Canadian Reef Octopus Distributor

[rockworm]

I don't know if this is the correct forum, but I am very frustrated with the Canadian Distributor of Reef Octopus. I do not know who the distributor is, but I am watching my 400g SPS tank slowly die because they cannot provide a timely delivery of a large protein skimmer. I ordered a Reef Octopus SRO 6000ext Recirculating External Protein Skimmer through my local LFS on December 14, 2016. I ordered it because my old Reeflo Orca 250 pro skimmer finally bit the dust and I could not get the replacement part I needed. I ordered a different skimmer pump, added it, through plumbing modifications to my skimmer and it was not strong enough, so a new skimmer was in order.

I made the order through and was told it would be at there before the new year. It did not arrive and I followed up with my LFS on January 5. The LFS has tried to contact the distributor twice, to no avail. I again contacted the LFS and they finally got in contact with the distributor on Thursday, Jan 12. The distributor claimed it was in stock.

I do not know what the heck is going on, but it seems to me that the distributor for Reef Octopus does not care for customers and I would suggest that people consider an alternative skimmer. I am in a small minority who operates a large reef system. This whole experience has shown me that the Canadian Distributor does not give a sh*t about their customers.

[WarDog]

I can only imagine how frustrating this could be. Good luck, hopefully a solution is expedited!

[rockworm]

Originally Posted by WarDog

I can only imagine how frustrating this could be. Good luck, hopefully a solution is expedited!

Thank you WarDog. I have remained quiet to give them an opportunity to deliver. There are many ups and downs with SPS tanks, but this one is frustrating because it is out of my control. I Have lost about a 1/3 of my corals and am now doing 40g water changes every day trying to export the nutrients.

I know the risks of running a SPS tank, but am somewhat disapointed that I cannot get large tank equipment on a short term basis, only because I live in Canada. BRS has one in stock, but between exchange and shipping, it would have cost me significantly more than the Canadian price. It really sucks.

[Bugger]

I ordered a reef octopus biochurn 120r and waited like 5 months for it

[rockworm]

Originally Posted by Bugger

I ordered a reef octopus biochurn 120r and waited like 5 months for it

Ouch. That would be bad news. I hope the distributor is being honest. If I don't get it by Wed I will have to look at something else. The problem is getting it to Ottawa in a fast manner.

[DKoKoMan]

Sorry to hear this! It sounds like your LFS is sent and trying to help you out on their end. Keep on top of them as the LFS should have an expectation of communication or they can dump them as a supplier.

[gmann]

try msg'in coralvue?

i know they are the US distributor, but they have J&l, and other stores in Canada listed under their "where to buy section"

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by gmann

try msg'in coralvue?

i know they are the US distributor, but they have J&l, and other stores in Canada listed under their "where to buy section"

Coralvue will answer questions right away but I don't know if they can control what another distributor does. The problem with having to order through the distributor is that they may not just ship single items to their vendors, they will usually wait until there is enough to send a larger order through. If you are going through a pail of salt every 4 days doing 40g daily water changes and losing a fortune in corals would it not be cheaper to just get the skimmer through the US? Even with our dollar, the items I've looked at from the US are still about par with what I pay here in Canada, just no savings.

[rockworm]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Coralvue will answer questions right away but I don't know if they can control what another distributor does. The problem with having to order through the distributor is that they may not just ship single items to their vendors, they will usually wait until there is enough to send a larger order through. If you are going through a pail of salt every 4 days doing 40g daily water changes and losing a fortune in corals would it not be cheaper to just get the skimmer through the US? Even with our dollar, the items I've looked at from the US are still about par with what I pay here in Canada, just no savings.

If I had known there would be such a delay, I would have gone to an US seller. I accepted the distributor's estimated deliver through my local LFS. I trust my LFS and have since discovered that these delays are common with the Canadian distributor. This comes not just from my LFS, but also from others who have contacted me. The LFS contacted the distributor three times after the order was placed. I finally received word today that it is being shipped from Montreal and will be here Tuesday. The distributor was more than willing to charge the LFS an additonal $90 dollars to get it here for today. They did not accept responsibility for the delay and neither I nor the LFS feel that the extra delivery charge was reasonable. This speaks to the integrity of the distributor and in the future I will try to avoid ordering products that they carry.

I do note that the US prices are somewhat comparable to Canadian prices, but once you add the shipping and import charges (broker charges) plus the taxes, you are looking at a 20% higher price. Once you are above $1000 this adds up.

I do have a large system and expecting fast replacement of equipment may not be directly available from Canadian sources. However, distributors should have something in place for timely accomodation. I don't expect them to carry all products, but they should be set to get them in short order if needed by a consumer. Maybe my expectations are too high.

[Potatohead]

Originally Posted by rockworm

If I had known there would be such a delay, I would have gone to an US seller. I accepted the distributor's estimated deliver through my local LFS. I trust my LFS and have since discovered that these delays are common with the Canadian distributor. This comes not just from my LFS, but also from others who have contacted me. The LFS contacted the distributor three times after the order was placed. I finally received word today that it is being shipped from Montreal and will be here Tuesday. The distributor was more than willing to charge the LFS an additonal $90 dollars to get it here for today. They did not accept responsibility for the delay and neither I nor the LFS feel that the extra delivery charge was reasonable. This speaks to the integrity of the distributor and in the future I will try to avoid ordering products that they carry.

I do note that the US prices are somewhat comparable to Canadian prices, but once you add the shipping and import charges (broker charges) plus the taxes, you are looking at a 20% higher price. Once you are above $1000 this adds up.

I do have a large system and expecting fast replacement of equipment may not be directly available from Canadian sources. However, distributors should have something in place for timely accomodation. I don't expect them to carry all products, but they should be set to get them in short order if needed by a consumer. Maybe my expectations are too high.

Bummer situation.

I believe it is likely the distributor did not have the skimmer in stock when you ordered it, and it has simply taken them this long to get it from the US. I absolutely believe if they are going to offer products in a certain market they should always have three months supply in stock, and one at minimum for slower moving items. Unfortunately dealing with large companies and large distributors every day I realize this is usually not the case. I don't imagine there are too many SRO6000's in the country. I hope your skimmer comes soon.