Not too happy with my portion of TBS rock.

Hey all...

Well, yesterday my friend and I ventured down to the airport, battling traffic and spending a good portion of the day going round-trip to pick up an order of TBS rock we went in on together.

Picking up the rock was relatively easy. It was very nicely (and professionally) packaged; it was labeled with my friends name (the order was placed by him), and it even had on the boxes which parts of the order were base rock, decorator rock, and coral rock. Satisfied there.

We got back to his place, began opening the boxes up. Was amazed at how good just the base rock looked. There were vibrant orange, red, pink, blue, and purple coralline algaes, and lots of neat macro-algaes. I thought to myself, if the base rock looks this good, I can hardly wait to get to the coral rock. Opened up the decorator rock, was even more impressed. There were what looked to be some polyps, feather dusters, more awesome algaes, and much more on the rock. Sponges looked increadible (hopefully they'll make it).

Then we got to the coral rock. One of the boxes was okay, but not really any more impressive than the decorator rock. Still acceptable though. But the other box (which, unfortunately, was mine; I know because I requested to have three or four larger pieces of rock, and that's what the box contained) was pathetic. I want to call or write to TBS to let them know; maybe they can help me out or offer suggestions; after the other stuff we got I'm really very dismayed at the last box.

There is hardly any coralline algae on it; a slight splotch of purple and pink here and there; the base rock had more on it. The "corals" are nothing to speak of either. Unfortunately, all but two little bits look bleached white and appear dead. The other two I'm crossing my fingers will make it. Not really any sponges (only one I could find), or any other variety of corals. The rocks appear very white, and are very dense also; almost solid, like a few big chunks of quartz. Now my friend and I had done our homework; we specifically requested pourous and craggy. The only thing that really seems to be taking off on the rock I got is a bunch of hair algae. :shake:

After shipping, box fee, and the charge of the rock, I'm really hoping when I contact TBS they'll help me out.

Well, I just emailed Richard today. I figured they were probably closed on Sunday, and was busy then anyway. I'll let you all know when I get a response.

Well, I just checked my mail. It's been a long day. But didn't find much; Richard responded, but he said his partner was the one who filled the order, as he was in the Keys. He said as soon as his partner got in he'd get in touch with me. I'll let you all know when I find out more.

Well, to update...

Not much change. TBS got in touch with my friend who had placed the order first, then me. We've been playing back-and-forth with emails. To their credit, they've been very good about responding to me though. They made me an offer of discounting what they'd sent, but I had been looking forward to getting some cool rock for my tank. :sad Think (hopefully) we're close to a resolution though. I asked if we could do an exchange/return for some rock that'd work more for my tank (and be worth what I paid!).

Grrr...

Well, kind of figured an exchange would not be feasible, but here is what the offer is now:

"not cost effective, we will sell you 20 more pounds at 1/2 price, but you will have to pay freight again...
Thanks
Richard TBS"

I already paid a bunch the first time around! By my calculations, with cost of rock plus my share of the freight and the box fee I paid $160 the first time. For another 20 pounds, even at half price, with the box fee and freight it'd cost me another $128!!! Adding it up that'd cost me $288 for 20 pounds of what I can only use as base rock and 20 pounds of coral rock!!!!! Not to mention in any scenario I'm going to have to make another trip to LAX, spending several hours round trip and a tank of gas, which isn't cheap here in California.

That's getting too d**n expensive for what I was hoping for and budgeting for at first. You know, it shouldn't be this complicated. I haven't responded yet, but I'm about ready to quit doing business altogether here.