barkmanusd
02-27-2015, 05:46 AM
Been trying to find some German Rams for several months (healthy ones! :o) I looked here, first - of course but didn't find any. I really only buy Discus from Kenny, Cardinal tetra from a local breeder LFS owner & I didn't have 'go-to' for ram.
I found a seller on Aqua Bid who had a 90+ seller rating....not terrible but not stellar either. Had free shipping based on his use of a new 'breathe-able' bag the fish are shipped in with about 2 oz. of water each! I was Leary but seemed feasible and his price was $34 for 7 GBR. 3 - 4 months old. I happened to have a cycled 20 gallon Q/T tank available – so why not.
Well, now i remember why I only buy from our vendors here!
8 fish arrived - he threw in a freebie. Just in case! All 8 were dead!
The box was small but well packed. Box w/in a box secured with a spray foam to prevent extra movement. There was a heat pad inside ($3) which wasn't warm but the interior box didn’t feel cold either. There was a distinct rotten fish odor without opening any of the plastic bags. His refund/replace instructions require they not be open. The first bag (of 4) was a disgusting brown color with feces floating everywhere. 2 dead disintegrating fish inside. The next 3 bags weren't as visibly dirty but all had feces, smelled and had a pair of dead fish. Picture attached.
I emailed and called him. My first call he rudely said I'm making fish food call me back and hung up. I called back in an hour. He tried to blame me for not bringing the box inside soon enough. It was on my patio maybe 2 hours. (Incidentally, the fish were bought Feb 10th with a 10 day delivery schedule. I received them 02/26). I reminded him he selected the shipping option - I had no say.
He offered to replace them if I pay an additional $10 shipping charge! Why would pay more for the same shipment i should have received weeks ago healthy and alive? He reminded me he even included 1 free fish! ....1 free dead fish isn't of much value. Anyway, I'm trying to get a refund or replacement but thought everyone should know. Maybe the next would be buyer will research S.D. better than I before buying from Joe Gargas and his Aquatic Research Center AKA his house. Thanks!
I found a seller on Aqua Bid who had a 90+ seller rating....not terrible but not stellar either. Had free shipping based on his use of a new 'breathe-able' bag the fish are shipped in with about 2 oz. of water each! I was Leary but seemed feasible and his price was $34 for 7 GBR. 3 - 4 months old. I happened to have a cycled 20 gallon Q/T tank available – so why not.
Well, now i remember why I only buy from our vendors here!
8 fish arrived - he threw in a freebie. Just in case! All 8 were dead!
The box was small but well packed. Box w/in a box secured with a spray foam to prevent extra movement. There was a heat pad inside ($3) which wasn't warm but the interior box didn’t feel cold either. There was a distinct rotten fish odor without opening any of the plastic bags. His refund/replace instructions require they not be open. The first bag (of 4) was a disgusting brown color with feces floating everywhere. 2 dead disintegrating fish inside. The next 3 bags weren't as visibly dirty but all had feces, smelled and had a pair of dead fish. Picture attached.
I emailed and called him. My first call he rudely said I'm making fish food call me back and hung up. I called back in an hour. He tried to blame me for not bringing the box inside soon enough. It was on my patio maybe 2 hours. (Incidentally, the fish were bought Feb 10th with a 10 day delivery schedule. I received them 02/26). I reminded him he selected the shipping option - I had no say.
He offered to replace them if I pay an additional $10 shipping charge! Why would pay more for the same shipment i should have received weeks ago healthy and alive? He reminded me he even included 1 free fish! ....1 free dead fish isn't of much value. Anyway, I'm trying to get a refund or replacement but thought everyone should know. Maybe the next would be buyer will research S.D. better than I before buying from Joe Gargas and his Aquatic Research Center AKA his house. Thanks!