Anyone ever make an offer on a fish at Capitol?

I know alot of the store owners from the job that I do and they refer people from Reef Central as "CHEAP CENTRAL" They say that we want things for cheap but in perfect condition and the stores cant compete with people giving their stuff away for free and swaping them on here so they cater towards the new hobist that dont know much that will be willing to spend money.
 
Tamikabrown - I think you do have a point. But what the LFS fail to do is show that is is possible to run a top notch LFS, have high quality items, sell things are a higher price than online, but still be successful. Take a look at Mermaid Aquarium (they'll be at the WMC - Rich made me say that too) and Aquatic Gallery (sponsor of the WMC - Rich made me say that again). Many people drive long distances to shop at these stores because they have top notch service and top notch livestocks. When I was looking at Tangs, it was Dr. Le who told me not to get one yet.

As far as pricing of equipment goes. I understand that B&M stores have to sell them at a higher price than online stores because of the higher overhead. But for some store to sell it at double or triple the online stores is insane! Hell - if you go to Capitol Aquarium, there price is outrageous compared to O Streets price.

If some of our LFS could get away with it, they probably would sell a floating fish and tell the person that the fish was just sleeping. So if the LFS wants to call me cheap - I am proud to accept that label. it's better being bent over and being *beep*.

Minh
 
BTW - there are two local fish stores that I personally think are worth shopping at. One of them is AquaLife in Rocklin. O Street is a hit and miss. I have tried avoiding that store because of a particular employee who refuses to get his lazy arse from the back of the counter to help anyone. Ironically, I heard that this employee worked at Exotic Aquarium - a fish store that I refuse to buy anything from.

I can't wait till John (Yourreef.com) opens us his store. I think he has the potential to set up the standard for the Sacramento area LFS.

Minh
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7022831#post7022831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mn95616

I can't wait till John (Yourreef.com) opens us his store. I think he has the potential to set up the standard for the Sacramento area LFS.

Minh
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I'm so with you there...
 
Originally posted by thereefgeek on the thread that finally got locked down
I find the signs above the tanks that say "50% off all floaters for a limited time" very enticing. Combine that with the 10% club discount and I can't see how you'd pass up a deal like that. :D
Click to expand...

...wouldn't surprise me...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7022596#post7022596 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tamikabrown
I know alot of the store owners from the job that I do and they refer people from Reef Central as "CHEAP CENTRAL" They say that we want things for cheap but in perfect condition...
Click to expand...

As opposed to expensive and dead in two days? This really gripes me. Of course I want things cheap and of couse I want them in perfect condition. These "store owners" act like that's a novel concept...so sad.
 
Fatsuki - :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Personally - I love going to some of the LFS where they treat me like I am there to steal their aptasia, and that I am lucky that they are willing get get off their lazy arse off the phone with their friends in order to look up a price *sigh*

Don't get me wrong - there are some good LFS - but Sacramento has some REALLY bad ones!


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7025339#post7025339 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fatsuki
As opposed to expensive and dead in two days? This really gripes me. Of course I want things cheap and of couse I want them in perfect condition. These "store owners" act like that's a novel concept...so sad.
Click to expand...
 
Or, my favorite is when you stand at the counter for several minutes while they jaw-jack..and then "act" like they just noticed you and ask if they can help you. I always want to say yes, you could have shut up ten minutes ago and netted a fish for me, preferably one that isn't in the same system as the large moorish idol that is well into the decomposition process.
 
It just comes down to the managment, or lack there of in terms customer service. Perhaps customers in the past have not demanded it. This can all change very easily if we as customers start demanding the simple services offered in all other industries. Fair, competitive pricing for all, attentive customer service, constant desire to improve the store everyday. These are the things, and accept nothing less. I have a lot of places to spend my money, I choose to do it at A or B. These stores need to remember that they are not the only game in town anymore.

Though, a good point to bring up.....there seems to be a lot of negative things with the stores in the area, we should reinforce the good things also.
 
i actually work at capitol now... and am already trying to change a few things. muahaha. ;) so if you ever decide to give us another try, ask for brooke. i'm there thurs-sun.
 
Brooke -

I am really sorry to hear that. :eek: J/K Seriously though - I don't shop at Capitol because they are way overpriced even when compared to other LFS. For example, the sell "premium" live rocks (and I use that time VERY loosely) for $8/lb. O St has much better rock at $4. And of course, John (yourreef) has great live rocks for $3/lb. The pricing is nothing you can do about. Even if Capitol had very knowledgable staff, I don't know if I would shop that solely based on price. I stop by once in a while to look at stuff - but I rarely buy from there anymore.

Minh

PS - it was nice chatting with you and Sherie at the last meeting.
 
reminds me of the store I went into - waiting for some help - had asked 2 different people, they said they'd go get someone - 15 minutes later I'm still standing there waiting... I go up to the register area to find someone and park my butt directly in front of a pretty young lady who is doing nothing at the register and stare directly at her. She completely ignores me and continues a flirtatious conversation with a male co-worker... after a few seconds the male employee actually reaches around and squeezes her butt!!! right in front of me!!

I was so PO'd at that point I loudly clear my throat and in my biggest not yelling voice say "When you are done Flirting with all the guys I could use some help"

So dont let me catch ya'll goosin' the fish girls or I'll embarrass the crap out of you!
 
Total - you're just jealous that it wasn't your butt that was squeezed. :eek2: :lol: Just kidding.

BTW - WeeReef Master just reminded me today that we have next Friday off of work. So who is going to be at John's new place for the grand opening? Does he have any door prize for the first xxx number of customers? Just want to know if I should camp out the night before. :bounce3:

Minh
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7022596#post7022596 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tamikabrown
I know alot of the store owners from the job that I do and they refer people from Reef Central as "CHEAP CENTRAL" They say that we want things for cheap but in perfect condition and the stores cant compete with people giving their stuff away for free and swaping them on here so they cater towards the new hobist that dont know much that will be willing to spend money.
Click to expand...

Translation: Store owners can't compete with the hobbiest frag traders in health, color, variety and price. They would rather save the good stuff for the show tank at the front of the store and then make you come up and ask for the price (not marked on the tank) for the brown-outs. They hope their customers don't find out about MARS so they can continue to sell people the drygoods and hardware they don't really need, and fish and inverts that shouldn't even be imported.

Am I close?
 
ok, here's the deal.... i get most of my fish from capitol. oh and this wicked trumpet coral i got last week for a good deal.... as for the prices.... yeah, i'm not sure how to comment on that without compromising my job. ;) but i think we all know the case. HOWEVER.... i think (especially with a few of the employees) it is a good resource for people that are new to the hobby. if any of you get a chance to meet shane, the saltwater manager, he can be awesome. as for the service... just don't come on weekends or friday nights. when there aren't 500 children screaming "NEMO! NEMO!!".... you're more likely to get a patient clerk :).

and yes, i am the 6' tall blonde beast woman working there. hehe. ok, 5'11. humph.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7036361#post7036361 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marc Daniels
Hmmmm, Shane Clayton, I think you just opened a completely different can of worms.
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:lol: Shane was a Board Member when I joined MARS almost 10 years ago; Lots of experience in the hobby.

He'll be the first to tell you that, and won't soon let you forget it.
 
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