Question for Starry

[Booswalia]

Hi Starry,

Just curious to know.....

Did you ever receive your order from Ottawa Aquatics?

I ordered from them over two months ago and haven't gotten a thing yet. He called me once to say it was too hot to send them and since then I've heard nothing. They dont' anwser any emails either.

I certainly don't recommend them and won't be ordering again. Glad it only a small order.

[Doublette90]

I know you posted the question to Starry but I am also in the same boat as you. I ordered from OA on July 4, had the same phone call saying it was too hot blah blah blah and am still waiting for my order. Of course my cheque ($50!) was cashed LONG ago! I have had no replies to the many emails I have sent asking for an update either. You know the thing that bugs me though is that before I ordered I had heard only good things about OA. And now....:mad:

[Starry]

Yep, I ordered sometime in June. Nothing so far. I emailed him my new address when I moved back home, and he said he's going to send my order for sure. That was over a month ago.

And we're not the only ones - I've been in touch with someone else on the forum who ordered this summer as well, with no luck.

Too bad we don't have any other choices in Canada. Do you know of any?

[Starry]

Well, I had originally sent a cheque made out to Ottawa Aquatics (since nowhere on his site does he specify who to make it out to), so he couldn't cash that. I told him I'd send him another one when I got the plants. So at least I didn't lose any money.

[kveeti]

Why can't "he" cash a cheque to Ottawa Aquatics? That's the company name! That's who I made my cheque out to. I ordered on August 15, so I guess I'll be out of luck, too.

[CHINABOY1021]

if you guys looking for a Canadian supplier. James has some plants and stuff for good price. He is a very trustworthy guy.

here's his site:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/aquascapes/

[Booswalia]

At least it's comforting to know I'm not the only one.

Has anyone tried phoning him?

[Starry]

Originally posted by kveeti
Why can't "he" cash a cheque to Ottawa Aquatics? That's the company name! That's who I made my cheque out to. I ordered on August 15, so I guess I'll be out of luck, too.

The entire thing is run by a guy names Robert Morrison. I don't think it's a registered business, so cheques are made out to him, not Ottawa Aquatics. So looks like your cheque won't be cashed either. And I'll probably never have glosso :(

[Starry]

Originally posted by CHINABOY1021
if you guys looking for a Canadian supplier. James has some plants and stuff for good price. He is a very trustworthy guy.

here's his site:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/aquascapes/

Thanks. Unfortunately, he doesn't have ANY of the plants I'm looking for.

[goldfish freak]

I have tried to order from Ottawa Aquatics as well, with no luck what so ever. At first he would return my e-mails with the questions I asked, but then I heard nothing. I have tried many many times to reach him by phone and only got a hold of him maybe 3 times. IT is nearly impossible to get a hold of him.

I am sorry to hear that several people have placed orders and received nothing. I am glad though that I did not end up placing an order.

[Doublette90]

I have been trying to find out some more information about OA and have been visiting some aquarium club pages in Ontario to see if this guy has a bad rep or anything. Of course I can only find stuff that says great quality, great prices, but you have to have patience with him getting back to you....

I also found out that he also runs another website under the name Aquatic Imports of Canada (http://www.aquariacan.com/).

Do we all just have bad luck or is this guy legit? I am just so frustrated with it all....:confused:

[djlen]

A suggestion. Post his web address here and I'm sure some of our people will help light a fire under him.
I've already written him at the site that Doublette provided and if I knew the other address I'd do the same at that site.
I know of a dozen (at-least) forums and will spread the word. That kind of pressure usually brings results.
As I said to him in my letter, "word travels quickly when you don't treat your customers right".

Len

[kveeti]

I'm not sure about the rules, but if this guy has company names and no GST registration number, there has to be some way to report him.

[Doublette90]

kveeti: He does have a GST # it appears on the bottom of the invoice(at least on mine it does).

djlen: Ottawa Aquatics (http://www.ottawaaquatics.com/) But he uses the same email address on both sites... but thank you, perhaps we can get that fire lit under him...

[Starry]

I cancelled my order. But I'm sad because I really wanted the plants that I ordered, and I can't find them locally. I know a small LFS that I bought plants from when I set up my tank last summer. The guy there seemed to be impressed that I knew so much about plants and offered to order me anything I wanted. Too bad I haven't been back since then, that would've been a better way to go.

[Captain Hook]

Thanks for starting this thread, now I know not to order from these people. I have looked at the Ottawa Aquatics site before and was considering buying some of their stuff. Like others have said they did not answer my emails either.

I will check out that Thunder Bay Aquascapes site, thanks.

[Doublette90]

I have received a response finally:

Thank you for your communication.
Odviously things have gotten out of hand. I am receiving the remainder of the plant shipment on the evening of September 23.

Regardless, I have elected to return your money with $10.00 extra for your patience. If you still want your plants let me know by the evening of September 23 otherwise I will send your check (Certified) on the morning of September 24.

Thank you again and I await your response.

Sincerely

Robert Morrison

Now I am not sure what I want to do... I really want these plants but do I give this company my business??

[Booswalia]

Well now... that's totally strange. I've sent him 4 emails in the last two weeks and I haven't heard a thing.

In the last one I told him to cancel the order and return my money. Still no reply.

Doublette, I think I'd take the money and run if I were you.

[Canuck]

Can't make any comment on this specific company (or instance) but in general companies are not required to register with CCRA for a gst # unless the company grosses more than $15,000 per quarter for 4 quarters.

[Doublette90]

Well after talking with hubby, we have decided to tell him we still want the plants. The reason we placed our order with him was because it would be nearly impossible to get the ones we want locally. But he will never see my business again.

Booswalia: I don't know what finally prompted the response. This is what I said to him in my email: This is the fourth email I have sent asking about my order. I placed my order July 4. You cashed my cheque on July 15. You phoned sometime in August and left a message on my machine saying it was too hot to ship. (At which point I was very grateful for your call and totally accepted the reason for the delay) Since then I have had no response from you and, of course, no plants. And from what I am hearing on the net from NUMEROUS others I am not the only one waiting for their order or some kind of response. I would like to have a reply explaining this total lack of customer service and either send me the plants I have already paid for or send me my $49.03 back. I have attached my order to refresh your memory.
When I read it now it sounds a little harsh but perhaps that is what got his attention... or perhaps it was djlen's letter ;)

[Booswalia]

I hope your plants arrive in good shape.

...... cause you may have to share them with the rest of us. ;)

[MrGoodbytes]

I may be joining this a little late but...
Last October I discovered his site while conducting my usually fruitless searches of the internet for a place to order aquatic plants in Canada.
I was excited about ordering so many plants at a low price so I placed my order. I was curious about why there was only a cheque payment option.
A week or two later (I have lost count) I placed another order and received little in response besides that from a CGI program sending a confirmation.
I sent an email to the guy and finally received a response. He said that some of the plants I ordered needed to be shipped from Holland(?) and that as soon as he could clear things up with customs he sould contact me about my order. He also said he would compensate me for my patience.
Weeks later I finally sent another order and received a phone call with the same excuse/explanation. Until recently, that was the last time (December) I heard from him.
A week or two ago I received an email:
DEAR GRAEME BART
I HOPE THAT THE SUMMER HAS TREATED YOU WELL.
AS FALL APPROACHES IT IS TIME TO RETURN THOUGHTS TO THE AQUARIUM. WE HAVE ADDED
A LOT OF INTERESTING ITEMS SINCE WE LAST COMMUNICATED WITH YOU. FOR EXAMPLE
WE NOW HAVE THE FULL LINE OF AQUALOG BOOKS. FURTHER WE OFFER JBL PRODUCTS FROM
GERRMANY. IN PARTICULAR THIS COMPANY SUPPLIES HIGH QUALITY PLANT RELATED
PRODUCTS.
WE WOULD REFER YOU TO THEIR CO2 SYSTEMS, PLANT FERTILIZERS AND UNDERGRAVEL
HEATING CABLE SYSTEM. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR WEB SITE AT:
www.ottawaaquatics.com
FOR A FULL LISTING OF WHAT WE NOW OFFER AS WELL AS EXTENSIVE PRODUCT
DESCRIPTION.
WE OUR ATTACHING OUR CURRENT PLANT AVAILABILITY LIST FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER.
IF THERE ARE ANY PLANT SPECIES WHICH YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WHICH ARE NOT LISTED
PLEASE LET US KNOW AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO SOURCE THEM FOR YOU.
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR
REPLY.

SINCERELY

ROBERT MORRISON
OTTAWA AQUATICS
1-613-266-2821

Luckily I never sent any money but I am still curious about what kind of business this guy is running. There is a Canadian plant traders page (I will have to pull up the link) that some of us should join. It would eliminate this mess and we know we would be getting good plants.
Sorry about the long post, just thought I'd add my experience,
Graeme

[djlen]

This guy's either got incredible guts or he runs an incredibly inept outfit. I haven't figured out which yet, but I wouldn't order squat from him.

Len

[Doublette90]

Graeme: I would be very interested in that link! Hubby got the same email as you did also a couple of weeks ago. Hubby sent him back an email saying that all sounds good but what about the order we placed two months ago! Of course hubby got no reply...

Well I guess it's time to stop holding my breath waiting for this order and just accept the fact that I have been taken...:( Live and learn I guess...

[Booswalia]

Perhaps a few complaints to these people would light the fire under him.

http://www.easternontario.bbb.org/

[Doublette90]

I'll believe this when I see it! I received this email today:
DEAR DEBBIE :
THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT THE REST OF MY PLANT SHIPMENT ARRIVED LAST NIGHT. I AM JUST IN THE PROCESS OF SORTING IT OUT AND AND MATCHING IT WITH THE ORDERS.

YOURS WILL BE THE FIRST ORDER SHIPPED MONDAY MORNING. I WILL INCLUDE A FEW EXTRA PLANTS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING.

THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN.

SINCERELY

ROBERT MORRISON

OTTAWA AQUATICS
1-613-266-2821

[Booswalia]

Debbie,
Please let us know the moment they arrive. ;)

[Starry]

Originally posted by Doublette90
I'll believe this when I see it! I received this email today:
DEAR DEBBIE :
THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT THE REST OF MY PLANT SHIPMENT ARRIVED LAST NIGHT. I AM JUST IN THE PROCESS OF SORTING IT OUT AND AND MATCHING IT WITH THE ORDERS.

YOURS WILL BE THE FIRST ORDER SHIPPED MONDAY MORNING. I WILL INCLUDE A FEW EXTRA PLANTS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING.

THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN.

SINCERELY

ROBERT MORRISON

OTTAWA AQUATICS
1-613-266-2821

Interesting. I emailed him last week to cancel my order, and never got a reply. So if he really has the plants in, then it doesn't look like he wants them sold that badly. Then again, if you get some Heteranthera and Glosso for "your patience," those are mine :)

[Booswalia]

Here is the link that, I believe, Graeme was referring to....

http://www.rupert.net/~mryeburn/

Not a bad idea if it's up-to-date.

And Starry..... keep yer little fins off my Glossos. :p

[MrGoodbytes]

Yeah, that's the one Booswalia. Sorry, I was away and had no internet access. If all goes well with my planted tank after I finish getting everything balanced, I will have lots of cuttings to get rid of if anyone might need any.

Graeme

[Captain Hook]

Graeme

I am planning on setting up a 20 gallon planted just after Christmas so if you have any extra cuttings around then I will certainly be interested. If you could PM me with some details about what kind of plants you are growing, etc that would be great. I am located just east of Toronto by the way and will be looking for plants that will like my 2 watts per gallon and grow pretty fast.

[Doublette90]

They have arrived! They seem to be in not bad shape, they were shipped just in baggies, no water so some seem a little wilted. The one I am most concerned about is the red tiger lotus, the leaves are very wilted and thin. Hopefully it will come around. The freebie plants that he threw in look to be Cabomba and Spiral Vals, and wouldn't you know it those are the only two plants I have in my 20G already! Oh well I guess I'll let hubby have them in his... Sorry but there was no Glossos or I would have gladly sent them to you!

Now I have to figure out which plant is which because they weren't marked and some of them are closely related. But that I can handle, I am just glad I got them!

[Starry]

Wow, now I'm jealous! I want my glosso! And my heteranthera! And whatever else I ordered that I can't really remember. No Cabomba or Vals though. You can keep those :) Doesn't sounds like I'll be getting anything though, I haven't gotten a reply from him since I emailed him to cancel my order. Happy for you though! :D