Elite Reefs - Mixed Results

[dyer_maker]

I've purchased several frags from Elite over this year and last. The prices are great however the shipping methods have been questioned at length. Out of all the purchases I've made only one (non-chalice) arrived without a dead frag. Every other purchase one or more frags did not survive shipment. I'm not that far away either, right outside Atlanta. I continued to make purchases with Elite however with the understanding the frags that didn't survive would be included in subsequent shipments.

To date I've not received a living version of two chalices I purchased, one I've received three separate times. Some of the other pieces look great including some Micromussa but only of the chalice frags I purchased has survived, the three other types never have.

The last shipment I received included a Micro that survived and a chalice that didn't, fourth attempt at shipping that chalice. It was DOA on arrival, no flesh at all. Interesting thing is I was expecting two chalice frags that were replacements including a Dawn of the Dead, one of Elite's more expensive offerings. When I opened the packaging the heatpack was cold, an hour later I went to throw away the packaging and the heatpack was warm, almost like it never activated in the first place.

I travel a bit for work and they've been very accommodating with my shipping requests however the communication is generally pretty poor with days to weeks between email responses, generally requiring multiple emails on my part. At this point I'm giving up and walking away, the results are too mixed.

 

[cultivatedcoral]

With regard to the heat pack issue. They work on contact with air. When they are shipped in an air tight box sometimes they stop working. When you opened your box and exposed it to air again it re-activated.

It usually is best not to tape all of the edges so the box is not completely air tight.

 

[Demonic]

I agree with not returning to this company for future purchases. I ordered from them and of course it arrived dead since it came in a box with heat pack and inside a specimen cup. Of course I got the same excuse, dead heat pack. This heat pack wasnt dead as it was still warm, it was just shotty shipping. I have seen so many people post about them getting the same excuse about the heat packs. It has nothing to do with the heat packs!! It is the shipper for thinking that insulation is not required to seal the heat. I mean if it were that easy we would all live in straw huts because insulation wouldnt be required to keep the heat in. I have had at least 20 people message me saying that I was lucky to even get some of my money back from this company, as they dont like to reply to emails. I am very persistent!! Anyway stay away from them, at least until he decides his shipping procedures are a 50/50 at best.

 

[Demonic]

The boxes he ships in are not air tight boxes. They are regular Fed-Ex boxes. An air tight box with no insulation would be really hard to do. There was absolutely no tape on my box that arrived frozen.

With regard to the heat pack issue. They work on contact with air. When they are shipped in an air tight box sometimes they stop working. When you opened your box and exposed it to air again it re-activated.

It usually is best not to tape all of the edges so the box is not completely air tight.

 

[Nicks387]

The boxes are not air tight but the fedex envelope that holds the heat pack and is wrapped, and taped around the specimen cup is air tight. This does not allow the heat pack any air and so it doesnt heat up.
I had a doa in cold water that was replaced and subsequently shipped properly in an insulated box. Maybe they are changing methods now since all these problems.

 

[revhtree]

I usually stay out of these threads, but I would never hesitate to order from Elite Reefs. I have had multiple orders where everything arrived in perfect health. I suggest you contact them. He always works out issues from what i understand.

 

[143gadgets]

I try to stay out of these threads to, but I ordered a chalice frag and it arrived DOA as well. After seeing the way it was shipped I just chucked it up as a loss. I didn't even bother to get a replacement.

Btw, That was my second order. My first order with them was fine, but still questionable on the shipping methods.

 

[dyer_maker]

I usually stay out of these threads, but I would never hesitate to order from Elite Reefs. I have had multiple orders where everything arrived in perfect health. I suggest you contact them. He always works out issues from what i understand.

I have contacted them in the past regarding frags that didn't make it. They've provided replacements however I've made it easy by having the replacements shipped with new purchases. Unfortunately most of the time the replacements are also DOA. I've only had problems with chalices. Everything else has been fine. The chalice frags just don't seem to like that particular shipping method I suppose. Maybe when the weather improves I might consider making another purchase. I'm definitely done with chalice frags though.

 

[revhtree]

I try to stay out of these threads to, but I ordered a chalice frag and it arrived DOA as well. After seeing the way it was shipped I just chucked it up as a loss. I didn't even bother to get a replacement.

Btw, That was my second order. My first order with them was fine, but still questionable on the shipping methods.

Did you contact him as well about a replacement?

 

[revhtree]

I just don't think it is fair at all for anyone to leave negative feedback unless the shipper whether it be a vendor or a hobbyist has refused to make it right. Just my opinion.

 

[143gadgets]

I agree Rev. I'm just giving my opinion on the shipping methods since that was the topic. Nothing else. I liked the corals that I ordered and they were sold at a more than fair price. I just didn't think it was worth my time in trying to get a replacement and paying for shipping.

 

[revhtree]

I would think if it was the shippers fault that they would also pay for new shipping. I must just be spoiled.

 

[Nicks387]

They will and do make it right. I agree with the questionable shipping and I think it is being worked on, though I may be wrong. I got a chalice in cold water and dying but not quite dead. I contacted them and a week later I was shipped a new piece with proper shipping methods such as an insulated box and heat pack. I know for a fact that they will make it right if you get a doa and you do not have to pay for shipping again. You just have to send them a pm. I would think that rather then take time to post in here someone would instead take the time to pm Keith about it, and give him a fair chance to do the right thing. Which he will do.

 

[dyer_maker]

I can see why some of you think I shouldn't have posted here. In my defense I've been patient with Elite and supportive even while others were bashing the shipping methods used. The only reason I posted here was due to the large percentage of DOAs that I've received and the random communication I've received over the months I've been a customer. I'm not in any way insinuating that Keith won't take care of you because that hasn't been the case with me. He has shipped replacements and in fairness I've continued to make purchases offsetting any shipping costs he may have incurred. This last shipment was the only one where I didn't pay shipping because I didn't purchase anything new. It also was the one where I didn't get what I was expecting and again had a DOA chalice. That was the turning point for me and the reason I provided the feedback. You get to a point where it's not worth it anymore even if the prices are great. Would I have paid more to have better shipping, in the beginning no, the prices were what won me as a customer. In the end I would have if that meant less frustration when it's all said and done. And I'm sure if goes both ways Keith probably doesn't enjoy shipping replacements as much as I like having to ask and wait for them. I can appreciate guys like him who are trying to sell nice frags with prices that can't be beat however my experience has been a bit lackluster unfortunately

 

[revhtree]

No it is ok to post here! This is the forum for that! :D

 

[Demonic]

I would think if it was the shippers fault that they would also pay for new shipping. I must just be spoiled.

I agree with this statement 100%. How is it my fault that it came in almost frozen. I paid for a coral and the shipping and got a dead coral. They did give me the money back for the coral but would not refund the shipping cost. I told the shipper it was very cold where I live and told him that I would pick it up the minute FedEx opened. I was there at 9:00am and it was already dead. To me shipping something into weather like this in a box with no insulation is just plain negligence. This shipper will not change thier shipping habits because they claim to have more come in alive than dead. I however do not believe this for one minute. Sorry for being blunt, but I cant understand how this sponsor is even allowed on this forum. Not only is he killing coral after coral, but he is taking our money and not refunding it. Of course most of us will only be burned once, maybe twice before we put a halt to this, but shouldnt the new people be warned of these habits. Bare minimum he should have his shipping habits stickied to the top of his forum just for an FYI. Just my thoughts anyway.

 

[msman825]

those urine cups are not any good for shipping coral. 1 will make it 2-3 want. i see keith has not responded here ??

 

[darknessheir]

i just got my shipment and it was 100% fine

 

[Pellaeon]

I have received 2 shipments, 6 chalices and not one issue. Heck those urine cups are great, I even use them to cover my chalices when I target feed :bigsmile: