Store Credit No Refund??

[HBtank]

Not your issue how it was handled.

How a package is handled isn't important?

I think this, and shipping in general, is a fundamental part of how online vendors operate... kind of the point of the thread, right?

 

[a.t.t.r]

How a package is handled isn't important?

I think this, and shipping in general, is a fundamental part of how online vendors operate... kind of the point of the thread, right?

It is the vendors issue how their shipping partners handle things.

 

[HBtank]

It is the vendors issue how their shipping partners handle things.

"shipping partners"..... lol ...... is that lawyer speak for FedEx/UPS/USPS?

Anyway, vendors give store credit for DOAs/deaths, and buyers will pay for shipping in almost every circumstance, so they have obviously figured out this "issue".

 

[ScubaShane]

Hey everyone I want to share my opinion on something I’m tired of seeing.

“If coral arrives is doa , we DO NOT do refunds only “store credit”.

like what type of policy is that? I don’t think that’s fair to put you into that position where you’re stuck even if they shipped to you and it died you’re still stuck with them no matter what , if you place a coral order for a specific coral and it came doa you should have every right to get your money back not a “store credit”. What are you guys thoughts? I’m seeing a lot of online vendors doing this nonsense now almost all , it sucks , I miss old school reefin

How about no DOA policy. Buy at your own risk. People buy on impulse. They don't check the weather for shipping. They don't make sure someone is home to receive and acclimate right away. I'm sure I missed a couple. I'm very happy with credit. Especially from a store I frequently shop like WWC. Old school reefing didn't offer DOA anything!

 

[MaxM]

How about no DOA policy. Buy at your own risk. People buy on impulse. They don't check the weather for shipping. They don't make sure someone is home to receive and acclimate right away. I'm sure I missed a couple. I'm very happy with credit. Especially from a store I frequently shop like WWC. Old school reefing didn't offer DOA anything!

If they do a bad job packing, why is that the buyers fault? I've received a nem with a torn foot and corals with what look like thumb prints. Why should I just be out of pocket for that?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Anytime livestock is shipped, realize there is R I S K
Risk of:
Lost package
Delays
Wrong address delivery
Mishandling
temperature

Who then is the responsible party ?
You will then get the typical response from each person in the shipping process :

 

[a.t.t.r]

Anytime livestock is shipped, realize there is R I S K
Risk of:
Lost package
Delays
Wrong address delivery
Mishandling
temperature

Who then is the responsible party ?
You will then get the typical response from each person in the shipping process :

And at the end of the day it is the shippers issue to figure that out not yours. You didn’t package it you didn’t ship it you didn’t deliver it. They hired everyone in that chain of events. Heck usually the receiver can’t even file a claim with the shipping company since they have 0 contract with you.

 

[HBtank]

It's interesting how many people have decided that on-line stores should have higher standards than your LFS.

 

[a.t.t.r]

It's interesting how many people have decided that on-line stores should have higher standards than your LFS.

Lfs the coral is alive when I take possession.

 

[ninjamyst]

A very popular sponsor here sent me the wrong corals. Instead of rare pink and purple goni, they sent me a pale green one. I took photos and everything and they admitted sending the wrong coral. But they refused to issue me a refund or even store credit. Instead they said they sent me a coral and I should be happy. Next time I order they will throw in something extra. I didn't bother to pursue this further since I am tired of playing games with vendors. Now I narrow my list of vendors to a few and stick with them. I don't even care if they are more expensive.

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

And at the end of the day it is the shippers issue to figure that out not yours. You didn’t package it you didn’t ship it you didn’t deliver it. They hired everyone in that chain of events. Heck usually the receiver can’t even file a claim with the shipping company since they have 0 contract with you.

Except when a vendor lists terms and conditions for which you automatically agree to when you go through the transaction. As such, the only recourse you have is no longer patronize that vendor.

 

[Aluco]

My order today was delivered to a hardware store like 4 miles away from me. I just find it funny at this point, I honestly feel the delivery service should bear more responsibility considering how much it costs to ship now a days. I think there should be a general accepted way to ship different livestock that should be strictly followed, and I think if we are paying around $50 for shipping the expectation should be raised for these delivery companies. At the very least don't drop kick the box and get the address and deliver day/time correct ***.

As for vendors, my biggest issue has been receiving more gha than I do coral. I know it's not going to match their pretty pictures but at least clean the coral up a bit. I shouldn't have to spend 45 minutes picking and scrubing around an expensive new purchase. And if they send out dead or incorrect items they should do their best to get an alive and correct item out to the customer at no extra cost imo

 

[Aluco]

It's interesting how many people have decided that on-line stores should have higher standards than your LFS.

Higher standards? I've never bought something dead from an lfs and I've never left with the wrong item. Imagine if you ordered some fancy Nike high top shoes and they sent you some used flip flops and Nike told you to be happy you technically got some footwear.

But no I'm sure Nike would apologize and quickly send out the correct item in new condition. Embracing a policy like this would keep the vendors honest and they would be more careful not to make mistakes and get the order correct the first time. And it also shows a sign of good faith to the customer that they are important to the business and they actually care about returning, happy buyers. Idk just imo..

 

[HBtank]

Lfs the coral is alive when I take possession.

In the instance of an obvious DOA, this is a important distinction, but most DOA policies from on-line vendors are far more generous and allow for lots of ambiguity within the first 24 to 48-hours (i.e. just a picture of the DOA within that timeframe). They have to protect themselves, and do, but also are typically more generous with days worth of guarantees for survival that LFS don't give.

 

[a.t.t.r]

Except when a vendor lists terms and conditions for which you automatically agree to when you go through the transaction. As such, the only recourse you have is no longer patronize that vendor.

TaC can’t violate your rights you. They could not put in the tac that they have the right to ship you broken goods and you have to accept take it and no refunds. Or how did those “can’t leave us bad review” TOS turn out?

 

[HBtank]

Higher standards? I've never bought something dead from an lfs and I've never left with the wrong item. Imagine if you ordered some fancy Nike high top shoes and they sent you some used flip flops and Nike told you to be happy you technically got some footwear.

But no I'm sure Nike would apologize and quickly send out the correct item in new condition. Embracing a policy like this would keep the vendors honest and they would be more careful not to make mistakes and get the order correct the first time. And it also shows a sign of good faith to the customer that they are important to the business and they actually care about returning, happy buyers. Idk just imo..

The vendors I order from a far more generous in terms of extended survival guarantees than LFS. And under no circumstances have I ever had a LFS offer a refund, only credit, for anything (which is the base complaint in this thread).

So yes, in the instance of a clear DOA, I guess that is better. Find a disease, pest, or other issue after you get home from the LFS, and get a better look? Yeah good luck. Overall I find the DOA guarantees combined with the extended survival policies of many on-line vendors to be superior to LFS, but I also buy from vendors I don't mind having credit with....

Your experience with a bad vendor that basically defrauded you is not really applicable.

 

[MaxM]

It's interesting how many people have decided that on-line stores should have higher standards than your LFS.

You have much more control of what you get and how it gets home from your lfs.

 

[HBtank]

You have much more control of what you get and how it gets home from your lfs.

Do you really? The getting home part yeah, but it often takes 5 minutes to get a simple answer on what a species is, and then a secret handshake to get the price (specifically for coral), if the right person is even there.

 

[Aluco]

Do you really? The getting home part yeah, but it often takes 5 minutes to get a simple answer on what a species is, and then a secret handshake to get the price (specifically for coral), if the right person is even there.

Well sounds like maybe you have had more bad experiences with lfs than online and I can see that happening too.. my experience with lfs is they are so reliant on making me as a customer happy so I will keep coming back and buying more that they are usually flexible and will work with me on most things. And the owners of the shops around here seem like they are always there to answer questions.

So idk I think in both cases it's good to find vendors you trust and stick with them whether online or not. But things are so expensive to have shipped its always disheartening to receive a box of not well coral and to be told there's not much that can be done.

 

[HBtank]

Well sounds like maybe you have had more bad experiences with lfs than online and I can see that happening too.. my experience with lfs is they are so reliant on making me as a customer happy so I will keep coming back and buying more that they are usually flexible and will work with me on most things. And the owners of the shops around here seem like they are always there to answer questions.

So idk I think in both cases it's good to find vendors you trust and stick with them whether online or not. But things are so expensive to have shipped its always disheartening to receive a box of not well coral and to be told there's not much that can be done.

Good point, just find someone you trust.

I am lucky to have some nice LFS near me, but they have raised the prices just like everywhere, and the experience is frustrating now. Very little that I am interested in is labeled, and it takes a specialist to answer anything, and frankly the selection is lacking in comparison. I used to use them a lot, when prices were better and there was the chance of finding unique pieces at good prices. Now it seems there isn't a deal to be had.

Whereas with online vendors here (and particularly their live sales) you get exact pictures of WYSIWYG, better prices (dramatically in some cases), and pretty solid guarantees.