Anyone get any shipping info from AI yet? I've been checking all week and they have shipped to me or charged my CC yet. Anyone else?
Hi Gobie,
Were you meaning to write they "haven't" charged your CC or shipped anything yet. If so, that would be consistant with my experience. No news yet.
Starting to get a bit frustrated by the lack of communication. They set a deadline, not hit it, then after a very pregnant pause we get some more info. Come on guys, let us know what is happening.
I noticed that PFO is putting out an 'I' series of lights as well as something called Galileo. Gotta find some more info on those.
PFO's next shipment is due to ship at the end of October. The Solaris light are on the upgrade fast track. This shipment will be the newest version, the I series. The I series is 30% brighter than the H4 400W equivalent. The new Solaris will be brighter than the AI fixture. These units will sell out in just a couple of weeks. I have already sold a few, before PFO made the announcement (insiders privilege ) Here's a link to my thread announcing the latest version. http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/ne...ostthread&f=34
Quote:
Originally Posted by tlpmyd
well i called pfo and they told me the galileo series oare not led they are flouresents but i see ads that say galileo led lighting system so im not sure what to believe, i also heard they are led but not as nice as they h4, they will have just a simple turn on and off switch
Here's a bit on info on the Galileo for you. It is LED, it is without a controller, it has day whites, day blues and a moonlight, it's on or off. The Galileo will be about 1/2 price of the full blown Solaris. You can find more information at the link above.
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
Were you meaning to write they "haven't" charged your CC or shipped anything yet. If so, that would be consistant with my experience. No news yet.
Starting to get a bit frustrated by the lack of communication. They set a deadline, not hit it, then after a very pregnant pause we get some more info. Come on guys, let us know what is happening.
Christopher
When you get frustrated like that, it makes you wonder what their customer service will be, doesn't it? They are a new company and for the kind of money LED fixtures cost I would prefer a track record. They have yet to ship one unit, according to this thread. Their track record so far is to not promptly keep everyone informed of the status of the lights. That doesn't sound good.
PFO has been reliable (delivering LED lights for a year), professional and very responsive to customers concerns. PM me for further discussion.
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
We started shipping last week - the rest will follow this weekend and next. For the larger fixtures, (60" & 72") we found an issue we wanted to resolve prior to shipping. We're back on track, and they're in testing.
I can understand your frustration, and we greatly appreciate your patience; rest assured, the wait will be worth it. Unlike other companies, we don't ship a product until we are confident that there won't be problems in the field (ie: power supplies, wiring, cosmetics, etc.)
I was unaware that there was messages on this board, and I apologize for my lack of communication on this thread. The best way to communicate with us, is via email.
We sent an update out to our mailing list a week ago Friday, to let our customers know the status. Please let me know if you didn't receive it.
Again, we appreciate your patience and will forward a tracking number to you shortly.
Amphibious
Making claims that the new PFO I4 light is more powerful than ours is a bold. Unless PFO has copied our design - array arrangement, drive electronics, and LEDs then this is a totally untrue statement. Rather, there's presently no back-up to this.
I would love for a third-party to compare ours to the H4 or I4. Next month, Dana Riddle's review in Advanced Aquarist will show how we really compare to the alternative.
As for our customer service, we respond to > 90% of received emails in 12 hours. As of late, it's been a bit slower with production. In general, we provide responses quickly.
Is good customer service defined by sending out a product that has flaws, then fixing problems (that should have been addressed in the first place) in a fairly expedient manner?
I guess our philosophy is different; if QA issues are found prior to shipment, hold it back! A delay in shipment is better than the frustration felt by the customer for a faulty product.
Making claims that the new PFO I4 light is more powerful than ours is a bold. Unless PFO has copied our design - array arrangement, drive electronics, and LEDs then this is a totally untrue statement. Rather, there's presently no back-up to this.
As far as making an untrue statement, I'm simply repeating what Pat told me. Pat doesn't copy anyone else's design. He's intelligent enough to come up with his own design. Right now everyone thinks PFO is simply pushing the H series LED to produce more light. That's not true. I am not at liberty to explain at this time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cclough_KeyDev
I would love for a third-party to compare ours to the H4 or I4. Next month, Dana Riddle's review in Advanced Aquarist will show how we really compare to the alternative.
The only comparison that would matter is a comparison between the Aquaillumination and the I series. No one has made a claim that the H series is brighter than the AI, that I know of. I'm sure Dana would love to do a comparison between the two.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cclough_KeyDev
As for our customer service, we respond to > 90% of received emails in 12 hours. As of late, it's been a bit slower with production. In general, we provide responses quickly.
That's good but, not what was being reported here on this thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cclough_KeyDev
Is good customer service defined by sending out a product that has flaws, then fixing problems (that should have been addressed in the first place) in a fairly expedient manner?
Pat didn't know the original units were going to be flawed. If he even thought of it I'm sure he would have done in house testing as he does now. On the positive side, I believe 100% of the issues of the original series have been taken care of to the satisfaction of the customer. I know my customers have been taken care of. If there are any customers that have an issue they can contact PFO direct at 800 577-9690 ext 17 or PM me I'll see to it any issue, that isn't frivolous, will be taken care of.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cclough_KeyDev
I guess our philosophy is different; if QA issues are found prior to shipment, hold it back! A delay in shipment is better than the frustration felt by the customer for a faulty product.
Time will tell on that one Chris.
You know Chris, I requested to be put on AI's retailer information list. As an E-retailer I can sell any manufacturers product that I trust. I got one e-mail from AI that said someone would get back to me. Since that response, nothing. I'm not married to PFO. I sell the Solaris because, besides loving it myself, it's the only LED on the market till now. At least, apparently. I'm waiting to hear from AI on that one.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
NOW... before this gets into a "us vs. them", "this vs. that" debate, lets keep in mind that this thread IS to announce and discuss the new product coming from AI. it is not in the wild yet and test results have not been published.
Based on that, any direct comparison should not be placed in this thread unless its based on published technology comparisons.
I am all for comparing general technologies, and yes, PFO and AI are going to be competing companies and im sure both will love and hate the competition in some ways. I just want to make sure that our community treats all with the respect they deserve.
Im sure Amphibious is simply making comments on a product he has used, and trusts. After reviewing the thread (using search terms) i do not see a where anyone claimed they are more powerful, so lets put that to rest. no one in the general public can make that claim right now, so lets not try.
The one open issue is regarding communication. I see communication as the number one most important factor when rating a companies customer service. If a product is good, bad, or if there are shipping problems, delayed, breakage, etc, I can accept all of this if its properly communicated. Its important to understand that simply posting in this thread may not be enough to qualify as "contacting the company". An email to the company directly or a PM would be more appropriate IMO. That said, i do feel that if AI new of shipping delays they should proactively communicated this, or notified customers in advance of how to get updated details (ie. a mailing list, etc) Since i am not directly involved i can not say AI has or has not properly done this, but this may be a valid discussion point.
All said, lets get back on track here.. lets continue with the respect that people come to expect from the Talkingreef community. if you have a problem with a vendor or a member please attempt to take it up and get resolution in private and lets not turn a potential minor issue into a public disaster or a bad word of mouth for any company or vendor.
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Thanks for your comments. Chris and I have e-mailed back and forth since this aired. I believe he and I are OK with things.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
Hmm, I'm not getting emails saying there are new posts in this thread even tho I subscribed.
You were right reefboy I meant to say haven't and corrected it in my post.
And now that I've read Chris' comment about issues with the 60" and 72" units, I know why they haven't charged my CC or sent any shipping information. I guess that means more waiting. I'm glad I resisted the temptation to buy an light loving animals at macna.
Hey Gobie, I wish I would have known you were at MACNA. A bunch of us TR folks got to meet each other in person and it would have been nice to have you join us.
) Here's a link to my thread announcing the latest version. 
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