Newbies be Carefull!!

[lt1fj40]

So I just learned something the hard way and I wanted to share my experience with other fellow newbie's so they don't make the same mistake as me!!

I found out the hard way, that a local store doesn't have a warranty on live stock UNLESS you have purchased a membership card. I heard a lot of good things about this store so I went in to check it out, I was excited to see the quality and service difference. It was a nice people were helpful.

When I purchased the fish they asked if I had shopped there before, I said no and they said are you going to be coming back?, I said absolutely, so they created a record of me in the computer. I paid and then left.

I did the typical process I have been doing for 2 years, drip accumulating and the fish were doing great, it seemed great the next 2 days and was feeding, on the 3rd day I found it dead. I called the store to see if they would like me to bring the body in when I come in to get a refund. They said yes and a sample of water. No problem, my water is always pristine. So I was like OK cool, how long is your return policy BTW? He was like are you a member? I said I am unsure if I am but you guys put my info into your computer. Laughs and attitude starts....we don't warranty unless you are a MEMBER, I was like OK well I am in the computer and...NO..you need to PURCHASE a membership to get any warranty at all. I was surprised and I told him I was never told about this even at purchase...the guy then says well duh you cant miss it, there is a big freakin sign behind the till. No warranty. I am very busy and have lots of customers waiting, BYE! And the dude hung up!! I was floored, not only didn't I know but I wasn't even arguing I just stated this was a surprise!!

SO I am out 40 bucks on a nice fish I was excited to have and I am disappointed in the store for not being upfront about policy (not even written on the receipt) and what sucks is because of the attitude I received I won't be going back.

So I guess lesson learned, always make sure you know what the policy is...this really sucks as I have had great service from the local stores and they have all been helpful and really nice to deal with until now.

If anyone wants to know the store PM me as it is a site sponsor and I will not post the name.

[Skimmerking]

go ahead and Pm me

[FishyFishy!]

I really hate to say it brew, but if you expect "warranty" of marine livestock, you need a new hobby..

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by FishyFishy!

I really hate to say it brew, but if you expect "warranty" of marine livestock, you need a new hobby..

Agreed.

[kien]

Can you PM me the name of that store as well?? I would really love to know where I can start buying livestock with guaranteed warranty!

No one in the city that I know of offers warranty on livestock of any sort. Sure, there are some stores that if you develop a great relationship with will cut you some slack if something dies, but typically marine livestock does not come with warranty in this hobby. Local fish stores would likely go out of business if they did. Kinda like what happened to Petcetera which did provide guaranteed warranty on all fish including their marine fish. That's something newbies should be aware of.

[Aquarium_Medics]

I know of 2 stores in Calgary that offer a "limited warranty" If the fish dies within 15 days they will credit you 1/2 the value, which to me is better then nothing.

[Aquattro]

Must be nice to have some option for warranty, even if you have to purchase it. I've never shopped at a store that offered a warranty on livestock, I wouldn't even expect a warranty. The store orders it, and the store pays for it. If they refund money, they're out. It's not like they can return it as defective to the manufacturer...
Fish sometimes die, that's why you try to get good at picking healthy ones. And even then, sometimes they die. Not the store's fault, it just happens.

[Mike-fish]

There is only the one store in Edmonton with a paid membership to the best of my knowledge. And this warning shud be to all know what to look for in a fish before you buy. I look at each fish for a good 15-20min then at the rest of the tanks not as long (but keep an eye out for any issues with other fish )before I say I'll take it. I also visit the store I buy from often and keep an eye out for anything I don't like (staff included)

[reefermadness]

I don't know of any store in Ontario offering a warranty on Marine fish........

[mexxedm]

Originally Posted by lt1fj40

So I just learned something the hard way and I wanted to share my experience with other fellow newbie's so they don't make the same mistake as me!!

I found out the hard way, that a local store doesn't have a warranty on live stock UNLESS you have purchased a membership card. I heard a lot of good things about this store so I went in to check it out, I was excited to see the quality and service difference. It was a nice people were helpful.

When I purchased the fish they asked if I had shopped there before, I said no and they said are you going to be coming back?, I said absolutely, so they created a record of me in the computer. I paid and then left.

I did the typical process I have been doing for 2 years, drip accumulating and the fish were doing great, it seemed great the next 2 days and was feeding, on the 3rd day I found it dead. I called the store to see if they would like me to bring the body in when I come in to get a refund. They said yes and a sample of water. No problem, my water is always pristine. So I was like OK cool, how long is your return policy BTW? He was like are you a member? I said I am unsure if I am but you guys put my info into your computer. Laughs and attitude starts....we don't warranty unless you are a MEMBER, I was like OK well I am in the computer and...NO..you need to PURCHASE a membership to get any warranty at all. I was surprised and I told him I was never told about this even at purchase...the guy then says well duh you cant miss it, there is a big freakin sign behind the till. No warranty. I am very busy and have lots of customers waiting, BYE! And the dude hung up!! I was floored, not only didn't I know but I wasn't even arguing I just stated this was a surprise!!

SO I am out 40 bucks on a nice fish I was excited to have and I am disappointed in the store for not being upfront about policy (not even written on the receipt) and what sucks is because of the attitude I received I won't be going back.

So I guess lesson learned, always make sure you know what the policy is...this really sucks as I have had great service from the local stores and they have all been helpful and really nice to deal with until now.

If anyone wants to know the store PM me as it is a site sponsor and I will not post the name.

I know exactly what store lt1fj40 talk about. OK, I'll be quick:
1. Sign display "Members get 7 days SW guarantee" which does not say how you can become a member. I was luck enough to ask how I can become a member. $10/year. I was then given a membership info stated "7 days guarantee on SW fish and coral". On the membership info does not say anything that I have to store the dead product in a what size of container, make sure I put the product in the water and bring sample water back.
2. My corals dead three days after. I brought back. With ******* attitude, the manager yelled at me that the corals were still alive how come I ddin't put any water in there. He immediately threw water in my container and said they were still alive. "Bring them home!" I did not think so because my corals had thicken glue stuff around it. It must be dead. Another employee named Chris said there was no guarantee on coral. I then took out the membership info and show them then they shut up. The manager made two conflict statements. First, your corals are still alive. After arguments, he made the second statement "Polyp might be dieing but the flower pot is not". The manager also added a statement "We can't exchange it because what if your friend puts bleach in your tank and it destroys the corals." I had four corals in my take and only two of them die. They did not honor their guarantee after I spend money to become the membership. I demanded to talk to the owner. They owner indicated that there was no guarantee on coral. I had to pull out the membership info once again. Come on, an owner does not even know the store rules? They also owner said the same thing "They are still alive." I said "OK, I will take your words and I will never come back to this store ever again. I will post to Canreef along with my dead corals photos so members in the forum can judge if they are still alive or not." The manager totally had different attitude, a nicer one. I then said "I am here just to exchange not to get my money back!" He then agreed to let me exchange if I brought my sample water and if the water was fine. Of course, 25 mins to drive home and 25 to drive back in traffic. My water was fine. They agreed to exchange it.
Conclusion, I would not be ****ed off if they did not say they had guarantee. I would not be ****ed off if the employee and owner were nicer. I am on the Westend and very closed by this store. However, I am no longer return to this store because of their attitudes. I think lt1fj40 got the manager of the store on the phone whom has funny attitude: talking for one sentence, walking away and ignore customer. I would not say what the store name but... to be warned: this store has green chalkboard behind the checkout counter.