Fishtanksdirect.com Experiences?

[Elliott ll]

I noticed that Fishtanksdirect.com doesn't charge sales tax unless living in Florida. Being that I live in Texas, this could save me about $500+ on my reefer-s 1000 or reefer 3xl 900 purchase. I close on my house April 5th then will take final measurements before purchasing.

My question is, does anyone have experiences with purchasing from Fishtanksdirect.com and how was it? Why don't more people purchase from them if they don't charge sales tax?

 

[mindme]

Never used them, but have you looked at other brands? Seems like I see a good bit of posts about red sea and leaks lately. Could just be due to the volume they sell, I'm not sure. But right now I would be nervous about buying one, especially since they are on the higher price side.

I personally have a prostar and like it so far after nearly 1.5 years.

I assume they'll use freight shipping, so that part is all based on the shipping company.

As for not charging sales tax - that is common. I did not pay sales tax on my pro-star. I bought it from another state than I live in for the exact same reason. However, the company I was thinking of buying from in Florida(where I live) told me after I purchased it that it was a mistake on their website and they wouldn't have charged me sales tax.

So you can look around for other deals and you should get the same thing. They might not say it directly, so you'll have to look on the checkout to see if it's applied.

 

[Mr_Knightley]

I've never had experience with the site, however I want to say a word of caution on Red Sea tanks. From what I've found, the front panel leaks that have been popping up seem to be caused by the fact that the edge hangs free over the front of the stand. Personally, I always prefer Planet Aquariums for cheaper tanks & nicer stands IMO.

 

[albano]

Don’t recall the sales tax thing, but I have purchased 2 tanks (200 & 500g) from them as have a couple friends that I recommended. We are all very happy with the purchases and I would definitely use them again.

 

[Elliott ll]

Not looking for brand recommendations. If you do some research you can see that there's yet to be a 3xl 900 with these issues. They admitted their faults and made the necessary improvements. The Reefer-S 1000 line would completely eliminate any worries and dollar per gallon you wont find a better deal with euro-bracing and a metal stand. I know several people in DFW that have Red Sea tanks for over half a decade and love them. I also get to see basically every model Planet Aquarium offers living here, and I can tell you that their silicone work is sloppy and their stands are crap on the inside. Not looking for a tank debate. Prostars are nice, but not for me. I have 30+ fish and need an oversized overflow instead of a tiny one with barely any room for flow.

Shipping is free, and no taxes from Fishtanksdirect.com... please only comment if you have experience with them. Thanks.

 

[Elliott ll]

Don’t recall the sales tax thing, but I have purchased 2 tanks (200 & 500g) from them as have a couple friends that I recommended. We are all very happy with the purchases and I would definitely use them again.

Thank you so much! This is the input I am looking for.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I did purchase from them, I live in FL, but I needed a sump and it was out of stock everywhere so I ordered from Them and it was here in 2 days, it arrived cracked well missing a bottom corner, I immediately took pictures and showed them and they had another one on its way, i got it fast.. I did not return the cracked one, they were great !

actually I have ordered a few times from them, I think the more "popular" places have more visually appealing web sites that makes them seem better, maybe, idk..

 

[Elliott ll]

I did purchase from them, I live in FL, but I needed a sump and it was out of stock everywhere so I ordered from Them and it was here in 2 days, it arrived cracked well missing a bottom corner, I immediately took pictures and showed them and they had another one on its way, i got it fast.. I did not return the cracked one, they were great !

actually I have ordered a few times from them, I think the more "popular" places have more visually appealing web sites that makes them seem better, maybe, idk..

Good deal. Sounds like they take care of their customers.

 

[SLOfizz]

I've never had experience with the site, however I want to say a word of caution on Red Sea tanks. From what I've found, the front panel leaks that have been popping up seem to be caused by the fact that the edge hangs free over the front of the stand. Personally, I always prefer Planet Aquariums for cheaper tanks & nicer stands IMO.

Anyone worrying about the front pane not being supported by a bottom pane doesn't understand the forces being applied to the glass. Gravity is not the issue as the water pushes the glass Out - not Down and the failure point is the silicon adhesion to the glass, so as long as you have enough surface area of adhesion, the orientation of the glass will not matter.

In the instance of a RedSea Tank the bottom glass is thicker on some models/sides then the sides, so adhering the side panels to the edge of the bottom panel gets you more surface area than the other way around, making it actually stronger.

 

[afrokobe]

I bought a Im tank from them. It came shattered, they told me to reach out im for warranty.... I was quite annoyed to have to do that myself. When it came direct from them. Then IM told me they weren't an authorized reseller, but they would honor the warranty.

I wouldn't buy another tank from them. Even if to save on sales tax

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

For the vast majority of sales across state lines (of anything), sales tax is not charged. The exception is if the retailer has a physical presence in the purchaser's state.

 

[albano]

For the vast majority of sales across state lines (of anything), sales tax is not charged. The exception is if the retailer has a physical presence in the purchaser's state.

Maybe in Texas…

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Maybe in Texas…

It has to do with the seller, not the buyer. So regardless of where YOU are, if the seller is in a different state and does not meet certain requirements, they don't charge tax.

Just one of MANY links if you take 5 seconds to Google it... https://www.thebalance.com/sales-taxes-across-state-lines-4058714

 

[e-sully]

I'm a long-time lurker on R2R that never posts, but why not now. I've ordered some equipment from them with no issues. Never a tank. No sales tax even in NY, which is very unusual as many online places without a presence here still charge sales tax in NY.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I'm a long-time lurker on R2R that never posts, but why not now. I've ordered some equipment from them with no issues. Never a tank. No sales tax even in NY, which is very unusual as many online places without a presence here still charge sales tax in NY.

Lol your not joking.

 

[Elliott ll]

They're an awesome company. I ordered mine right before the G2 release and they contacted their rep over at Red Sea and got me the G2. Currently in my garage as I'm waiting for the weekend to have friends come over to help me set it on the stand. I believe I'm currently the only person with the G2 reefer-s 1000 until August. Wouldnt have happened without fishtanksdirect. I got 2 reefwave 45s and my 900 skimmer with them with the purchase. Saved me some serious money with no sales tax.

 

[Elliott ll]

I bought a Im tank from them. It came shattered, they told me to reach out im for warranty.... I was quite annoyed to have to do that myself. When it came direct from them. Then IM told me they weren't an authorized reseller, but they would honor the warranty.

I wouldn't buy another tank from them. Even if to save on sales tax

If you didnt inspect the tank and refuse it then its your fault if it came shattered you needed to follow procedure correctly. My tank didnt have a scratch on it and they were insanely detailed in describing how to inspect the item upon delivery. You had a legal right to open and refuse if you suspected any damage. I'll never not purchase from them. Everyone at the company was awesome and called frequently with any updates.

 

[albano]

…I'll never not purchase from them. Everyone at the company was awesome and called frequently with any updates.

Same experience as I had.

 

[SLOfizz]

For the vast majority of sales across state lines (of anything), sales tax is not charged. The exception is if the retailer has a physical presence in the purchaser's state.

A lot of states will now send you a bill for the missed sales tax and call it a "Use Tax" so be on the lookout for that ****. Does not apply to Texas

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

A lot of states will now send you a bill for the missed sales tax and call it a "Use Tax" so be on the lookout for that ****. Does not apply to Texas

Why wouldn't it apply to Texas?