My opinion of several sponsor stores

[jmaneyapanda]

gnashty;440425 wrote: As far as not posting <u>constructive</u> criticism about sponsor stores, thats BS (i apologize in advance for the inflammatory comment) - we are the customers, the hobbyists, the ones who flock cash in hand for that new light/pump/fish etc..that sometimes isnt even in the budget.....so it is perfectly appropriate to show your findings to those who choose to read it, remember nobody HAS to read it. now, with that being said it is not cool to outright bash a sponsor store without merit and in that case should definetaly be resolved thru PM or in person. If you must post a negative always follow with a positive and let the reader or "reefer" decide for themself

Fair enough, provided the forum rules regarding such are followed:

"Sponsors are our guests here, and their stores should be treated as such. Infactual posts, libelous remarks, and even exaggerations of negative truths will not be tolerated. If you have an issue with a sponsor, the proper way to handle it is to talk to the sponsor / manager in person, then try via PM or email, then contact anyone in the sponsor store, and finally, if nothing can be done, the factual account may be presented on the forums."

 

[coolsurf]

Even if I walk into a store and know what I am looking for, I like to window shop and like to have prices available to read. I don't like to ask and then feeling like I became instantly poor saying umm, err...ok..thanks when I expected a much lower price.

I do want to be greeted and acknowledged when I walk into ANY store. It's just the right thing to do. I like folks to ask "do you need any help?"...again, it's the right thing to do. I do not however, like to ask for prices.

 

[steve]

jmaneyapanda;440432 wrote: Oh, and one final thing- FOR REAL NOW! I just find this type of comment kinda funny, when there are extreme polar opposites of this thread here too. Where members walk into stores, and feel ignored. They want to be waited on, given the opportunity to ask questions, chat, etc etc etc. I myslef, am not like that at all. I want to walk in, and see things, look at whats avialable, etc. Sure a greeting of "hello" is only polite, but I dont want 20 people, or even worse, 1 person, twenty times (!), asking me if I need help. I will find you if I do. But that is ME, and my preference. Others, by their every right, have the luxury of being the opposite.

Except when I'm there. Then I just pester you all the time.

 

[ricksconnected]

jmaneyapanda;440432 wrote: Oh, and one final thing- FOR REAL NOW! I just find this type of comment kinda funny, when there are extreme polar opposites of this thread here too. Where members walk into stores, and feel ignored. They want to be waited on, given the opportunity to ask questions, chat, etc etc etc. I myslef, am not like that at all. I want to walk in, and see things, look at whats avialable, etc. Sure a greeting of "hello" is only polite, but I dont want 20 people, or even worse, 1 person, twenty times (!), asking me if I need help. I will find you if I do. But that is ME, and my preference. Others, by their every right, have the luxury of being the opposite.

i agree. a hello to let me know you know im there is great and expected. after that i just want to shop in my own time. i will find you when i need you. i will always make some quick small talk and give you a thank you as well.

 

[oz]

In case no one else posted this already - Warehouse used to give you a pricing sheet for every fish in the store but I am not sure if they still do that as the turnover of fish there is so quick due to the prices and diversity.

Next time just ask for a sheet, they may give you one or just walk with you to provide the prices. Either way they will be some of the best prices in town.

 

[hackman72]

I think the big hangup on pricing is the store to store variable. A $50 fish at one store might cost $70 at another and you don't know until you ask. It's done on a basis of the stores operating expenses to include rent/lease, local taxes, supplier costs and a whole host of other things that cause the prices to be different

The issue of having to ask prices and fish infomation is an individual opinion of what constitues "good" service and that debate could rage all day long as the *best* way to handle customer service.

Just my buck fiddy worth...

 

[ricksconnected]

well look whos awake. :yay: :lol2:

 

[acroholic]

Let's keep any negative or critical Sponsor comments generic please, WITHOUT naming the store. Constructive or any type of criticism needs to be handled in the forum rule posted by Jeremy in post #20.
Dave

 

[rbredding]

jmaneyapanda;440401 wrote: Again, I respectfully disagree. I have been there a handful of times, and when Im there, stuff has "dissappeared" from the tanks (been sold) quickly when I was there.

IMO, there is nothing more aggravating than looking for a fish labelled in a tank that isnt there anymore. Or vice versa.

I guess I just dont understand why its so hard to ask. Thats just me, though.

or have someone else snag it up while you're looking for an employee to find out what the price is..

WA is a GREAT store with really good pricing.

 

[drnecropolis]

The way I see it is this, 99% of the time when I purchase livestock I know what I want when I go in and have done the research on specfic needs and requirements and already have a good idea of what it should cost within $10. Having a store go through the motions of labeling tanks can be a pest some time because it draws attention to names and if the fish I'm looking for is listed and not in the tank it is aggraviting at best.. A lot of times I will call ahead and see if they happen to have what I'm looking for in stock.

 

[gnashty]

jmaneyapanda;440434 wrote: Fair enough, provided the forum rules regarding such are followed:

"Sponsors are our guests here, and their stores should be treated as such. Infactual posts, libelous remarks, and even exaggerations of negative truths will not be tolerated. If you have an issue with a sponsor, the proper way to handle it is to talk to the sponsor / manager in person, then try via PM or email, then contact anyone in the sponsor store, and finally, if nothing can be done, the factual account may be presented on the forums."

completely agree with you..

 

[acroholic]

I am temorarily closing this thread for editing. PMs will be sent to new Members/Users explaining the situation. I will reopen and allow this thread to continue if the Forum Rules are adhered to regarding Issues with Sponsor Stores.
Dave

 

[acroholic]

Thread has been edited and I am opening this back up for discussion, but please keep your negative comments generic without naming any Sponsor stores, or I will close this thread.
Dave

 

[tony_caliente]

My intent was just to tell all what my experience was. I thought all of my comments were benign and I had no intentions to disparage any of our sponsors. I was just letting some know what to expect; not to direct any members to or away from a store. The different operating models serve different tastes, spending behavior and markets ---- a good thing. I was not trying to passively create a stir. It was the type of information that I would have appreciated, but I respect anyone whose opinions differs. Sorry....it's just a matter of me being a freshmen to the club.

 

[acroholic]

For anyone wanting to express a general concern, please note this thread started by john2604. It expresses his concerns and does it within Forum guidelines.

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=36912">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=36912</a>

Dave

 

[williamc]

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 13px">I am fairly new in this hobby. When I walk into the store, I am looking for name, price, and visual inspection of the fish.</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 13px">The name allows me to research the facts of the particular fish to determine if I can have it in my tank or not.</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 13px">Price is really important in a business transaction. I am not looking fort the cheapest price. The same fish, for example, a six liner can cost $20 in one store, $15 in another store and $30 in different store. This does not mean that buying the $15 fish you are getting the best deal. There are other factors that affect the purchase of the fish such as size, health, behavior, etc. </span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 13px">Before I buy anything specially a saltwater fish, I take my time to observe the fish in a tank. I want to make sure is healthy. This is the main reason I do not buy fish on line. </span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 13px"> </span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 13px">I know we pay little more on the LFS than online stores because the additional resources they incurred to maintain a nice display.</span></span>

 

[hackman72]

ricksconnected;440448 wrote: well look whos awake. :yay: :lol2:

:lol2::lol2::lol2:

 

[dave green]

I'd say jmandeyapanda hit it on the head. A warehouse is a different model than a standard retail operation. With as much stuff flying through there as there is, trying to post prices and keep up with it is kinda asking for trouble... or more overhead.

If I have to ask a question to get a lower price, I'm not really upset abou it.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

AndrewG;440601 wrote: I can can understand not labeling each individual tank but make price sheets available directly to the customers (aisle ends). Problem solved.


I think we're very fortunate to have such great stores relative to other cities.

We are VERY fortunate.

In case no one else posted this already - Warehouse used to give you a pricing sheet for every fish in the store but I am not sure if they still do that as the turnover of fish there is so quick due to the prices and diversity.

Next time just ask for a sheet, they may give you one or just walk with you to provide the prices. Either way they will be some of the best prices in town.

They still do this. I saw it today. I still dont understand how this is any different than asking, but Im dropping it.

 

[fish scales2]

I have taken no offense about what is said about my store. Couple of thoughts and beliefs though, some fish will adapt better in a dark tank(less stress)
I do label somethings but I do not desire customers to walk in see a fish and buy it on impulse. Most of my customers create a fish list and I will then accomodate. We must know about your system before we will even consider selling it to you. Dont believe me just ask a few members. After knowing and understanding as much about your system as we can we will then guide you towards the next inhabitant.


Tony thanks for stopping in I wish I would have met you, I Julie was informative and inquisitive as well.

Marine Designs is IMO one of the cleanest, most organized stores you will step into with a ton of knowledge and Wharehouse is a facility that anyone would be proud to have, the only problem would be getting me out of the pool!!!