I've spent a LOT of money over the last 10 years through DFS and have usually been pretty happy with my orders and customer service. It does seem like it takes them an unusually long time to get orders shipped out the last year or so though. I've never really had any major complaints about them until recently. I had submitted a "testimonial" to their site for a canister filter that I have owned two of (neither were actually purchased from DFS) and both of them broke or failed within a year. The testimonial I submitted detailed the problems I experienced with the filters and concluded with a statement saying that for those reasons I wouldn't recommend the product. They sent me an email regarding the testimonial and essentially said that because it was 'negative' that it would not be posted on their site.
That's what really irks me.
Testimonials/feedback/ratings, whatever you want to call them, are supposed to allow potential purchasers to evaluate feedback on a product posted by previous purchasers in their decision on whether or not to purchase a product. By hosting the testimonials on their site, they [DFS] give the appearance of product reviews or feedback. However, the statements they maintain are grossly biased since they don't allow negative testimonials--which are every bit as legitimate as positive ones--to be posted for the products they sell. This is, in my opinion, entirely unethical and downright deceitful. I think it defeats the purpose behind allowing users to post comments about products at all, since the only comments potential purchasers can see are the positive ones that would help DFS profit from selling the merchandise. I feel this it utterly reprehensible.
For what it's worth, here is the "negative testimonial" I submitted regarding Marineland C-Series cansiter filters.
I've had two of the C-360 models for nearly a year and was originally very pleased with them. They maintained an impressive flow rate, held a great amount of media in the baskets, and seemed to be of reliable, sturdy construction. However, one of them completely quit working after three months for no discernible reason. I disassembled and cleaned the entire unit three times but my efforts proved fruitless. I've had at least one of every filter on the market in the last 15 years and am no stranger to maintaining or repairing them. This one just crapped out.
Last night during a media change on the second unit, the shut-off valve under the lock lever snapped off. It was not due to excessive force; the plastic just broke. The unit still functions, but I can no longer detach the hoses from the motor housing without having to remove the hoses from the aquarium to prevent siphoning.
Given these issues on two separate units in the past twelve months, I cannot recommend this particular product.
I have spent over $5,000 through DFS just since the beginning of the calendar year, not including purchases through their Live Aquaria site. With the exception of their name brand dog food, I will be making future purchases through competing retailers instead of rewarding this once-respected company with my business.