Equipment Review and Discussion :: RENA xp1 canister filter

[Skdbrd]

I have a 40 gallon tank with 3 false map turtles....I tried everything to keep the water sparkling and clear and this canister filter works the best. I went to petsmart and got the Emperor 400 to try it out... it was about 74.99 took it home and used it for about a day and didnt like the way it worked or didnt filter that good I didnt think...so I took it back and for 30 bucks more I got the Rena xp1 this is a Wonderful addition to any turtle tank with easy cleaning and setup in about 5 mins.......Will never buy another filter again... the xp1 is rated at 250 gph so I think it will work good.

[steve]

you paid $105 for an XP1? They cost about $55.

Also, 250 gph does not mean it is intended to be used on a 250 gallon tank but how much water it cycles... an XP1 works for tanks under 50 gallons.

[marisa]

To have gone bigger would have been better (I've used the XP3 in a 40-gallon); then you wouldn't have to upgrade the filter when you upgrade the tank.

[jdub1107]

Petsmart and Petco both price match any competitors price. I brought a printout from Dr Foster and Smith and I got the xP3 for about $85, instead of the store price for $179.
Maybe you can bring your xp1 back and ask for a price match now. But you have to bring a printout of the webpage. I think it needs to show the item, date, and url address.

[marisa]

I was getting my UVB lights by price matching with Petsmart, but the last time I went there, a manager informed me that the only prices they match were Petsmart's online prices and those of local competitors. A change of policy? An uninformed manager?

[steve]

The large electronics stores near me do not price match against online companies, only local stores - and you need to bring their flyer... so I guess they're catching on. It is however, real easy to create a fake site...

[jdub1107]

Hmm...that's weird. When I was first informed of the pricematch, I specifically asked it they pricematch online stores also. I was told they did, which surprised me. I don't know if it's a regional thing or not. I see if I can email their corporate office and find out if its a general or store specific policy.

[marisa]

I think this is something that places like Petsmart and Petco may eventually stop--a lot of people doing it will likely ruin a good thing...

[steve]

If those stores are franchises, then the policy could vary by store. I've only asked for a price match once at a store at I did not get an appreciative stare.

[jdub1107]

It would be like what happened with OfficeMax and Staples type stores. They only pricematch with competitors within the same area and the item has to be in stock there as well I believe. I hope this doesn't happen. Got a good thing going right now.

[steve]

LOL, well you could actually go to the place you're using to pricematch

[marisa]

Even when I did price match, I didn't do it all the time for fear of abusing it. I was told that Petsmart did it to keep the goodwill of its customers--and I would think it would work the other way as well. If it is being done regionally or on a store-by-store basis, would alerting corporate headquarters cause problems?

[steve]

if the stores are required to purchase directly from HQ, there might be a problem but i don't see it as one. besides we se how much B&M stores charge anyway... they're making enough profits

[marisa]

I was told by one of the Petco staff that one of the reasons prices are so much higher is the cost of caring for animals, especially if they needed veterinary attention (but who knows).

Know how much that Reptisun 10.0 compact flourescent costs to make? I was told by one of the Petsmart people about $6.00.

[steve]

I don't think they would tie sales with products related to animals or with different categories. If they lose money on say fish, would they keep selling them and recover that money on bulbs? A small local store might do that and look at the bottom line... but a big store I doubt would.