First off I had/have reservations about posting this and naming companies but I feel I have to say my peace. I have been involved in retail sales and have had previous businesses. First off customer service before, during and AFTER the sale are the utmost important thing. Let me also add that being I live in Chatham its a lot easier to buy in the U.S. or online then travelling to London. I'm also tired of reading and people saying support your local store but guess what I work hard to earn my money so should any retailer. My first recent bad experience involves IA back in late July early august I was looking for a new skimmer and ordered a Reef Octopus Regal 170Int plus a Blonde Naso, 2 boxes of RC and a mag test kit. I was told a couple weeks approx end August and wasn't concerned and understood. Few weeks go by and I call to see status and was told the that nothing had come in (except test kit stock) and now being told the end of Sept. Some bullshit answer about his Toronto warehouse, I know it's not his warehouse but supplier seriously how stupid do you think I am. So the end of Sept comes and I send an email with now reply so I call later the next day as I'm on nights. Say hi intro myself and Bill says oh ya got your email it's the end of September so you still want and my reply is thats the reason for the email and the call. So I'm told it should be here in the next week or two and told me he has emailed supplier and they haven't replied. At this time he's having a special on some fish and ordered three (still no salt or Blonde). So the aim to pickup is Thanksgiving weekend which is roughly two weeks. Now with my work schedule and being in Chatham I like to optimise my travel and plan other shopping. So I call AGAIN on the Friday before and still nothing but told hopefully next wednesday. Disappointed once again I say ok keep in mind nothing has come in except that fish special. So I call the following Wednesday and still nothing and was told to check back and still no concrete answers but bullshit about import and other customers waiting who have paid in full. Doesn't explain the salt or the blonde so I ask about the other fish I ordered from the sale and he tells me he doesn't keep fish. Holy hell after all the crap I've waited for you can't keep a few fish for me. Seriously you can't go a little further to please a customer. Now I realize I've only spent roughly a grand a year since starting in this hobby but coming soon I'll have more spare money to spend and guess who isn't getting any of it let alone anymore. Now I have left out some details and this is a readers digest version and I did want to change model to the 200SSS but would take the other if an issue. Now at this point I have decided to no longer do business with IA. Now in between I was talking to Sealife but sorry I hate having to call back to get a price on a skimmer or any product because a certain person isn't in. If you or your employees don't know how to get a price and delivery its time you teach them or they learn on their own. Like I said I've been in the sales world and usually have only one shot to get the sale. So I call back and Gary was helpful and more my issue because I was on nights. So the wife and I had to go to London and we stopped in and i dropped about $150 and ordered a Blonde and a Purple tang. I offered a deposit while leaving my number and size I wanted and was told no and about two weeks. Well I call yesterday almost four weeks later and was told they have purples in but no blondes. I told whomever answered that I ordered both almost four weeks ago and haven't heard anything back. I'm spending the money I shouldn't have to chase my order down these aren't 15.99 fish. Anyway spoke to Gary yesterday and after some prodding he kinda remembered me and was told he would look into it right away and get back to me. As of right now 12:30 I haven't heard back. Now I hear complaints about crossing the border to shop and the hurt of online sales but as far as I'm concerned I've been pushed to them. Retailers you have to work harder for my money with the economy and the way we're taxed all customers deserve better respect but hay if you don't want my spare money there is someone who does.
I'm sorry to rant but I'm just tired of trying to spend my money on local/canadian business and getting crappy service unless you're there. This thread isn't to offend anyone but I've had enough, I've given chance after chance. Retailers take notes, dates and call your customers with info good or bad I shouldn't have to chase you. Looks like I'm online and cross border only now.
I'm sorry to rant but I'm just tired of trying to spend my money on local/canadian business and getting crappy service unless you're there. This thread isn't to offend anyone but I've had enough, I've given chance after chance. Retailers take notes, dates and call your customers with info good or bad I shouldn't have to chase you. Looks like I'm online and cross border only now.
