ATB USA out of business!

Sakura251 · 09/24/2013, 08:20 PM

I have a friend his skimmer got into the problem with the pump. He contacted the ATB for help they said they are out of business, they wont help my friend. It's a suck customer service. I'm wondering since when they are out of business.

moondoggy4 · 09/24/2013, 08:51 PM

What does your friend need for the skimmer? Another German aquarium manufacture leaving the US market.

gcarroll · 09/24/2013, 10:40 PM

Last I heard they are handling issues direct. Shoot them an email.
http://www.aquariumtechnik.at/WillkommenEN.html

BTW, they are technically Austrian, not German.

moondoggy4 · 09/24/2013, 10:52 PM

But don't they both speak German! laughing at myself.

ksed · 09/25/2013, 02:30 AM

No he has an English speaking worker. They still provide great service.

Sakura251 · 09/25/2013, 05:39 AM

I do not think they still provide great service when my friend asking for help. I will tell him to contact directly to ATB base on the website Gcarroll provided.

http://www.aquariumtechnik.at/WillkommenEN.html

kc350twin · 09/25/2013, 06:12 AM

On the ATB website they list another USA distributor Tenji.com
I have never heard of them and don't know much. It's worth a shot. I contacted ATB Austria the other day through email and haven't heard anything back. Hopefully one of the bigger aquarium suppliers will pick them up.

OffDaHook · 09/28/2013, 11:36 AM

Any updates with contacting ATB?

kc350twin · 10/01/2013, 08:44 PM

Still no answer from ATB from a week ago. It worries me a little if I have problems in the future.

moondoggy4 · 10/01/2013, 09:08 PM

^^^Yeah I sent them a e-mail also and no word as of yet.

chadfarmer · 10/01/2013, 09:57 PM

this sucks I only bought for customer service above all.

unze · 10/02/2013, 07:20 AM

I think most of the quality brand skimmers are having issues due to reduced sales as they are getting nailed by the cheap Chinese products.

Don't see many Deltec/Atb threads anymore.

wildman926 · 10/02/2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unze

I think most of the quality brand skimmers are having issues due to reduced sales as they are getting nailed by the cheap Chinese products.

Don't see many Deltec/Atb threads anymore.

This tells me they were over priced to begin with.

Tang Salad · 10/02/2013, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildman926

This tells me they were over priced to begin with.

Or, perhaps, that it costs more to make something in Western Europe than it does in China.

unze · 10/03/2013, 02:59 AM

Quote:

This tells me they were over priced to begin with.

I doubt it, they cost more to make and over business overheads are high.

Find me a quality skimmer that can match the top brand at half the price? You can't .

tom obrecht · 10/03/2013, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unze

I doubt it, they cost more to make and over business overheads are high.

Find me a quality skimmer that can match the top brand at half the price? You can't .

I agree 100%! I recently purchased a used ATB not only for the fact of a quality built skimmer but from the numerous people happy with the customer service. I have had many different brands of skimmers through the years and have discovered there really is a difference in skimmer quality and performance. ATB is at the top! This is not to say I'm greatly disappointed that ATB USA is no longer but it is not the first time I've dealt with this. I've also owned Deltec and Bubble King skimmers and both of them are no longer represented in the US either. If you have owned a high end skimmer you know there is a reason they cost more. Workmanship, quality components and R&D are a few reasons they come with a higher price tag. I once again am in the no homeland customer service boat but by no means am I unhappy I went with a quality unit.

Klaus Jansen · 10/03/2013, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom obrecht

.... and Bubble King skimmers and both of them are no longer represented in the US either....

Are your sure ? Premium-Aquatics and Aquarium Speciality sells Royal-Exclusiv Products and make Customer-Support. Before Christmas we have good news for US-Customers.. Wait a little bit .

best regards

oldimpala · 10/03/2013, 09:39 AM

I used to swear by Deltec; owned several. Parts were tough to get, even with a US rep. Martin was hit or miss; depending on the day. Thankfully, most of my parts were things like impeller bushings, so I could wait out his lack of response for a bit, and just deal with some noise.

I've owned Bubble Kings for many years (Currently use a 200 Deluxe Internal); and had my first part issue this past fall. I know, for a fact, that Premium Aquatics still represents BK (it's where I purchased.)

And, contrary to many postings, when my impeller went down (not their fault; long story involving a tank custody battle with an ex-wife, who didn't clean or maintain the skimmer for several years), they didn't stock it. But, worked with ProLine in Vancouver, BC (who did stock it) to have a part second day aired to me, on the east coast.

And they ate the difference in shipping. (Proline) Which, out of warranty, they had no obligation to do. Plus, it was an abject failure of maintaining the skimmer, not a defect.

They have service, great service, in North America. You pay for the skimmers, but you get it back....

I considered an ATB for my next build; was leaning SuperMarin 300 because of the above mentioned experience. Think this sealed it.

moondoggy4 · 10/03/2013, 10:11 AM

Klaus always the teaser.

mavgi · 10/03/2013, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Klaus always the teaser.

Lol that was funny... but as far as years go he keep to create and change new and very nice product all the time . I am waiting to see his RD3 dc pump perform and tested.

tom obrecht · 10/03/2013, 01:30 PM

Sorry if I offended the BK group. At the time I used BK,support was weak. However, it sounds as if that has been resolved so my apologies for giving them a bad rap.

oldimpala · 10/03/2013, 02:00 PM

Tom-

Not at all; I know some people have had issues with Proline, and I believe it's a case-by-case situation.

After admitting that it was on my end, and a little self-deprecating humor, they bent over backwards to help me. Could be how I acted/reacted. Could be how other reacted (maybe screaming that it's an expensive piece, shouldn't break, etc...)

Could be I was lucky. I don't know.

Either way; I'll probably put another of Klaus's kids through University, and buy another one in a few months for my planned expansion.

-Andy

kc350twin · 12/08/2013, 09:22 AM

Just read in another thread that ATB USA is in the process of re-opening under new management. Anyone else confirm this?

moondoggy4 · 12/08/2013, 11:35 AM

AtB could be easily absorbed by a large scale web retailer like lots of the sponsor here. Kinda like Elos but they definitely lost their boutique experience.

solitude127 · 12/08/2013, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc350twin

Just read in another thread that ATB USA is in the process of re-opening under new management. Anyone else confirm this?

I will confirm that for you.

Here's their contact.
855-4-ATB-USA
customerservice@atbskimmers.com or info@atb-usa.com

They're in the process of still getting everything together but ATB is definitely back in the US.

They were recently at F.R.A.G. here in Southern Cali. recently.

09/24/2013, 08:20 PM	#1
Sakura251 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 38	ATB USA out of business! I have a friend his skimmer got into the problem with the pump. He contacted the ATB for help they said they are out of business, they wont help my friend. It's a suck customer service. I'm wondering since when they are out of business.

09/24/2013, 10:40 PM	#3
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	Last I heard they are handling issues direct. Shoot them an email. http://www.aquariumtechnik.at/WillkommenEN.html BTW, they are technically Austrian, not German. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

09/25/2013, 05:39 AM	#6
Sakura251 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 38	I do not think they still provide great service when my friend asking for help. I will tell him to contact directly to ATB base on the website Gcarroll provided. http://www.aquariumtechnik.at/WillkommenEN.html Last edited by Sakura251; 09/25/2013 at 05:44 AM.

09/25/2013, 06:12 AM	#7
kc350twin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Severn, MD Posts: 1,579	On the ATB website they list another USA distributor Tenji.com I have never heard of them and don't know much. It's worth a shot. I contacted ATB Austria the other day through email and haven't heard anything back. Hopefully one of the bigger aquarium suppliers will pick them up. __________________ 112g Cube 36x36x20= Custom 12x39wPower Module (Par Monster)= Neptune Apex=ATB 840v2=BM Doser= 2 MP-40's

10/01/2013, 08:44 PM	#9
kc350twin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Severn, MD Posts: 1,579	Still no answer from ATB from a week ago. It worries me a little if I have problems in the future. __________________ 112g Cube 36x36x20= Custom 12x39wPower Module (Par Monster)= Neptune Apex=ATB 840v2=BM Doser= 2 MP-40's

09/24/2013, 08:51 PM	#2
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	What does your friend need for the skimmer? Another German aquarium manufacture leaving the US market.

09/24/2013, 10:52 PM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	But don't they both speak German! laughing at myself.

09/25/2013, 02:30 AM	#5
ksed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,867	No he has an English speaking worker. They still provide great service.

09/28/2013, 11:36 AM	#8
OffDaHook Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kissimmee, FL Posts: 515	Any updates with contacting ATB?

10/01/2013, 09:08 PM	#10
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	^^^Yeah I sent them a e-mail also and no word as of yet.

10/01/2013, 09:57 PM	#11
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	this sucks I only bought for customer service above all. __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

10/02/2013, 07:20 AM	#12
unze Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 411	I think most of the quality brand skimmers are having issues due to reduced sales as they are getting nailed by the cheap Chinese products. Don't see many Deltec/Atb threads anymore.

10/03/2013, 09:39 AM	#18
oldimpala Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 571	I used to swear by Deltec; owned several. Parts were tough to get, even with a US rep. Martin was hit or miss; depending on the day. Thankfully, most of my parts were things like impeller bushings, so I could wait out his lack of response for a bit, and just deal with some noise. I've owned Bubble Kings for many years (Currently use a 200 Deluxe Internal); and had my first part issue this past fall. I know, for a fact, that Premium Aquatics still represents BK (it's where I purchased.) And, contrary to many postings, when my impeller went down (not their fault; long story involving a tank custody battle with an ex-wife, who didn't clean or maintain the skimmer for several years), they didn't stock it. But, worked with ProLine in Vancouver, BC (who did stock it) to have a part second day aired to me, on the east coast. And they ate the difference in shipping. (Proline) Which, out of warranty, they had no obligation to do. Plus, it was an abject failure of maintaining the skimmer, not a defect. They have service, great service, in North America. You pay for the skimmers, but you get it back.... I considered an ATB for my next build; was leaning SuperMarin 300 because of the above mentioned experience. Think this sealed it.

10/03/2013, 10:11 AM	#19
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Klaus always the teaser.

10/03/2013, 01:30 PM	#21
tom obrecht Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: WI Posts: 3,014	Sorry if I offended the BK group. At the time I used BK,support was weak. However, it sounds as if that has been resolved so my apologies for giving them a bad rap. __________________ Reef keeping is where Murphy's Law and your bank account collide!! TOTM May 2006

10/03/2013, 02:00 PM	#22
oldimpala Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 571	Tom- Not at all; I know some people have had issues with Proline, and I believe it's a case-by-case situation. After admitting that it was on my end, and a little self-deprecating humor, they bent over backwards to help me. Could be how I acted/reacted. Could be how other reacted (maybe screaming that it's an expensive piece, shouldn't break, etc...) Could be I was lucky. I don't know. Either way; I'll probably put another of Klaus's kids through University, and buy another one in a few months for my planned expansion. -Andy

12/08/2013, 09:22 AM	#23
kc350twin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Severn, MD Posts: 1,579	Just read in another thread that ATB USA is in the process of re-opening under new management. Anyone else confirm this? __________________ 112g Cube 36x36x20= Custom 12x39wPower Module (Par Monster)= Neptune Apex=ATB 840v2=BM Doser= 2 MP-40's

12/08/2013, 11:35 AM	#24
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	AtB could be easily absorbed by a large scale web retailer like lots of the sponsor here. Kinda like Elos but they definitely lost their boutique experience.