Waterbox exposed!

[Chris witort]

Anyone doing business with Waterbox beware! I have been in a nightmare of something I have never experienced with a business before. I ordered and paid for their largest aquarium stand sump combo. The 380.8 and paid for it in full; $ 11,500 or thereabouts. I was given a shipping window of four to six weeks. I placed this order because I was in the process of moving from Tucson to south of Olympia wa. I had some amazing fish and several expensive corals of many large colonies that I wanted to move. I bought a house in Washington and set up a 125-gallon acrylic cube I made several years ago. I rented a U-Haul truck and moved all my stuff to my new house a month after the order. Everything survived the journey. Incredible!! I placed everything including rock and bioballs in the 125. Lit it with some rations and put a big skimmer on it. Everything was doing fine but no aquarium!? Talking with the store I ordered through, they said that Waterbox said there were some shipping delays. Nothing about why. I asked him to get more info. Where is it? In transit, not built yet, at the port, you know some basic tracking info. They said Waterbox was unresponsive. I said who do I talk to? I’ll call them! He gave me the order number and I did call them. The person that answers incoming calls has no info and had to send a message to the people in shipping. Then told me to talk to the vendor that ordered it; they don’t deal with the end buyers. what the heck! Sorry I don’t know what level of profanity is allowed here. Anyway, called my guy, he has given me permission to drag him into this rant. His name is Jeff Slemp, owner of Cuttlefish Aquariums in Portland. He said okay, I’ll get into it with them. He was disturbed with what I was told. After a few days, I heard back and he said he couldn’t get anything new from them. Other than there had been some delays. Meanwhile, in a small town in Washington, the fish are fine. Three weeks pass, nothing. Well, recounting my adventure is taking longer than I expected, but I want to give you the full E-ticket ride here. I’ll continue later. I forgot to mention my back is totally hosed! I had fusion surgery on it a year ago, and it’s failed. The screws are loose, and there is a cracked vertebra. I need a new procedure to fix it.

 

[Wonkabar]

Anyone doing business with Waterbox beware! I have been in a nightmare of something I have never experienced with a business before. I ordered and paid for their largest aquarium stand sump combo. The 380.8 and paid for it in full; $ 11,500 or thereabouts. I was given a shipping window of four to six weeks. I placed this order because I was in the process of moving from Tucson to south of Olympia wa. I had some amazing fish and several expensive corals of many large colonies that I wanted to move. I bought a house in Washington and set up a 125-gallon acrylic cube I made several years ago. I rented a U-Haul truck and moved all my stuff to my new house a month after the order. Everything survived the journey. Incredible!! I placed everything including rock and bioballs in the 125. Lit it with some rations and put a big skimmer on it. Everything was doing fine but no aquarium!? Talking with the store I ordered through, they said that Waterbox said there were some shipping delays. Nothing about why. I asked him to get more info. Where is it? In transit, not built yet, at the port, you know some basic tracking info. They said Waterbox was unresponsive. I said who do I talk to? I’ll call them! He gave me the order number and I did call them. The person that answers incoming calls has no info and had to send a message to the people in shipping. Then told me to talk to the vendor that ordered it; they don’t deal with the end buyers. what the heck! Sorry I don’t know what level of profanity is allowed here. Anyway, called my guy, he has given me permission to drag him into this rant. His name is Jeff Slemp, owner of Cuttlefish Aquariums in Portland. He said okay, I’ll get into it with them. He was disturbed with what I was told. After a few days, I heard back and he said he couldn’t get anything new from them. Other than there had been some delays. Meanwhile, in a small town in Washington, the fish are fine. Three weeks pass, nothing. Well, recounting my adventure is taking longer than I expected, but I want to give you the full E-ticket ride here. I’ll continue later. I forgot to mention my back is totally hosed! I had fusion surgery on it a year ago, and it’s failed. The screws are loose, and there is a cracked vertebra. I need a new procedure to fix it.

Sorry your annoyed. I’ve been there. Shipping delays suck and lack of communication sucks more. Nothing is that out of the ordinary to be honest. Them not speaking to you is like Honda corporate telling you to go speak with your dealer. They are “more equipped” to help you. Sorry none of this is a solution. Hopefully they ship your tank out soon.

 

[Wonkabar]

Oh if you can get a refund take it and call @Joe Glass Cages. He makes the best tanks around and will be honest and transparent the whole way through!

 

[W31Olds]

Chris, FYI, I have the same model on order and yes, it's paid for also. I ordered my system direct from Waterbox on Nov. 7th and have no updates on shipping. I would speak with your LFS as it sounds like you did not receive accurate information. I made it a point when placing my order to ask Waterbox about their 4-6 Week shipping window and they clearly stated that these large Systems are made to order and will take longer. I've called twice this month and all they could say is they have a container coming in very soon but could not say if my order was on it which by the way sounds strange. I must say that they are responsive on the phone and realistically said I would probably get it sometime in March.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Like you-- I'd have '11,500 questions' that need answering by now. I hope when it's all said and done, you have a beautiful tank of your dreams. Keep us updated.

 

[NanoSteam]

You're not alone: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/waterbox-shipping-is-slow.1132235/

 

[PointerReefs]

Similar experience with waterbox and slow shipping and misleading lead times. Many have the same problem. Idk what causes it on their on logistically but it’s safe to say it’s to be expected when ordering from them. That being said I’m overall very happy with my purchase from them. Other than that initial impression.

 

[sgdnycct]

If you paid via CC stop the charge and go elsewhere. Most likely once you stop the charge they’ll pay attention to you. I really hope you paid via CC.

 

[fishface1992]

Same here. I ordered my 190.5 on black Friday and they haven’t told me anything about it. I inquire every single week and get the same run around

First and last experience with Waterbox.

So much for “premium experience”. WB sucks