My experience with ProReefAquatics.com

[reefrunner]

This is my experience with ProReefAquatics.com aka Troy aka Pro_Builder. It is a very long post with lots of details, many would be unnecessary if not for the fact that the vendor is a moderator on this site, and a friend to many of you. I felt it best to be thorough.

On April 20th, 2004, I made an inquiry to proreefaquatics.com (aka pro_builder aka Troy), I made the inquiry through his website and the content of the inquiry was...

-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Riley [mailto:edited]
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 1:36 PM
To: Troy Edited
Subject: Inquiry from Pro Reef Aquatics


Hey, can you get me a 250W HQI pendant with a 20K radium bulb? And if
so, how much?

Troy responded via Yahoo IM

Session Start (reefrunner69:pro_builder): Tue Apr 20 15:14:19 2004
pro_builder: kevin, do you need the ballast too?
*** Auto-response sent to pro_builder: I know you see tha little yellow notepad beside my name!!!
reefrunner69: yes
reefrunner69: need it all, LOL
pro_builder: k let em check
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: bell style or horizonal?
reefrunner69: also give me a price on a 20K XM bulb, the hqi is probably a pipe dream, but maybe this summer
reefrunner69: horizontal
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: both 250 watt?
reefrunner69: no
reefrunner69: 175 on the XM bulb
pro_builder: k
reefrunner69: the hqi would be an upgrade
pro_builder: k
reefrunner69: BTW, if you consider carrying edited bulbs, reconsider
reefrunner69: they suck
pro_builder: I know that is why I don't run them
pro_builder: 250 PENDANT SETUP W RADIUM hqi BULB COMPLETE PLUS SHIPPING edited
reefrunner69: that's pretty good, but definitely a couple months away, do you do layaway?, LOL
pro_builder: XM 175 WATT BULB edited
pro_builder: NOT REALLY BUT WILL DO A PAYMENT PLAN FOR YOU
pro_builder: sorry about the caps
reefrunner69: it's OK
pro_builder: how many XM bulbs ya need?
reefrunner69: just 1
pro_builder: I can get you a complete 250 watt setup that is cheaper with 20K XM bulb
reefrunner69: on the hqi?
pro_builder: no mag ballast but will run a Radium bulb
pro_builder: like what Mojo is running
pro_builder: retro kit
reefrunner69: double ended bulb though...right?
pro_builder: SE
reefrunner69: ah
pro_builder: why do you want DE bulb
reefrunner69: yeah, I was wanting to do a DE set up
pro_builder: y?
pro_builder: the bulbs are double in price
reefrunner69: I was thinkg of the ultra sleek pendants
pro_builder: the 250 retro w XM 10K or XM 20 bulb will sell to you for edited
reefrunner69: but at twice the price, I can live with a larger pendant
pro_builder: yep
reefrunner69: cool
reefrunner69: that sounds good
reefrunner69: can I make payments to you?
reefrunner69: how much how often?
pro_builder: I have everything except the reflector setup in stock
pro_builder: tell me what you can make and it is yours
reefrunner69: I know I could do edited every couple weeks, maybe more
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: that is fine with me
reefrunner69: cool
pro_builder: you want a pendant syle reflector?
pro_builder: you helped me I will help you
reefrunner69: not sure what you mean, I want a pendant set up, so I guess I do
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: hold on a sec
*** pro_builder has sent you a file! edited.
reefrunner69: can you email the file?
pro_builder: sure can
reefrunner69: my messanger has a problem with accepting files
pro_builder: k
reefrunner69: edited
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: on it's way
reefrunner69: OK
pro_builder: Reef Optix II Reflector from Sunlight Supply.
pro_builder: it is backordered though
reefrunner69: LOL, OK
pro_builder: you want the 20K or 10K XM bulb?
reefrunner69: 20K
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: can you do wiring?
reefrunner69: yeah, if I got a decent diagam or instructions
pro_builder: I can get you that
pro_builder: do you have a hood?
reefrunner69: no
pro_builder: k
reefrunner69: I'm running a pendant right now
pro_builder: what size?
reefrunner69: 175
reefrunner69: a CSL prism pendant
pro_builder: can you use your pendant?
pro_builder: I can get you the ballast and bulb for cheaper yet
reefrunner69: I guess so, it would mean breaking open the ballast and switching them out
reefrunner69: but I can't see that being that hard
pro_builder: this is a raw ballast from Universal
pro_builder: no it isn't
pro_builder: edited if you go that way
reefrunner69: I can do that, little quicker too
pro_builder: does the pendant have a fan in it?
pro_builder: k
reefrunner69: yes,
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: I will send out the ballast with instructions and the bulb on Thursday
reefrunner69: Thanks
pro_builder: need your address and ph #
pro_builder: no problem
reefrunner69: edited
reefrunner69: edited
reefrunner69: edited
reefrunner69: That's my cell number, anytime after about 7 your time, it's free for me ;)
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: Kevin Riley right?
reefrunner69: it's also the only number that anyone can reach me at, lol
pro_builder: lol
reefrunner69: yes
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: do you have paypal?
reefrunner69: yes
pro_builder: sales@proreefaquatics.com
reefrunner69: OK
pro_builder: send what you can and I will get it out on Thursday. I will let you know what the shipping is on it
reefrunner69: I'll go ahead and send the first payment, it will be an e-check, but it's good
pro_builder: k
reefrunner69: OK, sent
pro_builder: k
pro_builder: got it
reefrunner69: cool
reefrunner69: I'm getting excited about my lighting again, LOL
pro_builder: lol
Session Close (pro_builder): Tue Apr 20 16:07:51 2004

I had done some work for Troy on his web storefront and he was going to help me out with a bulb and ballast.

Our next communication occurred 3 days later, I had not received a tracking number for the ballast and bulb, nor had Troy told me how much the shipping was, so I contacted him via IM.

Session Start (reefrunner69:pro_builder): Fri Apr 23 14:40:22 2004
reefrunner69: Hey, were you able to get the bulb and ballast shipped yesterday?
reefrunner69: guess your out right now, anyway, when you get this drop me a message, Thanks ;)
Session Close (pro_builder): Fri Apr 23 14:45:08 2004


Session Start (reefrunner69:pro_builder): Fri Apr 23 16:30:54 2004
pro_builder: Kevin, I haven't had a chance to send it out, I tested the ballast and it was bad, so I have one ordered and should be here Monday afternoon, so I will ship it out to you on Tuesday if that is ok?
reefrunner69: sure
pro_builder: k
Session Close (pro_builder): Fri Apr 23 16:33:14 2004

The next communication was 6 days later.

Session Start (reefrunner69@hotmail.com:Pro_builder): Thu Apr 29 16:52:44 2004
Kevin: hey
Kevin: has DNS updated for you?
Kevin: Your email accts are there and set up, not sure why you can't get in
Pro_builder: hmm
Pro_builder: yes I can get into the site
Kevin: can you get into Cpanel?
Pro_builder: It is working now
Pro_builder: yep
Kevin: you got your mail working?
Pro_builder: yep I just shut down Outlook and restarted it works fine now
Kevin: OK
Pro_builder: thanks for checking on it though
Kevin: no problem
Pro_builder: hey your ballast isn't here yet, supposed to be here on Friday, not sure what went wrong on the shipping
Pro_builder: I will try to get it sent out tomorrow night if I have time
Kevin: OK I appreciate it
Pro_builder: no problem, just wanted to let you know
Kevin: thanks
Session Close (Pro_builder): Thu Apr 29 17:01:03 2004

This was the last live contact I had with Troy for awhile, after trying several time to get in touch with Troy via IM several times over the course of the next two weeks, I sent Troy another email to his website email contact on May 11th.

From: Kevin Riley [mailto:edited]
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 6:31 AM
To: sales@proreefaquatics.com
Subject: ballast and bulb



Hey Troy,

I haven’t heard from you lately, hope all is well with you, I was wondering what the word is on my ballast and bulb, has it been shipped? If if not when will it be shipped? I will be sending your final 25.00 this Friday. I fear that since you’ve not been online for the last week or 10 days that something terrible has happened, and I hope that is not the case. Let me know what’s happening.



Kevin Riley

www.AquariumAdvice.com

[reefrunner]

I got a response from someone the same day.

From: sales@proreefaquatics.com [mailto:sales@proreefaquatics.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 11:47 PM
To: edited
Subject: RE: ballast and bulb



Kevin,

Sorry, Troy hurt his back and has to stay in bed for 3 more weeks. If you would please tell me what you need sent out and the address and I will try to get it sent out for you. I’m sorry about the in convince that this has caused. Please give me a full name and address so I can ask him and send the product to the right place.

Thank you, edited

(Troy’s fiancée)



Thanks-Troy Detweiler

http://www.Proreefaquatics.com Lighting made Easy.

I responded the same day with the requested information. On May 14th, I emailed Troy again asking if my bulb and ballast had shipped, and got no response. On May 25th, I called Troy on his cell phone and he answered, when I asked him about my ballast and bulb...he told me, "It's on the way." When I asked for a tracking number, he told me they hadn't sent it yet. This seemed odd to me, but since I have never had a UPS pick-up (I'd only dropped packages off) I gave hm the benefit of the doubt. It is now June 7th and I have neither received a tracking number, nor a package from Troy.

I have all my paypal receipts to show I paid, I have all the notices from paypal showing my e-checks cleared. I have done everything I can think of to resolve this issue. I added a message to my final paypal that if my bulb and ballast couldn't be shipped within a week, that he refund my money. That has not happened either. I do not expect this post to be well received here, that is one reason it is so detailed, I am not making any accusations, simply laying out the facts as they occurred and letting you make your own judgment. I sent this to Troy via email on 6/5/04 and told him of my intent to post it here.

As of 6:20pm Eastern time tonight, Troy has not replied to my email.

[sfxer02]

I think you did the right thing! I don't care who he is moderator or no moderator, if you feel ripped off by him you have the right to do somehting about it. And by the looks of it something is definitly wrong!

Good luck Hope it works out for you
Tony

[mojoreef]

I dont see a problem with the post either Keven. It looks to me that you have done all you can.


Mike

[Travis]

Kevin you're just stating the facts and your experience. IMO, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. If I were you, I would have done the same thing.

Textbook example of keeping good records BTW.

I sincerely hope this issue gets resolved soon.

Travis

[reefrunner]

I received an email and a tracking number from Troy this morning, I didn't read it till this afternoon, but it was in my inbox about 7:00am. I will leave anything else for Troy to post, and will update this thread one more time when I receive them.

I'd like to thank everyone that relied to this thread, I wasn't ignoring you, I just told myself when I posted it, that I wouldn't respond unless it was something like this.

[ReefLady]

Kevin,

Thank you very much for sticking to the facts, and remaining professional throughout. As Travis said, I truly hope this gets resolved for you.

[Pro_builder]

When I sent out the package for his Bulb and Ballast, I sent it to the wrong address. It was sent to a ST. address instead of and Ave. address. So therefore it was returned to us undeliverable. I shipped out the package and the next day we went on vacation.

We did not have internet access, while on vacation to be able to get the emails that there was a problem with the order for Kevin.

So, I wasn't around to know that it was returned or that there was a problem with the order. I sent out the package again the same day that we returned home, with no Shipping charges (for either delivery) to Kevin, since there was a delay in delivery.
I have emailed Kevin, to explain the situation.
I will be giving Kevin the oppertunity to purchase something from our inventory at our cost plus shipping, to help offset the delay problems with this order.

Again sorry for the inconveneince that this has caused.