Got screwed on an MCE300 on E-bay...

[SHOmuchFUN]

Well, it was a risk...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270226256997&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017

Only one picture, with little details. The seller was actually very responsive to a few of my questions, so I felt a little better about it. Upon getting the skimmer, I knew immediately that I was in for it.

This was the first thing I noticed:
http://www.erikengstrom.net/33L/skimmer_damage/IMG_0396%28Small%29.jpg
http://www.erikengstrom.net/33L/skimmer_damage/IMG_0397%28Small%29.jpg
The internal acrylic column was cracked :mad:

Next thing I noticed was that it included two pumps... A MJ1000 (I assume the original) and a MJ900. But I took the head off and found the impeller was a stock MJ impeller and not the Deltec modified mesh wheel....
http://www.erikengstrom.net/33L/skimmer_damage/IMG_0398%28Small%29.jpg
http://www.erikengstrom.net/33L/skimmer_damage/IMG_0400%28Small%29.jpg

The back of the unit also had multiple cracks. Once I tried to put the pump/acrylic column into the skimmer, I found it wasn't holding water and was actually making the cracks worse :mad:
http://www.erikengstrom.net/33L/skimmer_damage/IMG_0402%28Small%29.jpg
http://www.erikengstrom.net/33L/skimmer_damage/IMG_0403%28Small%29.jpg

Other than deal with disputing this through paypal... Is there anyway I can sacrifice what I have if I'm stuck with it? I assume I can get some acrylic repair glue like JB Weld to repair the cracks... But what else do I need? A mesh impeller?

[D-D USA]

Call me tomorrow 1.888.335.8328. I will be in the office most of the day working from about 10-8pm. I will try to help you get this straight. Sorry about your inconvenience from an EBAY purchase.

[SHOmuchFUN]

Thanks Marvin.
I will call to get an estimate of repair. Honestly, I'm not even sure how the unit goes together. The pump fits into the pump compartment extremely tightly. I could not get the acrylic tube to sit completely on the bottom without feeling that the unit was going to come apart.

[D-D USA]

I can walk you through the unit tomorrow. There are a few tricks that I can tell you. Look forward to talking with you.

[GSMguy]

Bummer man.

[SHOmuchFUN]

Marvin, seller has agreed to refund the money on the return of the skimmer.

I will be in touch with you soon to order a new skimmer... Is the MCE600 built any more ruggedly than the 300? In all honesty, I wasn't entirely impressed with the build quality of the 300.

[Charlie Davidson]

:) Thats great!
Yes, the 600 is a better build.. looks alot more quality-- To me.
But I will not knock the 300s output...

[GSMguy]

the 600 is much better built

[albfelix]

if you paid via paypal, you should open a dispute

[Waterbury Guy]

That sucks Eric. I got mined used as well and it had the same crack as you show in pic #1. I just used some super glue gel and that seems to have fixed it. Sounds like you have more issues than just that though. I found it tricky/tight to put together as well.
Good luck!

[SHOmuchFUN]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12323337#post12323337 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by albfelix
if you paid via paypal, you should open a dispute
I have a dispute open with paypal.

I told the seller that he should send me the refund via paypal within one business day of the tracking # being active... If it's any longer than that, the dispute gets escalated to a claim. He can't have both my money AND the skimmer.


Scott, yes. If it were the crack in the center acrylic tube I could've lived with it. I could've lived with the hairlines in the body... But it was a multitude of things. He sent me one wrong pump and also a broken one, the wrong impeller, there were cracks in the collection cup, etc.

That skimmer was destined for the dumpster, and not to be sold as a "like new" piece.

[SHOmuchFUN]

Just wanted to give an update that the seller has refunded the full amount of the skimmer...

He was still upset that apparently he was fired for me posting this here on reefcentral, so I want to clear the air that he has made good on his end.

Whatever the details be, I'm not sure, nor do I really care to know... But just wanted to update the thread.

[Freed]

Why would the seller be fired from what and where for posting anything on here?

[Charlie Davidson]

Glad it worked out for you.. BTW, I had forgotten to post.. Super glue gel is great for frags.. Weld-on #16 for our skimmers ;)