Thanks for the backup John
First off, I don't think I'd ever spend $100 on a fish at a place who's never even seen the thing. Sure they may guarantee it, but if the thing croaks I still have my time and headaches invested and that to me is worth $$ too. And what happens when they resend it and it croaks again? They're still sending a fish the person who took your order has never even seen.
Well here is where I disagree. I'd think that someone who actually had the fish in sight, not in another state would be the one that got my money. Yeah, there's something to be said for a long guarantee, but there's even more to be said for outstanding service IMHO. You can't get me to change my mind on that...it's MHO.
Here's a fine example of when a little conversation with a vendor who actually cared about their stock would have saved some hassle, money, and a fish. But on the other end, I've never heard, nor experienced a dwarf zebra lion not shipping well.
I don't think he said he'd rather lose the $80. Again, I believe dealing with a more personal vendor allows for better resolution should there be problems rather than just throwing more fish and shipping at someone.
Why? Again, my biggest concern is dishonest people and all those who don't believe the rules apply to them. Look at all the people who actually curse at me because I don't allow subs out of a package. "Can't you do it just for me?" Sure, then what grounds do I stand on when I try to tell the next guy I can't sub out? You think everyone is so quick to follow the rules and you probably would, but try being on my end.
When someone shares an unfavorable vendor experience, what's the first thing out of most peoples mouth? Chargeback!! No one even gives a crap if the vendor is in the right. There's a $35 cost to the vendor right there. At least with my bank it is. In reality, what do you think someone is going to do when they send me a water sample and I find the nitrates were over 100 so I say I can't honor the guarantee? He'll initiate a chargeback. I can guarantee that at least.
Before when I said 90% fill rate, I don't mean they'll send you 90 hermits when you ordered 100. I mean if you ordered 10 things, they'll still ship you the 9 without notification and be proud they have such a "high" fill rate.
What does live aquarias guarantee say to me if I were at least a semi informed joe bochagalupo customer? It says to me that they can't even see their livestock so how are they going to even be able to tell it's healthy before shipping? But they got money to throw around to make up for it by offering a gurantee like that. And charge more for less service to boot! Again, MHO Just today I saw on the boards where someone used Foster and Smith to place an order and they couldn't even tell him if the stuff shipped when it was supposed to cause they can't see the stock. Turns out, they never shipped it and they didn't realize they never shipped it until 9pm the night it was supposed to go out.
I'm sorry Ravencad, I can show you my books if you really like. I can't afford to pay for the stupidity and carelessness of others no matter if you think my reason holds water or not. Even still though, I am considering offering one to see how it works out. How about you volunteer to be my liason to customers and advise me on some of the ridiculous claims, and threats, I will be sure to get?
TTYL
First off, I don't think I'd ever spend $100 on a fish at a place who's never even seen the thing. Sure they may guarantee it, but if the thing croaks I still have my time and headaches invested and that to me is worth $$ too. And what happens when they resend it and it croaks again? They're still sending a fish the person who took your order has never even seen.
Sorry, when I'm buying a $100 fish, I'd rather know I'm covered if anything comes up than to know the guy that packed it with his own 2 loving hands... Yeah, I like helping little guys when I can, and if he sells dry goods I'll be happy to compare some prices, but the simple fact is that bad things happen during shipping and fish don't always make it...
Well here is where I disagree. I'd think that someone who actually had the fish in sight, not in another state would be the one that got my money. Yeah, there's something to be said for a long guarantee, but there's even more to be said for outstanding service IMHO. You can't get me to change my mind on that...it's MHO.
When I first started my sw tanks I learned the hard what that Dwarf Zebra Lions are NOT good shippers... If I'd paid the LFS for em, I would have been out 2 fish and 80 bux... But, Marine Depot gave me credit on both of those fish...
Here's a fine example of when a little conversation with a vendor who actually cared about their stock would have saved some hassle, money, and a fish. But on the other end, I've never heard, nor experienced a dwarf zebra lion not shipping well.
To say you'd rather lose the 80 bux than support a "big corporation" is simply poor judgement...
I don't think he said he'd rather lose the $80. Again, I believe dealing with a more personal vendor allows for better resolution should there be problems rather than just throwing more fish and shipping at someone.
If the package is so caringly wrapped, fish treated so well, blah blah blah, then why cant a warranty be given? Water quality? Require a water sample... It's pretty easy to tell a fresh batch of change water from some nice lived in tank water, both in appearance and under a microscope... Some places require you to take the same exact fish as the loss, which I think is a very good way to cover you incase you find, God forbid, someone that would rather order the Flame Angel, decide they don't like it, off it, then use the credit to order the Yellow Tang instead...
Why? Again, my biggest concern is dishonest people and all those who don't believe the rules apply to them. Look at all the people who actually curse at me because I don't allow subs out of a package. "Can't you do it just for me?" Sure, then what grounds do I stand on when I try to tell the next guy I can't sub out? You think everyone is so quick to follow the rules and you probably would, but try being on my end.
When someone shares an unfavorable vendor experience, what's the first thing out of most peoples mouth? Chargeback!! No one even gives a crap if the vendor is in the right. There's a $35 cost to the vendor right there. At least with my bank it is. In reality, what do you think someone is going to do when they send me a water sample and I find the nitrates were over 100 so I say I can't honor the guarantee? He'll initiate a chargeback. I can guarantee that at least.
Before when I said 90% fill rate, I don't mean they'll send you 90 hermits when you ordered 100. I mean if you ordered 10 things, they'll still ship you the 9 without notification and be proud they have such a "high" fill rate.
What does live aquarias guarantee say to me if I were at least a semi informed joe bochagalupo customer? It says to me that they can't even see their livestock so how are they going to even be able to tell it's healthy before shipping? But they got money to throw around to make up for it by offering a gurantee like that. And charge more for less service to boot! Again, MHO Just today I saw on the boards where someone used Foster and Smith to place an order and they couldn't even tell him if the stuff shipped when it was supposed to cause they can't see the stock. Turns out, they never shipped it and they didn't realize they never shipped it until 9pm the night it was supposed to go out.
I fully understand the reasoning for not giving a warranty when you are small, but your reasoning for why one ISN'T needed frankly doesn't hold water...
I'm sorry Ravencad, I can show you my books if you really like. I can't afford to pay for the stupidity and carelessness of others no matter if you think my reason holds water or not. Even still though, I am considering offering one to see how it works out. How about you volunteer to be my liason to customers and advise me on some of the ridiculous claims, and threats, I will be sure to get?
TTYL
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