Bad experience with captexas - Leaking Chiller

[justin-branam]

I hate to post this, but i do not like getting screwed, and that is how i feel. I purchased a used chiller from captexas. he told me it was in working condition except for the temp probe, which was out of whack, so i bought a dual stage controller to use with it (easy fix). I drove from houston to san antonio to pick it up last weekend, and just got to hook it up last night. about 10 seconds after i plugged in the pump, i saw water puddling under the chiller. I turned it off and removed the cover, only to find the temp probe had been rusted all the way through and there was a very steady drip coming from it. I understand this is a used chiller, but i was never told it leaked (it i knew it did, i would obviously not have purchased it).

I asked him about this problem and suggested he pay for a new probe (or atleast part of it), so i could fix the leak, since it appeared he knew it was leaking due to dried rust drip spots i noiced below the probe, after removing the cover. His respone was more or less, "i will not pay for a new probe and it never leaked on me." i just find this hard to beleive that since there were already dried rust spots where it had obviously leaked from before.

he also stated that i got the chiller for less than half of what a new one costs and that if i had paid full price for it, then he could understand me being upset. thats not the point though. of course i got a deal since it was used. i dont expect to have to shell out more money after i purchase something that is supposed to be in working condition, just to get it up and running.

Like i said, i hate to have to post this, and im sure others have had great experiences with him, but i didn't, so i fell i need to post this.

Justin

[SBreef]

Chris is a stand up guy. And if he knew that it leaked, I am sure that he would have told you. He was not using the the built in controller, since he told you that the built in controller did not work. once yuo discovered the leak, then you opened the unit only to find the probe had rusted through! How would he have known that, unless he had opened the unit up, or hooked it back into the system. Usually used items are sold "as is". And if you did not test it there, then how is he to know, that it is only the probe that is leaking.
Since you purchased another controller. remove the old probe and plug the hole with a cap.

[captexas]

Justin - I have already dealt with this via PM with you this morning. You basically threatened me over taking this public in your PM if you didn't get the response you wanted. I have no issue with it being public as long as people get both sides of the story. As I clearly stated, it worked perfectly and had NO leaks when I was using it. It sat in my living room, on the carpet. If it is leaking as bad as you make it out to be, I would have not only noticed it before hand, but I would have rust/wet spots on my carpet. After using the chiller for over a year, I have perfectly clean carpet! I also clearly stated I would not have sold it to you if it had problems like this. The only way I would have noticed any rust is if it were all over the place and as you and everyone else can see in the pic of the chiller, it is in almost new condition. My only guess is that maybe you opened the cover and tweaked the plumbing on it a bit to make it start leaking that bad.

As I suggested in my PM, you can tighten the probe and caulk it or just remove it and plug it as SB stated. I'm not going to pay to fix something that worked just fine when I was using it.

Again, there was no wrong doing in the selling of this chiller to you. As I told you I have been around a few years and never had any bad experiences with people in selling of goods or in group orders. I'm sorry you feel that you have been slighted, but you haven't.

[Reef69]

Dont Sell to Reef69!!!..Oh..wait... :blink

Come on guys, whats going on??..Everybody has been having "buy/sell" problems lately..I read one over $6..lol..cant we all get along??.LOL

[jaded]

this is a good post... I like hearing both sides. I have no other opinion, just wanted to say thanks for not making this a bashfest like I've seen lately

[carlinsa]

in the past week this would make what 3 posts about people. understandably people have problems and things happen. when you move something things can happen. heck i got a pump from someone on here and they said it worked fine and i had to kick start it to get it up and going so obveously it wasnt all that great condition. its dead now though. but i am not going to bash anyone just figure you bought it USED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[::pete::]

I will say this ....

Plumbing is plumbing and if its done right and there are no leaks ... we are all happy!!

Now take that plumbing job and move it and fiddle with it and tweak it a little too much and what do you get ... leakes!! Has it not happened to everyone?

I set my 180 up and had one drip. I then decided to change some thing a bit and pulled out the sawsall ... now I had 10 ddrip!!! Why? Because I moved what was set, It happens and if you see some rust or salt creep from before ... good!!!! There should be!! I have never seen a tank or a setup that was 100% flawless.

I purchased a pump from a different reefer and the shaft was broke ... I replaced it because I was still ahead!!! A chiller for 300? Come on!!! Order the 25.00 part and Ill pay for it!!!

[brewercm]

Sounds like somebody wants Chris to fix the problem with the chiller that was documented in the sales forum for free. Plug up where the probe was (I'm sure we're talking about .50 max from home depot)and get on with it. Too many people know Chris too well to believe he tried to screw you on purpose.

[::pete::]

.25 cents!

[pilot_bell777]

I have never seen a tank or a setup that was 100% flawless.


Mine is! It never builds salt creep, never have evaporation, never grows algea, never needs to be tuned or tweeked. I don't even have to do water changes or monitor my conditions.

Oh ya.....it's empty in the garage while I'm sanding and staining the stand/canopy. LOL

In my opinion......it's the buyers responsibilty to check things out before you pay, look it over, know what you are buying and except it after you buy it. If you don't then you get what you get and you don't throw a fit. You wouldn't buy a used car or even a new car without checking it out first and just on someone's word.

Tim Marvin is one of the poeple on this site that I trust to a point that if tells me something I don't question it. but when I bought a tank and stuf from him and I still looked it over and knew exactly what I was in for. Then when I got home and started pulling things apart I found a leak that was being blocked by a glued on piece of wood trim that I pulled off to strip and stain and there was water damage on the stand; but I knew about the water damage but not the leak. I PMed TIM to let him know what I found and that I'm gona make him come help me fix it! LOL but never once did I get mad at him and I told him in my PM not to worry about it and that I was not upset at all just letting him know what I found and that I was glad I found it now instead of when it was full. Tim didn't know about it and I found it when I started messing with stuff. I'm not asking Tim to pay the $4.00 for the Acrylic Glue and I'm still happy with my purchase.
My Point..... I looked it over completely and it even had water in it when I got there and when I got home with it 3 blocks later there was an issue but that is my problem not Tims!

I guess what I'm saying is always check things out completely before you buy and if you still buy be happy with it even if it doesn't make it home!

If you have a new controller then I'm having a hard time understanding what the problem is with getting a $1.00 part to fix it?


Sorry....just my 2 cents.

I know everyone on here is honest for the most part but I sware there is something in the air that is making people get upset too easy.

I'm not jumping on you Justin....and you did a good job in your post trying to keep the upset emotions out of it and stick to the facts and Chris did a great job doing the same. I personally would have called Chris and asked him if he knew about it and if he said no, then I would have left it at that.

and if you buy a $600 item for half price, put a new something for $100 and then a fix for $1.00...you still saved a ton of money.

$600 / 2 = $300 + $100 + $1.00 = $ 401 saving you $199.00.

[pickle311]

I'll give you $250 for it if you don't want it. I would offer $300, but it leaks.

[::pete::]

I'll give you $250 for it if you don't want it. I would offer $300, but it leaks.

Hhahaha ... 255. ;)

:o
Oh ya.....it's empty in the garage :lol :lol

[pilot_bell777]

My goal is sense my wife can't get out of bed and yell at me to have it up and running by the end of this week.........

Ok, maybe just refinished, setup in the house, and full of water! LOL

[motohead]

well i sure did read justins post twice.i feel he said what he wanted to say without being rude.there may be a difference of opinion between chris and capt,but i do feel there is no need to goad justin into making remarks that are not nice.and that is exactly what i think the offers to buy the chiller from him are.not a good time for teasing.i hope everything works out for you justin,dont know alot about chillers but if you can fix it as easily as these knowledgeable people say you can,then you still got a great deal.

[::pete::]

I dont think people are making remarks against Justin, but are saying if he is unhappy they will take it and be happy with it and the inexpensive fix.

[motohead]

I'll give you $250 for it if you don't want it. I would offer $300, but it leaks

sorry pete,but i disagree,this statement is a obvious attempt to get justin riled up.and to laugh it up at his expense is exactly the type of thing that i thought the charter members would avoid.say what you like,but this type of statement in no way leans towards helpful resolutions.it only serves to inflame justins already ill feelings about his dealings.

[captexas]

Motohead -
One of the great things about this club is most of us are so friendly and comfortable with each other that we joke around. Sometimes that joking around can get taken too far or is misinterpreted by others. I think this is the case for what you are reading, just misinterpreting Pete and a few others joshing with each other, no intentions of riling Justin. From his PM to me on Friday, he said he was going out of town this weekend, so I'm sure he'll have something to say when he gets back and reads through all of this.

[motohead]

ok.i understand the joking stuff.but,seeing as how you have multiple thousand posts and pete does too,justin has 42.how well do you really know him?i just think that a peaceful resolution to this problem would be better approached by people who are not involved in the transaction to just take a back seat and offer constructive criticism,not jokes.maybe i am reading to much into it,but the quote that i posted and pete chiming in on it,in my opinion would only inflame the situation.i know that if i was justin,i would not take kindly to those comments and laughter at my expense.especailly where money is concerned.

[justin-branam]

well i sure did read justins post twice.i feel he said what he wanted to say without being rude.there may be a difference of opinion between chris and capt,but i do feel there is no need to goad justin into making remarks that are not nice.and that is exactly what i think the offers to buy the chiller from him are.not a good time for teasing.i hope everything works out for you justin,dont know alot about chillers but if you can fix it as easily as these knowledgeable people say you can,then you still got a great deal.

thank you. that's what i thought this section of the forums was for. to post how your transactions went (in a nice way). like i said to the person who offered me $250 for the chiller:

I dont appretiate any witty comments or "joshing around" (dont think this is the forum for that, general chat would be different). all i know is i purchased a chiller which was said to be in working condition other than a faulty probe, but when i hooked it up, it immediately started leaking. I was just posting what happened to me. Im sure chris is a stand up guy from what you all have said, but i wasnt expecting to have to go buy some more parts to fix an item that was supposed to work.

That said, im finished, and i guess i learned my lesson to test out used equiptment before purchasing it.

BTW: lowes and home depot do not have the correct sized plugs for it (thread spacing is either too small or too large).

[motohead]

as i said,these types of comments are not needed.i guess i dont need to say anymore.justin,sounds like you have a pretty easy fix to the problem.if so you still got a great deal.maybe try a plumbing supply house .you will probably have better luck there than with home depot or lowes.maybe you want to take the chiller with you and have them mate a plug to it.would probably be a good idea.pete and capt texas,i do not mean to be givin you any crap,but i just think you ought to be showing a little bit of restraint when it comes to comments about peoples transactions are here.no need to inflame a situation that already sucks.

[brewercm]

Check with True-Value if you have one close by. I've found that they carry many items that would probably benefit reefers that the big stores don't. They also have great customer service and are really willing to help you find what you need.

[pickle311]

oh my god, you guys sound like a bunch of old women. I was just joking around with you, nothing was meant by it at all. I'm a smart *****, period. I know it and everyone that knows me knows it. I tell it how it is like it or not. I don't mean anything by it, it's just me. Besides, the way I see it, things must be going pretty good when the best thing you have to talk about is my comment. Now get over it and move on. Justin, good luck with the chiller. I really mean that.

[captexas]

Justin -
For it to leak immediately when you hooked it up, something must have happened to it after you picked it up. As I stated numerous times, it never leaked while I had it in use.

Second, while you may not appreciate the "joshing" here, the automatic insinuation of wrong doing or trying to screw you over wasn't appreciated by me either. Publically stating that I did such without any proof is borderline slander. That's all I have to say.

Hopefully the moderators will now lock this thread. Both sides have voiced their sides of the story and no other comments by outsiders are needed nor appropriate.

[Tim Marvin]

I've been on both sides and I feel for both of you guys.

[justin-branam]

Justin -
For it to leak immediately when you hooked it up, something must have happened to it after you picked it up. As I stated numerous times, it never leaked while I had it in use.

Second, while you may not appreciate the "joshing" here, the automatic insinuation of wrong doing or trying to screw you over wasn't appreciated by me either. Publically stating that I did such without any proof is borderline slander. That's all I have to say.

Hopefully the moderators will now lock this thread. Both sides have voiced their sides of the story and no other comments by outsiders are needed nor appropriate.

like i said, from what others have stated, you sound like a stand up guy. im just going to put this behind me and deal with what i have.



oh my god, you guys sound like a bunch of old women. I was just joking around with you, nothing was meant by it at all. I'm a smart *****, period. I know it and everyone that knows me knows it. I tell it how it is like it or not. I don't mean anything by it, it's just me. Besides, the way I see it, things must be going pretty good when the best thing you have to talk about is my comment. Now get over it and move on. Justin, good luck with the chiller. I really mean that.

and with a reply to me stating "guess what, I don't really care what you think." yeah, you are a smart *****. one day you will say the wrong thing to the wrong person. people like you are what is wrong with these forums.



Mods: please close this thread to eliminate any more name calling or picking on.

[Tim Marvin]

I'd like to see an old lady dive and take the pictures Justin does. I can't picture Justin whining, I would be a little frustrated also.
Justin, I hope the cap works and you have no further problems.

[Tim Marvin]

Captexas really is a good guy Justin and I'm sure he didn't do anything on purpose. Next time your up this way drop by and I'll give you a couple free frags. Frags always make people feel good...LOL..