Live Aquaria now charging box charge.

[Thaxxx]

I just started ordering from LA recently.
I always get at least $149.00 worth to get the free shipping.
I just got a email "in stock" notification from them telling me the fish I wanted is now available.
I went and ordered, got the free shipping, but now there was a $9.99 box charge I have never been charged before. I don't know if this is new, or I just didn't get charge on my previous orders.
Does anyone know if this is new?

 

[BkReefBaby]

I also noticed that. 10$ for a single box is pretty excessive when they get boxes in bulk.

 

[Thaxxx]

So much for free shipping

 

[Thaxxx]

I found this in there shipping fine print.
Aquatic life orders are shipped using our SigNature® Shipping System which includes a single $9.99 Box Fee applied once to your order total.
Give something a fancy name and charge extra for it. Hey! Sorta like coral.

 

[albano]

Not sure, but it seems that they will also charge an add’l $14.99, for each shipment from their other locations... ORA/Florida, DD/Wisconsin, or QM/California
Combined with the lack of new discount codes, they may lose a lot of business!

 

[Thaxxx]

I'm just gonna ask my Petco to order fish for me. I can at least pick them up before they put them in their tanks. And they are mostly cheaper than LA.

 

[Fallling]

Seems like a very new thing. I haven't ordered in a few months, but have been ordering for years from them. I just ordered today, and there's that box charge plus increase in minimum for free shipping. I definitely won't be ordering nearly as much.... just sucks as they're my main source for nps.

 

[FishyDave]

I feel like they are just trying to stay in business at this point. With so many other online retailers opening up I would guess they do not have the bulk discounts they once did. I know I had some issue with have claims reimbursed form them this year. It seems they are getting just as strict as everyone else.

 

[FishyDave]

I'm just gonna ask my Petco to order fish for me. I can at least pick them up before they put them in their tanks. And they are mostly cheaper than LA.

Yeah, just doesn't help with the ORA or DD stuff.

 

[FishyDave]

I just started ordering from LA recently.
I always get at least $149.00 worth to get the free shipping.
I just got a email "in stock" notification from them telling me the fish I wanted is now available.
I went and ordered, got the free shipping, but now there was a $9.99 box charge I have never been charged before. I don't know if this is new, or I just didn't get charge on my previous orders.
Does anyone know if this is new?

Their free shipping was $99 up until a month or so ago.

 

[Phlynamjax]

They also increased price on most fishes. I feel like they are losing their competitive advantages.

 

[Reef AquaCult]

It makes sense to add on a box charge if they have to ship from multiple locations, but if you purchase animals from only one location it doesn’t make any sense. I can see if one fish comes from Florida and one comes from DD then there’s 2 boxes and hence a box charge would apply. To charge every order a box charge doesn’t make any sense, it’s clear that shipping requires a box! Wonder who approved that decision!

 

[fcmatt]

Does this box also contain insulation boards on all sides? Naturally there are multiple bags involved for the critters. Packaging tape to seal it. I could see a 3 to 5 dollar charge easily depending on the size of the box. Just to cover those costs. But 10?

Sounds like a way to increase their margins. A business has to make money. Otherwise what is the point? I guess most here would rather see them be more transparent about it and just be upfront with the true charge to buy fish/coral.

 

[FishyDave]

The cost is in the next day shipping needed for live animals (really the fish) and not much else.

 

[Thaxxx]

This is something they never charged for until now. It's new.
Also I received a order from them today. No October 15‰ off coupon code like they always send. Seems like they may have a new sheriff in town.

 

[RedSea500MaxS]

And...read the guarantee. Every word. I have been buying for years.....the came JACOB!

Three fish shipped, two gone. JACOB said no pic of carcass no refund. NO THATS NOT EXACTLY WHAT 14-DAY GUARANTEE States!

Careful! Owned by Petco....things are going corporate?

 

[Poriferabob]

They have been going downhill for a long time. Actually had one of their phone reps yell at me and flat out tell me "no, I'm not going to do that" after requesting to speak to a supervisor. I simply corrected her on a matter she clearly knew nothing about. And it totally ticked her off. LOL.
Look, I get it. They have to stay in business and make a buck too, but I've noticed a decline in the health of their livestock, a decline in the customer service, and knowledge base, an overhaul in how they process "14 day guarantees" (used to give the option of refund or credit, then did away with the option for account credit, now its suddenly back to credit and they no longer offer refunds. LOL) They are also WAY stricter on this than ever before.
All of this in less than the course of a year.
Now, higher shipping minimum and the BOX fee?
Charge higher prices thats fine. Tighten the policies on guarantees, that's fine with me too. But for all of these increases, I would hope for if not expect better customer relations. It seems LA's entire attitude has changed and they seem to have developed a lack of respect for the customers. Very sad indeed.
Maybe someone from their office will chime in here and communicate just what the heck is going on with them and what other surprises we can expect. But sadly, I really doubt they give a ****.

 

[The_Harris_co]

I just ordered 30 snails and 2 dd corals. They certainly charged me a $9.99 box fee on the corals.

 

[Poriferabob]

I just ordered 30 snails and 2 dd corals. They certainly charged me a $9.99 box fee on the corals.

Did you have to pay 2 box fees?

 

[j.falk]

This is something they never charged for until now. It's new.
Also I received a order from them today. No October 15‰ off coupon code like they always send. Seems like they may have a new sheriff in town.

O rly?