impeller sales a scam?
- Thread starter ckoral
- Start date
GSMguy
New member
I don't know, but it's not going to put you in the poor house. This is a hobby with unforseen expenses, I set aside a budget for it every month and at the end of the month of I did not need the money I put it in savings or buy my girl a nice dinner.
I'm not sure where you would even buy a new impellor?
I'm not sure where you would even buy a new impellor?
Unfortunately most mfg's consider pumps under $20 (new) to be disposable. You break it, you buy a new one. I think the cheapest you are going to find a replacement impeller (complete unit) is $10, maybe more shipped. I just don't think it makes financial sense for distributors to stock individual components. It would be nice for you, but not for them.
ckoral
Premium Member
This is what I am saying. It is a total rip off and I do not think very much of the companies for taking me to the cleaners like this. I was wondering if someone made aftermarket versions or if I was missing something.
I can't honestly say maxi-jet is a nice pump if they can't even make affordable parts. On top of it all, think of the environmental waist these companys commiting simply because they want to sell a pump instead of a simple .50 plastic part.
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but IMO, this is dirty pool. I am not very business smart, but I would think it would be a great market to create aftermarket impellars for the top 20 pump's.
GSMguy, I understand this hobby is expensive. That does not mean I am not about to sit back with my wallet spread wide open. The idea of a forum such as this is to collaborate to find who makes them and/or sells them cheap. Or better yet shows us how to make them.
ckoral
Premium Member
This is what I am saying. It is a total rip off and I do not think very much of the companies for taking me to the cleaners like this. I was wondering if someone made aftermarket versions or if I was missing something.
I can't honestly say maxi-jet is a nice pump if they can't even make affordable parts. On top of it all, think of the environmental waist these companys committing simply because they want to sell a pump instead of a simple .50 plastic part.
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but IMO, this is dirty pool. I am not very business smart, but I would think it would be a great market to create aftermarket impellers for the top 20 pump's.
GSMguy, I understand this hobby is expensive. That does not mean I am not about to sit back with my wallet spread wide open. The idea of a forum such as this is to collaborate to find who makes them and/or sells them cheap. Or better yet shows us how to make them.
AugustWest
Premium Member
I have had maxi-jets that have lasted for Years running 24/7.....not bad for a 20$ pump.
BTW Maxi-jets are the least of my problems when it comes to the expense involved in running my tank.
JMO
BTW Maxi-jets are the least of my problems when it comes to the expense involved in running my tank.
JMO
BrassMonkey
Member
throw a maxi mod on it and make it your new salt mixing pump. problem solved!
I understand your frustration ckoral, but MFG's are trying to stay in business just like everyone else. In order to support spare parts you have to market, package, deliver, etc. You have to convince your distributors that it is a good idea (financially) to carry a $0.50 part on their shelves, keep track of inventory, assign a part number, etc. for a part that is going to more than likely have very low turnover (basically only when someone breaks one). I have never replaced an impeller on any of my pumps, but I have replaced a few pumps in my time. I am not going to spend a lot of time working on / troubleshooting a $16.99 pump. 
markandkristen
Active member
what actually broke on the maxi.. depending on how old they might warranty it.
ckoral
Premium Member
well, its my kalk stir pump. I go through about one every other month. Lately I have been loading it down with extra calcium hydroxide and when it is settled on the impeller and the pump kicks on, it snaps. So buying a new one is not going to be a solution for me. I WILL come up with a way.
I'm sure I can make something. I should have posted in the DIY forum, but I was not sure if someone made aftermarkets for them.
I'm sure I can make something. I should have posted in the DIY forum, but I was not sure if someone made aftermarkets for them.
Not to beat a dead horse- But I have to take issue with this post. Just so I'm clear - you admit that your impeller broke through abuse, but somehow not selling impellers is a scam? While it may be nice to be able to buy a new impeller for that once rare occurence when one breaks (I have NEVER had an impeller break, and judging by the responses here, not many others have either), this is in no way a scam. A scam would be if they intentionally made weak impellers that broke easily, forcing you to buy a new pump - however, this is far from the case. It frustrates me to no end when people accuse manufacturers who make otherwise decent products (and in many ways make this hobby possible) of participating in some global scam- and it diminishes the importance of the REAL scams that are out there. (Quick - whats the bigger scam - bilking an 90 year old woman out of her life savings, or the great aquarium impeller conspiracy?) While I despise the "throw-away" society as much as anyone - it is in no way a "scam"
redfishsc
New member
I've used Maxi-jets for well over a decade.
By far they are the most reliable powerhead I've ever used, and also about the cheapest. An industry standard if you ask me.
Most every other brand powerhead I've had would wear out quicker, clatter more, jam up, get brittle, etc..... but the old MJ still rocks on.
Sure, it would be nice if they offered replacement impellers, but I think the real issue here is that you need to find a better way to stir kalk.
By far they are the most reliable powerhead I've ever used, and also about the cheapest. An industry standard if you ask me.
Most every other brand powerhead I've had would wear out quicker, clatter more, jam up, get brittle, etc..... but the old MJ still rocks on.
Sure, it would be nice if they offered replacement impellers, but I think the real issue here is that you need to find a better way to stir kalk.
redfishsc
New member
Btw, if you want to talk about scams, just go to the local PetSmart and pick pretty much any item at random from the fish area.
I went in there one day to pick up some rigid airline tubing and wound up talking to the manager, who didn't keep a lot of fish, and I nicely (really) told her that if they would let me weed out all the snake oil, I could actually reduce their fish department to one aisle end-cap---- they could fill the rest of the aisles up with doggy mineral water and puppy sweaters
I went in there one day to pick up some rigid airline tubing and wound up talking to the manager, who didn't keep a lot of fish, and I nicely (really) told her that if they would let me weed out all the snake oil, I could actually reduce their fish department to one aisle end-cap---- they could fill the rest of the aisles up with doggy mineral water and puppy sweaters
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