View Full Version : Ordering from Big Al's online
NJ Devils Fan
12-25-2002, 1:13 PM
I plan to order 7 bags of Onyx Sand, 2 Emperor 400 filters, and 2 heaters from the website and I was wondering from someone who has ordered from them how long it takes to an order.
JamisonBWolsh
12-25-2002, 1:26 PM
It all depends on where you live. I recieve my big als order about a week and a day later on their normal shipment. However, I live in california. My dad ordered from them and recieved his order 2 days later and he lives in upstate NY. So..its where you live that matters. Of course..if you order it in the next few day, it could take longer..Holidays and all...
You live in Yonkers, which is further north of where my dad lives. So maybe 3 days?
NJ Devils Fan
12-25-2002, 1:41 PM
Oh, ok, thanks.
I live here in NY and all my orders have come in under 5 days.
I'm in CA too and my shipments usually take at least 4-5 days...sometimes a little longer. The waiting is the hardest part :p
Argento13
12-25-2002, 6:06 PM
I ordered on a sunday night and got my stuff on the following friday. Ny to Ia.
MeAirlinePilot
12-25-2002, 6:37 PM
I live in CA also and it takes an average of 7-8 days (NY-CA)
ae48473
12-26-2002, 2:48 PM
I'm in Massachusetts and I receive my orders about 3 days after I place them. I've ordered 4 times already and I'm very pleased with Big Als.
Allan
Mongrel
12-26-2002, 2:57 PM
I also live in Mass and I get my shipments in 3-4 days. I also am pleased
JamisonBWolsh
12-26-2002, 2:58 PM
I love Big als and order most of my stuff from them. SUCKS that if you live on the west coast, it will take a week... I am not patient I guess...
AikidoGuy
12-26-2002, 2:59 PM
NJ here and less than 5 days as well.
Ledslnger
12-26-2002, 6:30 PM
It took them 3 weeks to get me my order.....well the first incomplete one. Then another 2 weeks to get me the rest. Then 2 weeks to reimburse me for double charging me. I will not order from them again! Really bad experience!!!! :( I use Dr. Fosters and Smith, Wet Thumb Aquatics and That Fish Place!!! They have never messed with my orders! :)
gutterguppy
12-26-2002, 8:04 PM
I placed an order with them online. After four weeks, they hadn't processed it yet, so I called customer service. They had no record of it. I then placed the order with pet solutions, and had it the next day.
JamisonBWolsh
12-26-2002, 8:42 PM
Im sorry you two had bad expeirence with them. But please know that these instances are rare. I NEVER had a problem with any order from them. And of all the other internet sites, big als is the BEST PRICE!
NJ Devils Fan
12-26-2002, 10:34 PM
Yea, it has incredible prices. The reason why I'm getting everything from them is because:
They are the only place I can get Onyx Sand. Not one place remotely close to me has it.(I e-mailed the company and asked for locations that they deal to by me, and the closest one was over 60 miles away)
I cannot find the Emperor Filters for anything less then double the price they are on the web site.
The Tronic heaters are only 17.99 on the site as opposed to the 29.99 at my LFS.
BTW JamisonBWolsh, Yonkers is about 20 miles from the city, so thats southern NY.
Richer
12-27-2002, 12:46 AM
Indeed, it is a shame that you two should have such bad experiences with Big Al's. As far as I've heard, their online service is usually very good. Very consistant reviews. You have to keep in mind, that they process quite a few orders... they will slip up every once in awhile =). They're in-store service is quite the same. Although their knowledge is lacking somewhat in some areas, the ppl I have dealt with, go out of their way to help me in whatever I'm asking or looking for (one guy demonstrated the difference between an Eheim professional II and a classic and proceeded to spill a gallon of water onto the ground.. hehe).
-Richer
125gJoe
12-27-2002, 5:39 AM
Originally posted by NJ Devils Fan
I was wondering from someone who has ordered from them how long it takes to an order. I have had prompt service from them.... :)
I ordered from them twice now. One time it took about 10 days for me to get my stuff and the second time it took about 2 days. All in all I was very happy with the service. I will order again because the prices can't be beat. I got an emporer 400 filter. They threw in a pack of filter cartridges for free. I plan to place another order this week.
7Speed
12-27-2002, 1:29 PM
10 days for me in texas.
Hey Devil Guy....you might want to reconsider ordering substrate from Big Al's. I might be wrong, but the cost to ship that much weight would probably over shadow the savings in price. I would take that into consideration before going ahead and ordering it on line rather than picking it up locally.
My experience is 3-4 days to south Jersey and I've always been satisfied with everything they've sent.
Len
NJ Devils Fan
12-27-2002, 3:44 PM
It costs $35 extra to ship the sand.
JamisonBWolsh
12-27-2002, 3:52 PM
Alot of the LFS does not sell specific kinds of gravel. Especially from the caribsea brand.. why..I dont know. Its a VERY GOOD BRAND. Anyway, the only second choice would be to order online (if the store cant special order it)..
NJ Devils Fan
12-27-2002, 3:53 PM
Its made by Seachem.
JamisonBWolsh
12-27-2002, 4:01 PM
There are several brands.. seachem is also good..
NJ Devils Fan
12-28-2002, 8:08 AM
Oh yea, when you guys said how long it took to get your order, were you including weekends too? I mean if I order on Saturday, I could get it by Monday or Tuesday, or do they not ship things on the weekend?
morleyz
12-28-2002, 8:15 AM
Don't include weekends. My last order was pretty big and I ordered it on a Sunday and got it that Thursday.
JamisonBWolsh
12-28-2002, 3:52 PM
I am going to order some things from them on Monday, so I should get it the NEXT tuesday... Im in california :( At least I dont have any SNOW :)
fishbrain
12-28-2002, 3:58 PM
Originally posted by ae48473
I'm in Massachusetts and I receive my orders about 3 days after I place them. I've ordered 4 times already and I'm very pleased with Big Als.
Allan I live in MA also.... I have used checks in the past when I shop at bigals and it takes 3-4 weeks because the check needs to clear,so now I use money orders and the turn around is about 10 days;)
Hammerman
12-30-2002, 8:04 AM
I'm in Upstate NY, it takes 2 sometimes 3 days for me.
I also have never had a problem,
:D
Orbitorly
12-30-2002, 10:36 AM
Big Al's online is a great website, I just recently got a Vortex Freedom filter and it came on time, also there customer service was awesome.
wiEngineer
12-30-2002, 8:06 PM
I always order after Noon on Tuesday to get double VIP points and the orders show up usually the following Monday or Tuesday shipping to Madison, WI.
Big Al's is great and my #1 place for getting non-livestock "fish stuff".
125gJoe
12-30-2002, 8:22 PM
Big Al's had the best price for Onyx. I couldn't find it stocked at the LFS's here. Well, I did see just one or two bags that were way over-priced... Most LFS workers here didn't even know about SeaChem and their products. Even with shipping, Big Al's had the best price on Onyx Sand.