Slow responses re: tank quotes

Prairie Reef · 02/02/2019, 10:13 AM

I’m having the experience that with the four or five places I’ve asked for quotes on a 300 gallon custom tank that I’m getting pretty cool/apathetic responses. Two I’ve visited in person (local shops) and three have been on line request. Two have said they’d get me quotes by a date and have not. The two that did just sent me a $ amount with a vague list of features and no sketch or questions - and then got really slow answering any follow up questions or getting me actual diagrams. One simply has not responded to my email at all.

My question (NOT vendor experiences) - is this normal and I just need to push this through and stay on top of it? Or is this bad customer service that predicts a poor outcome down the line and I should keep looking elsewhere?

Is there something I need to be saying to show I’m a serious buyer? I’m telling folks I know this will be expensive and that I’m motivated.

lapin · 02/03/2019, 09:36 AM

I had good luck here with local LFS getting quotes back. I did ask who they used. On-line quotes were about a 20% response. Places like AGE will recommend where to get a quote.
After getting quotes, I decided to make my own tank. For 1/3 the price I figured if I messed up the first one i was still way ahead.

Prairie Reef · 02/03/2019, 11:03 AM

Interesting. Did you source the glass from a local glass source then?

elFloyd · 02/03/2019, 12:16 PM

I've asked for three quotes within the past two weeks. One responded that I should receive quote in 15 days... one said as soon as 'manufacturing' reviews the request... and one no response.

Prairie Reef · 02/03/2019, 12:25 PM

Ok. So pretty normal then. Patience and perseverance then. Thanks!

lapin · 02/03/2019, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prairie Reef

Interesting. Did you source the glass from a local glass source then?

Its acrylic. Yes we have 3 local national suppliers. Glass would have been to heavy for me to work with by myself.

Tyrenlds · 02/08/2019, 05:53 PM

I'm shopping right now and have been getting cold/delayed responses as well. This thread makes me feel better knowing that at least it isn't personal.

Prairie Reef · 02/08/2019, 05:59 PM

Yeah. I’m finding I just have to drive the bus on the sale. It’s strange for a $3-5k purchase. Seems like there’s a front end sales opportunity there for an innovating company.

Khiyasu · 02/08/2019, 06:42 PM

Concept Aquariums in Calgary, AB Canada is the best in terms of getting back to you. Have only heard good things about their builds too

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

748S911 · 02/14/2019, 03:11 PM

Miracles in canada..... they have amazing customer service with great pricing. response time is super fast.

tom obrecht · 02/15/2019, 03:19 PM

I’ve had good luck with Custom Aquariums here in Wisconsin I’m having a tank being made currently with a 8 week lead time. Not bad in my experience.

fftfk · 02/19/2019, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom obrecht

I’ve had good luck with Custom Aquariums here in Wisconsin I’m having a tank being made currently with a 8 week lead time. Not bad in my experience.

8 weeks? I’m currently going on 3 months!

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tom obrecht · 02/19/2019, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fftfk

8 weeks? I’m currently going on 3 months!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Perhaps they have backed up...not sure. I know some places are 6 months. Just giving my experience with them.

fftfk · 02/19/2019, 05:16 PM

My post was poorly written. I meant a different tank builder. Sorry about that.

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tom obrecht · 02/19/2019, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fftfk

My post was poorly written. I meant a different tank builder. Sorry about that.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No problem. I have found in this industry things can change dramatically in a short period of time. I’ve had personal experiences with vendors that have been highly rated only to find out they skipped town after I started to have issues. It happens and I wouldn’t want others to fall victim! Glad to hear it’s someone else!

FishAndPhysics · 02/20/2019, 09:07 AM

I work in a field where I outsource a lot of work in a lot of very different fields. There are some industries that are terrible about being prompt to both RFQ and getting work done on time. There are others where quotes are responded to quickly. lt seems like a industry by industry thing.

Prairie Reef · 02/20/2019, 09:28 AM

I’m continuing to kinda plow through it. It’s going at the pace I can manage for now. I’m getting feedback from a LFS and that’s helping with decision making - but I’m still kinda baffled that in the Internet age there isn’t a more streamlined approach. But maybe it’s the custom tank customers that like to design their creations? Anyway. Things are progressing, super slow, but that’s ok with me if it just “is what it is”.

tom obrecht · 02/20/2019, 03:36 PM

As a former Omaha resident I’d be happy to help if possible. I’ve had numerous custom aquariums made in the past 25 years in the hobby and I will be glad to help a fellow Husker! PM if you need more info.

jubei2006 · 03/06/2019, 08:46 PM

Just recently completed a build with James Steele from Envision acrylics in Oregon. He was great to work with and responded within a few days by email in the beginning. Was faster with email and calls during the build. He worked with my rough sketch to build a beautiful 525 gallon 4 side viewable central overflow tank, not finished yet but the build will appear as cycling is finished and stocking is beginning. Got it to me across country ahead of schedule in about 6 weeks. Had contacted coast to coast for a glass tank, and it took a day or two for them to get back, but they were very professional from our conversation as well.

Dmorty217 · 03/08/2019, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jubei2006

Just recently completed a build with James Steele from Envision acrylics in Oregon. He was great to work with and responded within a few days by email in the beginning. Was faster with email and calls during the build. He worked with my rough sketch to build a beautiful 525 gallon 4 side viewable central overflow tank, not finished yet but the build will appear as cycling is finished and stocking is beginning. Got it to me across country ahead of schedule in about 6 weeks. Had contacted coast to coast for a glass tank, and it took a day or two for them to get back, but they were very professional from our conversation as well.

+1 he built my 625g and would highly recommend

shred5 · 03/08/2019, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom obrecht

I’ve had good luck with Custom Aquariums here in Wisconsin I’m having a tank being made currently with a 8 week lead time. Not bad in my experience.

There pretty good.

I do not own one but allot of people do around here do and they are great tanks.

I had a quote from them recently and it was pretty fast.

I think they not have an online calculator too that is pretty close.

nightOwl · 03/21/2019, 06:42 AM

I just ran across your thread...Check out Miracles in Canada. Great customer service and prices were very competitive. When I was looking for my custom tank I had a few places that had the slow response and like you said crappy responses. Here's my take on it. I know the companies are busy but that's not my problem. I understand they get tons of requests for tank quotes from people that will never buy the tank or are just fishing for the cheapest quote...again not my problem. Depending on how detailed you were in your request it may have had some bearing on their answer but regardless you should have received some sort of response that made you feel you were customer number one. Custom tanks are expensive and there a few companies that feel based on their reputation customer service can suffer. After talking to about 4 different companies I choose Miracles. There customer service, fast responses, and making feel like I was important is what lead me to having them build my dream Tank and Frag tank. After all you are going to be forking over thousands of dollars...better to feel like you getting dinner and movie besides just getting screwed...lol.

Bary · 03/21/2019, 09:55 PM

For custom glass, ReefSavvy is my choice! Helpful beyond imagination.

EnderG60 · 03/27/2019, 05:56 AM

So Im about to put out an order Im seeing the following companies being recommended.

conceptaquariums.ca

http://www.miraclesaquariums.com/

https://www.customaquariums.com/

http://www.reefsavvy.com/

Any others I should reach out to for a glass tank and metal stand?

Prairie Reef · 03/27/2019, 07:38 AM

You can try acrylic and glass exhibitions (AGE)

Or Planet Aquariums.

02/02/2019, 10:13 AM	#1
Prairie Reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 127 Blog Entries: 1	Slow responses re: tank quotes I’m having the experience that with the four or five places I’ve asked for quotes on a 300 gallon custom tank that I’m getting pretty cool/apathetic responses. Two I’ve visited in person (local shops) and three have been on line request. Two have said they’d get me quotes by a date and have not. The two that did just sent me a $ amount with a vague list of features and no sketch or questions - and then got really slow answering any follow up questions or getting me actual diagrams. One simply has not responded to my email at all. My question (NOT vendor experiences) - is this normal and I just need to push this through and stay on top of it? Or is this bad customer service that predicts a poor outcome down the line and I should keep looking elsewhere? Is there something I need to be saying to show I’m a serious buyer? I’m telling folks I know this will be expensive and that I’m motivated. __________________ Old…75gal/20sump mixed, AI Sol SBx2!, mp40w, Tunze 9006, ca++ reactor, GFO/Carbon. New… ??

02/03/2019, 09:36 AM	#2
lapin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 801	I had good luck here with local LFS getting quotes back. I did ask who they used. On-line quotes were about a 20% response. Places like AGE will recommend where to get a quote. After getting quotes, I decided to make my own tank. For 1/3 the price I figured if I messed up the first one i was still way ahead. __________________ Tank sizes, 2-10's a 55 and one that's about 500gal Current Tank Info: Interior decorating happening

02/03/2019, 11:03 AM	#3
Prairie Reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 127 Blog Entries: 1	Interesting. Did you source the glass from a local glass source then? __________________ Old…75gal/20sump mixed, AI Sol SBx2!, mp40w, Tunze 9006, ca++ reactor, GFO/Carbon. New… ??

02/03/2019, 12:25 PM	#5
Prairie Reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 127 Blog Entries: 1	Ok. So pretty normal then. Patience and perseverance then. Thanks! __________________ Old…75gal/20sump mixed, AI Sol SBx2!, mp40w, Tunze 9006, ca++ reactor, GFO/Carbon. New… ??

02/08/2019, 05:59 PM	#8
Prairie Reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 127 Blog Entries: 1	Yeah. I’m finding I just have to drive the bus on the sale. It’s strange for a $3-5k purchase. Seems like there’s a front end sales opportunity there for an innovating company. __________________ Old…75gal/20sump mixed, AI Sol SBx2!, mp40w, Tunze 9006, ca++ reactor, GFO/Carbon. New… ??

02/03/2019, 12:16 PM	#4
elFloyd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 421	I've asked for three quotes within the past two weeks. One responded that I should receive quote in 15 days... one said as soon as 'manufacturing' reviews the request... and one no response.

02/08/2019, 05:53 PM	#7
Tyrenlds Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: CA Posts: 332	I'm shopping right now and have been getting cold/delayed responses as well. This thread makes me feel better knowing that at least it isn't personal.

02/08/2019, 06:42 PM	#9
Khiyasu Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 7	Concept Aquariums in Calgary, AB Canada is the best in terms of getting back to you. Have only heard good things about their builds too Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02/14/2019, 03:11 PM	#10
748S911 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: FAIRFAX, VA Posts: 200	Miracles in canada..... they have amazing customer service with great pricing. response time is super fast.

02/15/2019, 03:19 PM	#11
tom obrecht Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: WI Posts: 3,014	I’ve had good luck with Custom Aquariums here in Wisconsin I’m having a tank being made currently with a 8 week lead time. Not bad in my experience. __________________ Reef keeping is where Murphy's Law and your bank account collide!! TOTM May 2006

02/19/2019, 05:16 PM	#14
fftfk Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 240	My post was poorly written. I meant a different tank builder. Sorry about that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02/20/2019, 09:07 AM	#16
FishAndPhysics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: NY Posts: 95	I work in a field where I outsource a lot of work in a lot of very different fields. There are some industries that are terrible about being prompt to both RFQ and getting work done on time. There are others where quotes are responded to quickly. lt seems like a industry by industry thing. __________________ 90 Gallon Mixed Reef with 20g sump Current Stock: 1 - Ocellaris Clownfish, 1 - Yellow Tang, 1 - Kole Yellow Eye Tang, 1 - unidentified hitchhiker goby, 1 - Coral Beauty, 3 - Lyretail Anthias.

02/20/2019, 09:28 AM	#17
Prairie Reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 127 Blog Entries: 1	I’m continuing to kinda plow through it. It’s going at the pace I can manage for now. I’m getting feedback from a LFS and that’s helping with decision making - but I’m still kinda baffled that in the Internet age there isn’t a more streamlined approach. But maybe it’s the custom tank customers that like to design their creations? Anyway. Things are progressing, super slow, but that’s ok with me if it just “is what it is”. __________________ Old…75gal/20sump mixed, AI Sol SBx2!, mp40w, Tunze 9006, ca++ reactor, GFO/Carbon. New… ??

02/20/2019, 03:36 PM	#18
tom obrecht Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: WI Posts: 3,014	As a former Omaha resident I’d be happy to help if possible. I’ve had numerous custom aquariums made in the past 25 years in the hobby and I will be glad to help a fellow Husker! PM if you need more info. __________________ Reef keeping is where Murphy's Law and your bank account collide!! TOTM May 2006

03/06/2019, 08:46 PM	#19
jubei2006 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Newton, nc Posts: 68	Just recently completed a build with James Steele from Envision acrylics in Oregon. He was great to work with and responded within a few days by email in the beginning. Was faster with email and calls during the build. He worked with my rough sketch to build a beautiful 525 gallon 4 side viewable central overflow tank, not finished yet but the build will appear as cycling is finished and stocking is beginning. Got it to me across country ahead of schedule in about 6 weeks. Had contacted coast to coast for a glass tank, and it took a day or two for them to get back, but they were very professional from our conversation as well.

03/21/2019, 06:42 AM	#22
nightOwl Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,799	I just ran across your thread...Check out Miracles in Canada. Great customer service and prices were very competitive. When I was looking for my custom tank I had a few places that had the slow response and like you said crappy responses. Here's my take on it. I know the companies are busy but that's not my problem. I understand they get tons of requests for tank quotes from people that will never buy the tank or are just fishing for the cheapest quote...again not my problem. Depending on how detailed you were in your request it may have had some bearing on their answer but regardless you should have received some sort of response that made you feel you were customer number one. Custom tanks are expensive and there a few companies that feel based on their reputation customer service can suffer. After talking to about 4 different companies I choose Miracles. There customer service, fast responses, and making feel like I was important is what lead me to having them build my dream Tank and Frag tank. After all you are going to be forking over thousands of dollars...better to feel like you getting dinner and movie besides just getting screwed...lol. __________________ To check out my pictures of my tank and trips just click on my name and visit my homepage. Tank Build Thread (Miracles Custom) - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2628737

03/21/2019, 09:55 PM	#23
Bary Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 51	For custom glass, ReefSavvy is my choice! Helpful beyond imagination.

03/27/2019, 05:56 AM	#24
EnderG60 Plumbing Engineer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 3,260	So Im about to put out an order Im seeing the following companies being recommended. conceptaquariums.ca http://www.miraclesaquariums.com/ https://www.customaquariums.com/ http://www.reefsavvy.com/ Any others I should reach out to for a glass tank and metal stand?

03/27/2019, 07:38 AM	#25
Prairie Reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 127 Blog Entries: 1	You can try acrylic and glass exhibitions (AGE) Or Planet Aquariums. __________________ Old…75gal/20sump mixed, AI Sol SBx2!, mp40w, Tunze 9006, ca++ reactor, GFO/Carbon. New… ??