How to deal with Champion Lighting?

[MandarinFish]

I ordered a lot of stuff from Champion Lighting.

They sent me no tracking #. 3 weeks later all I've gotten are a couple VHO bulbs.

When you call, they ignore you or put you on hold forever, transfer you, tell you to talk to a guy who isn't in at the moment, etc.

This has gotten really, really old.

They ignore my emails too.

How do I deal with these guys? Other than never giving them my business again?

Just hold my breath until they send my order? Is there anyone there at all who values customer service?

 

[Sidewinder]

Mandarin, don't really know what to tell you after the fact. Prior to purchasing all of the equip. for my 180 I chose not to deal with them because of the complaints that I read about on the various boards.
There are plenty of folks that have had good experiences with them; but I judge a business by how they handle problems. If I remember those were the major complaints, that when there was a prob. they were less than helpful and sometimes downright rude. And I'm only about 1 hour drive away; shame, huh...
Please keep us posted on your progress or lack thereof. You may want to post to http://www.reefcentral.com as well. I know that Champion used to read some of the boards but I forget which ones. Just make sure that you can back up your position with facts/proof 'cause if you can't they'll definately slam you; and rightfully so...
Cheers, Ed

 

[buff1]

I've never had serious problems with them, but they are slow to ship and slow to respond to questions. Generally, they have an attitude of "don't bother us with your business." I have ordered from them in the past because they do carry a few things that almost nobody else does. My favorites are Marine Depot and Premium Aquatics.

 

[MandarinFish]

This time they weren't rude, but it took me 1/2 a hour, they bounced me from person to person *again*.

They told me most of my order should go out today and another part should be in any day now.

I won't get my order for another week.

That brings my time from ordering to receiving up to a month.

Why bother? They lost my business. Maybe other people don't mind being really patient, but when I order something, I want it sent. More than 2 weeks is not okay, and a month (at best now) is wholly unacceptable.

 

[4angel]

Mandarin I only wish you posted on Wed. I placed an order with them on thurs. Keeping my fingers crossed.!!
_________________
schrom pics

 

[phillips]

Next time, call and tell them you need the invoice number for you order. Then you can use the tracking function on their website which uses their invoice number.

The time after that....use another vendor....I used to use them when I started...then I wised up and use Marine Depot, Premium Aquatics, and Ocean Encounter, etc. It comes down to good customer service vs. no customer service.

 

[phillips]

Next time, call and tell them you need the invoice number for you order. Then you can use the tracking function on their website which uses their invoice number.

And seriously,

Take your money where they treat you as if they want your business...
use another vendor...
I used to use them when I started...then I wised up and use Marine Depot, Premium Aquatics, and Ocean Encounter, etc. It comes down to good customer service vs. no customer service.

I hope this helps a little...

 

[freedom75]

MandarinFish

Also go to www.BBB.org and post a complaint. They will contact them Very quickly

I have had serveral problems and did this and they tend to get resolved when you start contacting the BBB. you just need to goto that sight and find the state they are in and fill out a form. Also you can go to the Attorney general of there state on the web and file a complaint. but I would not until I knew I was not getting what I have paid for

John Wray :x

 

[salth2o]

Have your credit card company reverse the charges #1. Plain and simple thats the only way these guys dealt with me. reverse those charges.
These guys were a huge in my a_ss. I've spent a ton of cash of the years with this company...plain and simple I'm done with them. I've given my business to reef splendor. The are great to deal with! They TELL me when parts aren't in and they Dropped the price of a MH ballast I wanted by $50.

 

[MandarinFish]

Now UPS is saying they got the request to pick up and shipper info. Still no pickup has happened, according to the site.

Have to wait another week for the IceCaps to even get to Champion, much less get sent to me.

Terrible.

I have to remind them to send me what I ordered weeks ago.

Just terrible.

In this economy especially, I am curious how they plan to stay in business.

And it seems everyone has the same experience with these dudes.

Unprofessional = business goes elsewhere. Buying from a LFS is soooo much better than this. It's worth the extra cost.

*UPDATE* - they are not members of the Better Business Bureau. What were the odds?

*UPDATE 2* - Now disputing it with Visa, who was totally helpful and understanding.

*QUESTION* - Best place to buy a retrofit kit with 2x175 watt MH's, 2 5' VHO's, and maybe a long non-metal scraper?

salth2o - You've posted only once ever before? Wow. It takes a lot to motivate you to post. Your dislike of Champion seems to be sufficient. That's not a good sign, much less the content of your message.

 

[Joe Kelley]

MandarinFish,
That is a bummer. I have always had great service from them. They have helped me numerous times and even taken back some things I did not need for full credit. They might be going through some changes or something. Like when they moved. How knows., I hope you get this straightened out soon.

Joe

 

[Anonymous]

I have ordered from them 4 or 5 times and only had one problem. I emailed them about some VHO's that hadn't come in yet, two weeks after I ordered them. The promptly returned my email said that it was odd because their records indicated that the manufacturer had shipped them when I ordered them. I received them a few days later. So I'm still pleased with them.

Louey

 

[salth2o]

MandarinFish

I'm just cruising the boards looking for some information on the ice cap timer/controller. Typically, I do my research/questions on reef central, saltwaterfish.com, or garf. I think reef central must be down this evening..ps. Champion is a sponsor and that sight.

I hope you guys/ ladies don't mind me posting on your board?

I post under the same name 'SaltH2o' on those pages.

 

[freedom75]

Man

they do not have to be a member in order for you to file a compliant. and I would ASAP to get the ball rolling

John

 

[Anonymous]

I have used them several times. The last couple of times they had an attitude problem, but I always received my stuff relatively quickly. I figure they're just yankees, so I try to be understanding. :lol:

 

[t gallo]

there in pennsalvania, your best bet is to order from a company thats closer to your mailing adress wich makes delivery quicker. as far as bulbs go they drop ship from the manufacter vho's anyway so it takes longer. the only reason i do bussines with them is because there one state next to mine so delivery is 2 days max on just about anything they have in stock.

 

[Anonymous]

I've never had a problem either. As a matter of fact they have been very helpful.

 

[Mikef1]

I had a problem with champion lighting a while back and when I got them on the phone I just canceled my order because it was takngso long.

 

[AFH]

I use champion all the time and never have any problems. If items are missing from my shipments I always call, they ‘r e always helpful.

 

[godblesswtc]

I've had the same experiences with them. They do alot of drop shipments so most of the time they don't know what's going on with their orders. I'd try someone else who ships directly and get better results.