Has anyone successfully ordered an Aquaforest sump from BRS without it breaking?

[Treehrtsme]

I purchased a AF 980 sump weeks back from BRS as it seems they are the only US seller and when it came in I could see through all the tears and holes in the box it was going to be completely wrecked and it was. Rim broken, cracks all over the place, ever corner more than aesthetically damaged..... But the only protection was 12 3x3"squares of thin Styrofoam not placed in any organized many and the box wasn't rated for 77lbs. Thing is the box has AFs logo on it. Here's the first one......

Well I contact BULK REEF SUPPLY and before I can stop them another one is just send out and this time it came in even worse. Same thin cardboard and almost no protection



According to bulk reef supply this is how they are packed by @Aquaforest and they can't do anything about it. This was a specific request for a commissions that's been delayed but thank God I stopped them from sending a third. Basically as I see it it's impossible to get this sump. The best offer I've gotten is for bulk reef supply toss some packaging peanuts in the box, which from experience I know will do nothing to such a heavy sump and I am not provided any shipping options that would help.


I noticed none of these sumps have reviews. Has anyone else run into this issue. Every large package I get from bulk reef supply is always beat up so badly if ī was not for the Styrofoam frame once I would be 6 to 1 of damaged vs not damaged sumps ordered from that site.

I just can't imagine AF would package a sump in this mannner. @Aquaforest, is this how you typical package and ship your sumps? I feel as if something like this should be on a pallet or put in another box. It's a huge waste and I'm stuck with 2 of these 70n pound sumps that I'll have to n find a dumpster to try and throw in

Any similar experience or advice? I have no doubt I'f I was b sent n another it would be n the same b situation.... I was basically n told that yes they carry and sell them but it's near impossible to actually buy the working still you see..... No other US sellers far as I mhhm the

 

[VintageReefer]

Seems to be packaging issue from the mfg. would not expect different results unless brs crated it.

Try another brand. Trigger Systems is great, they have a huge product line, manual fleece rollers, automatic rollers, or no roller system. Lots of options to pick from and I had no shipping issues on first try

 

[IceNein]

I really feel your frustration with you on this one, but I have to feel that AF bears some of the responsibility here. That sump is not packaged adequately for shipment. It is packaged adequately to be stacked on a pallet and shipped in a truck, but not to withstand going through the mail. I would never expect that to make it through shipping.

If they did truly receive it bare, which I find hard to believe, and then they just threw it in a box, then I would consider it BRS's sole responsibility.

 

[Johnd651]

Having done overseas logistics, they are probably palletized for ocean cargo to the distributor and meant to be overpacked prior to reshipping.

Had similar issues with HelloReef packaging.

 

[Treehrtsme]

No the box itself had AFs info stamped on one side, but I always request packages be inspected before shipping and seeing as they basically said they can not open, repack, or pack over the box for extra support send me a unit in one piece I just think it's a bit odd that I see sumps like this shipped fine all the time as long they may basic retirements. I understand space saving but the box itself had plenty of empty space where packing could be put. I generally build custom but this was a specific request and would be a pain to make anything similar

 

[VintageReefer]

Have them keep sending replacements until they learn its cheaper to spend 25$ on repacking it/reinforcing properly (or opening and inspecting) vs losing $800 sumps over and over

 

[Treehrtsme]

They blatantly stated they will not take any action until they receive a 3% total loss.....

 

[rtparty]

This is on AF and UPS. Mostly AF. They need to package it better. BRS requires it be sent in ship ready packaging. AF is claiming this is ship ready.

And BRS isn’t losing money on this. These are all UPS insurance claims paying for them. BRS is out a little bit of man hour money but that’s it

 

[VintageReefer]

Tell brs you want return labels for these broken sumps to be picked up and returned

 

[Treehrtsme]

Tell brs you want return labels for these broken sumps to be picked up and returned

Already did they insisted that I keep them.....

 

[Treehrtsme]

This is on AF and UPS. Mostly AF. They need to package it better. BRS requires it be sent in ship ready packaging. AF is claiming this is ship ready.

And BRS isn’t losing money on this. These are all UPS insurance claims paying for them. BRS is out a little bit of man hour money but that’s it

They actually are. UPS reached out to me twice and I have them shipped to my UPS box so not only is their store witnesses as to how it was packed, but I'm not going to lie to UPS over the phone and say it was packed Solid like a brick. I can almost guarantee they denied the claim.

 

[Treehrtsme]

Tell brs you want return labels for these broken sumps to be picked up and returned

They weigh about 70 lb and I had to avoid them into my car then barely fits them and take them both to my storage unit. Even in terms of scrap the best I get is some filter socks.

 

[Treehrtsme]

They actually are. UPS reached out to me twice and I have them shipped to my UPS box so not only is their store witnesses as to how it was packed, but I'm not going to lie to UPS over the phone and say it was packed Solid like a brick. I can almost guarantee they denied the claim.

I know BRS requires that, but these were weighted 77 lb and anything over 70 lb UPS has specific guidelines for, none of which were followed in packing these. I also always putting the notes request to ensure that their properly packed as receiving beat up boxes has become very common

 

[rtparty]

They actually are. UPS reached out to me twice and I have them shipped to my UPS box so not only is their store witnesses as to how it was packed, but I'm not going to lie to UPS over the phone and say it was packed Solid like a brick. I can almost guarantee they denied the claim.

If this is the case, they’re well past the 3% claimed earlier.

 

[Treehrtsme]

Well part of the reason I posted is because I was wondering if I'm the only one who's b ever bought these....

 

[VintageReefer]

Find another vendor and ask how they ship them - factory packaging or repackaged
Simple email or phone call politely asking them

 

[Treehrtsme]

Seems like they all dropped selling the sumps. Went through AFs list of NA distributors

 

[VintageReefer]

Sorry to hear that!

What has you sold on this sump?

 

[Treehrtsme]

Nothing, I'm doing a commission build and this was a strong request. Of course I could always make one pretty much the same design it would be extremely time consuming

 

[VintageReefer]

I’d suggest alternatives from trigger, eshopps, or commission glass cages or custom make a replica