Advanced Acrylics - What's Going On?

thewackyreefer · Oct 3, 2019

First of all, let me say, the sump and tanks I have received from AA are top notch and absolutely beautiful.

BUT

It seems their service is just not what it used to be. Late deliveries, missing pieces, saying stuff was going to ship the next day when it never did, etc.

Is anyone else having issues getting a response from John at Advanced Acrylics?

phil bevilacqua · Oct 3, 2019

No, all my stuff is on time but he stays really busy.

lakai · Oct 4, 2019

luvmyacans said:
First of all, let me say, the sump and tanks I have received from AA are top notch and absolutely beautiful.

BUT

It seems their service is just not what it used to be. Late deliveries, missing pieces, saying stuff was going to ship the next day when it never did, etc.

Is anyone else having issues getting a response from John at Advanced Acrylics?

The only response you'll get from him is more lies. If you want I can pass a message to him when I see him in court.

thewackyreefer · Oct 4, 2019

lakai said:
The only response you'll get from him is more lies. If you want I can pass a message to him when I see him in court.

That seems to be the case. I actually just got a reply stating he doesn't know if he can build me the acrylic filter socks I ordered MONTHS ago because he doesn't know if his supplier can get him the acrylic tubes he needs. What a bunch of BS.

lakai · Oct 4, 2019

luvmyacans said:
That seems to be the case. I actually just got a reply stating he doesn't know if he can build me the acrylic filter socks I ordered MONTHS ago because he doesn't know if his supplier can get him the acrylic tubes he needs. What a bunch of crap.

At least he actually delivered on your sump. I never got mine that I ordered 5 months ago.

joseserrano · Oct 4, 2019

This is has been happening for years. Its their reputation. The old way to assist with getting the order done on time was to pay half or some of the cost and pay the other upon delivery.

phil bevilacqua · Oct 4, 2019

I ordered a custom Frag tank and a custom red and black sump with matching ATO all to my exact specifications… The communication seem to be fine for me. I paid when I made the order like anyone else would and then they sent it to me maybe a month later which is fine for a custom set up . The sump had a crack in it and he turned right around and built me another one and had it in the mail within about a week… I’m sorry you guys had a bad time with them but my experience was top-notch and I have talked to John several times since then with some questions that I had about another build. They seem to be moving a little more towards high-end stuff so maybe some of the smaller stuff is getting pushed to the side but I had a great experience with them and I would buy from them again no questions asked.

lakai · Oct 4, 2019

phil bevilacqua said:
I ordered a custom Frag tank and a custom red and black sump with matching ATO all to my exact specifications… The communication seem to be fine for me. I paid when I made the order like anyone else would and then they sent it to me maybe a month later which is fine for a custom set up . The sump had a crack in it and he turned right around and built me another one and had it in the mail within about a week… I’m sorry you guys had a bad time with them but my experience was top-notch and I have talked to John several times since then with some questions that I had about another build. They seem to be moving a little more towards high-end stuff so maybe some of the smaller stuff is getting pushed to the side but I had a great experience with them and I would buy from them again no questions asked.

Happy for you. Unfortunately there are a lot of us who are unhappy with their service.

oceanslide · Oct 4, 2019

Sorry to hear that you guys have had bad experiences with John as everything I’ve got made by him was perfect and there was lots of communication between us. Although I never had to deal with shipping as I picked everything up from him at the shop.

ca1ore · Oct 4, 2019

I have no experience with AA, but I no longer pay up front for custom kit. Max 50% with the balance paid on delivery. If a supplier won’t do that I find a different supplier.

lakai · Oct 5, 2019

Respectfully, I've never seen a post edited by a moderator on any forum until now. I wasn't attempting to circumvent any rules about profanity but there aren't any other worst fitting to describe the situation.

Mike N · Oct 5, 2019

I had a terrible experience with this guy also. Long story short, I was given a frag tank that didn't fit the description and had scratches. He didn't want to make it right with a replacement. I had to go the paypal resolution route to try and get a replacement. Throughout the resolution process, he lied about the item and antagonized me in emails. Paypal decided in my favor and told him to send a replacement. (i had to pay return shipping)
I decided based on his behavior and the shipping cost to just keep the tank and recoup what I could by selling it. Because I didn't send the original tank back, the paypal claim was denied.
A day later I received a personal email from him saying "denied!" with a bunch of laughing emojis. Classy.

meinestrasse · Nov 26, 2019

This is good to know. I was about to order a PVC sump but now I’m not sure I will. The alleged taunting is concerning. It’s a small world in this hobby.

thewackyreefer · Nov 26, 2019

meinestrasse said:
This is good to know. I was about to order a PVC sump but now I’m not sure I will. The alleged taunting is concerning. It’s a small world in this hobby.

Well, let me say, as a follow up to my statements above, John made everything right by me.

I've actually got a PVC/acrylic frag tank and PVC/acrylic sump on the way, hopefully within the estimated 5-7 weeks this time. I'll definitely be on his butt about the delivery time, this time around. His work is great. I've had numerous sumps and tanks built by AA over the years and never an issue with any of them.

phil bevilacqua · Nov 26, 2019

meinestrasse said:
This is good to know. I was about to order a PVC sump but now I’m not sure I will. The alleged taunting is concerning. It’s a small world in this hobby.

People have bad days. Sometimes people do silly things that they wish they could take back… I know I sure have I’m glad I’m not held to a standard of perfection that I see sometimes in this industry… People are human and sometimes we do human things. One thing that I can say is I’ve ordered three separate pieces from advanced acrylics and they are top notch and I would order everything else from them if I needed anything… The custom made some came in with a crack… He sent out a new one five days later to replace it on his dime shipping included… They make excellent stuff and as a company they are growing and most likely having growing pains which is the company that I would like to do business with. One thing that I can say is I’ve ordered three separate pieces from advanced acrylics and they are top notch and I would order everything else from them if I needed anything… The custom made some came in with a crack… He sent out a new one five days later to replace it on his dime shipping included… They make excellent stuff and as a company they are growing and most likely having growing pains which is the company that I would like to do business with. You can look on their Instagram feed and tell that people are dropping major coin with them and overall very good reviews. I don’t work for them nor am I sponsored for them but I will vouch for them because I have to Sumps, a Frag Tank and ato. All custom-made to my specifications and the quality is top notch… And you can really tell a company when there is a shipping mistake and they don’t make you make a claim and wait to get it resolved… He just sent out a new custom sump. In my book, that’s legit. I can’t speak for anyone else but I would not be concerned about AA Happy reefing gents!

OmarA · Dec 10, 2021

thewackyreefer said:
First of all, let me say, the sump and tanks I have received from AA are top notch and absolutely beautiful.

BUT

It seems their service is just not what it used to be. Late deliveries, missing pieces, saying stuff was going to ship the next day when it never did, etc.

Is anyone else having issues getting a response from John at Advanced Acrylics?

OmarA · Dec 10, 2021

thewackyreefer said:
First of all, let me say, the sump and tanks I have received from AA are top notch and absolutely beautiful.

BUT

It seems their service is just not what it used to be. Late deliveries, missing pieces, saying stuff was going to ship the next day when it never did, etc.

Is anyone else having issues getting a response from John at Advanced Acrylics?

Yes, I am having trouble reaching anyone at this company. They don't return phone call messages and do not pick up their phone.... been trying for the last 3 days.

phil bevilacqua · Dec 10, 2021

Yes. John has been my man for years and done great work. But I just had to get a PayPal refund because no sump and several no response text and calls. Hopefully everything is OK with them.

kprice7333 · Jun 17, 2023

Beware-this company doesn’t “always” deliver once paid! I’m talking no product but they have the money. No response to email. No response to voicemail. Nothing! We are 3000 miles away so not as if we can drive over. Rolling dice if you order from them.

k2reefer · Nov 25, 2023

kprice7333 said:
Beware-this company doesn’t “always” deliver once paid! I’m talking no product but they have the money. No response to email. No response to voicemail. Nothing! We are 3000 miles away so not as if we can drive over. Rolling dice if you order from them.

What did you end up with?