Thread: Alternative Aquatics

Hi my wife purchased a Velda Skimmer for her pond from Alternative Aquatics last Tuesday 7th May through Worldpay, thing is she hasn't had any confirmation from Alternative Aquatics to say they have received payment of £100 which has gone out of her bank we have tried to contact them by several emails with no response also phoned them and only get answer machine so we dont have a clue what is going on. Does anyone know this shop or who owns it as she is getting a bit worried. Hope this is the correct place to place this thread.

Thanks.

Thank you Djstiles999.

I would contact them by phone to make sure they are aware of it.

When I had a problem the only contact I had was by phone but it wasn't very helpful. I ordered a redox meter for monitoring PP and I don't think they had stocked it for years, I was told it was coming from Germany and would take a while.

The thing is I only got a confirmation email from WorldPay and nothing from Alternative Aquatics so I wasn't at all confident that their order system had worked and had placed the order.

I tried to contact them again but I never got through and they never responded to any of my emails so I took it to PayPal's dispute procedure. They never replied to me or PayPal so I got a full refund.

I think if you go to the shop or order something online that is in stock you are fine but their website is very outdated so my hunch is that they are not techy people and don't know how to maintain it.

Edit: I forgot to add that the Redox meter never arrived.

Yep we tried phoning just get answer machine, we do know that a Mike does respond to a email as my brother inlaw email them about buying a nexus of them he soon replied then. So we know they are seeing emails just won't respond to my wife asking what is going on as they have her £99.40. How does anyone think they can get away with it lol.

I’m having exactly the same problem with them at the moment. I’ve been ringing them 10 times a day for the last week, (No answer at all and answer phone is not working as it’s full) and I have sent them multiple emails with no reply what so ever, looks like they are well know for it, they have taken my money but there is no way of even speaking to them about my missing order :-( doesn’t sound good, their web site is still working so they are still taking peoples money ��

I had to get a refund through PayPal. I ordered an ORP tester. No communication from the company at all. I tried to ring and PayPal didn’t get a response either. Such a shame as they are quite local.

Originally Posted by Denise Doherty

I had to get a refund through PayPal. I ordered an ORP tester. No communication from the company at all. I tried to ring and PayPal didn’t get a response either. Such a shame as they are quite local.

thank you,

I’ve tried ringing them 10 times a day for the last 10 days with the phone not being answered at all, their answer phone is also full so can’t leave a message, I’ve emailed them numerous times and not had a reply either. I’ve opened a case with PayPal ,today so hopefully I will get my money back to so I can reorder my bits from a more reputable company. The terrible thing is Their web site is still live so they are still taking people money :-( Not good .

Hi Handybloke,

I believe the business is owned by Gerry Allinson, with his son Mike. I recall Gerry was instrumental in the manufacture of the Spindrifter bottom drains back in the day, a knowledgeable guy, he's been in the koi business many years.

After my recent experience with them, I would never buy from them again. It took them around 2 months to send me a 2 way through Air pump outlet that they manufacture inhouse. Excuse after excuse from Mike, week after week. Can't say what I think of him on here.... It was only when I spoke to Gerry that things were sorted, I managed to speak with Gerry Friday afternoons if that helps.

I wouldn't bother emailing them, they can easily be ignored, just keep on phoning, weekdays only, as others have said, they close at weekends.

It's a real shame that the business has declined, as only a few years ago, I wouldn't have hesitated to use them, but not now.

I was at the BKKS National show a couple of weeks ago, talking to a dealer i've known many years, during our chat, he told me he had had supply problems with them also.

Good luck with your order with them.

Clive.

unfortunately I think they are purposely avoiding phone calls, probably because they have my number so they don’t answer, I have tried calling them nearly 100 times in the last 10 days, they just don’t answer. Obviously no way to run a business taking people’s money without providing the goods ordered

Originally Posted by clive1964

Hi Handybloke,

I believe the business is owned by Gerry Allinson, with his son Mike. I recall Gerry was instrumental in the manufacture of the Spindrifter bottom drains back in the day, a knowledgeable guy, he's been in the koi business many years.

After my recent experience with them, I would never buy from them again. It took them around 2 months to send me a 2 way through Air pump outlet that they manufacture inhouse. Excuse after excuse from Mike, week after week. Can't say what I think of him on here.... It was only when I spoke to Gerry that things were sorted, I managed to speak with Gerry Friday afternoons if that helps.

I wouldn't bother emailing them, they can easily be ignored, just keep on phoning, weekdays only, as others have said, they close at weekends.

It's a real shame that the business has declined, as only a few years ago, I wouldn't have hesitated to use them, but not now.

Good luck with your order with them.

Clive.

Unfortunately I don't think they are that smart. Try withholding your number, see if they answer.

I’ve put in a PayPal claim to get my payment back, I wouldn’t believe anything they said now anyway, hopefully PayPal will give me my payment back quickly so I can just order from a more reputable company

Originally Posted by clive1964

Unfortunately I don't think they are that smart. Try withholding your number, see if they answer.

I got my order refunded from PayPal yesterday, they could not get any contact from them either, doesn’t look good, I’m just glad I got my money back so I can now place my order with someone else :-)

Originally Posted by funkrat

I got my order refunded from PayPal yesterday, they could not get any contact from them either, doesn’t look good, I’m just glad I got my money back so I can now place my order with someone else :-)

I've had no reply from them either. Paid with Paypal so will start chasing a refund.