View Full Version : Fish Scales horrible experience (long story, but worth reading)


Bad76Boy
02-02-2010, 2:14 PM
Hello guys and girls,
I just wanted to express my very bad experience with Fish Scales with you.
Well everything started on Sept. 24 2009 when I ordered my aquarium from Chris at Fish Scales.
It was a custom build, and by Chris statement it was supposed to be done in 2-3 weeks.
It was O.K. with me, I even told Chris that there was no rush (BIG MISTAKE), because I was planning on building my stand and it wasn't ready. I called several times in 3 weeks period, just for an update on my tank, and every time I called him everything was going according to a plan. So after 3 weeks I decided to go over there and check on my almost build tank. It was supposed to be all glued and ready for the water test. The only things left to do were supposed to be dorso pipes and black paint on the back wall. Well, to my disappointment the tank was sitting there without the front wall. Chris wasn't there so I called him and he told me that the front glass had had some chip in it or something and he would replaced it with the new as soon as it would arrive. Well after two more weeks I decided to check on my tank again, because over the phone everything was supposed to be done except the dorso pipes and black paint. Well nothing was done except the new front glass was installed. I also ordered a sump to go with my tank on that day. Another 2 weeks went by, so I went over there again. Well guess what? My tank was in the corner my sump wasn't there, but another build was there (2x150 gal tanks plus two sumps).
Another 2 weeks went by and I stopped by again. Guess what? Nothing was done and my tank was sitting in the same corner and Chris wasn't there. So called him and he was telling me that everything is done except the dorso pipes and the paint on black wall. I know, the same story over and over and over again.
So it went on like that until Dec. 23 2009 when Chris told me he was almost done, but he was running behind the schedule a little bit and in order to finish my tank and the sump he needed another week. On top of that he wanted to do something with the tank to make sure that the tank wouldn't gonna leak when I filled it up because one of the 150 gal tanks and one of the sumps on his another build were leaking. That started to worry me a little bit.
On Dec. 30 2009 I stopped by to see my tank and the sump. Guess what. Nothing was done, my tank was still sitting in the same corner just collecting dust. I was looking for my sump, but the only thing I saw were a few pieces of glass with my dimensions written on them (48x19x13).
Chris wasn't there so I called him again and he said that he'd got my sump in his garage for about week all assembled except the baffles, and that he needed another day to finish the dorso pipes and the baffles on the sump. So the next day I called in the morning and asked him if I could pick up my tank and the sump. By that time I had help (friend) sitting in my house who was gonna help me to transport the tank and the sump. Chris told me that it would be ready for pick up at 1 pm. So we got there at 12:30 just to see that the sump was freshly glued together (silicon was still wet - and even his wife told me to be careful that he had just put my sump together and the silicon was still wet)-so much for "your sump is assembled for about a week in my garage".
The tank wasn't ready-no dorso pipes, silicon all over the tank, bottom glass on the tank was sticking out 1/4 of an inch, some of the sides glass were not flash with the front panel (almost 1/8 of an inch difference), extra euro bracing on the bottom of the tank-inside (he said it was for the security, so it wouldn't leak. Craftsman ship was HORRIBLE, Chris is just a plain liar, and even admitted he was dishonest with me in one of his pm's.
Well I was so frustrated by that time and I asked him nicely for my $300.00 deposit back, without any hard feeling.
Well he was nice to me and said that he understood my frustration and he's sorry and he also admitted that it was all his fault.
Then he asked his wife what they're gonna do about the whole situation, and all i got from her was "YOU'RE NOT GONNA GET YOUR EFING MONEY BACK" then "HERE IS YOUR EFING MONEY" pointing at the tank. These were her exact words.
I was very frustrated, but still kind of calm when I left their store. The worst part was, how in the hell I'm gonna explain everything to my lovely wife that we worked so hard for it, and some crooks just decided to screw me big time.
When I got home I decided to write him a letter (pm). Chris replied kindly with an apology that he would refund my deposit. Well it's been more then a month, we've been writing pm's back and forth and he got meaner with every pm's. He even called me a big bully. So one day when I gave him a deadline he said that I was threatening him.
I gave him so many chances to get everything right, but it looks like he doesn't care.
We even tried to take a legal action, but at the end I think I'd loose more money even if I won the whole case. For me he's just not worth another penny. So basically right now all I can do is to write BAD reviews anywhere I can and report his business on BBB.
I also think I did a good think not getting his BAD product, saving all my livestock and my house.
At the end I hope this bad review is gonna help some people to decide either to go or not with Chris with "Fish Scales". CHRIS WITH FISH SCALES IS NOT A AQUARIUM FABRICATOR AND HIS WIFE IS DEFINETELY NOT A BUSINESS WOMEN USING A "F" WORD IN FRONT OF THE CUSTOMERS!!!!

Bad76Boy
02-02-2010, 2:31 PM
club board already knows about it.

mojo
02-02-2010, 2:49 PM
Bad76Boy did approach the BoD and moderators several weeks ago about this situation. He has attempted to resolve the situation privately with the sponsor. He has stated the facts here to the best of the BoD's and moderators' knowledge.

Per the rules of the forums, Bad76Body is now allowed to state his grievances publicly on the forum. However, any inflammatory posts, name-calling, or any post not stating the facts that may result from this will not be allowed, just like in any other thread.

Bad76Boy
02-02-2010, 3:02 PM
Bad76Boy did approach the BoD and moderators several weeks ago about this situation. He has attempted to resolve the situation privately with the sponsor. He has stated the facts here to the best of the BoD's and moderators' knowledge.

Per the rules of the forums, Bad76Body is now allowed to state his grievances publicly on the forum. However, any inflammatory posts, name-calling, or any post not stating the facts that may result from this will not be allowed, just like in any other thread.
Thank you Chris

Fish Scales2
02-02-2010, 3:05 PM
The board never contacted me whatsoever. That is clearly wrong. There is much more to this story. I do not take well to threats, slander or my wife being treated the way she WAS. I have offered a refund on a nonrefundable deposit that is now off the table.

Bad76Boy
02-02-2010, 3:06 PM
Appears this isn't the first person either. http://i50.tinypic.com/1zd3tkh.jpg
yes, i'm not the only one.

Fish Scales2
02-02-2010, 3:08 PM
I have had no other issues on any tanks thanks.

DrNecropolis
02-02-2010, 3:12 PM
The BoD was informed of this and was gathering information on this and were discussing the best way to handle the issue between the sponser and member. A PM was going to be sent to both parties giving the details of our decision. A PM was typed up and under review for the rest of the BoD to chime in on with changes or edits. It was going to be sent this afternoon to said parties. Unfortunately this was aired before a decison could be made and finalized this morning.

Acroholic
02-03-2010, 3:58 PM
OK Everyone,

The BoD has tried to mediate a solution to this issue. The following message was sent to FishScales regarding the tank build issue with Bad76Boy:
>
Chris,

The Atlanta Reef Club takes matters like this very seriously. We offer our sponsors a tremendous amount of protection from being unreasonable slandered on the forums. As such, we expect our sponsors to uphold the highest of standards. These standards are also enforced upon the membership.

Just as an ARC member can be banned for his/her behavior, so can a sponsor. If this matter is not resolved within 24 hours, we will take this as a sign of non-action and will discuss your future as a sponsor of the ARC.

Regards,

ARC BoD
>

If the issue is not resolved amicably between the two, then the BoD will take further action as described above.

This thread is open for viewing only. Fishscales, Bad76Boy, members of the ARC BoD, and Moderators may post.

Fishscales and Bad76boy, if you have a response, please PM it to me and I will place it in the thread for you.
Dave

Acroholic
02-03-2010, 4:02 PM
Below is a copy of an PM tht shows a solution is being worked out between the two parties. If the matter is not resolved per below, then this thread will be updated to reflect any further developments.
>
Originally Posted by Fish Scales2
Andre, as we spoke about I will personally reimburse you the deposit monies out of my own pocket for the tank that you were not satisfied with. I am confused as to when I stated that I would not refund you the money and would ask that you clarify to the BOD that this was never said. I can meet you on Thursday and give you $150 and the other $150 by the end of business on Friday Feb.12.

Chris Holloway
>

DrNecropolis
02-03-2010, 5:00 PM
In an effort to show that Chris was taking care of the situation, The above PM was posted.

Chris has been given the opportunity to share his side of the story with the BoD to be posted here in an effort of fairness, Thus far he has declined to put it into writing to be documented here.