Stunned, shocked and down right MAD!!! Please read

[Rob Top]

I can not believe what I just found.
http://www.findamentals.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=about_us

This link is to testimonials from findamentals.com. They ran a short lived power buy on dolphin pumps. The more you buy the better the savings. It was not a well thought out sale as the guy was going to loose lots of cash. I pulled together 3 friends, each of us where going to get 2 pumps and wind up paying about $100 each pump for the higher ends ones. What a deal. I could not believe it. No should I have. Mike explained to me how he was loosing a lot of cash, that was when my reply was what you see in the link. His next reply, which I can forward to anyone who would like to read it, was to tell me he now can't give me that deal. He suggests I pay full retail, don't get the free shipping and when he is more pofitable he will give me store credit. End result was I bought nothing from him because he did nothing like live up to his word, the power buy, and down right lied to me. I sent and e-mail to the powers to be here as an FYI on this experiance because he it was a power buy posted here and was going to leave it at that. But this evening, just for giggles I went to his site really to see if it still existed and I find he is using me as a testimonial. What a fool. As the link says I have a big mouth and I will be using it. Do not buy from this guy!!! Tell your friends, family, anyone and everyone he is slimy. Using me as a testimonial when I was screwed by him. FOOLISH

 

[Rob Top]

Here's where he says yes, I'm a man of my word

Rob,
The price of the five 4700's and one 2100 together (before tax, shipping, etc.) is $1,801. That makes your order valid for 3 free orders and 15% off.

Assuming the first three orders are free, that's $628 before shipping for two 4700's.

If you chose ground shipping, it is $86.53. With our packaging fee ($8/pump since they're large items), the total is $762.53. That's Tax in the state of new york is 8.75%. Since you pay tax on all items, we take that from the total price of the pumps only. Therefore, tax is $157.59.

Your total is $910.12.

Now we take 15% off of $910.12, and it comes out to be $136.52. $910.12 minus $136.52 is $773.60, and that's what you'll pay.

Re: how we are able to do this - we're not. We started up the powerbuy when our supplier was having a special on line pumps, and the special ended about 2 days ago. The pumps will cost us $1,530.85 at wholesale now, so we lose quite a bit. In fact, we lose aalmost 50% of what we'll pay for wholeslae. However, I am not one to go back on my word, so the deal still stands.

Besides: $757 is near what we'd pay for a month of Reef Central Sponsorship, and I hear word of mouth is a wonderful advertising medium.

Have a nice afternoon.

Mike Giangrasso

and now watch this...opps I can't honor it right now

Rob,
Many, many apologies! For background: findamentals.com is a combination of two corporate entities: Findamentals, Inc. and Long Island Aquaculture, Inc. Together, we are findamentals.com, and we split our profits 50/50.

Our understanding has been that Findamentals, Inc. will manage the online front, custoemr servoice, and advertising, and Long Island Aquaculture will manage the purchase and shipping of goods.

That said, I just got this email from the head of Long island Aquaculture:

"Mike,

A few things.

First and foremost is a definition of our business relationship. We are
a supplier to Findamentals and a part of findamentals.com. We do NOT deal with the customer service front. We do NOT deal with your specials. We are more than happy to hold your drygoods and more than happy to hold your livestock, provided you and John pay. This is your issue, not ours.

We can't and won't sell things at a loss.

Please note that deducting $700 from the company's funds will be reason to terminate our business relationship. You are welcome to pay for your special with your own funds.

[Name omitted for privacy]"

Basically, they are unwilling to put down money we don't have, even if I agree to pay them back from my share of the profits until we are even in installments.

I've given the issue some thought, and I've decided this: you still get your deal, and I'll pay out of my pocket for the loss as soon as I have the funds to spare. Starting a business is, unfortunately, a very turbulent and unpredictable time, and I cannot guarantee when this will be. Once we've got enough customers such that I'll be able to spare $750, your order will be the first to ship. I again apologize, and I sincerely hope this will not be a problem nor will it hurt your relationship with our company.

and finally

How's this sound? If you buy everything wholesale now (so I don't make nor lose a cent, and you guys get everything cheaper than you'll ever find it anywhere else), I'll reimburse you later on with $500 store credit, once I can afford it. Right now, our supplier refuses to sell at a loss, but If I paid them to make up for that loss, it would be fine. That's exactly what I'm going to do, once I have the funds. Right now, findamentals.com is my only source of income, and I have to stretch it pretty far. I regretfully inform you that I cannot, at the moment, afford the $750 to give to Long Island Aquaculture to fully honor your powerbuy.

DON'T OFFER THE SALE IF YOU CAN NOT HONOR IT, DUH!

 

[smontanus]

Amen...I've run my own business for the past six years, and the future finally looks bright. Every stupid customer relationship or pricing mistake I've made cost me...not my customer. Sure, sometimes I let them know I'm taking it in the shorts but only to point out to them that the long term relationship is more important to me than the short term sale, and you know what...It works. Judging from this so does the opposite, run your customer off. If this guy was being honest with you (ie. his income and stretching things) then he's admitting they are undercapitalized and you should stay as far away from him as possible just for using that as an excuse.

As a side note I checked these guys out several months ago right before the site started live sales. It looked like a bunch of high school kids, the site had profiles of the principles. I admired the fact that kids that young would try running a business, but alas this is what I was afraid of and why I didn't try them. The worst part is posting your comments. They should be punished for this...try the better business bureau. Sorry about your luck Rob.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm confused. You say in the end he expected you to pay full retail, but right above it appears he offered the merchandise to you at wholesale?

 

[SnowManSnow]

please be advised that the word is CUSTOMER, and not costomer.

thanks

B

 

[Anonymous]

Well I dunno. It sounds like the guy screwed up. Oh well.

But if that makes you stunned, shocked and downright mad, I pray that nothing truly bad ever happens to you.

 

[FragMaster]

Here is what I see:
The guy ran a special, the special ended, he forgot to take it down, you spyed an oportunity to make a killing at some one elses expence, knowing it was an error. (We have all done it)
No offense ment.
the guy put him self out there with his business partners to make it happen the best way he could for you, even at the risk of sounding like it was thievory on his part to his partners.

Although it seemed to you as if he was playing a shell game on you I dont read it that way. It is also hard to get an idea as of what transpired fully with missing messages, which there seems to be.

Thats just my opinion and although it seems I am taking sides, I am not .
I own and operate my own business as well. So I know all to well how things work with customer service, and special sales out of date. He just flubbed it up and didnt remove the add. Stupidity is not a crime even though it should be! LOL!!! His whole sale prices for those pumps though are rediculous to say the least. But it was stil cheaper than retail, and what most run them at on sale.
Just my 2 cents, or lack of, how ever you take it! LOL!

 

[smontanus]

Maybe I jumped the gun here. Fragmaster makes a lot of sense. But the reason for the post was putting up the testimonial, not the sales mistake. I just got burned in a similar fashion over some equipment for work and thats probably tilted my bias. Posting that testimonial sure does seem like cherry picking though.

 

[FragMaster]

Yeah now that part IS shadey.
But the REAL question is this: When was that message sent?
We will never know. It could have been sent after all of the above emails.
Especialy since it states how he wouldnt mind paying a couple bucks more to an honest sales man. BUT like I said there is just to much missing information.

Here is the message
"...I must say that after reading how this will cost you I am not olny shocked, put quite impressed that you are standing by your word. I've been in retail for 15 years and yes word of mouth is a great was to get your name out, and I have a BIG mouth. Further more I have a lot of tanks, and supply needs. Not only has your integrety earned my big mouth, but my loyalty as well. I am more than willing to pay a couple bucks more to some one who has earned my loyalty than to a big box. Your pricing is fair on everything I have looked at and is now book marked at the top of my list. Thank you, I look forward to completeing this and future transactons
Rob"

Also it seems that that page is the only working page on thier website! LOL!!

 

[Rob Top]

Just a couple replys. Sorry about the spelling, not my stong point and I was tiered. Yes he offered them at wholesale, not full retail, but still not what the ad said. When I responded to this power buy it had been up for 5 days and I saw no reason for it to be expired I did not think I spied a deal and was doing to take advantage of it. Yes there is a lot missing, you want every e-mail I sent him and he sent back say the word and I'll send them to you. The testimonial was sent between the two quoted messages, the whole point of all of this was this guy is using part of a message to show how good his service is, when in fact it is not good at all.

But if that makes you stunned, shocked and downright mad, I pray that nothing truly bad ever happens to you.

It's the little things that get me worked up, really big bad things I take very well.

 

[rjdudek]

Rob,
I can understand your dismay. I agree that if someone is going to run a loss leader or promo special they should post a expiration date or at least pay attention to when the special is over. I would be concerned this guy is not a business person, I have never had the good luck to have someone cut their margins by discounting taxes and S&H. Reefkeepers are a small customer base and good CS is key to survival IMO.

 

[Rob Top]

The point of this is not that I didn't get the pumps. The point is he is using me as an example of how great his service is when it was far from.

 

[Anonymous]

If the issue is his use of your testimonial, then you should probably have asked him to remove your testimonial before going off about it.

 

[Rob Top]

If the issue is his use of your testimonial, then you should probably have asked him to remove your testimonial before going off about it.

This wouldn't have made you mad? You wouldn't have wanted to let others know? A happy customer might tell someone, but an unhappy customer will tell everyone, that's what I am doing. And I have asked that it be removed, but it should have never been used.

 

[Anonymous]

If the issue is his use of your testimonial, then you should probably have asked him to remove your testimonial before going off about it.

This wouldn't have made you mad? You wouldn't have wanted to let others know? A happy customer might tell someone, but an unhappy customer will tell everyone, that's what I am doing. And I have asked that it be removed, but it should have never been used.

Yeah, I would have been pissed for sure, I'm not suggesting your frustration and anger isn't valid, just that going off about it publicly before giving the guy a chance to take down your mis-represented quote is a bit harsh given that he was trying to let you in on a deal that was (by his words and your quote) 2 days over, thats all..

Do some digging over at michiganreefers.com and you'll see I went through something similiar about a year and a half ago with a startup LFS (that since went under.) - I posted some follow-up to my complaint there that we worked things out. - I suggest you continue to work things out with this person, it looks to me like he did at least try to make you a good offer, maybe you can make him a counter offer and both of you can yet come to a mutually-agreeable understanding.

 

[FragMaster]

At last ! A Glorious light shines down from the heavens !! LOL!!!

Yeah , Dude I think you have every right to be po'ed. Thats not what I ment to imply either. Just try to be less conspicuos the next time you spy a foul-up and try to score on it! LOL!! (Maybe try to get two pumps instead of a case! LOL).
No matter what y'a say thats what y'a did. Its in bold face type! LOL!!
WE HAVE ALL DONE IT!! Just admitt it to your self and I bet you feel a whole lot better about this thing.
Save for his retarted use of a cut up reply of course! LOL!!!

 

[FragMaster]

Now you want to talk about getting the wool pulled over your eyes checkthis out LOL!!

1st email regaurding a bare 60" hood from Cool-Touch lighting:

"Yes we sell just the shell canopies on our website.
www.aquariumlight.com
For a 60" canopy shell with reflector and cut out end caps for 3" fans.

$149.95
The lens is another $35.
Shipping is $30

We are working on getting a photo for you.

You can also get it in black if you wish $39.
If you are interested in this product, go to www.paypal.com and make a payment to:
[email protected]
or call us directly at 1-866-COOLTCH X 21
We accept visa, mastercard and american express.

Kim"

2nd email when I tried to confirm they had them in stock:

"I think the price is $179 for a 60inch and yes we can have the endplates have holes on either end. You just need to specify when you place your order.
The lense is $35.
Shipping $35.
If you are interested in this product, go to www.paypal.com and make a payment to:
[email protected]
or call us directly at 1-866-COOLTCH X 21
We accept visa, mastercard and american express.

Kim" (AGAIN I was only trying to verify they had themin stock because of the words "I think" used by thier rep in the above email Notice a price jump yet? LOL!!)

3rd email recieved by Cool touch lighting:
"O.k so the 60" canopy's are $259.95
Lense $35.
Shipping $35.
make sure you specify the details of exactly what you want. i do not process the paypal orders.

If you are interested in this item, please call us directly at (416)213-0355 or 1-866-COOLTCH (1-866-266-5824).
We accept Visa, Mastercard or American express.
OR Go to www.paypal.com and make a payment to the following address:"

Now that was some BOOOOOOO SHIAT!!!! LOL!!!!
Jumped from $214.95 shipped all the way up to $329.95 IN THREE EMAILS!!!! LOL!!!!
KEEP IN MIND ALL WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS A BARE CANOPY WITH NO LIGHTING WIRING OR FANS!!! LOL!!!!