Fluval Bug Bites

[Toby_H]

I've purchased Medium to Large Bug Bits Cichlid Pellets - 3.7 lbs / 1.7 kg from Amazon 3 times and they keep sending me Small to Medium. Each time I report the issue and am prompted to return the item. They cannot accept returned food items so they tell me to keep it and refund my money. This is pretty nice that I now have a near lifetime supply of Small to Medium pellets for free... But my preferred fish only eat these smaller pellets for half a year or so in the early stage of their life. And I need the darn big pellets!

Has anyone else had this problem or is this a Charlotte Amazon issue?

I did order several bags of the 15.8 oz / 450 g a while ago but this just isn't cost effective. I have a lot of fish. And my local stores do not carry the 3.7 lb / 1.7 kg buckets.

I tend to default to amazon for most of my purchases these days so I don't have a preferred fish stuff retailer. I don't want this to become a "whose your favorite retailer thread (though I am wondering...). I'm mostly just frustrated and wanted to vent, and my wife isn't too interested to hearing me vent about fish stuff.

 

[tlindsey]

They cannot accept returned food items so they tell me to keep it and refund my money

That is definitely true and I can relate to what you have been going through with Amazon.

 

[danotaylor]

If your retailer can order the same food in smaller pellets it stands to reason that they can order in the bigger pellets for you. Have you tried asking them?
It’s typically a little more expensive through a shopfront retail store, but that could mitigate the issue you’re facing.

 

[Toby_H]

If your retailer can order the same food in smaller pellets it stands to reason that they can order in the bigger pellets for you. Have you tried asking them?
It’s typically a little more expensive through a shopfront retail store, but that could mitigate the issue you’re facing.

I asked the owner at the LFS. They said "that's all we carry."
They target a wealthier clientele who are prone to paying extra for buying local and not having to store the bucket. Or just don't look into it enough to know better. I don't really respect their business model, but the old school Mom & Pop fish stores here have died at the hands of corporate stores and online retailers. And as someone who took most of my business to the online retailers, who am I to criticize.

I found an online retailer that I used many moons ago and was happy to send him some business. Hopefully he'll do a better job at reading the label and matching it to the order than Amazon.

 

[danotaylor]

Wow, ok mate. Seems a bit lazy & poor customer service by the store. Guess they're not hurting or tryna secure business. Their loss.

I have a fishy acquaintance here in Cinci that has over $1000 in store credit with one of the LFS's. He's been a regular there for over 20 years, and they won't special order stuff for him to spend his credit on even though it's from the same manufacturer of other stuff they order. Kinda ridiculous really.

 

[Fallen_Leaves16]

I asked the owner at the LFS. They said "that's all we carry."
They target a wealthier clientele who are prone to paying extra for buying local and not having to store the bucket. Or just don't look into it enough to know better. I don't really respect their business model, but the old school Mom & Pop fish stores here have died at the hands of corporate stores and online retailers. And as someone who took most of my business to the online retailers, who am I to criticize.

I found an online retailer that I used many moons ago and was happy to send him some business. Hopefully he'll do a better job at reading the label and matching it to the order than Amazon.

Which LFS? Upscale Aquatics might be able to special-order, they do special orders for some fish-tanks (the standard Aqueons to 210G) and livestock, as well as some dry goods... Matt's good about helping customers, I often do special-orders (mostly livestock) through them.
I bought smaller quantities of M/L Bug Bites off of Amazon and haven't had an issue- I don't think I've heard of other folks in the area running into sizing issues, either, though I don't know anyone that buys the buckets.