Shirley Aquatics

[paulypaul182]

Has anyone used their mail order service? If you are going to then dont because their service is awful. I placed an order on their website on Saturday for a light tube and starter unit. I placed a next day delivery as it said nothing on their website of minimum cut off times. I rang on Monday and spoke to a very rude woman who said that the cut off time is the last working day of the week (Friday). She said Id get the delivery on Tuesday (today). She couldnt give me an ETA but said it was any time up till 6pm. I rang her again today at 5pm to make sure the order was still being delivered. Im a delivery driver and have worked for the courier they use many times. I know they rarely deliver after 4pm as the begin their collections at that time. She said that it was still marked undelivered and guaranteed me that the order would be delivered by 6pm. Guess what? Its now 6.10pm and no order.
I rang Shirley Aqauatics and I was told she had gone home. I was also told that no one but her deals with mail order so I will now have to wait until 8.30am to get any sense out of anyone.
I really angry right now. I placed a next day order 4 days ago and still havent received it. My plants in my tank will begin to die soon as the starter unit doesnt work. I cant get out and about easily as I have no car, a dodgy knee and a 1 year old to look after. Ive stayed in all day waiting for these idiots to deliver my order and now it looks like I will have to again tomorrow. Except tomorrow I have a physio appointment which I will not miss because of idiots like these.
Ill never use this service with the again. I only used them as their lights and units were cheaper than my LFS.

Moan over. Lets just hope my plants survive yet another few hours without light.

 

[Seb Spiers]

Put your feelings in writing to their customer services and their MD. I bet you'll get an apology and some freebies

Oh and if you want some alternatives I tend to go to Earlswood Garden Centre (Maidenhead Aquatics) and Ambleside Garden Centre (also in Earlswood). They're pretty cose to you if you go to Shirley Aquatics

Both are very good in my experience

 

[paulypaul182]

Just wrote a very stern email to their customer services (only email address they provide). Ive wasted a whole day waiting in for them. Ill never use that service again.
I never knew about Earlswood Garden Centre and Ambleside. Ill check them out. Shirley isnt all that close really. Im near to Sutton Coldfield but I dont know of any stores close by apart from one who are pretty touch and go with both dry and wet goods. Do both them centres have a good livestock list? Im about to get some Dwarf Puffers and Ottos for my tank. My LFS should have had some delivered today but is it right that they should keep them not for sale for so long before selling them?
It sucks having to do mail order but I have no choice right now.

 

[jonny_dw]

You think there bad try onlineaquariumstore.com. 3 weeks and still no sign of my new tank.

 

[Seb Spiers]

Just wrote a very stern email to their customer services (only email address they provide). Ive wasted a whole day waiting in for them. Ill never use that service again.
I never knew about Earlswood Garden Centre and Ambleside. Ill check them out. Shirley isnt all that close really. Im near to Sutton Coldfield but I dont know of any stores close by apart from one who are pretty touch and go with both dry and wet goods. Do both them centres have a good livestock list? Im about to get some Dwarf Puffers and Ottos for my tank. My LFS should have had some delivered today but is it right that they should keep them not for sale for so long before selling them?
It sucks having to do mail order but I have no choice right now.

I'm not sure if either do mail order, both might deliver depending on how much you're spending. Thyre both good store, the Earlswood garden centre has a huge range of fish, Amblesides isnt as big but the quality is great and they have some really interesting stuff.

 

[paulypaul182]

I'm not sure if either do mail order, both might deliver depending on how much you're spending. Thyre both good store, the Earlswood garden centre has a huge range of fish, Amblesides isnt as big but the quality is great and they have some really interesting stuff.

Thanks Seb, Ill see if someone can get me over there sometime. Ive just had a look at their lighting at the only seem to sell Hagen Ballasts. Do these contain the light as well as I can not seem to find any lamps on there. Im taking it that ballasts are the starter units.

Jonny, I dont think customer services exists anymore

 

[jonny_dw]

Jonny, I dont think customer services exists anymore

lol you can say that again.They told be once my tank wouldnt fit on the van so it would be dispatched the next day..a few days later they told me they were waiting for my tank to be delivered to them from their suppliers haha and that was only because I rang up!

 

[paulypaul182]

Jonny, I dont think customer services exists anymore

lol you can say that again.They told be once my tank wouldnt fit on the van so it would be dispatched the next day..a few days later they told me they were waiting for my tank to be delivered to them from their suppliers haha and that was only because I rang up!

Pathetic aint it? I was meant to have my bathroom fitted on Friday. 3pm came and I rang them up only to be told the plumber couldnt come cause he was called out to an emergency. I wouldnt have know unless I rang!!!!

 

[jonny_dw]

Its ridiculous,I missed 2 days off work for them saying it would come that day. If its not here by the end of this week then im disputing it through paypal and they can stuff their tank lol