Bait and Switch?

[Gonodactylus]

A major supplier of marine tropicals advertized last week that they had Odontodactylus scyllarus. The website said "clown mantis shrimp", used the correct scientific name, and showed the image of a peacock. One of my students is using O. scyllarus in a set of experiments and recently lost a couple, so I ordered two. When they arrived, they were large, very battered Gonodactylus chiragra. I immediately called and reported the error. The not very friendly response was to send photos of the animals. I did and received a response saying that they would forward the pictures to their "Aquatics director" for review. I'm still waiting for a confirmation that I know the difference between a G. chiragra and an O. scyllarus.

Right now the market is flooded with G. chiragra. They are going wholesale for $5. The peacocks I bought were 10 times that! I don't yet know if this was an honest mistake or "bait and switch", but some how I doubt that I would get a peacock if I ordered a G. chiragra.

Roy

 

[sjmantis]

Didn't the same thing happen to Ritter?

 

[ritter6788]

Didn't the same thing happen to Ritter?

Sure did. Liveaquaria. They still have them listed like that too.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+525+1702&pcatid=1702

This is exactly what I ordered and I got a 2 inch chiragra. I didn't know any better at the time and when I learned what I had I emailed them and they told me it was past the guarantee time so there wasn't anything they could do about it. They didnt' argue that they sent the wrong stomatopod though.

 

[Koshmar]

Wow. Did you tell them who you are?

There have been several new members to this forum that have had the same thing happen to them. It happened to me with my first stomatopod but I knew the owner and he honestly didn't know. Has your opinion of suppliers changed from what it used to be now that this has happened to you in reguards to their responsibility to the customer?

Ah yes, Ritter. I took a look at the site after I posted. Interestingly, if you look under the photo they have a nice little caption saying

"Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided."

They must have added that in there after a few complaints though I think they could have worded that a little better..

 

[sTefaniA]

Very expensive chiragra's... My lfs has them on their stocklist
like this:

Odontodactylus scyllarus-mantis 8-10 CM
25,50 €

I am planning on ordering one, and if it's not a peacock, they can keep it. My lfs has a really good service so they won't make a fuss if they deliver something that isn't correct. I am curious to see if they come up with a chiragra. Not that i wasnt planning on getting a peacock anyway, i just don't want a chiragra.

 

[ionion]

whats the best way to tell an O.S. from a G.C. with an untrained eye? went to a livestock supplier who had 2 "peacock" labeled guys and i just wanted to make sure i was getting a peacock before i put any money down

 

[Gonodactylus]

While the background color of O. scyllarus can vary from emerald green (mature males) to brown, yellow or even red, there are several species specific color patterns that do not very much. The most obvious, and unusual feature are the characteristic "leopard" spots on the carapace. There will be several on the anterior lateral corners and usually a few more on the posterir lateral edge. The spots are usually dark - often black. Other characters include the antennal scales - green on the front side and orange on the back, orange and while markings on the dactyls of the raptorial appendages, and red setae outlining the antennal scales, pleopods and uropods. There is also usually blue outlining the edge of the uropods.

Roy

 

[lionbacker54]

roy,

the same thing happened to me with liveaquaria. the funny thing was that i used your expertise to help prove they sent me a chiragra. i sent them a link to the thread where you positively ID'd the stomatopod they sent me as a g. chiragra.

they were pretty awesome about it once the case was proved though. they refunded both the money for the animal as well as the shipping cost, and put me on the short list for future peacocks. once one came, they alerted me first, sent emails of it, and sent it to me for $60.

 

[Gonodactylus]

I'm usually pretty calm about such things and as you know, I try to work with suppliers. I think what put me on edge was the tone of the person taking the call. I expect a bit more courtesy from a business. There was a definite "we know our stock better than you do" attitude. In the past I have purchased stock from them with no problems.

Roy

 

[Goraden]

Wow Roy this sounds almost exactly like what just happened to me. Ive talked to him, he said he would check into it with there saltwater department then i had to call a week later. Then he had me send pictures and no call, just checked my statements and got another charge from them for $86. If you dont mind can you PM me who you baught from cause it sounds like who i went through also.

 

[Crawling68]

Whenever i see mislabeled mantis, i usually try to grab someone and let them know. Sometimes i get the "Ya right Buddy", and other times i get the "How the hell did he know that". LOL.

 

[Gonodactylus]

Case resolved. I was given credit for shipping and the animals and this time got to speak with a very pleasant and helpful person.

Roy