They Got Me!

15 years ago

Hi - I found the perfect fitting for my plumbing re-do, a 3" tru union swing check valve. I could only find it one place, PondSolutions. As I pressed the send order button about ten alarms went off in my head. No shipping charges, schedules or anything else, no phone.

I remember youreit posting a pond-related rating site and tracked it down. Garden Watchdog related to Daves Garden. Sure enough, every of the many complaints read like what I would have posted.

I don't know if/when I will get my check valve, can't find another like it, and have a vision of my plumbing torn up for half the season. To say nothing of the chance of losing some decent coin.

Caveat emptor. If you don't know a vendor, check them out. And thank you youreit for helping take care of all of us.

dumb and dumber - Mike

Comments (15)

sunderella
15 years ago
Mike,

I found this number on thier site. It's for their customer service 1-888-750-4805.

Here is a link that might be useful: PondSolutions
catherinet
15 years ago
Bummer Mike.
Can you cancel payment on it, if you used something like a credit card?
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mgeca
Original Author
15 years ago
thanks for the good words guys. sunderella, I'm going to try the number tomorrow although it is for orders, not customer service.

I trust (?) I will get my fitting--it is the real need for it that stirred me up I guess. All I can do is wait it out as I have no alternative source, which is hard to believe. I just want to light a fire, being a bit impatient sometimes.

Life by the pond; watch where you step tho. Next time with someone new I'll check them out.

Mike
catherinet
15 years ago
Mike.........It is hard to believe it isn't available anywhere else.
Have you asked around on the plumbing forum here?
golden_orfe
15 years ago
Mike,

What part of PA are you in?
nkm56
15 years ago
I purchased a true union swing check valve from Aquacave, but I don't think they have it in 3".
youreit
15 years ago
Awww, you're welcome, Mike! I sure hope you get what you ordered from that company, too. I still get scared when ordering some things online from companies I'm not at all familiar with.

I noticed that about their "customer service," too -

"An additional method of ordering is to call our 24 hour answering service and place your order. Please have product codes and prices ready when you call. Our operators do NOT provide customer support, they simply provide another means of ordering. If you need customer service, please contact us and we will be happy to help you. Our toll free number for orders only is: 1-888-750-4805."

Scary!!

Brenda
pond_dragon
15 years ago
Mike a place my work orders from all the time has 3" swing check valve for *gulp* $445. Is that the same thing? Maybe you could stop payment on the one you ordered and get it from Grainger.You can order online from them. They are a very reliable company.

Kathy
mgeca
Original Author
15 years ago
catherine - I never thought of a plumbing forum here--I have gotten tech advice from a different one - worth a try

golden orfe - I am in Butler, north of Pittsburgh

pond dragon - gulp! is an understatement--$445. This is a $53 item--oh, oh, plus unspecified S&H. Actually seems inexpensive. Not a huge amount but not to be wasted--the mystery S&H is scary. All I wanted was a chance to buy express delivery. That's when I realized, oh boy.

nancym, there's the rub, I can find anything in other than 3" and I can find some plain valves in 3" but for space considerations think I need this item.

What do I do now, I ask myself? Expensive lessons are part of life and that is OK, sort of. I have thrown good money after bad before. The wondering day to day if/when I can start my work is the rub. I need a plan.

It is odd that I can't find it anywhere else short of $200 or $445. One more Google and my eyes will cross.

Brenda, I know you have informed us for some time about this issue, where to check things out. For some reason I bookmarked this site, among others, maybe ordered their pond construction "course" three years ago so never gave it a second thought. I have never had problems with any vendor in the past and so....and yes, scary is a great word for their warning. Let's see if I hear back from my e-mail.

Here is one person who has learned a real lesson from your information, and I'm sure there are many others who looked before they leaped. So thanks for all of us.

There is yet another chapter to this. This has become one of my rambles so I'll report anything interesting later.

Mike
mgeca
Original Author
15 years ago
Down the rabbit hole, off with my head. When I first ordered I inquired about the length of the fitting. Someone from another company responded, but not a manufacturer and not able to supply the valve right away. I sent a couple of nice (honest) e-mails to this pondsolutions outfit, ultimately cancelling my order because it appeared they could not provide expedited shipping. No responses of course.

So I called my bank to block payment but was told this couldn't happen until the charge showed up on my account. There it was today as a pending item (debit card), I called the bank again. Oh no, can't stop it until it is posted, meaning the company has my money, maybe even there is an item I no longer need on its way at an unknown shipping and handling cost.

The bank rep said once it is posted, call the bank and they will dispute the charge and get my money! Sounds like closing the barn doors once the horses are several states away! There was no answer to the question "What if they shipped?" I believe they will make good on the valve (yes, I believe in Santa still) - I just don't need it now--AZ Ponds saved my bacon.

A bizarre little episode with some quirks. There have been similar posts, usually with positive outcomes, so maybe....

I have regular sites for ordering, but next time a new one pops up I will go to Garden Watchdog first. Hope this helps some other ponders.

Mike
pond_dragon
15 years ago
Hey Mike I stumbled across this while pricing EPDM liner material. Dont know if your still looking but Anjon Building Products has the valve you want for $61.95. 1-800-553-5605

This is where I bought the liner for the pond I have now.
youreit
15 years ago
Geez, what a hassle with the bank, Mike! I can't believe they couldn't cancel a pending item! It's good to know for future reference, but I'm sure sorry you're having to go through this. Can't wait to see what happens! *nail biting*

Brenda
mgeca
Original Author
15 years ago
Hey Everyone - Here's how the situation resolved. I canceled my order, via e-mail of course. My payment shortly appeared on my statement. I thought about it and decided to wait it out, gamble my money a little. Figured I have another pump to change plumbing and can use this check valve if it arrived. If not, I don't know, didn't look ahead.

This morning the S&H charge showed up on my statement; an hour later the order was dropped at my door. It is quite large and surprisingly heavy; the shipping charges were right in line with that. The valve seems to be of quite good quality.

The company has a big catalog, decent prices but zip in the way of communication and service. Still, I got what I wanted (despite canceling order!).

Would I order from them again? ...would you?

Mike
sleeplessinftwayne
15 years ago
I sure wouldn't order unless I could afford to wait. Thanks for the info, Mike. I would have just changed the design of the plumbing...again. Sandy
youreit
15 years ago
I'm SO glad to hear the experience ended well, Mike! But yeah, what Sandy said. When customer service is lacking, it sort of blows all the good stuff down the bottom drain.

A company that frequently gets orders wrong, but has great customer service and makes up for wrong orders, is far better than a company with no communication skills at all, in my very humble opinion. :)

Brenda

They Got Me!

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