Warning! In Living Color Aquariums in NJ

[layer3switchguy]

Folks,

It's rare that I find myself having to write a warning about a company, but sadly that’s exactly what I'm doing...

After dreaming and wishing about setting up a reef tank, my wife and I decided to take the plunge. We read like crazy, and setup a plan to help us be succesful. We live in Southern, NJ just outside Philadelphia and have a few options when it comes to fish stores. We settled on In Living Color in Marlton, NJ, as we found the store to be immaculate, with lots of healthy looking fish.

We settled on a 55g corner tank that the store had to order for us, with delivery scheduled for the following Friday. When Friday rolled around, the store called us to apologize, but the color of the cabinet we ordered was different from the one the manufactuere sent. Needless to say, we were disappointed, but hey, mistakes happen. The store assured us we would have the proper items delivered early the following week.

Sadly, that week came and went with more excuses, delivery date promises that never happened and then ultimately no response from the store at all. Even worse than being out $1800 for the aquarium setup is how this has affected our enthusiasm for the hobby. At this point I can no longer get any sort of reply from the store. No return phone calls, nothing!

I now find myself with the painful task of trying to collect my $1800 back (paid with AMEX) and starting all over again. For anyone in the Southern, NJ or Metro Philly area considering this store for purchases please be very careful. These are not honest people.

L3

[Rejoice]

That's Terrible!!!!! I'm not from the area, but I totally feel for you.

Most LFS aren't that way (I think) but perhaps is there a Better Business Bureau that can help get your money back? Just a thought.

Have you physically gone into the store since? I'd personally walk in there and refuse to leave until they either gave me the tank or my money back, otherwise IMO their frauds

Don't give up L3, you'll lick this problem!

Jess

[roka64]

Have you physically gone into the store since? I'd personally walk in there and refuse to leave until they either gave me the tank or my money back, otherwise IMO their frauds

I agree! You are the customer, go in there and keep going up the chain, until you get results.

[buttercup]

I agree as well... i would walk into that store and demand your money back!!! They can't keep your money legally... and threaten legal action if they don't refund your money!

[Tex]

Yep, I agree. A personal visit is in order and you have recourse through AMEX. $1800 is a LOT of money.

[roka64]

$1800 is a LOT of money.

$10 is a lot too, if you get nothing for it.

[verucaproduce]

That is absolutely terrible. It is bad enough when a store doesn't deliver what they promise, but when they hide and refuse to answer your complaint, well that just makes it worse.

Good luck. Hope you can get your $ back from AMEX.

[Mrsfuller2572]

In our area, our local news channel has a "Trouble SHooter" who investigates those in the fraud business. I would repeatedly try every news channel in a 60 mile radius until someone went to bat on your behalf and exposed this shop with a good bit of publicity. Around here, they have been VERY successful at getting one's money refunded, as they continue to run the story updates until things are made right. Perhaps that would help. Small claims court is another option. Keep logs of all phone calls, in person conversations, etc.
HTH

[tecwzrd]

*Moving to the correct forum*

I agree that news channels are your best bet for getting a refund. Negative publicity is very harmful for business and most will bend over backwards to either refund or correct any issues as quickly as possible.

If you have any email correspondence or other written proof of what you have stated it will be much easier to convince a news channel to do a story on it.

[joannde]

Call Amex and open a dispute - they'll debit the company - once they don't have the cash they may actually get their acts together and get the right product ! And at least you'll have your money back

[roka64]

Any update on the issue, layer3switchguy?

[DeathWarp]

Another option is contacting the local paper. They may allow a submission of a complaint letter (bad publicity) or perhaps one of the reporters may want your story. If I lived in NJ, I would definately come with you and aid you in any way possible.

[7Enigma]

If this ends badly contact the BBB and file a dispute. While this does not always have any effect, sometimes it causes a magical turnaround of their position...

[roka64]

Any update on this?