Swallowaquatics Reviews 35

Great customer service! I recently bought a bulb and controller for my terrapin tank and received amazing customer service, quick responses and shipping of my order. Thank you!

Fantastic staff providing brilliant support. We couldn't get our pond pump to work, so went to SA East Harling. They couldn't have been more helpful. Showed my husband one particular part to clean that he wasn't aware of. The member of staff cleaned it, tested it and also replaced the bulb. Wonderful

Son purchased tank over a week ago set it up put all their chemicals in they suggested. Told Saturday fish can go in. So we purchased three cat fish told they were chillids. All ok even though got home and one had its dorsal fin gone should be transported separately. Went back Sunday as all good and purchased three fish.

We have one dead cat fish and one of the white ones purchased yesterday. Oh test done today and nothing that is harmful too the fish. Leaves are within range. Son had called and been told any amount of ammonia they won’t do a thing. Had problems years ago with their fish not sure why we have gone back and spent nearly £120 on 6 fish for two to have died already.

Own up to some of your fish are not in great health

I have a thriving community aquarium but, the 5 fish I recently bought from Swallow for about £50 all died within a week of introducing them. All the others came from Manor Koi and with them I have had zero losses. I thoroughly recommend nobody to buy from Swallow

Ordering was easy very quick delivery can’t fault this company will use again and recommend to family and friends .the Kettler garden furniture fitted perfectly.

Do not go here if you are a beginner or care about the welfare of your pets
We were “helped” by a seemingly nice young lad, he answered the questions that we had (albeit sometimes with information that we knew was inaccurate after Google searches)

We opted for five fish for our new tank, and told them that we are complete beginners with tropical fish and fish keeping in general
So in infinite wisdom, they gave us 5 Hawaiian Plattys… Plattys as we now know are literally called live bearers. No mention to us what so ever of this, not even that they are known for breeding lots. Nothing

We took them home, excited for our new fish, only to notice that one fish was very isolated and one was VERY aggressive. We thought maybe they are just getting used to the tank, until it all came to a head and they were fighting over food. The “shy” one was bitten and it flopped down and started sinking, I thought it had died!!!! So we went to MaidenHead Aquatics for advice to be told from looking at videos that we had been given FOUR males and ONE female so no wonder the poor thing was so scared
You should have 3 females to every 1 male
So we had to return the fish, the female with a chunk taken out of her tail due to aggression!!

When they were returned, Swallow did admit liability, however we were told that this was simply mating behaviour… I’m sorry but biting the female until she sunk down stunned and hid constantly in the corner is not mating it is CRUEL

To give live breeders to beginners was one thing but this whole situation could’ve been way better by giving us the proper ratio

Not to mention the dead fishes in the tank and water all over the floor. We now shop with MaidenHead Aquatics in Norwich and I strongly encourage you to do the same

Bought 2 budgies at the beginning of May for £85 and they have both died this week, when I phoned to tell them I got the impression from them of hard luck. I know these things happen but I was hoping to have them for longer than a few weeks. This was the one at Northfleet Kent and I suggest the staff change their attitude.

Absolutely heartbreaking to write this review. Considering I've been countless times throughout my childhood and this place has been a solid memory for all of my family. I took my dad back for a reminisce and we were both so disappointed. The outside areas have been neglected with barely any animals in the encounter area. Messy enclosures with mesh and wood hanging off them and untidy edges and long grass. Some sheds being built on the land behind with no thought about how this has nothing to do with the animals. Outside plants were pretty much all dead. The only highlight was the strawberry plants but at £7 a piece I'd expect them to be as big as they were. Inside, barely any of the exotic animals there used to be, mainly tortoises and lizards. The fish in the main room looked bland and tiny.

I hope we came between deliveries or just before any new staff are hired because that's the only excuse I'd accept for why the shop has been completely ruined since our last visit.

Please please put some work into restoring this shop back to how it used to be. A beautiful family friendly, brightly coloured, garden centre and pet store.

I can’t thank Gareth and Ronnie enough at the Rayleigh store. On my first visit after doing some research into owning a tortoise, Ronnie spent time explaining exactly what I would need for the set up and made sure the little fella ( now known as Gary) I picked was reserved for when I had set up his new home that week.

On the following Thursday I went to pick him up which is where I was served by Gareth whos knowledge on these reptiles was unmatched as he has 5 of them at home ! He walked me through the process of introducing Gary to his new home and made a nervous first time tortoise mum feel reassured I had what it takes to give Gary the best life.

I have also been assured that if ever I had a question they would be in store for any support I needed!

Thanks to Ronnie and Gareth who in my opinion deserve a raise! Animal lovers and there for the customers! 🐢

The people at Swallow Aquatics either do not understand the meaning of Consumer rights and customer service or I must consider it personal. I purchased Halloween stock on the 31st October (that's Halloween!!) for next Halloween because of the sale. Little did I know that a 40% reduction in price meant the item would come used and with missing pieces! And as if it wasn't bad enough that they sent me a substandard item with pieces missing, they then accuse me of keeping the missing piece simply so as not to refund my money! I can only believe these people are acting on some unconscious prejudice, because I have been purchased items like this for years and never been treated so abominably. After advising them of my rights, I will put in a complaint with whatever trading association they belong to and of course to the relevant payment provider to get my money back, as this garden centre likes to receive returned goods and keep your money! It is lucky I have witnesses to the unpacking! Be warned and buy elsewhere. I wish I could add more photos, but as it is just take a look at the state of the "brand new" adaptor and hole where the missing piece should have been.

Absolute joke, staff were good BUT the manager…..well Iam lost for words. Would be easier to talk to a door mat.

I see a piece of wood in a display tank a few weeks ago and forgot to ask if they sold the pieces. Today I phoned them and spoke to the manager on duty to be informed that they do sell the wood items in the tanks. I even give him a description of the piece and what tank it was in. His response was “yes we do sell the item you’re interested in. Perfect I said I will make the 45min drive to you and collect it.

When I arrived I asked a member of staff to grab it for me and he said he will get his manager to give him a price on the item. The same manager i spoke to 45mins earlier came out to then tell me that the piece was not for sale but I could have any other piece apart from that one as it was wet and the weight would be different. I replied well all the pieces are wet so how does that work out…….. he just said it’s not for sale and walked off. Totally useless. Waste of time. Definitely won’t be returning.

Northfleet branch - Update August 2024 - stupidity enough went there again. I was short of time and they are 5 mins from where I live. Outside fish were being kept in thick green water. Water was so filthy and stinky the staff couldn’t see the fish to catch them. After half a hour they were scraping big heavy nets around to catch something. I said I wanted a white fish but he caught an orange one and said is this what you wanted? I took it anyway as I was fed up. Both fish I bought were dead within 24 hours. Yet again I’ve wasted my hard earned money on dead fish. If they were a jumper or tv you could get a refund. Oh and the fish I already had were alive and healthy. Still are. I later bought more from somewhere else and they lived. I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN AND THEY SHOULD HAVE THER LICENCE REMOVED. Over the years I must have spent £30 on dead fish. And what about the fish? It’s cruel! A life’s a life. Funny how I’ve never had a fish die from the other place I buy fish from. Their fish are kept in clean water and you never see dead ones floating about!!

Old 2023 review. Staff are gormless. Very bad customer service today at Gravesend. Talking to the young chap was like talking to a brick wall. I asked him to find out the price of the fish I was interested in. He wouldn’t. I asked several times and said don’t catch it until I know the price. He Insisted on catching a fish anyway and bagging it up. Then wrote price on. I already said I wasn’t paying £20 for a goldfish. Not a much smaller one. Especially as a few days ago similar ones were £7. He said you wouldn’t pay that and then wrote £20 on the bag anyway - scream! I refused to buy it and walked out. Idiot. I also noticed that some goldfish had large growths on them so glad I walked out. Previously the girl in there was so rough when catching a fish it was dead by the time I got home. I shouldn’t go there but it is near to where I live. I find fish survive when I buy them elsewhere. It’s mad there. Water is so green they can’t see the fish to catch them and they also disappear down holes. The experience with the young gormless chap today was my nail in the coffin for that shop. He didn’t even know anything about fish it seemed. Everyone knows the difference between a standard goldfish and a comet. He didn’t. Again gormless. He said he was busy doing important things and couldn’t serve me, then he said it turns out it’s not important he can serve me. He didn’t even know where his colleagues were. Thicko. I won’t go there anymore. Awful place. Awful staff.

I purchased 3 small koi with my granddaughter,in less than 48 hrs one had died, I took it back with a water sample, at first I was told that the water sample was acceptable and that it could of been stressed when handled as it was taken from the tank,then a senior assistant,now three people surrounding us explained that we were just unlucky as there could of been a “ nitrate explosion “ which affected just one fish out of the 25 in an established pond as he was a junior,
So can you replace him?……..no sorry… despite the “ 5 day warranty “
The lesson to learn to all potential customers is………….there is no warranty once you leave the store

Dylan was very helpful today with a terrapin issue and I was grateful for his advice and time. Thanks Dylan.

Was totally shocked at the prices.
Swallows have always been on the expensive side but £45 for an Angel fish cmon truly. Even the fish have been inflated.

I went to buy pond liner which came on a roll 2m then cut to how many meter length you require (on their website)was told they don't do that anymore I said I only needed 2m x 1m was given that and told that's just a cheap one quite rudely. I then went out to see the outside animals and was shocked at how small the enclosures were there was no grass the animals had eaten what there was of it plenty of stinging nettles. The water in the pony enclosure was green with algae floating on it I saw a member of staff with a hose pipe and said the pony needed clean water The reply was nothing to do with me. I haven't been here for sometime and its gone down hill badly out side certainly needs cleaning up the animals outside need better looking after and the staff all need training in manners. I will definitely not be going back.

We haven't been here for years and was impressed to see how their ranges had expanded in the aquatic section and plants. There is the added bonus of enclosed areas outside with poultry, terrapins and Pigs to make the visit more enjoyable for kids. We stopped to have a look in the pet section and there was some beautiful birds in spacious cages and a brilliant assortment of reptiles and arachnids. But my review is based on the appalling conditions that the small pets are kept in. Most pet shops have hamsters and rats etc in enclosures too small for them so you expect that, but the amount of flies in with them,and on their food, especially the pygmy hedgehogs that had about 30 flies walking round the bottom of their enclosure,and if there is that many flies there is fly eggs and maggots, and poorly pets. The rabbits broke my heart. They are in a tall enclosure about 1m square floor space with 1 or 2 rabbits in with 1 or 2 guinea pigs. They're on a sawdust base,bad for respiration, rabbits eating the same food as guinea Pigs with a small shelf the rabbits can get on and that's it...no veggies no hay no toys no hides, just existing,one in particular had the saddest wattery eyes sitting on a shelf with 2 guinea Pigs under, it had terrible bald patches. It's no wonder rabbits are the most mistreated animal if that's the way you tell people thats how to look after them. I won't be returning,theres no excuse when you have all that space outside that some runs and houses can fit in easily and I can't understand how you are still allowed to look after animals that way.

My daughter brought a hamster only had it a month and it is dieing when we rung them there just said there only have a 3 day warranty and may be it has eaten something it should not have what do there think we are feeding it it only has hamster food won’t be bying from them again

My son took my granddaughter to swallow aquatics to buy two more goldfish to add to our tank. Consequently one had to be returned, when in the tank we noticed it was covered in white spots. We had replacement, since then they have all passed away apart from one, who sadly appears to be on her last legs. It would be appropriate if swallow took more care of their stock and took the time to check for any signs of illness and the welfare of all there animals. Absolutely disgusting that these poor creatures have had to suffer. Certainly will not be purchasing anything else!

Swindling Customers.We usually go here alot for inspiration and always end up purchasing stuff. However today at the east harling store was very dissappoiting and not sure now if we will be returning.We were in the garden section and came across their "sale" stand which had two clay pots and inside them 2 rosemary trees which were going yellow.The whole thing had a special price today of £9.99 each so we thought why not, lets get them as theyre out of season and with a bit of TLC we can make them green again. When we got to the till,the young girl charged us £40 for both! I queried it and said thats not what theyre advertised at.She said its just for the pots.Bit misleading.We took her to the sale stand to show her that the actual plants had no price tag on unlike the others in season on the other side,and therefore its included in the special offer on the label. She still refused and said "no you pay for the pots and the trees separately,probably some customers put them there???"we said well if u pay for the trees separate why arent they with the other trees and why are there no prices on them.She took us to her manager who said the same thing.He then went off with the trees to check the price of them(bit odd considering they charged us at the till £9.99 per tree)and spoke with someone else.He came back and said "well these trees are £19.99 each so we can refund you or take off 20%"..!!!How can that be?They charged us £40 originally and are now saying the trees are £20 each plus two pots at £9.99 each so by rights then,we shouldve been charged £60.Somewhere along the line theyve messed up and just made it worse by trying to kid customers to pay more when they get to the till and not notice.Dont think so somehow.we got a refund as we arent stupid.Anyone going,be careful before you buy stuff.Lots of stuff in there with no price tags on.Wonder why.