Newbies be Carefull!!

[lt1fj40]

The purpose of the post was more of a heads up to newbies, coming from years of freshwater it didn't even dawn on me the warranty would be any different. I don't care about the money, it was the fact I was an idiot I didn't know about the membership and warranty for marine fish.

Thanks all for your advice!

Rob

[Aquattro]

I guess for a lot of people here that have never had freshwater, the thought of any type of warranty on livestock just seems kinda foreign Although if I had a store, I wouldn't warranty FW either. Seems silly to warranty something that nobody has any control over.

[globaldesigns]

Also remember this, any store that will offer a warranty (FREE or Membership) in FW or SW, has accounted for it. In most cases you are paying 2-3x more for a fish than normal.

I would suggest finding LFS's that offer great service, product and reasonable pricing. Find these places and support them.

I have had fish die on transport to home, and I don't live far from most LFS's in Calgary, in this case, I have had warranty offered to me. KUDO's to Dennis @ Golds, he treated me well.

[Parker]

We've all had a bad experience at one time or another, I guarantee you'll find someone that has something bad to say about every LFS in town, my self-included. I try to take it all in stride and monitor the noise level around a particular shop.

There is one shop in town I won't buy from simply because the place is kind of dirty. IMO if you don't have enough pride to keep your store and equipment a little cleaner then what kind of attitude do you have to towards the much more important things?

[howdy20012002]

IMO, stores are taking a huge risk saying they will warranty saltwater fish.
Kudos to those that do.
I just feel that there are too many what-ifs in this hobby to expect the store to give money back.
I am truly surprised that the store bashing has been allowed to this point.
everyone has there favourite stores or not so favourite.
In this case, the cost of the membership is minimal and plus they quarantine their fish.
so really, if a fish has made it thru a week or two of quarantine, then gets sold and dies, IMO, the fish probably died due to something the purchaser has done or the quality of the tank, and I don't feel the store should be held accountable.
marine fish are finicky and often die for no apparent reason. I would not expect a store to replace the fish or give me my money back, but just accept as a part of the cost of this amazing hobby.
just my two cents
Neal

[MarkoD]

This store that offers warranty also sells fish for (sometimes) double what any other store sells it for.

So even if they did honor a warranty, you already paid for that second fish

[doch]

As mentioned before, the store in question does have a full bank of tanks that they put the fish in for 2 weeks prior to being put up for sale. I could be wrong, but I believe that they will sell you the fish in quarantine, but at your own risk (no warranty). Yes, sometimes the prices are high, BUT, you are paying for the quarantine process, the lost fish in quarantine, and a stronger chance of that fish surviving when you get it home. In my opinion, all 4 of the stores in Edmonton have high quality fish... but this quarantine does give peace of mind. Is it worth it? Your call. I shop at all 4 of the stores. They all have their advantages and disadvantages.

As for the membership fee at AI, I'm pretty sure that they give you a discount on stuff if you are a memeber, so if you're like me and spend lots of money on this hobby, it can easily for itself... AND you get the waranty.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by howdy20012002

I am truly surprised that the store bashing has been allowed to this point.

Neal

Neal, I hope this thread doesn't come across as store bashing, I haven't interpreted it as such. I think the OP had an unreal expectation being new to the hobby, and that's been conveyed by many responses.

We've all heard good and bad about every LFS in existence, it goes with the territory.
In this case, I don't think that the store discussed has done anything questionable or under handed, and if they want to offer a membership with additional benefits, I see that as a value-added feature. Good on them.

Sometimes stores charge more than other stores for the same fish, but keep in mind, each fish is individual, as is the treatment they get once received.
I've bought 4 PB Tangs in my time of reef keeping. The last one was 50% more than I've ever paid. It's also the only one that's survived and is thriving in my tank. Partially a coincidence, I'm sure, but the store held it in QT for me close to 2 months. That costs money, and I can't expect them to eat that cost.
Overall, I think this thread is of a civil tone, and the store in question should be happy with the exposure.

[BlueWorldAquatic]

Rob,

Always ask questions, there is never a stupid one.

Most of the respectible LFS will give you the best advice to their knowledge. The better ones will admit when they don't know.

We were all there as hobbiest, I have only been in the hobby for about 5 years, but did frshwater for over 30.

There is always something to learn, but remember, something that works for me may not for you.

Just my own personal opinion,

Ken - BWA

[lt1fj40]

Thanks Ken, btw I always have been treated well at your store and always have had great luck...except for my blue legged hermits eating some snails, everything is still alive and going strong!

Rob