Reef Cleaners and online vendor lessons learned

[Steve1500]

Since this is a general subject, I thought it would be appropriate in the Reef Aquarium Dissussion forum. Please feel free to move it to another forum.

I ordered some snails in late Dec but ReefCleaners mistakenly did not send the entire order. John and I went back and forth on shipping cost refunds and to spare you all the gory details, we worked something out. To make a long story, short; ReefCleaners will keep my business and I will get quality products from them. During the dispute, both sides were professional. I appreciate John working with me!

Here's my point: So many times I see people taking stabs at the online vendors via social media/forums. I understand there are times when that is necessary but many times "we" become impatient and frustrated and then we scream bloody murder. The online vendors know customer service is a high priority and they want to keep our business. If we work with them during a dispute, things will usually pan out. Sometimes that requires us to take a few deep breaths and hold our tongue (or keyboard). Just like we need patience with reefing, we need to have a professional and patient relationship with those folks who support us. And for the record, I am not affiliated with ReefCleaners or any other reefing businesses.

 

[eXact iDip®]

Well said! We've purchased items through ReefCleaners as well and John is great! We highly recommend them for any CUC needs.

 

[biecacka]

I’ve always had great experiences with John and reefcleaners. Both top notch service providers.

corey

 

[Gene Ashton]

I'm curious why you buy CUC online and not at your LFS? Asking because I need some more in my RSR 450.

 

[Drdrew99]

I regularly purchased CUC from Reef Cleaners and have always been happy with service and quality

 

[biecacka]

Larger selection and I was looking for a few things in particular. Plus reefcleaners is a sponsor to our local club, so we had a group buy.

corey

 

[EMeyer]

I'm curious why you buy CUC online and not at your LFS? Asking because I need some more in my RSR 450.

IME cleanup crews are some of the most overpriced items at LFS. I don't see many snails sold for $0.17 each

Diversity is also usually lacking. LFS usually has maybe a couple kinds of snails at most.

ReefCleaners is great, my go-to vendor for CUC

 

[Drdrew99]

I'm curious why you buy CUC online and not at your LFS? Asking because I need some more in my RSR 450.

I do both. I like that I can get a large quantity from RC and they are delivered to my door.

 

[Steve1500]

I'm curious why you buy CUC online and not at your LFS? Asking because I need some more in my RSR 450.

From what I understand RC does not house fish in their tanks or system so their is less risk of disease. LFS typically house fish and snails in the same water system. Just risk management.

 

[Gene Ashton]

What do you recommend for mixed reef 90 gallon. 12 fish, Zoas and leathers and toadstool mushroom corals. A few huge colonies of Asterospicularia. I have about 8 Nassarius and 5 blue legged hermite and four large turbos. Staying relatively clean and the caribsea fine sand looks pristine ATM. Maybe I don't need anymore but thinking I should as I just recently re-homed a lot of this coral and four fish added at the same time.

 

[Steve1500]

What do you recommend for mixed reef 90 gallon. 12 fish, Zoas and leathers and toadstool mushroom corals. A few huge colonies of Asterospicularia. I have about 8 Nassarius and 5 blue legged hermite and four large turbos. Staying relatively clean and the caribsea fine sand looks pristine ATM. Maybe I don't need anymore but thinking I should as I just recently re-homed a lot of this coral and four fish added at the same time.

Maybe some nerites or Cerriths for the nooks and because they may target different organisms. But, if you already have some CUC, I would wait and see how things progress. Snails can be short lived and many may be killed by the crabs.

 

[TheHarold]

I'm curious why you buy CUC online and not at your LFS? Asking because I need some more in my RSR 450.

Its SOOOOO much cheaper from ReefCleaners and you get a whole lot more. And more variety.

 

[sde1500]

Interestingly I had a similar experience with them earlier this year. Ordered one of their crews, plus a few add ons. They forgot to ship the vast majority of the prebuilt crew. They took care of it fast enough, didn't even need to do back and forth, I just emailed them saying they missed the vast majority of my order and they sent the rest to be delivered the day I requested. Though I came out of it feeling a bit differently than you I guess. My feeling was; What sort of volume do they do that they can't double check an order ticket before sealing and shipping a package? Esp for pre-built packages, should be an easy check box. Expecting my order to be complete is far from high expectations IMO.

 

[samnaz]

Last I checked, reefcleaners is a one man operation... from livestock collection by hand all the way to the package on your doorstep, and everything in between (customer service, emailing, website, etc). Considering they are one of the most popular cuc vendors, he’s bound to make a mistake or two, being no doubt super busy running everything. I’ve had multiple hiccups with orders but I let em slide. After all, he always sends extra free livestock on top of having the best prices on everything... I can’t complain.

 

[AZMSGT]

Reef cleaners did right by me.

 

[saltyhog]

Nothing but positive experiences with Reef Cleaners. Usually get much more than I ordered. They are a great source for dry rock also.

 

[Another Newbie Reefer]

I'm curious why you buy CUC online and not at your LFS? Asking because I need some more in my RSR 450.

Even with shipping, RC was significantly than any of the 3 LFS near me. Plus they had much more variety. As an added bonus, they put extra in my order.

 

[Silver14SS]

From what I understand RC does not house fish in their tanks or system so their is less risk of disease. LFS typically house fish and snails in the same water system. Just risk management.

I believe their stock is wild caught, but I have no idea how long they are held prior to shipment. Not sure if that mitigates disease or not.

 

[MrWheelock]

Also had a good experience with them. For me thier prices and selection are what will make me a repeat customer. My go to store doesn't carry scarlet reef crabs, and is always out of trochus.

 

[Quietman]

Since this is a general subject, I thought it would be appropriate in the Reef Aquarium Dissussion forum. Please feel free to move it to another forum.

I ordered some snails in late Dec but ReefCleaners mistakenly did not send the entire order. John and I went back and forth on shipping cost refunds and to spare you all the gory details, we worked something out. To make a long story, short; ReefCleaners will keep my business and I will get quality products from them. During the dispute, both sides were professional. I appreciate John working with me!

Here's my point: So many times I see people taking stabs at the online vendors via social media/forums. I understand there are times when that is necessary but many times "we" become impatient and frustrated and then we scream bloody murder. The online vendors know customer service is a high priority and they want to keep our business. If we work with them during a dispute, things will usually pan out. Sometimes that requires us to take a few deep breaths and hold our tongue (or keyboard). Just like we need patience with reefing, we need to have a professional and patient relationship with those folks who support us. And for the record, I am not affiliated with ReefCleaners or any other reefing businesses.

Nice to hear someone that understands that a good vendor always has their customer in mind even if it takes a bit of negotiating on our part. Professionalism, courtesy and reasonableness is always the best way to go.