FINALLY...It's Here!

[Kenzy]

After a very long wait my tank from Inter-American has finally arrived and is in place. If anyone has been following this almost turned into a Soap Opera. Two weeks to build a tank-- five and a half months to ship the thing! Needless to say I'm not very impressed with the customer service at Inter-America. The tank is well built, but Mitch has lost a repeat customer. It's just not worth the headache!

I know AJ has mentioned that AquariumPro's is interested in carrying IA custom tanks and other products. I wish you the best of luck.

Another alternative would be Miracle tanks which are made (as I was told) in Toronto. To me this would be a much better choice since it is much closer and they also make a good tank. I've had many over the years without a problem. Remember someone has to pay for the expensive shipping from Calgary to Toronto, and that will likely be the customer.

I don't know if Miracle does custom work but I'm sure arrangements could be made with the backing of a large Mail-Order account.(ie. Starfire glass)

Hopefully after Christmas I'll be setting up a web page with pics. of the tank.

Later.

[ajx22]

I'm happy to hear that your headache is over!! :D

As for the AquariumPros.ca dealings with Mitch/Inter-American...
I have worked out that the shipping would be covered due to him shipping normal stock to Ontario...and any of my orders would just hitching a ride on the truck - very reduced costs.

I had contacted Miracles which is here in Mississauga...If you think that Mitch is hard to deal with...I have another story for you! Basically...unless you open a Big Al's - Miracles is NOT interested in dealing with you...especially due to me being a Mail-Order company. They are worried that I will sell their tanks for what they are worth and not mark them up 150%+ like the other Storefront merchants do...thus hurting their relationships with their other stores. (I feel really bad about doing that too). I asked what business what prices I sold things for was of theirs...and they informed me that they thought that the industry was OK the way it is...and that Internet based (Mail-Order) companies won't last...so if I was to sell the tanks for what they cost (10-15% mark-up rather then the 200% they want), it would put pressure on the stores to deal with decent pricing and stop ripping off the customer...

I think that as long as there is enough profit to keep the business open and expanding...that is enough!! If you deal the way this industry has been dealing...then it's 200% mark-up and screw-the-customer every way possible. I as a consumer was sick of it...and so I started AquariumPros.ca. Until Miracles changes the way they practice business...I cannot recommend them as a vendor. I know that they make good quality products...I just don't like their "continue to screw the customer" beliefs.

Just my personal opinion...and I'm still glad to hear that you got things worked out with Mitch/Inter-American in the end!

Good luck and I can't wait to see the pix!!! :D

[Kenzy]

It sounds like you're as sour on Miracle as I am on Inter-America.:hammer:


As a caution, my whole problem with Mitch was the promise of FREE shipping. When it costs you customers it's not so free.

Hmm...maybe I should start building tanks. ;)

[KW-Reefer]

Hi,

Thats great news Kenzy. I would just like to add to A.J's comments on Miracles.I own a CUSTOM 180 gal miracles tank! The reason that it is custom is because it has two holes in it that I guess is what is custom to them.My tank is is no way nice looking as far as construction goes,and I go stuck in the back door (if you know what I mean)when it came time to buy it.As far as I'm concerned I won'tdeal with the place I bought it from or the company that made it for me.

Oh, A.J cudos on your choices so far It is Integrity that has not found a place in our hobby.You have shown that and more in you quest for the "Ultimate" M.O company.We will be having words soon I still have to get that live rock I spoke to you about.

How much do you think a 96"x48"x30" tank would run?Just curious at the moment but you never know in my house.:D

MY .02 !!

James

[Kenzy]

Ok,Ok maybe miracle wasn't the best choice as an example.:D

The point is that I would think that there must be a decent custom tank builder in Toronto somewhere that can provide better service than I-A.

Later.

[pluff]

Well as far as i'm concerned,i'm not buying nothing from the LFS here in Saint John New Brunswick where i live again,unless its a I NEED IT NOW :) item...I just ordered $500.00 worth the items from MOPS for the first time and i saved almost $300.00 go figure the mark ups.Plus i even showed the LFS the items i wanted and they just say ole well order it online..I even asked them for a little discount as i spent thousands with them,and they say they can't,as its up to the franshise owners.For example 150 gallon salt mix here is a $100.00 and i got a 200 gallon mix under $80.00 go figure..

Phins Up ^^^^^^^^:fish: