Buyer Beware: Big Al's Calgary

[globaldesigns]

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!

[paddyob]

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

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by paddyob

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

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.

[globaldesigns]

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!

[spawn]

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.

[untamed]

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.

[e46er]

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

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.

so you admit you didnt do any research on a product and you are upset that you overpaid after you went to a store you claimed was "expensive" to begin with.... im so lost as to why the store owes you anything?
theres a sucker born everyday i guess it was you that day.
you should have researched what you were buying, laziness is expensive you learned your lesson and dont go back there.

[Zoaelite]

Ryan @ Big Al's has been great to me every time I walk in there, I think you just have to understand that it's a major chain store so you are at there mercy.

That being said the $60.00 you were seeking was appeased with a $25.00 credit, that means your trying to drag someones name through the mud for $35.00. I personally think that's a little over the top but we all have to pinch pennies somewhere.

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by zoaElite

Ryan @ Big Al's has been great to me every time I walk in there, I think you just have to understand that it's a major chain store so you are at there mercy.

That being said the $60.00 you were seeking was appeased with a $25.00 credit, that means your trying to drag someones name through the mud for $35.00. I personally think that's a little over the top but we all have to pinch pennies somewhere.

Actually its not dragging someones name through the mud, I am actually giving them the benefit of overhead/shipping and making it $60... If we want to be picky, they would actually owe me more, if we want to call it that.

I actually probably won't even go back for the credit. Just isn't worth it... Remember, realistically $25 of overpriced food, really probably is only $10 out of their pocket, so they are not even giving me $25. If that is the case, then give me it in cash, then it is worth $25.

Oh well, just wanted to tell people to watch out, and guess what happens as normal on this forum. People hide behind the wall of anomynity and bash. Come on people!!!

All I can say as a business owner that actually resells my services. If my reseller was to sell to their customers at 30% higher pricing than what I am at, and that customer finds out, then wouldn't that customer feel ripped off? Yes they would! This is why I offer significant discounts to my reseller, to enable them to make a buck and sell it at the same pricing to their customers as listed on my website. The goal here is to make everyone happy and no ripping anyone off. Now saying that, don't you think SWC operates the same way? yes they do! so that just means that the pricing Big Al's charged me is plain ole gouging.

[globaldesigns]

Lastly, yes I already stated I didn't realize the price was that much higher. So there is no need for further ignorant comments. I am the first to omit my mistake.

This thread was to detail my experience, The Good The Bad and The Ugly. Take it how you want to.

If I save someone from spending too much on a product at Big Al's then I did my job, that is all I am trying to do. Don't read anything else into it!