Customer protection from unethical coral vendors??

[reefracer]

I just want to clarify that:

1. Yes, I AM TO BLAME FOR MY LOSSES as I did not check into this vendor thoroughly.
2. I was not aware that Canreef had extensive complaints documented in the forum from many others.
3. IT WAS NOT BLOODY $10 FRAGS THAT MADE ME ORDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. From now on I will know to check the here before I go drop cash on corals
5. I am just trying to make it clear that research and caution are our only protection as consumers from some unscrupulous people's actions as no one came up with any other methods thus far.
6. I REALIZE THAT IT IS BUYER BEWARE!!!!!
7. I do not need anybody's I TOLD YOU SOs!!!

[BlueWorldAquatic]

It al comes back to buyer beware, not all vendors are bad, not all mail order is bad either.

The thing you have to understand is that online purchases with any company can go bad quite easily. There are many good online vendors on this site, but you have to be extra careful when you purchase live goods. Too many factors come into play when shipping anythin alive.

Unfortunately not everyone has a LFS that they can go to within a few minutes.

Just my 2c.

Ken - BWA

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by BlueWorldAquatic

Unfortunately not everyone has a LFS that they can go to within a few minutes.

I have to say, some of my nicest frags came from ordering online from another province. The experience was absolutely perfect. But, my order was from a vendor that participates in the forums, has great vendor feedback and communicated extensively throughout the ordering process.
I don't need a LFS around the corner.

[Quinster]

There is another Canadian forum (although a real crappy one) where this vendor is actively advertizing, as well as setting up personal meetings in the GTA area for frag sales.

Seems to have no issue in returning questions either in the open forum or via PM to meet people to accept money and stating he has updated his $10 page.


http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/sh...194#post317194

Please delete my post if this violates the forum rules.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by dreef

Yes well we all don't live in a city that has a wonderful LFS to buy from.And we all don't have a big sack of cash...just try and bare with the people that might have had to save up,even if it was 10 dollar frags.I learned,never ever going that route again,there's other great online stores,to buy from.

If money is that hard to come by then shouldn't one be more careful with it? In my mind ordering livestock online contains obvious risk. In addition this hobby in general is a huge luxury and far from any life requirement. If money is tight all the more reason to smarten up, coral is not a good investment no matter how you look at it.

Originally Posted by Canadian

Wow. Blame the victim much? While I can see where you're coming from it simply doesn't excuse the apparently appalling business practices of this vendor.

Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me.

About a year back I ordered from this vendor, it didn't work out the greatest so I simply didn't order from him again. In the end I got something shipped to me, it wasn't exactly what I ordered and most was DOA but that's the risk you take ordering livestock online from a guy with a fish tank and a website.

I should also note my first post was not targeted at the original poster, just a general observation and response as lots of people seem to be complaining about the vendor in question.

[fencer]

I think the vendor in question has pretty much lost all of Western Canada for sales and I can't think of any other type of penalty that hurts the cashflow into a business. Be aware that there are other vendors that have been just as bad. My cash just go to them anymore.

Like sphelps says:

" Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me."....Scotty Star Trek

[kien]

First off, I would agree that you have to be careful when ordering anything online. However, having said that, I would still expect a certain level of professionalism from any "business". Not everyone can afford $30, $50 or $80 frags, just like not everyone can afford a $200 DVD player. That's why Walmart sells $50 DVD players. Sure, you get what you pay for, but even though a $50 DVD player will not compare to a $200 DVD player it still gets the job done. It should not be dead as soon as I get it home. More importantly though, if I have any problems with my $50 DVD player (within the warranty period), Walmart (or the manufacturer) will stand behind its policies and help me out (at least this has been my experience). They will not ignore my calls or try to give me a replacement that is similar but not the same as what I originally asked for (unless I specifically asked for something different).

In principle this is what I would expect as a minimum level of service from any "business" that takes consumer money. I realize that we don't live in this perfect world but I can dream :-)

[Canuckgod420]

Originally Posted by reefracer

I just want to clarify that:

1. Yes, I AM TO BLAME FOR MY LOSSES as I did not check into this vendor thoroughly.
2. I was not aware that Canreef had extensive complaints documented in the forum from many others.
3. IT WAS NOT BLOODY $10 FRAGS THAT MADE ME ORDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. From now on I will know to check the here before I go drop cash on corals
5. I am just trying to make it clear that research and caution are our only protection as consumers from some unscrupulous people's actions as no one came up with any other methods thus far.
6. I REALIZE THAT IT IS BUYER BEWARE!!!!!
7. I do not need anybody's I TOLD YOU SOs!!!

wow you need to relax a bit......
remember, you came on here looking for opinions.

[AquariumPixel]

I don't understand why everyone who got burned doesn't get together and start a class action lawsuit???