Any experience buying from the Marine Center? Got o/source

[hfmann]

Hey all,

I'm thinking about getting some Lyretail Anthias from the Marine Center http://www.flash.net/~rarefish/. Anybody got experience buying from them? I'm specifically trying to get small female net caught specimens.

Any other suggestions for sources. LFS doesn't want to order any for me.

Thanks.
Hal
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[tomheo]

Hi Hal,

I ordered a black tang (Z. rostratum) from the Marine Center last year and would highly recommend ordering from them. First of all, I ordered what they call a "small" but my tang would probably sell as a large in most LFS's around here, so that was a very pleasant surprise (though I did want a really small tang, I've gotten over it ). Secondly, it was extremely healthy...I couldn't believe how healthy it was when I got it. I'd read posts saying that their tangs had ich by the time they drove home from their LFS, but my tang was ich-free, so I can only assume that Marine Center's animals are extremely well taken care of before shipping.

The only "hiccup" in my whole ordering experience was when I changed the delivery date...I guess the person who took my original order & the person who received my request for them to change the delivery date had some miscommunication...the tang got to me a day early and was sitting on my doorstep all day but was still healthy and alert when I unpacked! Marine Center even called me the next day when I told them about the mix-up to apologize and make sure the fish was OK!

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, they have extremely healthy specimens and great customer service. I'd definitely order from them again.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

Thomas

P.S. The tang was eating about 1 day after first introducing him into my tank.

 

[hfmann]

Thomas,

Thank you so much for the quick post. Your very positive experience is extremely helpful as I've been debating this with myself over and over again. The online supplier survey resulted in positive rating for them but there wasn't a lot of experience. Based on your glowing recommendation, I think I'm going to give them a shot.

Thanks again,
Hal
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[endomorphious]

Ive ordered 3 times from them in the past. All times the packages were packed well and shipped via airfreight which i picked up at the companys air terminal. I had only 2 deaths of a mated pair of clown fish for which they immediately gave me credit. They've also taken the time to reply to emails regarding specific items that I was seeking.

 

[hfmann]

Hi Endo,

Thanks for the information. So far they are getting high marks. I'm anxious to talk with them this week and see what they say about my specific request.

Thanks again, appreciate it.

Hal
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[clk2609]

I did two orders with them. First was great, second with live rock not so good.

I would order from them again, BUT..... i live in dallas and they are in fort worth (30 minutes from me), i believe, i ordered live rock from them that was suppose to be delivered on fri... did not get it until monday. customer service was good and they said it was carrier's fault... which is not helping me. Received live rock which i cured anyways, but not much growth on it. little disappointing.

I asked if i could pick up at their facilities and they said no... which makes me wonder... they say they quarantine all livestock, but i doubt they do... if so why can't a customer come in and hand pick what he wants?

by all means, i am not talking bad about them, just wanted to share my experience. Like i said, i would order from them again because customer service is pretty good. Someone always calls in person day before order to let me know everything is ok.

good luck

 

[hfmann]

Thanks clk,

Good to hear the bad along with the good. I got a quick reply to my email. Got no response in leaving a voicemail message with them today. I will probably try again tomorrow.

Thanks again.
hal
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[clk2609]

not sure if they were off for president's day or not... i had better customer service WHEN i had an order pending but usually had to wait 1 or 2 days before a response by phone for just a question.

good luck

 

[Will C1]

most large suppliers wont let you hand pick unless your a dealer in there spending like $1000 or so. but on the topic i havent ordered anything yet from them but i have sent them numerous emails asking questions about a few species of rare fish and they have quickly responded to all of my emails even though i havent ordered a single thing. now thats some customer service. i think i will be ordering from them in the future.

 

[sschafer]

Here's a link to my long-winded description of my first experience ordering from Marine Center if you are interested:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=140889

-Steve

 

[hfmann]

Hi Steve,

I was worried when you mentioned a "long winded" article. But I wanted to hear the good, bad, and ugly. Then I was surprised to find out your comments were very positive.

This morning I had a voicemail message at work from Chery that came in about 9:30 last night.

Thanks again for the info. Unless I hear something terrible today, I'm going to place an order at the end of the day.

Take care,
Hal
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[Modo]

I live here in Dallas as well, so I do business quite often with TMC ($10 box fee and free delivery to your door). I've come to realize that they are a solid business, but lack a little on the response time. I would imagine this is due to staff working in the mechanics of the business and not sitting by the phone answering questions.

Do a search here on the Marine Center and you'll find plenty on the good and the bad. Just like any business you are going to have people who are pleased and those who expected alot more and are not.

I recommend them. Especially if you are ordering exotic or delicate fish like Anthias. This is what they specialize in.

 

[Anonymous]

I have had a couple of orders with them with good results. My main complaint is the difficulty communicating with them- they often don't answer the phone, etc.

 

[hfmann]

Modo and danC,

Thanks for the added info. In several tries now, I've not managed to talk to a person there. Several emails and voicemail exchanges but no live communication. Nonetheless I placed the order today with explicit directions for holding the shipment at the FedEx station for me to pickup. Based on comments here, I'm expecting TMC to call me before shipment and I hope to confirm shipment directions.

Thanks again.
Hal
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