Custom Tank Scratches and More

[Chipper1978]

I recently picked up my new custom frag tank (72x24x14) and stand that was built by a well known higher end builder. I was okay with it taking twice as long as I was originally told (6 months instead of 3) since this is my first custom tank and knew it would be worth the wait.

I had to drive several hours round-trip to pick up the tank and stand. Upon arriving, everything was unwrapped, and I signed off on how it looked. However, when I got home and really looked at things closely, I started noticing some flaws (e.g., scratches inside tank and overflow, black paint missing under silicone, unpainted portions of stand). I messaged the builder, and he replied that we looked at everything upon picking it up, and he sent me a picture of paint to use on the stand.

Perhaps it is on me for not looking at things much more closely when I picked it up. But, I also feel like the response I got (as if it’s my fault for not noticing things), especially given the amount of money this tank and stand cost, was upsetting.

Am I overreacting and being unrealistic about the expected quality? I am not questioning the integrity of the tank and I don’t really know what I want at this point. I guess I just wish there would’ve been some acknowledgment that there are some flaws with the build. The too bad you didn’t notice these things upon pick up is just really bothering me. Would you let things go or proceed in another manner?

 

[Lavey29]

Tell them you want it repaired or replaced. If you paid by credit card and they don't make things right, notify your bank that you received damaged merchandise and they will remove the charge pending inquiry

 

[PocketGoose]

Yeah that ain't right. I'd be ticked too haha.

 

[jft]

Who built it, Didn t they check their work? Stop payment until Resolved thats ONLY FAIR IMO.

 

[dodojojo]

I can't imagine having that little pride in the quality of your work to put the blame on the customer.... There's something wrong with that. Not owning up to it either definitely feels like the goal is to get away with it and take advantage of non-confrontational customers

 

[Chipper1978]

Have guys at my house right now starting to plumb and don’t know whether to tell them to proceed or not. Sick to my stomach right now. The scratches in the glass can be lived with and would not be worth the full day of driving back-and-forth with the tank and a U-Haul truck. However, I am worried about the gap in the silicone.

 

[Dburr1014]

I'll play devils advocate.

You went there in person to pick it up.
Inspected it, loaded it, went home and unloaded it.

I know it can be exciting and stressful but, how is the builder to know you didn't damage it after it left the shop? I would have really take the time to look it over 100% before loading it on the truck. If you found something then would have been the time to speak up.
Now, had you had it delivered... Then you can refuse delivery.

 

[Dburr1014]

Have guys at my house right now starting to plumb and don’t know whether to tell them to proceed or not. Sick to my stomach right now. The scratches in the glass can be lived with and would not be worth the full day of driving back-and-forth with the tank and a U-Haul truck. However, I am worried about the gap in the silicone.

Perhaps call him and ask if he can fix it and tell him you are willing to pay or help pay for what wrong.
Show him the pictures.

 

[Cell]

Hopefully they end up working with you, but they brought you in for inspection and had you sign off on it to avoid this very situation. Some of these flaws seem fairly obvious if you were closely inspecting.

 

[Dburr1014]

I can't imagine having that little pride in the quality of your work to put the blame on the customer.... There's something wrong with that. Not owning up to it either definitely feels like the goal is to get away with it and take advantage of non-confrontational customers

This works both ways.
What if the customer damaged something, by mistake, and then says poor craftsmanship?

The fact is, he was there. He looked at it.
These are pretty noticeable problems in the pictures. Excitement can sometimes blind us.
It's always good to be calm and really look at things. I always try to tell myself, "it's not mine yet, the vendor just wants me to inspect his work".
If something is found great, fix it.
The vendor will make sure it's 100% before calling me back. He don't want to keep fixing something and I don't want to waste my time.

 

[Chipper1978]

I get that I looked at it and yes excitement got the better of me. I can live with the scratches. The gap in the silicone is what worries me. At this point, I am probably stuck with the tank since I signed off on it. Would you be confident filling it with water?

 

[exnisstech]

I'll play devils advocate.

You went there in person to pick it up.
Inspected it, loaded it, went home and unloaded it.

I know it can be exciting and stressful but, how is the builder to know you didn't damage it after it left the shop? I would have really take the time to look it over 100% before loading it on the truck. If you found something then would have been the time to speak up.
Now, had you had it delivered... Then you can refuse delivery.

^^ Sorry but I have to agree with this. If you actually signed off I doubt you would have any recourse disputing the charges as some people are suggesting you do. That's pretty much why they have you sign off because the builder has no responsibility what happens one you take possession. Not saying you caused the damage but I assume thats what the seller would state and then submit the sign off paper you signed saying all was good.

EDIT: maybe fill it up in a safe area like garage etc and put some power heads in so you have water movement and keep an eye on it for few days. The silicone seam does look a little sketchy.

 

[dodojojo]

This works both ways.
What if the customer damaged something, by mistake, and then says poor craftsmanship?

The fact is, he was there. He looked at it.
These are pretty noticeable problems in the pictures. Excitement can sometimes blind us.
It's always good to be calm and really look at things. I always try to tell myself, "it's not mine yet, the vendor just wants me to inspect his work".
If something is found great, fix it.
The vendor will make sure it's 100% before calling me back. He don't want to keep fixing something and I don't want to waste my time.

That is a very good point and you are entirely correct that is why vendors have such contracts and invitations for in person inspections. It is frustrating to find flaws later but like you said, we have no way of knowing if any of the issues existed prior to transport.

 

[Cell]

Who is the builder? I would not be happy at all with that tank if it were me.

 

[FoolishWizard]

Do you have photos of how it was secured during transit? That paint / powder coat issue on the stand looks like it came from constant rubbing of tie-downs? Im sure the stand is the least of the worries... Hope it all works out, if manufacturer refuses to do anything... Just fill'er up... Get it running and enjoy it. The defects will disappear once you start enjoying it.

 

[Chipper1978]

Do you have photos of how it was secured during transit? That paint / powder coat issue on the stand looks like it came from constant rubbing of tie-downs? Im sure the stand is the least of the worries... Hope it all works out, if manufacturer refuses to do anything... Just fill'er up... Get it running and enjoy it. The defects will disappear once you start enjoying it.

I do not have any photos of how it was secured during transit, but the straps were on the outside, and the missing paint is on the inside of the stand. That part is honestly not too big a deal to me. I just want to feel safe putting water in it at this point with the gap in the silicone. Person from my local fish store doing the plumbing feels like it will be safe to add water.

 

[Chipper1978]

Who is the builder? I would not be happy at all with that tank if it were me.

Hesitant to provide the name. Don’t want to throw them under the bus and affect their good reputation and livelihood.

 

[Cell]

Reputation is earned and can change over time. If all that damage was indeed always present and it's quite apparent in the pics, the builder should have fixed it before putting the onus on you to identify the issues.

 

[19Mateo83]

Let’s see what @Joe Glass Cages thinks about the silicone seam. If anyone will know if it’s safe he will.

 

[Chipper1978]

Let’s see what @Joe Glass Cages thinks about the silicone seam. If anyone will know if it’s safe he will.

The builder stated “When strong silicone cures it creates air pockets totally normal nothing to worry about.”