Anthony's Tropical Fish..... BEWARE

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guppy said:
Those who are not directly involved please read and remember but please do not try to inflame this.
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Yes, Please! I have been in situations like this, and 3rd party people adding their 'input' does not help, and only makes things worse.

Anthony obviously runs an established business, and distributes great fish.. However, taking advantage of Ivan's generosity and patience is not the right thing to do, nor is changing the price on a fish after an agreement has been made.

I have had orders go bad, I have had fish that were suppose to come be delayed, I have had to issue major refunds.. But if at any time I have to make my customers wait or put their money on hold, I always try to make up with it by lowering the price or sending free fish, not raising the price..

Ivan.. I have worked with you and you're a great guy.. Keep in mind your a popular person and your few words can sway the mindset of alot of people. I agree with every part of your statements and your requests, and understand how you could be so upset.. Holding over your cash and changing prices was not good on his part, but do you really think that constitutes telling people to NEVER buy his fish, after you have had many succesful orders..? I know your upset and want to see justice, and even after looking at the big picture, theres a few things I hope everyone keeps in mind..

Anthony, and other Importers like myself, spend alot of time and hard-work on a hobby that has turned into a job. I spend hours upon hours each day at the facility maintaining the aquariums, and feeding the fish. Then to come home, and read emails and reply to customers(sometimes angry) for a few more hours.. For most of us, this isn't our only job, either.. and I don't know about the others, but Importing fish isn't exactly the quickest way to create yourself a fortune. We do it for the love of the fish, and the love of the hobby. Why people would change prices and lose potential life-long customers, baffles me?.. However, before everyone gets ANGRY with Anthony, keep in mind that we spend alot of time and hard work to supply the 'uncommon' fish to people all over the country.. We aren't major wholesalers, pulling in a substantial income, we are hobbyist who are taking our passion to another level.

Soo.. Before you decide you should place your input here, especially if you don't really know what's going on, you might wan't to think twice.. Because if it weren't for people like Anthony and I, working nearly 80+ hours a week just to provide rare fish and break even to keep the ball rolling, then you would all be buying your rare fish from overpriced LFS that have no idea what they are doing.. Or begging Petcos to carry Lungfish, Stingrays, Datnoids and Gars.. We don't want to see that do we? So let's keep the comments to ourselves, and let the parties invovled resolve this issue in an adult manner..

Good luck to all!
 
DavidW said:
This is 100% correct.....sellers only set themselves up for trouble when pre-selling fish that aren't in their hands yet, risking credibility as well as disputes with customers who feel let down or worse, ripped-off.

I have always refused to do it, I refuse to take deposits for fish that may come in, or may not, even tho I am offered them constantly.The degree of uncertainty makes it a foolish business practice imo, and I am sure this policy has saved me a lot of trouble and grief.
Special ordering of a specific fish for a customer is one thing, but the wisdom of taking money for it in advance is highly questionable. As a minimum any deposits recieved should be put into a seperate escrow account by the vendor, to ensure that it can be easily and quickly refunded when necessary, any other use of that money is a real ethical no-no imo

There is the well known axiom..." DON'T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THE EGGS ARE HATCHED"

Imports rarely go as planned, shipments change at the last minute, some fish die before they are shipped, others soon after they arrive.

There are only 2 rules in retail :

1) The customer is always right

2) when the customer is wrong, see rule #1

just my $0.02
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You are 100% correct David................NEVER SALE WHAT YOU DON"T HAVE IN YOUR TANKS!!!!
 
Miles said:
Yes, Please! I have been in situations like this, and 3rd party people adding their 'input' does not help, and only makes things worse.

Anthony obviously runs an established business, and distributes great fish.. However, taking advantage of Ivan's generosity and patience is not the right thing to do, nor is changing the price on a fish after an agreement has been made.

I have had orders go bad, I have had fish that were suppose to come be delayed, I have had to issue major refunds.. But if at any time I have to make my customers wait or put their money on hold, I always try to make up with it by lowering the price or sending free fish, not raising the price..

Ivan.. I have worked with you and you're a great guy.. Keep in mind your a popular person and your few words can sway the mindset of alot of people. I agree with every part of your statements and your requests, and understand how you could be so upset.. Holding over your cash and changing prices was not good on his part, but do you really think that constitutes telling people to NEVER buy his fish, after you have had many succesful orders..? I know your upset and want to see justice, and even after looking at the big picture, theres a few things I hope everyone keeps in mind..

Anthony, and other Importers like myself, spend alot of time and hard-work on a hobby that has turned into a job. I spend hours upon hours each day at the facility maintaining the aquariums, and feeding the fish. Then to come home, and read emails and reply to customers(sometimes angry) for a few more hours.. For most of us, this isn't our only job, either.. and I don't know about the others, but Importing fish isn't exactly the quickest way to create yourself a fortune. We do it for the love of the fish, and the love of the hobby. Why people would change prices and lose potential life-long customers, baffles me?.. However, before everyone gets ANGRY with Anthony, keep in mind that we spend alot of time and hard work to supply the 'uncommon' fish to people all over the country.. We aren't major wholesalers, pulling in a substantial income, we are hobbyist who are taking our passion to another level.

Soo.. Before you decide you should place your input here, especially if you don't really know what's going on, you might wan't to think twice.. Because if it weren't for people like Anthony and I, working nearly 80+ hours a week just to provide rare fish and break even to keep the ball rolling, then you would all be buying your rare fish from overpriced LFS that have no idea what they are doing.. Or begging Petcos to carry Lungfish, Stingrays, Datnoids and Gars.. We don't want to see that do we? So let's keep the comments to ourselves, and let the parties invovled resolve this issue in an adult manner..

Good luck to all!
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As a customer, here is my input on this topic here.

1. I don't agree with Miles's comment working 80+ hours a week just to provide your rare fish and break even to keep the ball rolling.
- I believe you put in the efforts and hours but we, as a customer also put in your profit. How do you know if other would work 100+ to come up the money to buy fishes from you? So if you think the profit is not good enough for your hard work, then don't do it. This is how I look at when it comes to business. I have a business myself.

2. I agree with Ivan. I have heard lots of stories similar scenarios from my fish nut buddies that they got jacked from Anthony in the past. So far I have never bought any fishes from him.

EF
 
Exoticfish said:
- I believe you put in the efforts and hours but we, as a customer also put in your profit. How do you know if other would work 100+ to come up the money to buy fishes from you? So if you think the profit is not good enough for your hard work, then don't do it. This is how I look at when it comes to business. I have a business myself.
EF
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We understand you work hard for your money, some work harder than others.. But I think your missing my point.. A business is one thing, but providing rare fish is hardly a 'Profit' your putting in our pocket. We profit enough to feed the fish, pay the bills, and import more fish so you, the customer, will in essence 'keep the ball rolling..'..

We profit by having fun with the fish, having the ability to get fish we never otherwise could, and simply enjoy our hobby that fascinates us.. It has nothing to do with $$, atleast not for me.

I agree with DW and the others.. Don't pre-collect money, and Don't break agreements.. It's simple customer service. I should know, I manage a sports store in Seahawks country!
 
Miles said:
We understand you work hard for your money, some work harder than others.. But I think your missing my point.. A business is one thing, but providing rare fish is hardly a 'Profit' your putting in our pocket. We profit enough to feed the fish, pay the bills, and import more fish so you, the customer, will in essence 'keep the ball rolling..'..

We profit by having fun with the fish, having the ability to get fish we never otherwise could, and simply enjoy our hobby that fascinates us.. It has nothing to do with $$, atleast not for me.

I agree with DW and the others.. Don't pre-collect money, and Don't break agreements.. It's simple customer service. I should know, I manage a sports store in Seahawks country!
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Ability to get rare fish is a fun part which I agree. I haven't found a thing that I want which has nothing to do with $$ at least in my world.
 
I can't get into too many details right now but Anthony and I are talking about a good way to resolve this.
As soon as we reach an ending to this situation I will post any and all details for everyone to see. Anthony is actually acting like the original person I dealt with and trying to right the wrongs here.

Ivan
 
welcome to the bad exp with anthony... he sucks as a seller... he sells dead fish... flips em quick never Q's them... like..........
 
Hi rayman:

I am seeing first hand how bad a deal can go with any seller, even one I trusted so much as Anthony. I have said though that every fish that did arrive was in great shape and health. I never had a problem with the other fishes and that's why Miles brought his point about not bashing him so hard.

My complaint has not been ever about quality but about keeping my money and not giving the fishes. I will never fall for a scenario of paying ahead of time again no matter who the seller is.

However, as stated above on my last post, Anthony is working with me and emailing me constantly and we might get this situation worked out soon. As soon as I get the deal closed one way or another I will let everyone know.

Ivan
 
mine was i got some frt's came in sick.. lied to me.. wouldent refund my $ untill i started posting it everywhere
im done.. i dont wanna to start flaming
 
Ivan, sorry to hear about your experience... hopefully everything works out for you at the end. You are a cool understanding guy, as Jed has mentioned. GL! :)
 
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