Where can I get Euro-Reef stuff at a reasonable price?

[MichaelFreedman]

I'm looking for either a CS250 Skimmer and the Model 400 sump. Looks like all the online places are out of them at this time. Too bad, cuz Marine Depot advertises the 250 at $508!!!! Any ideas where I can get this stuff quickly?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[RichConley]

H2Otropicals usually has them, and also has the blemished ones for cheap. Theyre like ER's official distributor.

I'd wait a week or two though, I've heard that the new pumps are coming out in the next week or two.

 

[KAS]

H2Otropicals usually has them, and also has the blemished ones for cheap. Theyre like ER's official distributor.

I'd wait a week or two though, I've heard that the new pumps are coming out in the next week or two.

This is where I got mine. I got a blemished one but you can't even see the blemish. You really have to dog that site though. The blemished ones go fast.

 

[B.rian]

i noticed that they changed the name of the site from h2o tropicals to http://commerce2.i2net.com/able5stores/stores/33/index.aspx and i haven't saw any blemmished ERs for sometime now. does anyone know what is going on with them?

 

[Andy O]

I think that H2O tropicals is actually owned by ER

 

[ScottM]

I think that H2O tropicals is actually owned by ER

bingo.

and now that ER is cutting all the distributor ties, you'll most likely see them sell direct.

desperate times call for desperate measures i guess...

 

[RichConley]

Scott, I know ER has been getting some seriously negative press because of poor customer service (through H2Otropicals, and themselves). This may be a step towards trying to get out of the customer service business.


If they are actually trying to do all their own distribution, thats scary. Their prices are much higher than distributor prices, and are up around H&S and Deltec's prices, and while I consider them to be about the same build quality as a Deltec(though not nearly as well built as an H&S), they can't perform with those two.
If you can get an H&S 200-1260, or 200x2-F2001, (with eheim, or 2 aquabees) for ~$800, why would you ever pay the $798 that ER wants for the CS250 (with genX)?

 

[ScottM]

Scott, I know ER has been getting some seriously negative press because of poor customer service (through H2Otropicals, and themselves). This may be a step towards trying to get out of the customer service business.


If they are actually trying to do all their own distribution, thats scary. Their prices are much higher than distributor prices, and are up around H&S and Deltec's prices, and while I consider them to be about the same build quality as a Deltec(though not nearly as well built as an H&S), they can't perform with those two.
If you can get an H&S 200-1260, or 200x2-F2001, (with eheim, or 2 aquabees) for ~$800, why would you ever pay the $798 that ER wants for the CS250 (with genX)?

selling direct is only going to increase thier customer service exposure / issues.

IMO the old CS styles were great, the "new" styles are not nearly constructed like they used to be

 

[marco67]

If they are trying to get out of customer service, selling direct through H2O and now right on their own site right on the heals of a failed redesign and branding change sure is no way to do it. But then again if you get rid of all your customers you don't need customer service.

 

[marco67]

Seriously,
and to get back on thread, The best price on an Euro Reef skimmer will be on a used ER skimmer, Ironicly this will get you the best quality ER skimmer also.
I don't think you'll find much price variation with new, as of about 1 1/2 years ago Jeff had all dealers agree to a low price point that only he can violate using the H2O site and calling them blems. (ever notice how many "blems" become available right befoe they go on vacation?)