Aquarium Arts

To speak in defense of AA. They are competitive with online pricing. They are knowledgable and will work hard to help you. Yes some of the help leaves something to be desired. But They aren't a large chain yet are trying tom compete on price and quality. That makes them a rarity here in the valley. In fact I find it sort of funny that a city as large as Phoenix only has 3 or 4 decent marine aquarium stores. Yet you go to a frag meeting and look at the number of people that attend.

Jerry
 
Sure they are competitive. They buy 10 of one thing at a time. Its great if I want something like a flame angel or a blue face, I have 20 to choose from. I think that is why they are the cheapest. I have been going there since i moved here in 2004. They have never asked me if i need help. I have always had to get it. I also go there because most of the time it is to look. They never have anything of quality from a coral stand point. They take all the best stuff they get in and put it in the show tank, then they never sell it. I do some nice show size fish every once and awhile.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9995011#post9995011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jerryz
To speak in defense of AA. They are competitive with online pricing. They are knowledgable and will work hard to help you. Yes some of the help leaves something to be desired. But They aren't a large chain yet are trying tom compete on price and quality. That makes them a rarity here in the valley. In fact I find it sort of funny that a city as large as Phoenix only has 3 or 4 decent marine aquarium stores. Yet you go to a frag meeting and look at the number of people that attend.

Jerry
They have never ever worked hard to help me in any way.
 
I went to AA several weeks ago to order a sump, they didn't have the measurements there. They called the person that builds them and left a message. Took my number and said they would get back to me with the answer. Still waiting, ordered online a week later.
 
I am an employee of AA and will correct this problem right away I do not like seeing my customers unhappy please bring any problems to Greg. I am a member of Reef Central and check in almost daily.
 
After reading these posts I was beginning to think Greg didn't work there anymore! I've always received great service from Greg there even though I've purchased very little recently. I think their prices are good and they have a great fish & softy/LPS collection (and very clean tanks) - but I chuckled at the "grumpy women" comment. They aren't the warmest - but it doesn't really bother me. They answer my questions just fine. They also had the best local prices on "critters" last time I was there.
 
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personally I like AA, I agree, of the times I have been there no one has come up to me even once and asked if I needed anything. sometimes I like that, last time I went thou it was 15min till closing, I was buying some salt and a few plumbing parts and I asked if it was a little to late to buy 100 hermit crabs and the guy behind the counter said no problem, the girl that had helped me before pulled em all out and didn't seem bothered at all. I think it all boils down to people just being people, everyone has days when they are not the so friendly. I think the store is very well maintained and very nice, I plan on going back. Aquatouch is really imposing, they almost feel like you need a BS in marine biology to buy salt there but they have a very nice store. ATR had pretty high prices and it's so tight it's not comfortable to browse really. Pets inc is pretty nice but very few people sound like they know what they are selling you. I live all the way out in surprise so for me it's like a day trip to go out to those stores. It really stinks to go in there with your hard earned money and be treated poorly so I get where EvilE is coming from but I have learned sometimes you have to give it a second chance, who knows, some of those places turn over employees faster than livestock so you never know what your going to be greeted like.
 
It's Aqua Touch for me. Knowledgeable, friendly and ALWAYS helpful. Greated by first name everytime I've been in the store after the very first visit. They know how to do business, as far as I am concerned.
And No, I do not have a Brother, Father, Mother or sister that works or owns the place:D
 
Greg rocks! Always nice and helpful, even though I don't usually spend a lot of money. :) I have brought you Xenia though... Didn't know you checked in here.

Darlene
 
i'm with fliger. greg has always been good to me, same thing with the guy with the mustache (sorry pal, i don't know your name but you're good $#!t).
 
Ok I like the womens, tall girl is working through some shyness issues and funky curly haired girl is just scared cuzz one time I went in a little TiPPsY and hollered at her for jumping on my Wife and I as soon as we walked in the door. I love Aquarium Arts. They always have a large colony of something for $40-$80. The color might not be the best, but that changes when I have had it home for awhile.
I can honestly say that I would have given up on this hobby if it wasn't for Greg, Tall girl and Funky :)
 
I've had a pretty much good experience with AA, I mean they don't know my name, but I'm not going to cheer's, I'm going to a store that I'm spending money at. Although I'm used to Pets Inc. so I usually flag someone down once I find what I'm buying so they can either get it out of a cage/tank/etc or tell me any other pertinent information that I might need before buying.
 
I've known Kingsly since about 1986 and he has always given me good hobby advice. Greg has done a great job of keeping the place looking good since he arrived. Actually, the bihaciest of the two girls seems to be gone. The tall girl does seem shy but is always nice. I like AA and will always do business there.

Aqua Touch - another favorite.
Pets Inc - sleeper.
ATR - okay.
 
I am not fond of being ignored at a pet store however after spending 6 months working at Tropical Treasures I deffinatly understand why one might ignore a customer. It isn't ok to do it though. Today I was in the middle of feeding ratsnakes and corns and had someone come in needing crickets. I had nowhere to put the snakes that would prevent them from escaping so I asked him if he wouldn't mind waiting a minute until I could give him my undivided attention. He stormed out as if I had just insulted him. There are a number of times that I am busy doing something that I have to focus on (filling a tank, feeding snakes, cleaning cages, etc) and I cannot simply drop what I am doing to help.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10003909#post10003909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crrichey
I am not fond of being ignored at a pet store however after spending 6 months working at Tropical Treasures I deffinatly understand why one might ignore a customer. It isn't ok to do it though. Today I was in the middle of feeding ratsnakes and corns and had someone come in needing crickets. I had nowhere to put the snakes that would prevent them from escaping so I asked him if he wouldn't mind waiting a minute until I could give him my undivided attention. He stormed out as if I had just insulted him. There are a number of times that I am busy doing something that I have to focus on (filling a tank, feeding snakes, cleaning cages, etc) and I cannot simply drop what I am doing to help.
That is totally understandable!! You acknowledged him, and were busy. The folks at AA just stand there and ignore, no hi, no can I help you--nothing. You have to go grab them, and they act as if you are a bother to them. It bothers them that you need help, even though you are about to spend money in their establishment. I am a very friendly, understanding person, but poor customer service really ticks me off.
 
No fears. Soon the drop shippers will be all that's leftg. Then you can the perfect customer service of the phone call and someone who pretends like they have inventory they don't ;)
 
I'm a big fan of AA. Their pricing is really good and I've always been happy when I've left. It is true that their help CAN be hard to get ahold of but it's usually not because they're ignoring me as they're doing something else - it's usually because they are working with another customer. As long as I catch eye with any of their employees, they get to me when they can.

As someone who works retail right now (and has for about 10 years), it's more than possible that my tolerance for the way they work is very high though. Anymore I find that my patience with store employees has almost no limit as long as they're not deliberately being rude.
 
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