ordering corals from EBAY or Internet sites
- Thread starter Zepman323
- Start date
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NeuroticAquatics
Valuable Member
What are you looking for? Zoas, SPS, ???
I've never ordered thru them, but WorldWideCorals has some good stuff.
I've never ordered thru them, but WorldWideCorals has some good stuff.
Last edited:
KoleTang
Valuable Member
A Reef Creation has some cool acans. Their Chameleon scan is quite nice.
Kapital
New Member
Ok before I post this I want you to know this is the downside to ordering corals off eBay. Personally, since we are using this site I feel it is best to support the sellers here that have a great reputation and wonderful products. That being said, here is a story of a horrible/good customer experience. Also why I recommend to use FedEX or USPS for shipping... Just my two cents.
Ups Experience.
I would like to start off saying that I'm aware everyone has had different experiences with various delivery companies: UPS, FedEx, and US Postal Service. Today, I had the unfortunate event of having to deal with a level of customer service so horrible that it literally made me sick. I understand that many companies, as such listed above, have various protocols and procedures that are taken to assure that the companies are working as a well oiled machines. To my great dismay, today would be the day that the UPS distribution center in Tampa(Florida), knowingly and willingly, withheld an overnight delivery package with live contents that will be dead by the time of delivery. The story starts on Monday night when it was discovered that the package was originally sent to the wrong destination. Upon seeing this, I worked with the supplier to get the address changed in hopes that when I finish helping my mother through her treatment, for stage 3 breast cancer, I would be able to swing by and pick up the package of corals from the distribution center. When at the cancer treatment center with my mother, I tracked the package, waiting for it to be received at the distribution center. When the package finally notified me the change in delivery address had gone through, it then asked me to schedule for delivery. Seeing this I immediately wanted to call the distribution center only to find out that they do not accept inbound calls. Quickly, I google'd the phone number for UPS and called to schedule a pick-up at the distribution center. Upon finally reaching someone, I was told that they would have someone call me within the hour to schedule for a pick-up at the distribution center. I then waited an hour and a half for a phone call that I never received. I gave extra time to UPS because I understand that from a business standpoint things can get busy. I then called back to the UPS call center and again was told to wait an hour and someone will call me to schedule a delivery. I was continuing to wonder why the person on the phone used the term delivery, after confirming multiple times the items were to be picked up at the distribution center. But giving UPS yet again the benefit of the doubt, I waited an hour. After the hour was up and worrying about my shipment of live corals (that if left in stagnant water for over 24-hours are extremely susceptible to RTN, rapid tissue necrosis), I made the decision to go to the distribution center. While getting in my car I realized that I had a voicemail not a missed call but voicemail, so I listened to it. It was someone from the distribution center letting me know that they wanted to confirm delivery tomorrow. This only made me worry even more... Why was I getting a confirmation for a shipment delivery that 6 hours prior was scheduled for a warehouse pickup? So I called back yet again to the UPS call center. By the time I had reached someone, I was at the distribution center. I walked up to the counter and informed them that I was there to pick up my package currently at that center. They said that it was scheduled for delivery tomorrow. When I questioned why it was scheduled for delivery tomorrow when there was a note in the system for local pick-up? they said "I dunno." I then informed the employees how that isn't an acceptable answer for someone, who's organization 6 hours earlier, confirmed the local pick-up. I then proceeded to inform them about the contents of the package and how it was rather urgent that I pick them up today. The employees behind the counter then decided it was best to call the manager. Upon speaking to him, they still said it was scheduled for delivery. I then proceeded to ask the person behind the desk if I could speak to the manager, at which point, she picked up the phone, dialed some numbers, and then handed the phone to me, assuming this was her way of saying yes. I spoke with the manager, and after he decided to stop repeating "it will be delivered tomorrow..." I asked, "why, with a phone number on the delivery slip, was I not notified of a change in delivery date sooner? For example, when the change was processed at 9:06AM, instead of 7:00PM when you left a message." I informed him about how disappointed I was with there lack of efficiency and effectiveness in handle the issue given 7 hours to find and locate the package. The manager then said, "Ok... I'll look for the package." With high hopes and yet again giving UPS the benefit if the doubt, I waited to receive the package. When I had waited for an hour the lady at the front expressed her concern about "finding the package"... She stating that it was already in a container for tomorrow's shipment and that its extremely likely that I will not get the package. I reassured her that the manager gave me his word that he would look for the package and felt that he was going to find it. As the time passed, I was able to see many other people receive there packages and even had the privilege of attending the fire drill with them. As every minute past two hours pasted, I continued to get a feeling that the manager wasn't truly looking for the package, as previously promised. When 9:15PM hit, the manager came down to the store front to inform me that they were unable to find my package. When I asked why they couldn't find it, he stated it was in a shipping container with thousands of boxes and they were only able to get half the container searched. When I probed more about this process, I came to find out that the distribution center's form of searching for packages in a container is pulling the packages to the side and working there way to the back of the container. All the meanwhile, putting even more boxes into the container. When asked why he would continue to put boxes into a container they were searching through, I got the same "I dunno" answer. Completely dumbfounded by how it is now taken over 9 and a 1/2 hours to find a package, I stated that we were half way through it and wondered how much longer it was going to take. He stated "I'm not sure how long it will take...But we have to close the office so I'm going to have you move to the guard's office to wait till tomorrow for the package." At this point I was completely speechless, did this manager just ask me to wait till they open tomorrow morning at the guard's office? I couldn't believe that a multinational corporation would allow such a grievous statement to come out of a managers mouth. This was utterly unacceptable, so I then left the office and returned to my car, two and a half hours of my life wasted on an empty promises from a company I trusted. So I did what any rational person would do and called the UPS call center to report the incident. Upon reaching an individual, I asked to speak with a manager. Being my now ninth time calling, I figured I'd just speak with a manager. After waiting twenty minutes to speak with a manager, I was transferred to the international shipping department. Which within seconds, quickly realized the error and transferred me back to where I started. After explaining to the lady the situation and also about the issue with the manager, she then got me over to a manager. The manager, after ten minutes of explaining the situation, then hung up on me. I then called back to inquire how to pick up, this now dead shipment of coral, so I would have records to file a complaint with UPS. The gentleman I reached was very nice and swiftly and quickly connected me to another manager. The second manager then apologized for the transgression and attempted to contact the distribution center, with no luck. So I ended up coming home and writing this letter, which I didn't intend to post. But as I sit here in complete dismay and shock at what happened, I realized I needed to share this so no one else gets the same atrocious customer service that has not only cost me $700.00 in corals but a whole night of waiting. I'm sorry to say this because I've always love the slogan, but I'm sorry brown you will not be doing anything more for me. FedEx and USPS you have a brand new customer for life.
So, I bet your saying to yourself... Dang, I'm never gonna order corals from eBay! We'll my story isn't finished just yet. After 21 yes that's how many times I talked to/got hung up on/arguments I had with UPS, I called Justin from reefnation, the company that I ordered from. Justin after 5 minutes of letting me tell him about UPS said, "Don't worry about it Brian, I'll send you all new frags just let me know which actually survived." So I got him the list and he shipped me a whole new order. Now not every ebay seller is like this, and I'm positive that Reef2Reef deals are just as gracious. On the other hand I have ordered colonies on eBay from a dealer that came in with bugs and pests, so I do urge you to be careful. This is the list of dealers from eBay I have purchased from. I am actually going to troll all the reef2reef dealers next and looking forward to dealing with them and the eBay sellers I know are good.
List:
Reefnation (check out purple rain)
Socalaquafarms (in Cali)
Woosaquatics123
Frag_junky
Lareefs (calms and anemones)
Josephlee17
Dovavonsreef
Goldenbasket8
Zeronitratescorals
Evowrxsi
Ups Experience.
I would like to start off saying that I'm aware everyone has had different experiences with various delivery companies: UPS, FedEx, and US Postal Service. Today, I had the unfortunate event of having to deal with a level of customer service so horrible that it literally made me sick. I understand that many companies, as such listed above, have various protocols and procedures that are taken to assure that the companies are working as a well oiled machines. To my great dismay, today would be the day that the UPS distribution center in Tampa(Florida), knowingly and willingly, withheld an overnight delivery package with live contents that will be dead by the time of delivery. The story starts on Monday night when it was discovered that the package was originally sent to the wrong destination. Upon seeing this, I worked with the supplier to get the address changed in hopes that when I finish helping my mother through her treatment, for stage 3 breast cancer, I would be able to swing by and pick up the package of corals from the distribution center. When at the cancer treatment center with my mother, I tracked the package, waiting for it to be received at the distribution center. When the package finally notified me the change in delivery address had gone through, it then asked me to schedule for delivery. Seeing this I immediately wanted to call the distribution center only to find out that they do not accept inbound calls. Quickly, I google'd the phone number for UPS and called to schedule a pick-up at the distribution center. Upon finally reaching someone, I was told that they would have someone call me within the hour to schedule for a pick-up at the distribution center. I then waited an hour and a half for a phone call that I never received. I gave extra time to UPS because I understand that from a business standpoint things can get busy. I then called back to the UPS call center and again was told to wait an hour and someone will call me to schedule a delivery. I was continuing to wonder why the person on the phone used the term delivery, after confirming multiple times the items were to be picked up at the distribution center. But giving UPS yet again the benefit of the doubt, I waited an hour. After the hour was up and worrying about my shipment of live corals (that if left in stagnant water for over 24-hours are extremely susceptible to RTN, rapid tissue necrosis), I made the decision to go to the distribution center. While getting in my car I realized that I had a voicemail not a missed call but voicemail, so I listened to it. It was someone from the distribution center letting me know that they wanted to confirm delivery tomorrow. This only made me worry even more... Why was I getting a confirmation for a shipment delivery that 6 hours prior was scheduled for a warehouse pickup? So I called back yet again to the UPS call center. By the time I had reached someone, I was at the distribution center. I walked up to the counter and informed them that I was there to pick up my package currently at that center. They said that it was scheduled for delivery tomorrow. When I questioned why it was scheduled for delivery tomorrow when there was a note in the system for local pick-up? they said "I dunno." I then informed the employees how that isn't an acceptable answer for someone, who's organization 6 hours earlier, confirmed the local pick-up. I then proceeded to inform them about the contents of the package and how it was rather urgent that I pick them up today. The employees behind the counter then decided it was best to call the manager. Upon speaking to him, they still said it was scheduled for delivery. I then proceeded to ask the person behind the desk if I could speak to the manager, at which point, she picked up the phone, dialed some numbers, and then handed the phone to me, assuming this was her way of saying yes. I spoke with the manager, and after he decided to stop repeating "it will be delivered tomorrow..." I asked, "why, with a phone number on the delivery slip, was I not notified of a change in delivery date sooner? For example, when the change was processed at 9:06AM, instead of 7:00PM when you left a message." I informed him about how disappointed I was with there lack of efficiency and effectiveness in handle the issue given 7 hours to find and locate the package. The manager then said, "Ok... I'll look for the package." With high hopes and yet again giving UPS the benefit if the doubt, I waited to receive the package. When I had waited for an hour the lady at the front expressed her concern about "finding the package"... She stating that it was already in a container for tomorrow's shipment and that its extremely likely that I will not get the package. I reassured her that the manager gave me his word that he would look for the package and felt that he was going to find it. As the time passed, I was able to see many other people receive there packages and even had the privilege of attending the fire drill with them. As every minute past two hours pasted, I continued to get a feeling that the manager wasn't truly looking for the package, as previously promised. When 9:15PM hit, the manager came down to the store front to inform me that they were unable to find my package. When I asked why they couldn't find it, he stated it was in a shipping container with thousands of boxes and they were only able to get half the container searched. When I probed more about this process, I came to find out that the distribution center's form of searching for packages in a container is pulling the packages to the side and working there way to the back of the container. All the meanwhile, putting even more boxes into the container. When asked why he would continue to put boxes into a container they were searching through, I got the same "I dunno" answer. Completely dumbfounded by how it is now taken over 9 and a 1/2 hours to find a package, I stated that we were half way through it and wondered how much longer it was going to take. He stated "I'm not sure how long it will take...But we have to close the office so I'm going to have you move to the guard's office to wait till tomorrow for the package." At this point I was completely speechless, did this manager just ask me to wait till they open tomorrow morning at the guard's office? I couldn't believe that a multinational corporation would allow such a grievous statement to come out of a managers mouth. This was utterly unacceptable, so I then left the office and returned to my car, two and a half hours of my life wasted on an empty promises from a company I trusted. So I did what any rational person would do and called the UPS call center to report the incident. Upon reaching an individual, I asked to speak with a manager. Being my now ninth time calling, I figured I'd just speak with a manager. After waiting twenty minutes to speak with a manager, I was transferred to the international shipping department. Which within seconds, quickly realized the error and transferred me back to where I started. After explaining to the lady the situation and also about the issue with the manager, she then got me over to a manager. The manager, after ten minutes of explaining the situation, then hung up on me. I then called back to inquire how to pick up, this now dead shipment of coral, so I would have records to file a complaint with UPS. The gentleman I reached was very nice and swiftly and quickly connected me to another manager. The second manager then apologized for the transgression and attempted to contact the distribution center, with no luck. So I ended up coming home and writing this letter, which I didn't intend to post. But as I sit here in complete dismay and shock at what happened, I realized I needed to share this so no one else gets the same atrocious customer service that has not only cost me $700.00 in corals but a whole night of waiting. I'm sorry to say this because I've always love the slogan, but I'm sorry brown you will not be doing anything more for me. FedEx and USPS you have a brand new customer for life.
So, I bet your saying to yourself... Dang, I'm never gonna order corals from eBay! We'll my story isn't finished just yet. After 21 yes that's how many times I talked to/got hung up on/arguments I had with UPS, I called Justin from reefnation, the company that I ordered from. Justin after 5 minutes of letting me tell him about UPS said, "Don't worry about it Brian, I'll send you all new frags just let me know which actually survived." So I got him the list and he shipped me a whole new order. Now not every ebay seller is like this, and I'm positive that Reef2Reef deals are just as gracious. On the other hand I have ordered colonies on eBay from a dealer that came in with bugs and pests, so I do urge you to be careful. This is the list of dealers from eBay I have purchased from. I am actually going to troll all the reef2reef dealers next and looking forward to dealing with them and the eBay sellers I know are good.
List:
Reefnation (check out purple rain)
Socalaquafarms (in Cali)
Woosaquatics123
Frag_junky
Lareefs (calms and anemones)
Josephlee17
Dovavonsreef
Goldenbasket8
Zeronitratescorals
Evowrxsi
Hello,
I have used a few online sources to get my live stock. I have had great success off of Ebay. The only two people I will deal with is coralswholesaletopublic and colorful_reef .... Online, I use vivid aquariums. They are more pricey than some, but their stock is top of the line. I have never had an issue with them. The Ebay route is what I use the most to be honest.
I have used a few online sources to get my live stock. I have had great success off of Ebay. The only two people I will deal with is coralswholesaletopublic and colorful_reef .... Online, I use vivid aquariums. They are more pricey than some, but their stock is top of the line. I have never had an issue with them. The Ebay route is what I use the most to be honest.
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xPhilx
Active Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2018
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- 125
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- Palm Springs
- What state or country do you live in
- California
Palm Springs here too! I have been looking around to see if we have a group for Palm Springs aquarists. I've ordered a few through eBay too that are local. It's like Christmas when they arrive.Where are you in Ca? You sound like me out in the Palm Springs area.I have ordered multiple times from SoCalAquaFarms (out of San Diego) and once from LAReefs (San Bernardino) on eBay and had great experiences with both. They offer discounted shipping if you are "local" too. I just don't see paying a ton for shipping if I don't have to. Places that offer free shipping usually only do so after you spend a lot.
Phil
North Borders
Active Member
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- Mar 8, 2016
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I've been happy with Aqua-SD so far!
