pillowfish
#2
Post deleted. PLEASE RESPECT VE FORUM RULES. IF IT'S NOT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IT IS NOT ALLOWED IN THIS FORUM
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Terrible experience at Aquarium Gallery - Hudson, NH
- Thread starter dvasq8385
- Start date
origreefer
Since 1987
I've had just the opposite experience at AG. I selected a beautiful Comet (Marine Beta) for purchase. Since these fish don't do a lot of swimming and are shy, I didn't notice that the fish wasn't doing well. The salesperson refused to sell it to me and told me it hadn't been doing well since they got it. They recommended they hold it for a few days to see how things panned out. As it turned out, the fish died about a week later. I had paid for it, but they were holding it for me.. They simply gave me credit towards a new one. Nice. I got a replacement Comet and it is surely the show fish in my Elos tank.
Us hobbyists are in such a rush to get new livestock. Every week all the local stores list their new arrivals on the web site. I can't get to the stores till late Sunday. When i get there, almost all the stuff they listed is long gone and picked clean. No-one quarantines, that's just the way it is. We want the animal now, we take the risk.
Us hobbyists are in such a rush to get new livestock. Every week all the local stores list their new arrivals on the web site. I can't get to the stores till late Sunday. When i get there, almost all the stuff they listed is long gone and picked clean. No-one quarantines, that's just the way it is. We want the animal now, we take the risk.
Sherri
Non-member
Unfortunately I was not aware of AG's change in policy around fish, corals and returns. I had bought 2 bengaii some time ago from AG and they were teeny tiny. They grew up and decided to fight so I managed to catch one and brought it into work. I waited for AG to open and brought him over. Marc informed me of the new policy but at that point the fish had been in a bag for 5 hours, I had no time to take the fish and go to Salem -- so I left him. So if you have not heard -- the new policy is no store credit.
Snidgetless
Non-member
I unfortunately found out the same policy change when i had to bring back a beautiful grouper to AG. I had only had the fish for about three weeks, and although super healthy it just wasn't a match with my lionfish. I told them i was not able to find it a new home and could we meet half way or something and i was told i can bring it back but they cannot offer me any store credit or work with me in any way. They would have turned around and just sold the fish for $150, ontop of what i originally paid i am sure they would have tripled their profit on that one fish. Why could they not be more reasonable with a perfectly healthy beautiful fish, and worked with me just a little??? Is it really that big of an issue to work with a customer a little who has spent (literally) over a thousand in just this last year at that store? Needless to say i have yet to return.
Personally, I've had nothing but good experiences at TAG. Marc, Myk, Ray, Kevin(?) and a few others that I'm not sure of their name have always been nothing but helpful. If you remember, not too long ago, TAG would always have some very high end($400 and up)for sale. Marc and Myk have figured out that they actually have to sell things to make a profit, instead of having the same things for long periods of time. Now, when they get a high priced item in stock, if it doesn't sell, there is a good chance it will be fragged up to make things more affordable. The green and purple aussie acan that was there not too long ago was a perfect example. It was put out with the price tag that it should have, and it didn't sell. There was alot of interest, so it got fragged up. Now, a whole bunch of people were able to get a small piece of a sweet coral, instead of the whole colony remaining on "display" for months on end.
Text deleted, not experience.
Text deleted, not experience.
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RayD
The Chicago Experience!
I'll share the same story with all of you that I shared with Dan.
About 4 years ago my daughter (around 12 at the time) wanted to get her dad something for father's day all by herself. So she had mom drive her to the LFS and she picked out a beautiful Diamond Goby. She asked the associate if the fish was a jumper and he replied "definitely not". So with her own money that she had saved up she forked over the $30 for the fish.
The next morning the fish was on the carpet and my little girl was crying. I told her not to worry we'll freeze the carcass and bring it back. I knew that the DG would be a jumper but I didn't want to say anything.
We returned the dead fish to the store and I was told "yea that's tough, <expletive> happens." followed by a chuckle. My daughter stood there with tears in her eyes. I was not offered another fish, a refund, a reach around, nothin!!
I don't know of ANY SW LFS in this area that offers returns on reef animals. Freshwater fish yes but not SW. There's just too many variables.
You had the Grouper for three weeks and expected a full refund? Doesn't that sound a little unreasonable? Alot can happen to a fish in three weeks. I think you have to think clearly before passing judgment.
Anyone that knows me and sees me at AG knows I take good care of my customers first and foremost. No exceptions.
About 4 years ago my daughter (around 12 at the time) wanted to get her dad something for father's day all by herself. So she had mom drive her to the LFS and she picked out a beautiful Diamond Goby. She asked the associate if the fish was a jumper and he replied "definitely not". So with her own money that she had saved up she forked over the $30 for the fish.
The next morning the fish was on the carpet and my little girl was crying. I told her not to worry we'll freeze the carcass and bring it back. I knew that the DG would be a jumper but I didn't want to say anything.
We returned the dead fish to the store and I was told "yea that's tough, <expletive> happens." followed by a chuckle. My daughter stood there with tears in her eyes. I was not offered another fish, a refund, a reach around, nothin!!
I don't know of ANY SW LFS in this area that offers returns on reef animals. Freshwater fish yes but not SW. There's just too many variables.
You had the Grouper for three weeks and expected a full refund? Doesn't that sound a little unreasonable? Alot can happen to a fish in three weeks. I think you have to think clearly before passing judgment.
Anyone that knows me and sees me at AG knows I take good care of my customers first and foremost. No exceptions.
expatgoalie
Non-member
having dealt with Ray on occasion, I can say I have had nothing but good experiences at AG... He is good people and will give you an honest answer, not feed you a line just to get a sale.
Also to edit: The store policy may suck, but hey- It's written right on the freaking wall when you check out!!! If you don't like the policy, don't buy livestock there... It should be simple as that, nothing more.
Also to edit: The store policy may suck, but hey- It's written right on the freaking wall when you check out!!! If you don't like the policy, don't buy livestock there... It should be simple as that, nothing more.
Sherri
Non-member
I don't mind not getting a full refund -- that's not to be expected. I don't even care that you don't want to sell and even give a third. That's your choice about how you do business. But there are stores that will give you something if you bring them a fish and they sell it. The change in policy is the hard part as I had no idea. I would have planned better and taken the fish to someone who would have given me something.
Snidgetless
Non-member
Maybe in some way i made myself unclear to you, either that or you didn't read what i wrote. At no point in time did i ever expect a full refund, as a matter of fact i wrote this instead "I told them i was not able to find it a new home and could we meet half way or something and i was told i can bring it back but they cannot offer me any store credit or work with me in any way." I am not sure how you can read that and take it to mean "i demand full store credit". The fish was beautifully healthy, and i was not just some shmuck looking to dump a fish off to a store. I was a loyal customer for over a year that would be in the store on a weekly basis and as i previous said, spent well over a grand in the past year. Now listen, i know you feel the need to defend the store because you work there and all... but one would think with amount of time and money certain customers spend at that place that management would be willing to work with these people to keep loyal customers. I am not asking for a full store credit, take the fish back and sell it again at full price. Quarantine it in a tank for a week to double check its health, no scams here. Maybe even offer something small in return like a few buckets of RO/DI. But way to treat loyal customers... i won't be going back there again.
Cardiak
Non-member
I've been to AG once and aside from the big chicken standing outside handing out bad coupons it was a very pleasant experience. I think they're one of the better best fish stores I've seen with selection/customer service. Anyways, just about every fish store I have been to will have a sign stating their policy on not refunding returned fish... this is nothing new.
People keep making the point that it's about the fish health, and we understand this. All the post read the same "If I had of knowen I wouldn't be compensated" Is it fish health or money that is flameing people here?
I have people who call 30 days later, and tell me there fish jumped they want there money back? What would you do?
Research the item you place in your tank before you by the item. Why is the Lfs fault 4 weeks later when a fish gets ich? We help you here make great choices, and more than once told people not to buy the said item only to have the person get very upset an exclaim they will buy it somewhere else.
We are drafting a return policy today, and will be the last time we comment about this in this thread.
Myk
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Sherri
Non-member
Myk -- I really don't care what your policy is - just let people know when you are changing it. You have to do what is right for your business and then people make choices about where they shop based on your policies.
All I said was that I did not know it had changed since the last time I was in. Doesn't do me a lot of good reading a policy when I am in the store fish in hand now does it? Is it money -- what the $7.50 I would have gotten at a third? For me, I doubt it, but Bengaii are not that expensive. But it is good for you -- you get to sell the fish twice. I made the decision to let that be as I did not have anything else I could do with the fish. And no, I don't think you need to accept responsibility for my fish fighting or someone's fish jumping or getting ich or buyer stupidity -- I have never said that. It just would have been nice to know the policy had changed. That's all I have been saying -- I just did not know it had changed.
I don't think I was flaming --- sorry you feel that way. I should remember to only post experiences that are 100% positive. Shame on me.
All I said was that I did not know it had changed since the last time I was in. Doesn't do me a lot of good reading a policy when I am in the store fish in hand now does it? Is it money -- what the $7.50 I would have gotten at a third? For me, I doubt it, but Bengaii are not that expensive. But it is good for you -- you get to sell the fish twice. I made the decision to let that be as I did not have anything else I could do with the fish. And no, I don't think you need to accept responsibility for my fish fighting or someone's fish jumping or getting ich or buyer stupidity -- I have never said that. It just would have been nice to know the policy had changed. That's all I have been saying -- I just did not know it had changed.
I don't think I was flaming --- sorry you feel that way. I should remember to only post experiences that are 100% positive. Shame on me.
Snidgetless
Non-member
Yeah, i am pretty sick of going back and forth on the subject too. It is clear to me you guys are just not getting what we are talking about. Honestly, Mental1 and myself are not even talking about bringing back a dead fish, or even something that is sick. You can research a fish a thousand times over and he may be a perfect fit for your tank and its inhabitants. But if you bring the fish home and it just flat out does not get along with the other guys, how is that anybodies fault? It is not ours, it is certainly not yours. Why not take the fish back pending health and in some way compensate. You get to sell it twice at a marked up price, how about a 10% store credit, couple gal of water, a frag? Anything to make us feel like you care more about the people and less about the profit...
Hey if we were making the profit on livestock you think we might be making (Not taking in shipping, DOA, Houseing, labor, etc.) We would have no problem with all your ideas.
If you look in our forums you will find many great post about this store. So, to blanket statement "That we don't care" is incorrect.
Selling a fish twice? Who buys the beat up fish? Who buys the fish that has one eye now due to "Not my fault items" you placed in your tanks. Nobody. Poor guys sit, and people point at the livestock and say "Your vendor sent you this" Or a post starts with "Hey I was at AG, and there fish looked hacked. Does anyone care?" You can't win
We are drafting a 30 day Guarantee now, and should hit the boards by days end.
Regards,
Myk
A return policy on saltwater fish? is the LFS going to acclimate the fish back to their system externally to avoid contamination? thats time spent..time is money.
if the LFS needs that particular fish in stock...give the returner half/3rd/none depending on fish.
Loyal customers are loyal for a reason...perhaps they should get half instead on a 3rd. or give them a frag for the fish? i dont know.
Why does every customer have to be treated the same as ong as they are all treated well?
if the LFS needs that particular fish in stock...give the returner half/3rd/none depending on fish.
Loyal customers are loyal for a reason...perhaps they should get half instead on a 3rd. or give them a frag for the fish? i dont know.
Why does every customer have to be treated the same as ong as they are all treated well?
Sorry Sherri, but the policy has been posted in the store since Jan 1st on the counter, and on the walls in about 5 diffrent places. Sorry your experience was bad with us. Like I said there is a better policy that Marc is drafting that should be out today. We are listening to you folks, and changes will be made.
Myk
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