Reef Cleaners Experiences
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cngh
Active Member
I have bought a few times from John. Generally I've been satisfied. This last order, which was delivered yesterday was honestly "meh". I followed his directions included in the box for acclimation.
As part of my order I ordered 10 nassarius at .50 cents each. What I got were literally pea-sized and smaller. One was obviously dead, and the others just looked like empty shells. Couldn't tell since they were so small. I put them in but they look dead or empty since they haven't moved and are still on top of the sand bed a day later.
As usual, when you order the tiny ceriths, he gives you a ton of extra. No complaints there. But in my order there was a lot of shell scraps and detritus that made it hard to sort out the snails. Didn't want to dump all that in my tank. But not a big enough deal to make an issue out of it.
The rest of the order seemed ok. Was definitely smelly when I opened the box. Water was warm because of the heat pack.
Despite the issues this time I'll still order from him again in the future when I need to.
As part of my order I ordered 10 nassarius at .50 cents each. What I got were literally pea-sized and smaller. One was obviously dead, and the others just looked like empty shells. Couldn't tell since they were so small. I put them in but they look dead or empty since they haven't moved and are still on top of the sand bed a day later.
As usual, when you order the tiny ceriths, he gives you a ton of extra. No complaints there. But in my order there was a lot of shell scraps and detritus that made it hard to sort out the snails. Didn't want to dump all that in my tank. But not a big enough deal to make an issue out of it.
The rest of the order seemed ok. Was definitely smelly when I opened the box. Water was warm because of the heat pack.
Despite the issues this time I'll still order from him again in the future when I need to.
I've ordered a few times. The nessarious are always doa. The rest except for the ceriths/nerites live 2 weeks max. I think because of the included acclimation procedure. Every other time I drip acclimated and had higher survival. Not sure if it's the shipping procedure in wet towels vs bags of water or what but I'd say 95% of my reef cleaners orders don't live for more than 2 weeks. I've had much better luck from Petco and other lfs even with a 6-7 hour drive wrapped in a shirt to keep warm.
DVal
Active Member
The shipping is definitely an issue. I had an order of nassarius and all doa. Shipping was several days late. John was great and gave me a full refund and sent out a replacement order. Unfortunately, the replacements are now 3 days late. I dont expect any to be alive at this point. I ordered a frag rack for Hardcore Reefer in Singapore. It shipped the same day as the snails and arrived 2 days ago. Its pretty bad when FedEx beats you from across the globe when I'm only 3 states away.
At this point the USPS is a list cause. I can't find s single other shipper that uses the for live goods. Sucks because the extra $44.50 puts them right in line with everyone else and my lfs is cheaper. Does the extra $44.50 get it shipped by a reliable shipper? Or just the next step up at the failed USPS?
Used them many times and I am in socal, so he is shipping across country. All I can say is 10/10.
Yeah, unfortunately its just the next step up which is no better. USPS is literally not functional, I can't imagine why he continues to use them. I've had to find other suppliers for now.
Its such a shame, UPS 2-day is affordable (<$20) but he's sticking to USPS. Oh well, the pandemic won't last forever! I do wonder whether USPS will ever become usable again, though.
So reefcleaners cancelled me for rightfully asking for doa refunds on what was rightfully doa via pics as the packages were opened. If you don't want to cover doa due to your shipping choices, fine, just say so. That's the customer service they provide. Some stuff like pods I didn't even get a refund because I refused to mail the bottle of obviously dead pods back at my expense. So they cancelled me for like $15-20 of doa and I've done several orders over the $65. Guess I take my business elsewhere.
This was the doa from last order plus the big turbo was completely covered in some red wire algae. Not a huge loss but I rightfully asked for doa refund like they OFFER. My pitho crab was literally missing half it's legs and no they were not damaged in shipping, not in the bag. Plus my first order from them gave my qt those clear ghost or acoel flatworms that hang out on the glass. So, buyer beware.
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terrapin3100
New Member
I am currently going through this now as this is day 5 and still have not received my package. John did not tell me what his DOA policy is and I had to read it above. I have dealt with him before and been satisfied however this time not so much. He has not seemed very amenable when I have told him the package had not arrived
I had a terrible experience with reef cleaners and will NEVER order again. Garbage customer service, and John is a grade A ******* and not accountable looking for someone else to blame. Almost as if he already expects you to get DOA. After complaining I was offered a $8 refund on my $43 order because "those were my losses". $15 was shipping (no refund or credit offered), $20 were empty Shells and a Halloween crab. Literally all my Nassarius, ceriths, and most hermits arrived dead, which was the purpose of the order. Because they are so cheap, my 40 inverts cost a total of $8. So John suggests that I go and reorder everything on his site, and repay the $15 shipping. At that point I will have qualified for free shipping as my combined orders would be >$65. Yet, per John's suggestion I would pay shipping TWICE. (Keep in mind 90% of my order arrived DOA). He would not budge on offering me free shipping on 2nd order.
So, I spent $43 on like 30 empty Shells, 1 Halloween crab, and maybe like 3 live hermits. (Total order had about 40 inverts)
Watch out for the snakes at this company. You suck reef cleaners. I definitely fell for the good reviews
So, I spent $43 on like 30 empty Shells, 1 Halloween crab, and maybe like 3 live hermits. (Total order had about 40 inverts)
Watch out for the snakes at this company. You suck reef cleaners. I definitely fell for the good reviews
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Tired
2500 Club Member
Okay, so... $8 worth of animals died, and you were given $8 in store credit. Most places don't offer refunds on shipping if something dies. Seems reasonable to me.
Did you order live animals online after Thanksgiving and before January? That's a recipe for dead animals.
Did you order live animals online after Thanksgiving and before January? That's a recipe for dead animals.
Right... I hope you don't have your own business. You're saying I should be satisfied for receiving 90% of my order dead, while receiving a 15% refund. While wasting shipping costs which took longer than expected. Thanks for your opinion. If John knows a lot of his stuff arrives DOA, then don't offer it Thanksgiving thru Jan or require faster shipping. And then don't be a jerk telling the customer to reorder on the site again after getting a package of dead stuff.
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Yah most of mine either died or are slowly dying over the last week. What a scam!
Tired
2500 Club Member
I'm not saying you should be satisfied. I'm saying you shouldn't request a refund on things that weren't dead. Shipping taking longer than expected is practically a given during the holiday season, that's not the fault of the seller. You'll notice the site says priority shipping isn't an option right now. When you order from an online seller, it's your responsibility to be aware of potential issues with the shipping- things like extreme weather in your area, or delays for the holiday season.
All the stuff I've ordered from RC, except a couple of limpets, has arrived perfectly healthy. I float acclimate it and it's all fine. Heck, I float acclimate corals. The snails are shipped with wet paper towels because that way they aren't in bags with ammonia-filled water, and because they're species that do just fine for a bit.
What did you want to happen? A refund for empty shells that didn't have anything wrong with them? ReefCleaners to magically predict that your package would definitely be delayed?
You placed an order during a time of year where shipping is very frequently delayed. Shipping was delayed, and things unfortunately died. You got a refund for the things that died, even though the seller wasn't responsible for the shipping delay. Sounds reasonable to me.
All the stuff I've ordered from RC, except a couple of limpets, has arrived perfectly healthy. I float acclimate it and it's all fine. Heck, I float acclimate corals. The snails are shipped with wet paper towels because that way they aren't in bags with ammonia-filled water, and because they're species that do just fine for a bit.
What did you want to happen? A refund for empty shells that didn't have anything wrong with them? ReefCleaners to magically predict that your package would definitely be delayed?
You placed an order during a time of year where shipping is very frequently delayed. Shipping was delayed, and things unfortunately died. You got a refund for the things that died, even though the seller wasn't responsible for the shipping delay. Sounds reasonable to me.
What i wanted was reef cleaners to offer to send another package since mine arrived dead. (Aside from Halloween crab) I only added the other other stuff to have extra Shells for the inverts I ordered. What was the point of my purchase then?
And I cold heartedly disagree with you. Its not only my responsibility. As a good business owner, if the risk is that bad, then let the person know, or dont ship it.
Meloco14
Active Member
When my package was delayed and most of my snails were DOA he asked if I wanted refund or replacement. I chose replacement. He didn't charge me additional shipping. He should have offered you the same. Maybe he doesn't do that on small orders.
I have since ordered a second time and many of the ceriths did not survive, half the nassarius were doa, and all 5 trochus that I ordered died off within a month. That was with on time shipping. I did not bother making a claim this time. His nerites are great though, 100% survival both times and very hardy and good cleaners. Those are the only thing I would order from him again.
I have since ordered a second time and many of the ceriths did not survive, half the nassarius were doa, and all 5 trochus that I ordered died off within a month. That was with on time shipping. I did not bother making a claim this time. His nerites are great though, 100% survival both times and very hardy and good cleaners. Those are the only thing I would order from him again.
just got an order yesterday for the first time. Everything was alive. I appreciated the trochus being bagged individually too.
Everything is in the tank, 24 hours later and it looks like it all made it. Super happy.
Everything is in the tank, 24 hours later and it looks like it all made it. Super happy.
PghReef
Well-Known Member
I've ordered from John many times over the past 8 years. With that being said I'm probably not going to order from him again. I do feel that quality of livestock has taken a huge turn in the wrong direction.
Years ago everything arrived alive and well. Extras of all but the most expensive and single items were always shipped to cover any losses. It was at the point I brought a good bit of my order to my lfs to donate. The snails were clean and active.
My last 3 orders were terrible. Placed September and october last year, arrived on time. Ceriths and nassarius were mostly empty shells or dead, only dwarf ceriths halfway survived. Im talking all 3 ordered like 100% dead. I think maybe 1 or 2 of the snails lived. Trochus and turbos arrived alive but with all sorts of nuisance algaes covering their shells. 5 of 6 dwarf conchs all DOA. Astea arrived about 50% DOA. I followed acclimation instructions to the T. My tank went through nasty algae blooms following all orders from the massive snail die offs.
The first order I got partial refund for store credit. The other 2 I cut my losses and didnt bother.
Years ago everything arrived alive and well. Extras of all but the most expensive and single items were always shipped to cover any losses. It was at the point I brought a good bit of my order to my lfs to donate. The snails were clean and active.
My last 3 orders were terrible. Placed September and october last year, arrived on time. Ceriths and nassarius were mostly empty shells or dead, only dwarf ceriths halfway survived. Im talking all 3 ordered like 100% dead. I think maybe 1 or 2 of the snails lived. Trochus and turbos arrived alive but with all sorts of nuisance algaes covering their shells. 5 of 6 dwarf conchs all DOA. Astea arrived about 50% DOA. I followed acclimation instructions to the T. My tank went through nasty algae blooms following all orders from the massive snail die offs.
The first order I got partial refund for store credit. The other 2 I cut my losses and didnt bother.
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