Pet Mountain Review; Parasite Retailers
"Just Say NO to Pet Mountain, AquaRayLighting.com, & Other Parasite Retailers!"
Updated 1/9/19
I will keep this Fish as Pets Aquatic News article short and to the point.
This review based on input from friends in the aquarium business is different from many which are generally based on misinformation and anecdotal aquarium/pond information often found on the Internet.
However in this review I will more point out the ethics of alleged parasite Pet/Aquatics resellers and the ethics of distributors/manufacturers that sell to such retailers; in particular alleged parasite retailer, Pet Mountain.
Hopefully this article will "hit home" for those who consider ethics more important than saving .25 or more.
What is a parasite reseller? This is a reseller that jumps in after another business in the aquarium industry (or other business field of endeavor) has spent years and considerable amounts of time and money educating the public about new products or services that many may keeping aquarium keeping more successful.
These parasite resellers will then often make unethical deals with manufacturers under cutting the businesses that have done all the work.
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Pet Mountain
First, it should be pointed out, unlike what are ethical businesses in my opinion, Pet Mountain allegedly hides in anonymity with no listing provided to business searches of ownership & location.
Previously, all that was allegedly known is that Pet Mountain is based out of Darmstadt Germany, yet they do no business there!!
Currently they provide no location on their website.
Source: https://petmountain.knoji.com/questions/pet-mountain-contact-information/
Second,
Pet Mountain is allegedly utilizing an unethical relationship with Lee-Mar Aquarium and Pet Supplies of Vista CA.
LeeMar is an authorized pet product distributor that is is sharing its facilities with Pet Mountain in what is likely an incestuous relationship to sell direct to the public (& likely much more, but so much is secretive).
This is no different than your local Chevy Dealership doing all the work only to see GM make a direct sale to the buyer; this is both unethical and illegal in many instances!!
It is also noteworthy that a friend in the aquarium industry has had business dealings back in the early 1980s with Lee Mar and discontinued business with them for alleged dishonest practices (at least according to him).
Here are their addresses:
Lee Mar:
2459 Dogwood Way
Vista, CA
Pet Mountain:
2465 Dogwood Way,
Vista California 92081
Further,
In speaking with one of the largest Pet Supply distributors in North America (who would prefer anonymity), I would have to say the Pet Mountain gets the dishonor of being the worst offender by far as to this type of behavior.
Whether it be Marineland, Hagen, Commodity Axis, API, or Weco; Pet Mountain is selling products that others have spent copious amounts of time educating the general public about.
I should also note that this parasite reselling is allegedly not done by normal quantity buying discounts that more ethical large resellers such as Petco utilize, rather with many products I am familiar with at prices lower than those selling in originally higher quantities via unethical under the table deals!
In the case of the Weco Wonder Shell, this is an especially glaring example since although this product is not at all new.
This product was a "regional secret" that only in 2005 when American Aquarium Products spent copious amounts of time and money correctly educating the aquarium keeping (& pond keeping) public via blog posts, scientific articles, forum sponsorships, etc. as to what these mineral blocks can and cannot perform for one's aquarium.
In steps Pet Mountain along with Amazon.com with a deal (likely through Lee Mar) under selling others for this product, all the while providing incorrect information about the best use this product.
It is noteworthy too that it is likely that the product is not fresh, rotated stock, NOR do they sell the full line including the Medicated version only sold by AAP.
References:
*American Aquarium Wonder Shell; Fresh Product & Medicated Version too
*American Aquarium Products
As well, Pet Mountain is constantly "playing games" with SeaChem's 'MAP. pricing.
First they were called out by under selling this minimum pricing structure that is in place to protect the businesses that are doing the REAL WORK of promoting SeaChem's top notch line of Aquarium Chemistry based products.
Most recently (1/24/13), Pet Mountain has been caught selling Prime at less than most retailers can buy the product for. HOWEVER, Pet Mountain was very sneaky by placing this "Special" price in the cart only where it is much more difficult to catch via Internet searches (a Shopping cart is not indexed by Google, Bing, etc.)
In conclusion;
Sadly this is but one example of a growing trend in the Aquarium/pet industry (& from other business sectors based on conversations with business persons).
Others may know of other alleged parasite retailers in the aquarium/pet industry.
If you are considering a Rena Filstar Filter, AAP Wonder Shell, Fluval, UV Sterilizer, etc.
Please consider ethics and those businesses whether internet based or local fish/aquarium stores that have helped you with your product knowledge and return the favor of their hard work for as a little as .25 cents extra.
This is not a lot to ask in a world where ethics has generally taken a back seat.
I might add this is especially important when your fish are sick, do you want a parasite retailer with no experience helping you or do you want a professional that has spent their life in hands on experience in Fish Medications Research for products such as Triple Sulfa, API/AAP Furan 2, or API/AAP Erythromycin??
AquaRay: Unfortunately many of the best manufacturers of quality products such as TMC (Tropic Marine Centre) have allegedly fallen into this trap too of late, now utilizing distributors who masquerade as retailers such as aquaraylightingDOTcom hiding behind the distributor Pecan Grove (far from a healthy Manufacturer/Distributor/Retailer relationship). It is noteworthy that Pecan Grove was acquired by QSI Facilities in May 2018 (if one researches this company, they are not even remotely close to the aquarium industry, using the aquaraylightingDOTcom url as a cover to sell product they know nothing about, but seem official).
This alleged parasite retailer sells out of a home, but their name and website gives the impression of a major long time seller of this product line, even though AAP has had to answer questions & even in one occasion make a video to help buyers who assumed they were the long time professional seller of this line of products (Google's crap algorithm does not help either by giving such a website prominence over the professional true seller of this product line)
I am speaking of the manufacturer of the TMC UV Sterilizers & AAP AquaRay LED Lights.
Here is a "Google Maps" link to the location of this so-called seller:
Google Maps: aquaraylightingDOTcom
For a review of LED Lights, see this article: Aquarium LED Light Review.
Other articles readers who place value in morals might find of interest:
#eBay Community Forum & Bullying, Customer Service
#Sorry Grants Pass Oregon, Collecting Bottles is NOT a Crime
By Steven W.
Recommended Aquatic Sites for Information, Products
Saltwater Aquarium Information; Basic to Advanced
Freshwater Aquarium Care
American Aquarium Sponge Filters
The Premium ATI Hydro Sponge Filter, from the only online seller with professional use dating back to 1978 (prior to the Internet)
*American Aquarium Silicone; USDA 100% Fish Safe
100% Fish Safe, USDA & Agricultre Canada approved.
The same CANNOT be said for Hardware Store brands!!
UV Sterilizer Use; For Aquarium or Pond
This article covers many aspects of Aquarium & Pond UV Sterilization from how, why, facts, myths, and maintenance including the importance of changing UV Bulbs regularly.
UV Bulbs; For Aquarium or Pond
As noted above, changing these bulbs/lamps every 6-12 months is essential for a properly functioning UV Sterilizer
Copyright; Steven Wright with input from Carl Strohmeyer
Labels: AquaRay Lighting, Aquaraylighting.com, Business Ethics, Lee Mar, Parasite Reseller, Pet Mountain, Pet Mountain Review, SeaChem, TMC Review, Triple Sulfa, Tropic Marine Centre, Wonder Shell
posted by Carl @ 4:04 PM
17 comments
Aquarium Lighting
Reverse Osmosis Aquarium Water Filters
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This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hey, what happened to most of your content about TruAqua?
I went to send this to a friend that told me of his frustration in dealing with this company, and most of what you wrote is gone?
Thanks for a great blog
Caring for cats
I am sorry my last comment was so blunt and you felt it should be removed (I was only telling the truth)
Anyway as someone also in this aquarium business (I have been maintaining aquariums since 1987); I find it frustrating when one runs their business with honesty and integrity, then resellers such as Pet Mountain or worse TruAqua come along and treat others I know in the industry without any regards to ethics.
For me as a maintenance professional, I see the fruits of misinformation that many sell (not necessarily just those this blog post refers to).
I will leave it at that, hopefully this will be regarded as constructive, but factual critique.
As an independent pet retailer and service company, I find it interesting that I have to spend $75 with Pet Mountain to get free shipping but $100 from a wholesale distributor or manufacturer to get free shipping. This is not a problem when it comes on food deliveries, I'm spending over $500 on my smallest of three weekly deliveries.
There are times I use PetMountain because two aquatic manufacturers no longer use wholesalers and only sell direct, and it makes it easier to get free shipping combining two brands into one. As far as I am concerned, Pet Mountain is not my direct competitor, rather they are one of my wholesalers.
Yourgoodsons;
I certainly understand and respect your point, however my point is one of morality.
This company is well known in the industry to make deals to manufacturers that lock out the companies that made their business in the first place. Weco and API are good examples.
On the other hand SeaChem realizes that their products still need the professional aquarium keeping community to provide accurate information and have made what is called MAP pricing and any retailer that sell lower (or wholeseller) is cut off.
As well I that this company will swoop in after others have done the hard work and essentially take their business via back room deals and then later provide inaccurate product information.
If this is the kind of place you want to do business with, go right ahead, but in knowing others who have been in this business over 30 years, they have seen many times over how this mentality actually destroys the hobby and only promotes the lowest common denominator of product, information, and worse.
I am the person referred to by Steven that has been in this industry for over 30 years (over 40 in the hobby).
I knew a man who came in to help “salvage” one of the better aquarium supply distributors in the So. California region (in the 90s) that not only sold common products, but also promoted innovation that was becoming increasingly absent in the industry.
His comments as to retailers similar to Pet Mountain displayed his frustration in that he personally saw the harm these retailers and manufacturers who kissed their feet caused the hobby and industry.
Sadly after he left, this distributer went under (around 2005).
I have seen good manufacturers harmed too by the business practices noted here, one such recent example is Ancient Mariner (whom also was cutting edge with their products, but alas are currently no more).
And finally I have answered so many emails and talked to so many persons directly as to the misinformation that this type of disingenuous retailing causes to the buying public.
As Steven noted, it is your money, but to me morals are more important to me.
One point Steven and Carl missed is the point made about some manufacturers selling direct now.
The important point here is that IS that business practices carried out by Pet Mountain and others is a major cause of this.
I too am in the professional aquarium business (since 1987) and know first hand the issues this has caused (Hagen is an example here).
Free Shipping is also popular gimmick that must be made up elsewhere. Frankly you would be better off with a company that caps their shipping at say $15 for $100 and no further shipping charges are then added. THEN receive better information, customer service, innovation, and most importantly; MORALITY (as Carl noted)
What it comes down to IMHO is if you are buying from such a business you become part of the problem, not the solution. This is no different than whining about Bank of America while keeping all your accounts open with them (I understand some are “trapped in loans, etc.).
Sorry for the harsh words, but this is a serious issue that is far from the best interests of this hobby and industry
I too had problems with TruAqua . While there products look nice their customer service does not exist . I questioned the sales person ( whom could not answer anything about the product ) and then got my order cancelled ? May be he did me a favor ?
We have a sales rep business in another industry, and we can see some of the same issues. Really, I think your main complaint is with the manufacturers. It is up to them to have policies which protect their professional service-oriented dealer network. As an example, they can have a MAP price (minimum advertised price) to avoid the kind of low-balling you are describing.
If there are no such policies, it is inevitable that low-ball competition will creep in. There are opportunists everywhere, and given the opportunity, they will do what they do.
Sometimes the best solution is to persuade an ethical manufacturer to begin producing a similar product and then get behind that one. For example, could SeaChem be persuaded to make a mineral block that is as good or better than WonderShells? Just a thought.
I would agree that in part this goes back to the manufacturer.
However SeaChem in particular is aware of this problem (as per emails with them).
I know they are attempting to enforce MAP pricing, but Pet Mountain plays the game that “catch me if you can”
More importantly, Lee Mar is an Aquarium/Pet Supply distributor that attempts to play the game both ways. Pet Mountain was/is set up as a shadow entity out of the same warehouse.
Until pet stores wake up and stop purchasing from Lee Mar and instead switch to reputable/moral distributors such as Central Pet, Quality Marine, and others; this problem will persist.
As well in my opinion when persons come to places such as American Aquarium Products and read my articles there and then go to Pet Mountain or Amazon (Pet Mountain sells via Amazon too) just to save .20 cents, this simply comes down to their moral choice. Sadly I know this happens as our tracking Stats from our articles bear this out.
While I certainly understand the majority of readers who get our help for free and purchase from their Local Fish Store (for convenience and support they need too), I personally cannot understand those who take this free help and then go to online places like Pet Mountain and make a purchase only to save pocket change as there is no more convenience from them. In fact I know they utilize a slower shipping method.
This is partly what has taken down several quality retailers and wholesalers I have known from my years in the business.
As well I know that my profit margin is next to nothing because of this, and if I go out of business, this free information ceases to exist; then where will these persons be??
OK, I can see your point. I agree that it is bad business for retailers to patronize a supplier that turns around and undercuts the retailers. (We see that, too, in our industry sometimes.)
I must be missing some information on manufacturer enforcement of MAP policy, however. Anyone could take a screen shot of the price Pet Mountain is selling at, which could be grounds for them getting cut off by the manufacturer.
If a distributor is, in effect, selling retail on the internet under a false name, this may be more difficult to prove, but if the manufacturer knows they are doing it then it comes down to their decisions to cut them off.
I can say from our experience that some manufacturers give lip service to their internet policies but when push comes to shove, they don't really want to give up a big customer.
As for the consumers, I agree it is pitiful for people to take your free information and then buy from Amazon. You are correct that by supporting these discounters instead of your store, they are risking loss of a valuable resource. Unfortunately, it's part of human nature, although of course we aren't all like that!!
Have you considered selling information products? I notice that you have done a lot of good things, SEO-wise, and you must get quite a bit of traffic. Now that I know which websites are related to you, I see them come up often on many internet searches (and I will click on your sites over about.com et al).
One very viable internet model (I apologize if I'm telling you something you already know) is to offer good quality free information, capture people's email addresses, and end up marketing premium paid information to this base. This information could either be sold as ebooks or Kindle books, or could be available on a membership site for a monthly fee.
Anyway, like with anything else, there are good and bad sources of guidance about marketing information. If you want our help figuring it out, we would be happy to assist you. If not, we aren't in the business of pushing information at people.
I do hope that quality information sources like yours find ways to rise to the top, although I understand it isn't easy in today's internet world. However, I really think you have the potential to create a loyal following with a more profitable internet structure.
Tamara;
I agree with this point:
“I can say from our experience that some manufacturers give lip service to their internet policies but when push comes to shove, they don't really want to give up a big customer.” May be what is going on.
Lee Mar is a major distributor that SeaChem may not want to give up if only for all the stores they service
We have many times considered selling information products, but based on emails we get and the possible lack of reach, I do not think it would go over well.
Just this article alone (which is a minor article when compared to my many others) was made to try and help others based on the misinformation on this subject that has turned a lie into the truth, not for financial gain.
This said, if my health gets to a certain point or the internet and rude emails I receive get to a point where it is time to close up shop, this might be where I go!
Any emails about what you do would be more than welcome!!!!
BTW, we have many websites, this one being a minor one with only moderate traffic, others such as Aquarium Answers get 1000s of hits
Yes, I think I've come across Aquarium Answers as well (from one of your links, or maybe a couple of them).
I think even some manufacturers who try to find the high road sometimes end up turning a blind eye to unscrupulous internet resellers. It's just harder to notice a violation of internet policy that could lead to giving up a lot of money. And there are lots of rationalizations. They aren't bad people, really, just people who don't always live up to their own standards. Some gentle nudging can sometimes help.
Anyway, I'll send you an email soon.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR BLOG, YOUR AAP SITE AND ALL YOUR RESEARCH!!! I am very new to this hobby -- only in it for 5 months now. Two months in I nearly gave up completely because of all the excruciatingly severe contradictions among 100's of so-called specialists and websites. I became so thoroughly confused that I wasn't even able to cycle my tank even 3 months into it and three full attempts utilizing varying methodologies -- because I had absolutely no idea who to trust or believe. All of my countless hours/days/weeks of endless web research proved to me that there really weren't any true scientists or specialists out there on the web at all because absolutely everything I was reading never ever included an ounce of cold hard factual, studied evidence. I became so drained and 'let-down' that I truly believed this was such a bad idea of a hobby to take up. All I wanted was to find some real science based material from which I'd be able to partake in this beautiful hobby successfully. I'm a very practical, logical, left-brain thinking man. To me, 2 + 2 = 4 simply because (1+1)+(1+1) actually does equal 4. It's simple, it's logical, it's factually presentable. So I was naively hopeful that I'd find an aquarium hobby instructor out there who understood this rudimentary concept, and who might be selfless enough to share his knowledge (toil and efforts incl) with the world. I wasn't finding it anywhere. The evening I was about to throw in the towel (as-it-were) I inadvertently stumbled upon your AAP site in one last-ditch effort to uncover sound advice from the net. It's no stretch to say that I was completely astounded, pleasantly shocked, dumbfounded and ultimately overjoyed with extreme relief after reading through one of your many excellently organized articles. I mean, I honestly couldn't believe it. There you were... a lone crusader, a beacon, a savior of my interests. Well, to sum up... I've continued in the hobby ever since and because of you, I have upgraded my entire setup, am now even more happily immersed in this than ever before, and my lone Betta who was only mere minutes from death three months ago due to very poor handling on my part, is now extremely healthy and thriving under my new found knowledge of fish-keeping. This is all thanks to you two guys. I've read every single article you have, including all of their references. While I can't say that I remember them all fluidly, or even fluently grasp every nuance, I will indeed state that the sound science and summary explanations provided by you is well within my preferred comfort zone of understanding. In short, I get it... It makes sense... It's logical. I am a true convert. I also totally agree with your stand on morality and ethics regarding supporting the businesses who've provided the industry with such valuable help. For that reason, I've already purchased a few products from AAP. And I have, indeed, found them to be vastly superior to all of the other items I'd been using previously. In fact, I live in Canada, and even with the exchange rate and so on, I've found that my purchases from you actually come in a little cheaper than from other online sellers locally. And so that's just the icing on the cake for me. I will continue to support this blog, AAP, and all of your efforts.
Thank you for being a man of ethic's, when corruption is normal standard business practice.
- Peggy Thomas
PUFFER RESCUE JUSTICE CORPS
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