Newbies be Carefull!!
 

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.

go ahead and Pm me

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

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.

Agreed.

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.

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.

We at Blueworld have 72hour live guarantee. I know many others don't.

Sorry about your experience you the other store.

Not sure if one of those is the same store that I thought had a similar guarantee... but only for 5 days.... until I read the fine print.:rolleyes: "This guarantee does not apply to marine livestock"


Please PM me the store names if you don't mind :biggrin: Thanks.

Upon further investigation, the "warranties" are only on Freshwater fish, not marine. Sorry, figured if they warrantyed one type of fish, why not others?