Complaint Review: STEPHEN MCCARTY - JANET E - Ocale Florida

 The simple facts are, I spent a lot of money with Steve McCarty from Aquariums By The Sea,. and everything he has been involved in was a complete nightmare due to his lack of professionalism and his greed!

The system I paid for in full, the system that Steven designed, was supposed to be a "turn key" fully functional and operational upon delivery. Yet has been anything but.

Everything that came in from him was absolutely filthy and used!
Nothing was in original packaging, nothing had directions, or warranty info. Not even set up instructions! I never even received any wiring schematics or plumbing install diagrams.

The plumbing which I paid $450.00 was a complete rip off for this little box of pvc valves. Even though the contract stated flex spa, quick disconnects, valves and other miscellaneous items, they were not there. I've had many companies look into this only to find this box is worth no more than $100.00!

His famous protein skimmer is fair at best and arrived incomplete.

His home made "doser/ denitrater" is a joke for $750.00! Theyre are units available 10 times better for half the money, that are designed for this size tank, vs. his Mickey Mouse set up that apparently he is the only one that can appreciate it or operate. I had 4 professional aquariums installers come out and all were shocked by this highly overpriced piece of junk, containing rusty Radio shack parts.

My contract it clearly states an RO/DI unit, I received just a RO unit and paid $650.00!! Only to find retail is $100.00!!! Thats insane! Even the company that manufacturers this product couldn't believe there was someone out there reselling this for so much!

The pumps he charged $300.00 OVER online pricing.....everywhere! And then told me it was because of new bearings, which the company said was not true.

Lighting, I was charged $1000.00 for 4- 72" VHO bulbs, simple end caps and ballasts, yet contacting other companies, I discovered they would be more than happy to sell me the same exact items for $300.00 complete. I paid $700.00 MORE than the average price! I also found out, this wasnt even enough light and his design is very outdated!

You think this is fair? What would you do? How would you feel! Is this the type of person you would ever do business with? THIS MAN, STEPHEN MCCARTY IS A THEIF!!!!!! His business is listed under the name JANET E DALESSIO, obviously because of prior problems ripping people off! She too, is a criminal and should NOT be trusted.

What about this...The chiller I was charged $600.00 more than any other company online!!! And, the unit will not work with my set up due to his miscalculations. I had numerous professional installers look at this and no one could make it work.

The sump for the wet dry, doesn't even have a holes drilled in it! I am supposed to now hire someone to drill his sump?  

The canopy has an inside width of 30 1/2 (a 3/4 difference from the tank, leaving 3/8 per side to rest on the tank. If it moves in any direction it WILL fall off the tank!!!! Why, because he built the tank too small! and the canopy to big!

Another thing...this so called turn key setup didn't even come with bio balls!

Thinking back, I even asked if I should shop it online, and he replied his prices will be very comparable, I would save very little if anything! Besides, this will be a complete turnkey set up. Stating all I would need is sand. So I thought let me utilize the concept of a one stop shop.

Now, I've hired multiple professional aquarium installers (from different companies and even different states) to deal directly with Steve trying to fix all these problems and no one can get straight answers!!

Now I'm sitting here with pieces of an aquarium that will costs THOUSANDS more to have set up! THOUSANDS more for his turn key set up!!!! I've received quotes upwards of 10 to 18 thousand dollars to make this work 100%

EVERYTHING STATED HERE IS 100% THE TRUTH, THESE ARE THE FACTS!!

I trusted, and relied on his experienced, and expertise in this field, as well as his understanding of this industry. I am greatly disappointed, he completely took advantage of my trust, and my lack of knowledge!

I never mind people making a living, but to be that greedy and flat out rape someone is an outrage!!
 

I have sent everything back, to AQUARIUMS BY THE SEA, (at my own expense), he excepted all the merchandise and closed his business! I also contacted the Ocala Sheriff department who went to his house only to find it was vacant as well!  

STEPHEN MCCARTY and JANET E DALESSIO ARE LIARS, CHEATERS, AND THEIVES. IVE HEARD THEY ARE NOW INVOLVED WITH THE LAW DUE TO THE FACT THEY KNOWINGLY RIPPED OFF AND TOOK ADVANTAGE OF SO MANY PEOPLE. SOME ALSO CLAIMED, PERHAPS STEPHEN MCCARTY AND JANET E DALESSION HAVE A DRUG HABIT, AND NEEDED THE MONEY. IF STEPHEN MCCARTY IS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, FROM WHAT I HEAR, I WOULD CHECK THE LOCAL SEXUAL PREDITOR REPORTS!

The more people I talk to about these scumbags, the more information I hear about them, and no one has anything nice to say!!!