Disappointed with AquaCave

They Suck!!! I have had nothing but trouble with them. One time I ordered a pendent from them and they jerked me around for three weeks! I got fed up and finely canceled the order and got the light from marine depot had it in 3 days. Not to mention one of the times I called their customer service the guy was curseing and acting like he was talking to one of his buddies not a customer.

 

I ordered a 250 watt radium bulb(along with two 400 watt bulbs) a while back and it wouldn't light, so I emailed them a few times, called a few times, no one answered or even returned my calls/emails. Last time I ever order there! I still have the bulb if anyone wants to look at it...

 

I have found they rarely or ever respond to e-mail but have been pretty good about phone customer support. Makes no sense to me.

 

i just ordered a turbofloter with np it works great

 

I've always had good luck with AquaCave, but they do drop-ship certain items, so that can lead to delays. If it's in stock, it's usually at my door in 2 days or less.

-JB

 

I placed my order with then on December 27th and i have still not received my items....

 

I have ordered from them once and it took 22 days, never again.

 

Wow, what is with me? This is another vendor I have nothing but great things to say about. They supplied 90% of my tank build, and I have ordered from them probably half a dozen times in the past year.

With two exceptions, everything has been shipped same day and got here packed like it might go through the apocalypse (and with my UPs driver, that is possible), in great shape.

The two exceptions: They were out of the calcium reactor I ordered. When I called about the back order, they sold me the 2 chamber version instead at a *stupid* discount...I think I paid like $10 for that extra chamber.

And, I ordered an EB8 (for my Apex) and it took over a month and a half to show up....and when it did, it was dropped shipped from Neptune, so I'm guessing that was a problem with supply at Neptune.

Generally, I make a list of what I need, and build the order out of my "preferred suppliers"; whoever has it all and works out to the lowest cost gets the order.

I like 'em in this order: (for *dry* goods)

Bulk reef supply. Weird inventory, so often they don't have all that I am after. But once you get in one of the group buys, the prices are insanely low, plus they sponsor the club. I try to buy what I can from there first.

Aquacave: Has what I am after 90% of the time. Prices are about the same as Marine Depot, but the 5% Reef central discount puts them over the top.

Fosters and smith: Wacky fast normal ground shipping for our area. Prices about the same as marine depot. As long as you know what you are buying...they do carry some brands that are the poo. They support the club.

Marine depot: They will have it if all of the others don't. Plus, I like to read their catalogs, so I order something from them every so often /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/tongue.gif.

If there were a local vendor that offered a GIRS discount, I would pay more and shop locally....but often the price difference is too huge to ignore.

 

I ordered a DOW RO membrane from aquacave and they were apparently out of stock. Instead of asking me if I wanted to cancel or wait for new stock, they decided to just ship me an off brand.

They failed to return my emails as well.

I have always had great luck with bulk reef supply. Most of the time if I order something in the morning, I will have it the next day!

 

I also placed an order this weekend and I still have no shipping notification. And they were out of the Blue Wave 7 HQI dual ballast that I wanted, they said they've been discontinued, but they still advertise them for sale. So idk.

 

Good thread for the Buy/Sell feedback forum...

 

Bah! Let it stay in general. If you don't wanna get bashed on forums, don't give bad customer service /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif.

 

Bummer....I've had issues with Aquacave also. Seems to be reoccuring theme.
I recently ordered from Bulk Reef Supply ...I ordered on a Sunday and had the box on my front porch on Tuesday. They are ALWAYS prompt. I never hesitate to order from BRS.

 

I heart BRS.
Bluefool, actually, I thought it might be good in the buy sell feedback forum just so there is a central location one can look for reviews on vendors/sellers.

 

I think most vendors and LFS recognize the power of an online club...the quick communication between members coupled with strong opinions...it's very powerful in pursuading spending behavior. BRS is amazing....Air Water and Ice is amazing (and, year-round club discount)...and there are many more. It's unfortunate, though, that some vendors are just very careless. We are a solid demographic that can work in their favor and their advantage.

 

Ok, so i finally called them and the guy goes, "Oh, looks like it got sent  back to us last week b/c it was broken!" So he continues to tell me it musta just been sitting in the warehouse this whole time..... SO, they were not trying to send me new stuff or anything, just set it aside and forgot about it... Thanks guys at Aquacave, ya really impress me with your service.. barff....