Buyer Beware: Big Al's Calgary
 

I hope this doesn't upset anyone, but I am posting a very bad experience with Big Al's in Calgary.

Yesterday I bought a SWC 160 cone skimmer to play with. Shame on me, as I didn't research price until I got home, but I paid $100 more than any other retailer in Canada. Now taking into consideration the shipping costs to a retailer and overhead (I estimate about $40 for this), I got taken for about $60 more than I should have. SWC is in Winnipeg, and I can even buy it off them for $100 less, then plus shipping.

I just got off the phone with the Manager of the store front. I was just asking to credit me back the difference, minus the shipping costs (not the full $100, but expected at least $50-60, I thought that to be reasonable)... But they won't, and because it is in water I am hooped. The only way I get the whole thing back, is if I take the time to order from SWC, or Oceanic or whomever, and take them the new in box, for them to refund me in full with... NOW THAT IS JUST SILLY, and my time is worth something as well, and the principle of things. I use to run retail outlets, and I just think this solution was just plain silly.

So, They will give me a $25 dollar store credit, so I am going in tomorrow to use that right away on food, and won't ever set foot back in that place.

I have always commented on their over priced products, but noticed they were more in-line with their online pricing now. This wasn't the case in the past. So shame on me for not researching before buying, but I just want to warn others, make sure you know what you want and what it costs, so you don't get taken, as I did.

On a side note, after not even a day, the skimmer is working... So I can say YIPPEEEE, but everything else.... BOOOHOOOO!

They won't even price match their online prices.

As for being in water. One day.... should be clean as a whistle. Dry it off and shine it up. Play dumb "it was never used" and see what happens. I did once :twised:

I am honest, and told them it was in water... If they wanted, they could figure it out...

If you can't sell it and be competitive, then you shouldn't be selling it. Or maybe they are just plain gready, and making 40 points on a product. I wish I made that type of profit on my product/services I sell.

I hope they read this, as I know some of the guys there are on Canreef.

You gotta figure how much can they lose overall, as people read this, and all I asked for is a reasonable refund on an amount to sell it to me at market value.

Some store fronts just don't get it!

Hey, not only are their prices high on alot of stuff, I kinda thought you may perhaps mention the fact that Big Al's seem's to think breeding flatworms in all of their tanks is good for business.
Just an added point for all of the newbie's who may be reading this. Now of course you should be dipping, however I would personally never do more than look at anything @ Big Al's except for carbon or something incase of emergency.

I have no particular love for Big Al's, but I respect that any retailer can choose to sell something for whatever they wish. If you bought it...and it isn't defective in any way...how do you figure they owe you anything?

Do they have a stated policy that they will match any lower price you find?

You want to give it back to them after you've used it? What are they supposed to do with it after that?

Express your objection by not purchasing other things from them....but I don't see that they've treated you badly in any way.

I agree.. No one twisted your arm to buy the skimmer and as you stated, you should have done your homework before buying it.

They set a price and you agreed to it when you bought the product.

I've never been a fan of the store but yeah I agree you shop around or you don't complain later.

in Ed some of their common livestock and supplies are cheaper than the other stores, anything fancy is equal or greater cost. but hey if you just paid XXX to much for your brand spanking new setup why not fill it up with as many cheap fish as you can right?

at least a few of them will live

Actually I think they do have that policy of matching lowest prices. Not sure if there is a policy of returning a refund though after you bought it and found out it was cheaper elsewhere.