Aquarium Design Restocking Fee

[kaiser]

Bought a Mag7 from Aquarium Designs yesterday to replace the noisy Mag7 on my Skimmer, but the new one was just as noisy if not worse than the one I allready had. Sort of a ratteling or snarring sound. Anyway I went back today to return it and I was told there was a 10% restocking fee. I spend $5 on gas to get back there and have to pay $7.99 restocking fee? That much for Customer Service. What a bunch of BS, I won't go back there again! I'll just mailorder the stuff I need, it'll cost me less to pay UPS to return something.

[caferacermike]

It's good to know that. Wasn't aware any shop had a restocking fee.

[JLiu]

Wow, restocking fee, if you put it on the shelf yourself can you get paid 10%?

JLiu

[Texreefer]

It is probalby to discourage someone from buying a pump, taking it and running it and then returning it because its not what they expected... It may still be a perfectly good pump, but I wouldn't want to buy it as new knowing someone used it already,, I see nothing wrong with a restocking fee

[captexas]

Yeah, kind of hard to sell it as brand new when it was used, even if it was only for a minute. Some companies won't even take product back once it's been removed from the packaging or used. How are they to know that you didn't damage it or if it is still in perfect condition? Many retail businesses have restocking fees. Even many of the online fish/aquatic supply places have them, just read the fine print. As long as AD had it posted somewhere on the door or at the register or on your receipt, I don't see much of a reason to complain even though it may seem like a bad deal to you.

[JLiu]

It is probalby to discourage someone from buying a pump, taking it and running it and then returning it because its not what they expected... It may still be a perfectly good pump, but I wouldn't want to buy it as new knowing someone used it already,, I see nothing wrong with a restocking fee

Ideally if said vendor put it back on the shelves you wouldn't know if it was new or used, unless they had a used section and sold the product at a 10% discount.

[Texreefer]

Ideally if said vendor put it back on the shelves you wouldn't know if it was new or used, unless they had a used section and sold the product at a 10% discount.

so you wouldn't mind buying a used product being sold as new then.
well then think of it as a lenders fee for the privilage of taking home and trying out a new pump to see if it works, if it doesn't , your not out much

[JLiu]

I personally wouldn't want to buy a used product sold as new, but if it were used I would expect to pay used prices. But a lending fee for trying it out isn't a bad idea, does AD have a used section or is he going to resell the item as new and pocket the 10%?

[kaiser]

The pump in question should be send back to the manufacturer as defect, like I said that thing was making a rattling sound. I told him something was wrong with it, he didn't even offer a replacement! Now if he put it back on the shelf to resell it that's his problem.

[lhoy]

I have a friend who owns Sears in Temple. People regularly buy a tool, take it home and use it. Then return it saying it isn't what they need. Sears national tells the local store owners to take them back. He jokingly calls it the Sears non-profit rental program.

I have no problem with such a restocking fee. I can see someone buying one to use in an emergency (mail ordering a cheaper one) and then returning the pump. He can't seel as new.

Lee

[Kannorsk]

I won't shop there if I run the risk of a restocking fee.

[aquasport24]

They do that on brand new unuse u-tubes too..not just electrical stuffs..

[JimD]

If in fact the product was indeed defective, the store 'should' have taken it back and sent it back to the manufacturer as mentioned before without a restocking fee. The store should have also tested it in the customers presence and made a decision then, if the product was in acceptable working condition then the restocking fee could apply. . At least thats what I would have done... The store also needs to post a reminder in clear view of patrons so theres no dispute.

[kaiser]

The guy told me he prefers to hear noise from his equipment, because that means it's working. I just kept my mouth shut, really did not feel like argueing with the guy after that.

[captexas]

They do that on brand new unuse u-tubes too..not just electrical stuffs..

A business owner can run their business however they want and impose rules to the sale of their products/services if they like. As long as customers are made aware of those rules or they have them posted in view of the customers, then there is no room to complain after the fact. Now if they were not enforcing those rules fairly with every customer, then that would be something to complain about. With AD, it was probably their decision to make the rule for all dry goods just to make it easier, instead of having certain rules for certain individual things. Then you would run into more problems trying to enforce it. I know I wouldn't want to buy something I expected to be brand new only to find out that it had been sold and used before. If I wanted used/refurbished stuff, I would have bought used/refurbished stuff at a lower price.

Kaiser - sorry the pump didn't work out. I've used Mag 3, 5, and 12's and never noticed much noise from them. But I've never used one on a skimmer. Maybe the skimmer is putting back pressure on the pump and that is why is noisy? Some pumps don't handle that pressure very well.

[lhoy]

Well, certainly agree the rules need to be clearly and prominently noted.

Lee

[#1Stunna]

Just a couple things, not taking sides but I just wanted to add my $.02. First, I know for fact that they have the customer rules or whatever there called taped to the front counter, at the register as well as at least one other place if not two other places in the store. On those rules it does state that there is a 10% restocking fee on all returned dry goods. But the kicker is if you asked for a replacement; had you asked for a replacement there is no restocking fee. I know this, Ive shopped there many a time and if there is ever a problem with anything Jason always does me right and gives me a replacement pump/heater/whatever was defective and at no cost to me. Thats not a 'hookup' for just me either, Ive seen him do the same thing for someone else. and lastly were you using the pump inline as a venturi? if you were, thats not what the mag 7 is designed for. You need a needle wheel pump for a skimmer, and thats why it was making the rattling noise.

P.S. Support your local LFS.

[beareef19]

I had a mag 7 on a skimmer and it was notorious for making a rattling sound when I took it of and used it for something else the sound was barely noticable.

Barry

[Bill S]

Just my $0.02.

Drs. Foster and Smith don't have a restocking fee.

ANY merchant can certainly have/post a policy. However, if they choose to to tick me off by following that policy, I will certainly exercise my right to shop elsewhere.

[coraline79]

I really like AD. bought my skimmer there, pump crapped out the second day I had it, and i was pretty ticked off, they replaced it no charge. I have to say though, that knowing they do this kind of business, I might try to find another option if I am not sure about the quality of the product. Word for word they told me if I wasn't please with a product they sold they would make it right, and thats not right.

[Richard]

I think a business can make whatever policy they want but a customer has a right to complain about it too.

Kaiser loses $8 and AD makes $8. AD loses all of Kaisers future business and now Kaiser is forced to shop online where everything is cheaper, is always in stock, and is delivered to his door for less than what he would have spent on gas driving to the store.

Hmmm...So who is the loser in this situation?

Kaiser, spend the extra money and just order an eheim 1260 or 1262. You be glad you did.

[TexasTodd]

I've taken a few things back to AD that didn't work properly. I've had absolutely NO problems as each time they verified the problem and promply gave me a new replacement.

Now, I haven't simply tried to just return something, but to me that's a different issue than a defective item.

Ditto what Richard said on pumps...Buy an Ehiem if it'll fit to your skimmer, Mag drives aren't the best pumps.

TT

[Kristy]

I feel the need to defend Jason and AD. We have done a lot of business there and he has always taken care of us. We had a heater that went out after about 6 weeks, and he exchanged it free, no problem. He is always available for advice and I think the store is commited to excellent customer service and the aquarium community.

Bottom line though, retail is about making money. He doesn't sell used equipment, so most likely has to return the "used" product to the vendor, who probably charges the fee (or at least shipping involved.)

[tony]

jason also allowed me to return a broken koralia no questions asked

he is good people

[BoborLinda]

We shop, look & dream at Jason's. NEVER have we been treated with anything but respect & courtsey. Each person there has gone out of their way to help, & being new to this hobby is a MAJOR Help. True, I'm not fond of a restocking fee, but so many of the businesses are doing this, but the help we get outweighs the cost. I don't plan on loosing who I consider to be a friend, for a few dollars. Thank you guys, and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! A D is 5 star in our books*****+

[captexas]

Just my $0.02.

Drs. Foster and Smith don't have a restocking fee.

ANY merchant can certainly have/post a policy. However, if they choose to to tick me off by following that policy, I will certainly exercise my right to shop elsewhere.


Dr. F&S may not, but others do. You have to look for the fine print. Marine Depot has a 20% restocking fee on ALL return items. Premium Aquatics will accept returns, but the customer is responsible for shipping and if you refuse their shipment, they charge you a 25% restocking fee plus shipping costs. Custom Aquatic has a 15 to 30% restocking fees if you don't follow all of their rules and if the product was used in any way. Champion charges a 20% restock fee unless you exchange the item for another one. Hellolights reserves the right to charge 15 to 25% fees for certain returns. That's just a quick few that I looked at. I bet most of us have ordered from them without knowing these rules when we made our purchases. Funny how we can get so upset as customers over rules we don't pay attention to. If the roles were reversed and we were the store owners, I bet we would have the same rules in place!

[caferacermike]

In the end I agree wholeheartedly that if the issue is that AD feels the item is used so there is a reason to charge a restocking fee, the item should be sold for 10% less. If the item is being sold as "new" at the same price it was originally sold for, then that is shady. That's the type of stuff that annoys me as a hobbyist. However, if AD feels that the restocking fee is to cover the cost of having an employee stock the item, fill the void, restock the item, explain every detail about the item, as well as the time to ring you up originally and then the cost of the employee's time to make the return, then the fee is acceptable if in writing somewhere.

Just wanted to add that I won't shop at a place that wishes to make a fuss about me returning an item. End of story. The big picture is that I may continue to shop there for years if they respect that I may have been unhappy with a purchase. They charge me a restocking fee I'll never spend another dime there again. That is the shops chance to take.

[Bill S]

I'm NOT knocking AD. My point about Drs F & S is that they ARE the competition for LFS. Ask the folks here that HAD a LFS and now don't. Their model is to put on your doorstep, tomorrow morning, an item you can get from your LFS for 50% more today. Gotta tell you. That's tough to compete with.

Now, that being said, if I returned an item to a local establishment, LFS or not, that I had USED for a couple of days, I don't think I'd be too upset at getting charged for that use, if it was my fault that the return happened. Now, if they gave me bad advice, or I had a defective item, that's a different story. On a defective item, I'd expect it to be replaced or get my money back, THEIR CHOICE.

[MissT]

I'm NOT knocking AD. My point about Drs F & S is that they ARE the competition for LFS. Ask the folks here that HAD a LFS and now don't. Their model is to put on your doorstep, tomorrow morning, an item you can get from your LFS for 50% more today. Gotta tell you. That's tough to compete with.

Now, that being said, if I returned an item to a local establishment, LFS or not, that I had USED for a couple of days, I don't think I'd be too upset at getting charged for that use, if it was my fault that the return happened. Now, if they gave me bad advice, or I had a defective item, that's a different story. On a defective item, I'd expect it to be replaced or get my money back, THEIR CHOICE.


I agree that it is very tough to compete with that pricing, but just because they don't charge a restocking fee, do they cover the shipping to send the item back? NOPE... how much does it cost do ship a 5+ lb. pump? It's more than $7.99.....

If an item is defective, the return is pretty much based on what the manufacturer does to take care of the customers. If we have problems at our shop with vendors/destributers/manufacturers following through with quality product, and returns, we will not stock their merchandise hands down.