid extra for, constant freezing. Took one of the 2 back to him 3 times, never a work order, all he did was return it to factory spec and reset it — did not fix. Wanted to return per the reps instructions — needed sales order from Pierre’s and his purchase order from HP – he didn’t have one… said he got them from a «distributor» who didn’t take returns and neither did he because his sales slip says all sales final. That may be true elsewhere, not in Maine. Turns out, both laptops came from Sam’s clubs in other states and one of them was a used demo model that went into service on the floor just in time for the busy Christmas season. This was all confirmed with the 2 Sam’s Clubs. Don’t do business with this sketchy guy, because anything you buy is not as it seems and just might have «fallen off a truck.» Very shady operation…
The one star reviews are not a joke… I would give a half star if it were possible. I wouldn’t trust this character or anything he says if his tongue came notorized.

I had hoped all these other one star reviews might be wrong but this place is a joke. As mentioned before, very shady. I walked in to sell a lap top and he was also selling ties, more of a pawn shop than a computer shop.
I went in with the hopes of a fair deal for an old Dell Inspiron, not demanding a fortune but he proceeded to tell me that he recently purchased one for $ 10 and tried to trade me a mouse OR ipod headphones for a functioning laptop.
Needless to say i was not too surprised but certainly let down.
Bottom line: dont waste your time.

You will know immediately why this store has one star as soon as you walk in. VERY sketchy. The store is very poorly laid and you will notice a lot of the items seem… sketchy. The owner was attempting to show me a camera but wouldn’t show me the one I wanted, just the higher priced «deal». When you start to ask questions he goes on long elaborate stories that hint that he isn’t getting his products legally. After investigating further and reading more reviews here I decided to buy my camera elsewhere. One should also know that some of the five star reviews on here are clearly friends or family who I have noticed purposely down rating other local camera stores and piling it on for Pierre’s.

I have known Joe for over a decade. I like to do business with people I can trust and he is one. Besides they have just about everything you could imagine in there

I can’t get enough of these places with the really-​conspicuous 5-​star review that sounds like it’s scripted, among 1-​star reviews.
Computer builders in Southern Maine are SOL if they need something sooner than mail order. Because this is the alternative. You know how cats like to steal things that are shiny or fluffy, with no regard for the actual functions of the things they mistake for toys, and then collect them in one spot? Pierre does that, but with electronics. It’s a collection. That’s why there’s dust on everything, and also why you get a sort of glazed-​over look when you describe what you’re looking for.
I remember looking for a motherboard with Serial ATA (SATA) slots 7 – 8 years ago, when the technology was over a year old. I had to replace one that had burnt out, so I needed SATA capability and a specific socket type. That’s all. When I mentioned needing SATA, the guy at the counter said they don’t make it anymore, since «parallel is the way technology is going.» I realized that he thought I meant I needed a serial port (USB replaced serial ports over a decade ago). I tried to explain myself, but Pierre slid himself into the conversation to scoff at me for looking for old technology. As I walked off, I noticed a stack of motherboards in the corner that had never been organized — the exact one I needed — THE EXACT ONE I HAD SAID I WAS REPLACING — And there were SIX OF THEM.
This is the kind of thing that more-​or-​less happened each time I stepped through the door. F***ing morons. Places like this exist to rip off your grandma when she goes shopping for a digital camera.

OK, yeah, this place is pretty sketchy, if you walk through the door and still buy something, well that’s your prerogative! The place is a mess and full of out dated hardware, like stacks of old P3 motherboards on the floor. Everything looks like it was stolen from somewhere, broken, and then resold at Pierre’s.
When I was there I saw someone purchase a computer headset and the guy behind the counter took it out of its packaging before handing it to the customer in a bag without a recipt. I don’t know what *that’s* all about!
Shop at your own risk, but at least check it out!

If you get to the Old Port you have to stop in at Pierre’s of Exchange st! I go there every time i i am in Portland because there is no other computer store like it and being a little sketchie is the best part of this store but more so is you can find anything you need and just get to know the owner Joe, he is a great guy and as honest as they com. He is a great guy and will give you a deal every time! Just tell Joe the «Pastor» sent you:)

Probably the sketchiest store in the old port. Really old computer parts and dusty electronic miscellany for high prices. Not entirely sure how it stays in business, but it reminds me of the countless camera stores in NYC. I tried to buy a couple of basic things there when I first moved here, but I haven’t been there in years; it’s not worth it.