I've debated on posting this, but decided that if it kept someone from having a similar experience or maybe the vendor will not let this happen again, I will post my story.
I placed an order with Affordable Aquatics at the end of December, the 23rd to be exact, for a product that was listed as in stock with a couple of other small items. I got an email a week later saying that the main item was not in stock but would be in 1-2 weeks. Meanwhile I never received the other 'in-stock' items and left the country until the end of January. No other communication from them. Emailed them immediately upon returning and a few other times, sent private message from the vendor site here even, over the next month. I received an email on February 8, stating that it would still be 1-2 weeks, but if I'd like to receive a refund call or return email. I emailed them and said to refund my purchase. No response from them. I waited a couple of weeks, while checking my credit card account for a refund. Finally I decided to call and see what was the problem. The person I talked with was very nice and located my purchase order and told me that they would happily refund my money, but wait 1-2 days to see it on my card statement. I was reaching my time limit to dispute a charge on my card by this point. Called again told it should be happening. On March 15th, I finally resorted to disputing the charge on my credit card. I will never do business with them nor recommend them to anyone. I'm an extremely patient person but I don't like being blown off, especially when you've been charged, for a product that they didn't have in stock. Most businesses will not charge you until they have an item in stock from my experience with other online businesses including the aquarium trade.
I placed an order with Affordable Aquatics at the end of December, the 23rd to be exact, for a product that was listed as in stock with a couple of other small items. I got an email a week later saying that the main item was not in stock but would be in 1-2 weeks. Meanwhile I never received the other 'in-stock' items and left the country until the end of January. No other communication from them. Emailed them immediately upon returning and a few other times, sent private message from the vendor site here even, over the next month. I received an email on February 8, stating that it would still be 1-2 weeks, but if I'd like to receive a refund call or return email. I emailed them and said to refund my purchase. No response from them. I waited a couple of weeks, while checking my credit card account for a refund. Finally I decided to call and see what was the problem. The person I talked with was very nice and located my purchase order and told me that they would happily refund my money, but wait 1-2 days to see it on my card statement. I was reaching my time limit to dispute a charge on my card by this point. Called again told it should be happening. On March 15th, I finally resorted to disputing the charge on my credit card. I will never do business with them nor recommend them to anyone. I'm an extremely patient person but I don't like being blown off, especially when you've been charged, for a product that they didn't have in stock. Most businesses will not charge you until they have an item in stock from my experience with other online businesses including the aquarium trade.
