"Appropriate" to return warped aquarium stand for an exchange?

[ralliart12]

Hi fellows. In September, I purchased a GEX Steel Stand 600 from a popular aquarium shop in the West. Due to my workload, I didn't assemble it until 2 days ago. I am dismayed to find out that the stand (specifically, the horizontal "racks") is slightly warped:



In such scenarios, is it appropriate to return the stand to the shop & request for an exchange? There is a chance an exchanged-set may still exhibit such symptoms. Though I still have the receipt (un-itemized though), it's been 2 months close to 3. Is this kind of issue inherently dominant in such steel stands? Should I just suck it up & purchase another? I'm concerned the uneven-ness of the stand will result in stress accumulating on one side of the tank (& the stand's legs).

Appreciate any advice. I hope to get some closure before I place the stand/a stand in active use.

Thank you.

[RonWill]

If defect was detected a week from date of purchase, I would think it is fair to attempt an exchange. However, three months is, in my humbled opinion, a tad too long.

[|squee|]

Yeap in my opinion it's too long too.

You could always use a rubber pad or styrofoam.

[bernie]

Maybe you can put a piece of plywood on the horizontal tier to distribute the tank load evenly.

[ralliart12]

Thanks fellows for your valuable input. The next time I get a new stand, is it appropriate for me to assemble and check on the spot for such uneven-ness & other nonsense upon payment? Or do people really expect the worse when it comes to such steel stands?

[eviltrain]

any chance your table is warped?

[ralliart12]

any chance your table is warped?

Good point, though I did consider this already. As a matter of fact, before trying on the table, I tested both horizontal racks on my floor, & 1(the one shown in the above video) exhibit way more "wobbly-ness" than the other. Only after this did I try it on my table, as a control.

I'll see if I can muster up the energy to speak with the shop owner about the situation, i.e. I'm not expecting any exchange. Worse come to worse I may get a new stand.

I acknowledge that I can use this & that to "iron out" the uneven-ness (i.e. as a matter of fact, I have also thought of lining the lengths of the legs with cork bark from DAISO), but I do not appreciate the feeling of spending money on something & having to further spend money to fix the merchandise. I will much prefer to spend a reasonable sum only once. Blame it on my luck & the lack of due diligence & energy & time to play with the merchandise the moment I returned home

[BFG]

You could ask, in a nice manner whether it is possible to do an exchange. See if the lfs owner remember your face. Don't mention about the time period you purchase the set. If you are lucky, you might get a replacement.

[eviltrain]

Yah lo, just try and ask first. Never try never know.

Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk

[Limbeh]

I know for some racks, they will even out when you put load on it, for your case it will be the tank, but I am not sure if it is the same for your case though.

[felix_fx2]

Can make a point to ask if ok anot when pass by. No harm asking.

[coolgear101]

You mention you bought it close to 3 months ago. The dealer might not honour the exchange. That's my view

[aquarius]

If i were in your position, i will bring the stand with the packaging (if it's still in good condition) and ask the owner nicely whether he can do an exchange. The whole idea is to show him that both the stand and the packaging is still very very new, that way the chances of him agreeing to an exchange is higher.

[bernie]

I think they will ask you to produce the receipt to prove that the rack was bought from them. They will look for the date of purchase, they rest is up to your luck.

[ralliart12]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I've got the stand replaced. Though the exchanged unit is only a slight improvement over the old one, but I'm very pleased with the storekeeper's way of handling the matter. She also didn't ask for my receipt & date of purchase. & considering how busy that shop usually is, I'm quite presently surprised she executed the exchange almost immediately.

Guess I'll use cork bark to "neutralize" the unevenness bah ...

[felix_fx2]

Aunty usually very nice to polite people.
If it is only a little off, the tank weight will even it out. Unless it is the base, then your cork bark idea is good.

A good deed from shop earns more sales indirectly.

[BFG]

I won't risk using a warped stand. Over time, the tank will follow the stand and eventually some part of the silicone will stretch while other will be compressed. End up a leaking tank.

[bernie]

Good for you bro. Depending how you going to setup your aquarium , you may opt not to put in sand or substrate to lighten the load.