Urmston Aquatics Reviews 

Took a trip to this shop with my teenage son today. We are both enthusiastic and relative newbies to the hobby but we take every opportunity to learn and expand our knowledge. I'm currently looking to upsize my tank and we thought we'd take a look at this often praised shop.
I have to say it didn't disappoint. The outside shop windows are well presented which gives a pleasing approach. Once inside we were met by a well stocked, well presented range of items all of which seemed competatively priced. (Everything we looked at was clearly labelled with its price which many stores overlook)
We found the shop to be very clean, staff very helpful and stocked with a good range of fish and aquatic accessories. Will definitely travel the 80 miles round trip to visit again.

Went into The store on Friday as it was black Friday and having decided to go to this store rather than the other two aquatic stores I frequent I was unfortunately very disappointed with the experience I have visited here on two other occasions and spent hundreds of pounds on various stock and plants etc.

The first time i was served by a young slim white lady who advised me about her just getting into fish keeping so her knowledge of fish wasn't great but I commend her for atleast getting into the hobby and trying to educate herself I respect that.

The second time I was served by 2 young men the reason I was served by 2 because the first guy "doesn't have a clue about fish mate" so went and got the second guy who again advised me that "the guy who deals with the fish and knows about them is off today" I was astounded and felt actually really irritated because they weren't helpful in the slightest even though the OWNER WAS UPSTAIRS so clearly they just couldn't be bothered to ask him or possibly he didn't know either about fish.

I then began to ponder what the two young men actually did specialise in considering that the reptile collection is so small and they work in a shop that prodominantly sells Fish and aquatic related products and has the word Aquatics above the door they literally had no knowledge what so ever.

On my 3rd visit and the most recent on Black Friday just gone I attended and with a shop full of staff and I mean I counted 5 staff 6 including the Owner I thought that I may be able to discuss the fish I was intended on buying, when I got to the tank I asked the same guy could I buy some fish please and pointed out the fish I had selected (this is when I decided never to come here again) and unfortunately the fish in this tank were in the wrong one because they weren't labelled, I advised him that I knew what they were and he said "yeah mate but I don't and I don't know what price they are" at this point I'm really ticked off at his level of rudeness and ignorance and lazyness. He then went on to say "the guy who deals with the fish isn't in today, are you local cause you're better off just coming back tomorrow" so out of 5 staff and 1 Owner no-one in there knew a thing about fish, what they were selling or what they were charging! At this point my blood is boiling because id just spent £20 to get there in a taxi and it was going to be another £20 back and out of sheer bone idleness and lack of knowledge I then left without the fish I'd come to get!

However the day after I attended Urban Jungle in Manchester City Centre who had what I was after and all the knowledge and customer service one could hope for the staff there are very educated on all the stock they sell and couldn't help you enough and at a much more reasonable price! I left there feeling content and in an all round better mood! I did try to leave this review on Google however it seems that action has been blocked........

Great service and very good prices would recommend

Although I cancelled my order, I found the whole process and team very helpful. I will look to buy another tank from this company based on my experience.

Ordered live plants and some equipment. Quick delivery, items in excellent condition and well packaged. Would use again.

First time I have purchased from Urmston Aquatics.

I actually have nothing negative at all with this company. The website is easy to use, gives you great category selection and your desirable products with brilliant prices.

The payment methods are very flexible which makes this company amazingly useful for all kinds of people.

I ordered a Fluval Shaker 168l aquarium and a Fluval 307 external filter. On the same day, I recieved a call from them and with full of enthusiasm and the impression of enjoyment in their job, was able to arrange a prompt delivery for me. This was extremely satisfying, I was informed it could be today or Monday. It came at such a nice time today with all contents 100% safe and secure. The packaging is very well done and it really shows they have pride in looking after their customers.

I don't understand why this site isn't a full 5 stars because what I have experienced within 2 days is what I have never experienced with any other.

Very friendly, love what they do, their customer support is amazing as I have made a number of calls today, just for a quick question about pallet deliveries but I assumed they were just busy with running the store. From my voicemail, a guy Chris had tried to get back in touch with me (i was at work, so sorry about that) and he gave me the impression that he really wanted to help me out with any questions or reasons for calling. Which is a massive satisfaction for me.

I tried to get back through but was too late, so here I am, writing a review on this brilliant company. I will be definitely recommending this to anyone and everyone I speak to. Honestly a company like no other, thank you for that great experience and best of wishes 👍👌

Ryan

Ordered at the weekend after I managed to completely destroy my pump with a refurb project that went wrong. Totally confused by some other retailers compatibility instructions but this site was really clear. Because of how I placed the order I was not sure it had been received or processed but I got a really quick response to a query and the item arrived a few hours later. Under 48 hours from ordering. Highly recommend for service, just wish I lived close enough to visit.

So I had a titanium heater fail, even my LFS said it was very rare. Got it online so thought it might be a problem. No way, I had a replacement sent to me in 24hrs. Brilliant customer service. Thanks again urmston aquatics.

Absolutely abysmal place. I phoned and asked to speak to someone specifically regarding one of the products, and the "sales assistant" told me that he could help. He then went on to talk about a completely different product that I had asked about, and even after I told him that was not what I was interested in, he still continued to completely blag his response, rather than doing the intelligent thing and saying that he did not know but would find someone that could help. I had to tell him that he did not know what he was talking about and asked to speak to somebody else at which point he hung up. I then phoned back and asked to speak to the manager or owner and was faced with someone who was more worried that I had told his staff they didn't know what they were talking about then the fact that he was potentially losing customers. In this case he has certainly lost my custom and I would urge anyone else to certainly consider purchasing elsewhere. If this is the kind of sales service and managerial service you get Urmstone aquatics, there are plenty more fish in the sea as they say.

ADDITIONAL NOTE:
As you can see someone from the store has responded to my review. As far as I am concerned it's only adds to the fact that the member of staff I spoke to originally is also a liar. I did not swear at anybody, no was aggressive or loud. Amelia pointed out firmly that he was not talking about the product I had pulled to ask about and that what he was telling me was wrong, and that I would prefer if you did not know what he was talking about that rather than black the situation he put me through to someone else. Clearly that is too much to ask Urmstone aquatics. The fact that they are so vehemently defensive is a sad reflection on the company and on the way customer complaints seem to be treated in general when it comes to receiving a negative review. Always they tried to make the complainant the one in the wrong rather than addressing the obvious issues they have in store. As far as their comment that I'm not a customer goes I can confirm that. It had been my intention to become a customer if they have managed to explain a simple product that I selected them to call about, but as I have already said sorry the stuff and I did not know what he was talking about and rather than do the right thing, chose to muddle through with misadvice. As far as putting me on hold goes, that did not happen. The line was cut off.

I have no intention of wasting any further time in making this a tit for tat counter argument of who said what. I know what happened and I was sufficiently offended that I felt the need to leave this review.

I bought a Fluval Venezia 190 in the Black Friday sale. Great price. I received a courtesy call from the store to advise when delivery would be. It was delivered and I set up the tank. Fluval had missed out some screws meaning I had to pay out to complete the cabinet. I brought this to Urmston's attention who kindly reimbursed me the cost of the screws. All in all, brilliant service.

I bought a fluval shaker 252l from Urmston Aquatics, I got a message to say it was in Urmston aquatics warehouse and ready for dispatch, it come with a massive scratch inside the tank, they tried to say it come from fluval to my house, when it come from Urmston Aquatics, they wouldn’t do anything about it, I’ll be telling fluval about them and klarna who I used to pay for, don’t buy off Urmston Aquatics.

My daughter picked my order today from store and she said the guys there were lovely and carried the items to her car for her! Will definitely be using this store again. Communication is perfect too :)

Great local store. The team is really friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
I keep marine fish and coral, I have purchased both live stock and dry goods. Prices are always competitive with good stocking levels. Feels like the store had a rebirth with the new management. Definitely recommend

Purchased a tank, food and accessories in preparation for our new axolotyl arrival. Staff are amazing! Very helpful and friendly, answered all our questions and gave lots of advice. Didn’t feel rushed or pressured. Shop is pristine and all the animals look well very cared for. Will be our new go to pet store!

Ordered a new marine tank on the Thursday morning. I called them to ask about delivery times as it was a big order, the guy who answered the phone advised he would get it out for delivery next day as he was working on the pallets that morning. As promised the tank was dispatched that day for next day delivery. Amazing customer service.

Bought 6 fish an 1 only lasted only a few days, water absolutely perfect so I contacted the shop. Response was "if you bring a water sample we may be able to replace fish, depends on who you get on the day!" I explained I wasn't going to drive down just to be told no and also explained that I would be leaving this review! Very poor response from shop!

I feel compelled to Write this review as Sunday just gone was the first time I visited
Urmston Aquatics what a pleasure to be greeted with a smile and worm welcome. YOU DON'T SEE THE PERSONAL TOUCH THAT OFFEN ANY MORE. I am rubbish with names but the day of the guys who own it was very kind even had a nice chat and told us the had taken the shop over . We even shared a bit of banter. Well me and my Mrs were are very happy with the service and looking forward to are new tank can't wait to go collect it this week . Can I say this is an honest review from a vetran with PTSD that doesn't cope well in shops or round loads of people but I felt comfortable welcome and treated very well and I will only use this shop from now on even of I do live in bury it's werth the drive . Thanks again guys see you later this week 😀

Its all about the staff every last member. Been in several times as a beginer. They tested my water twice advised me loads and never lost patients npw I have a lovley tank with healthy fish. Thanks.

Good products and knowledgeable staff but make sure when purchasing from the shop that you know what is in the box because once opened (which involved cutting the 1/2inch x 1inch piece of Sellotape at the top), even though nothing was removed they will not accept it back either for refund or credit which is very unusual in this day and age. Since the tank I purchased was not on display, it was not until I got it home and was able to look at the lid that I realised it was unsuitable so £100+ was wasted. I would still shop there but would purchase expensive items from some where else so that I am taking less of a risk on suitability for purpose.
UPDATE:
After speaking with the owner it appears that there was a misunderstanding between myself, the person on the phone and the owner who had been told that the tank had been set-up so obviously could not have been resold were it returned, where as I was told that it could not be returned if it was opened.
I am happy that this was a genuine misunderstanding and that any item can be returned to the store, if it is unused and in it's original packaging which is normal practice.

I recently purchased a raised garden pool from Urmston Aquatics. I was very pleased with my purchase and the excellent customer service.