best stores in Sacramento

[muttley101]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10693441#post10693441 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marko9
There is also a difference between bashing and the truth. I would hate for one of you guys to get infested with pests because someone was afraid to post the truth.

In the state of todays hobby, there are way too many people who are passing around pests without even knowing it.

True; that it is each persons responsibilty to treat their investments, but this is only one man's opinion as 99% of my posts are supportive

Thanks man for being supportive... I would want someone's opinion on a LFS if they were doing something dirty whether it be a club supporting LFS or not....

However I have got some nice corals at Exotic ... just like any LFS... they will have their wave of corals come in then it gets picked over.... just wait till the next wave.

 

[shiveley]

Honestly, and this is just my opinion, I think that people in this forum should be able to express their concerns and and make suggestions as relevant to LFS without constantly being labelled "negative" or "troublesome". I mean, come on, isn't a forum supposed to be a free exchange of ideas and advice???

There's a distinct difference between outright bashing and relating a personal opinion. To simply ignore the negatives is a disservice to both consumers, and the hobby.

That being said, I've been lucky enough thus far to not have had any negative experiences at any of the LFS that I've encountered in our area. All in all, I've actually been quite please with the service and merchandise provided by all; though I must say that, given the choice, I would choose to buy from a MARS member first-and-foremost, as I invariably find the best deals, and specimens, in this forum.

 

[funman1]

We have a Positive AND Negative section in our forums on the MARS site.

Paid members can go post to those forums freely.
However it's not viewable to the general public; thus, maintains our public image as a club here on RC.

The MARS forums are where you can share ALL experiences because ONLY members can view..

 

[Timmy03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10713118#post10713118 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funman1
We have a Positive AND Negative section in our forums on the MARS site.



You mean to tell me that I have to be a member of MARS to post positive and negative comments?

Do you think Reef Central has only positive comments and control the bad reviews in their sponsor forums.? I don't. So why is the MARS forums so special?

If you own a LFS you have to take the good with the bad. You key in on the bad customer experiences hopefully improve the way you do business. If you guys want to keep things positive and not help your LFS grow then keep quiet, cause soon we will all be shopping at PETCO and PETSMART for this hobby. Just my 2 cents.

 

[bored4long]

I don't want to get caught up in the drama that is being pushed to keep a clean rep with the LFS, but I have one comment that I'd like to share.

<soapbox>
The most important aspect of reefkeeping for me as a newbie is being educated how to be the most responsible consumer/hobbiest I can be. I want to enjoy my little slice of the reefs in my own home, but I want it to have the least impact on the ecosystem as possible. On that note, I think it is paramount that we as a club are vocal about species that are being sold by LFS that are irresponsible and destructive to wild reefs. What better outlet is there then a unified voice that lets the LFS know what is acceptable and what is not?

If we can't do that, then I see very little value in the club (for me). If its not about the greater good, you have to start asking yourself what is it really all about?

The thought of keeping such discussion in a private forum or to oneself is just ludicrous. Public discourse and education is the action necessary to put an end to irresponsible and/or immoral practices. Please note, I'm not suggesting any LFS are shady. I would just be really ****ed if others knew of such incidences yet didn't feel they were allowed to mention it publicly.
</soapbox>

OK, I guess I got caught up in the drama after all.

 

[mpoletti]

Here we go again....another debate on what we should and we shouldn't do. Don't you guys get tired of this stuff. Every couple of months this goes on. I understand that people come and go go quite often around here, but c'mon, how many times do we need to beat the dead horse.

If you like the shop, continue to shop there. If you don't like the shop, don't waste your gas and money.

I guess I should probably delete this post because it will only fuel the fire, but its been slow at work and I am sure Doug will post a thesis on the matter when he gets a sec

 

[Timmy03]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10713854#post10713854 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bored4long
I don't want to get caught up in the drama that is being pushed to keep a clean rep with the LFS, but I have one comment that I'd like to share.

<soapbox>
The most important aspect of reefkeeping for me as a newbie is being educated how to be the most responsible consumer/hobbiest I can be. I want to enjoy my little slice of the reefs in my own home, but I want it to have the least impact on the ecosystem as possible. On that note, I think it is paramount that we as a club are vocal about species that are being sold by LFS that are irresponsible and destructive to wild reefs. What better outlet is there then a unified voice that lets the LFS know what is acceptable and what is not?

If we can't do that, then I see very little value in the club (for me). If its not about the greater good, you have to start asking yourself what is it really all about?

The thought of keeping such discussion in a private forum or to oneself is just ludicrous. Public discourse and education is the action necessary to put an end to irresponsible and/or immoral practices. Please note, I'm not suggesting any LFS are shady. I would just be really ****ed if others knew of such incidences yet didn't feel they were allowed to mention it publicly.
</soapbox>

OK, I guess I got caught up in the drama after all.

Amen Brother, thats all I'm looking for is a little dialog.

 

[buttons buster]

I think that people should have the right to know the good and the bad. If a LFS has an extremely bad Customer service/ survival rate etc, then I would like to know about it.
Same thing with online vendors.
Why would you not try to warn people as to what they are dealing with.
Why let someone make the same mistakes that you did, while knowing that you could have easily stopped their misfortune?
Oh and positive comments are also nice.
Both are used to better educate fellow members.

My two cents

 

[mpoletti]

One persons expectations can destroy a reputation and livelihood. This debate has gone one for a long time and will continue to go on as well.

The only way to know if a fish store is a "good" store is to visit them over a period of time. Stores, just like our tanks, have good and bad cycles. Our LFS do a good job or they would not be in business as our trade is a cutthroat hobby.

This is a public forum that MARS uses through RC. If someone has a bad experience, there are other means to discuss the matter. We are in this hobby together and I respect this hobby, the LFS, and the people who make it what it is; way too much to
stoop to that level.

 

[drdoolittle]

Best place local for zoo's... and other frags..

www.reeffragz.com..

Local, good selection and awesome prices....


Just my opinion..

 

[muttley101]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10713118#post10713118 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funman1
We have a Positive AND Negative section in our forums on the MARS site.

Paid members can go post to those forums freely.
However it's not viewable to the general public; thus, maintains our public image as a club here on RC.

The MARS forums are where you can share ALL experiences because ONLY members can view..

Wow thats grown up.... way to stir up business and at the same time be ethical... I guess no one but MARS members should know if a someone is irresponsible and/or doing business with immoral practices... BTW is this a public forum or not????

 

[kdblove_99]

Well,

I have sat on the sidelines for awhile now on this topic and agree with the people that say post the good and the bad, Why wouldnt you post bad experiences?

I have several threads i can get and show that some of these people that say be positive are throwing negative comments about stores around.

Here is one. Not too many nice things said and look who is saying them
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1134039&highlight=aqualife

What i have seen of people and there bad experiences at LFS havn't even been that bad.

 

[JeffReef]

I agree with posting both good and bad experiences. Why? Because these feedbacks would be beneficial to both LFS and hobbyist alike.

Good comments or reviews will let everyone know what LFS are good in the area. These LFS will be rewarded by added businesses and free advertising for providing better customer service.

Bad comments can help the LFS know where they stand and what area of their business needs improvement. They may loose traffic, of course, but that's the nature of any business. Smart LFS owners would want to know what their customers are saying about their service- both good AND bad.

On a side note, I'm always grateful for the items that the LFS are donating to our monthly club raffles. Their generosity is surely appreciated by most , if not all, of the members. But no LFS should be exempted from bad publicity on this forum just because they donate to the club.

In the end, the club's responsibility is to look out for the best interest of its members.

 

[rafael13]

well said JeffReef

 

[KMP]

...tang police comes to mind and it appears we have some crooked cops

 

[mpoletti]

I am definitely not on the side of the police on a matter like this. All I know is that if I don't have anything good to say, don't say it all.

Why do people want to do this is an open forum. You can always go to the meetings and ask for yourself in person.

This might just sound cheezy, but if our boards are always on the same topic, we will lose supporters, mainly reefers who actually know what they are doing. That is a bigger resource than any LFS.

 

[kdblove_99]

Not everyone can make meetings.

Disagree with "but if our boards are always on the same topic, we will lose supporters, mainly reefers who actually know what they are doing. That is a bigger resource than any LFS."

There is always something on here it seems about 6 months or so it was FS threads now its positive feedback vs negative for LFS.

Is this not an open forum, If so what gives certain individuals the right to dictate if we can leave positive or negative feedback?

Its just gotten so blown up and i think people are sick of seeing "KEEP IT POSITIVE" why keep it all pos why not warn or fellow friends/hobbyist if there is something wrong?


People say its not the discounts and its not the raffle prizes/donation. But i disagree I cant see any other reason

 

[kdblove_99]

I agree all out bashing a store doesnt need to go here.

If you are a good store i doubt there will be any negative feedback anyway.

For the amount of time i have been here i have never, not once ever seen a negative feedback about your reef or CRS, Why do you think that is?

 

[mpoletti]

There is no one who says you can not leave negative messages. It has been something the majority has spoken about.

I don't even have my membership card that I bought well over 6 months ago, so the discount is nothing to me because I do not ask for handouts. There is government cheese for that.

Agree to disagree, I am just tired of "keep it positive" and "why can't I post what I want". Do what you want. BTW, I do not go to meetings, but I get a dozen or so PM's a day where we discuss stores, livestock, and reefing success stories.

 

[tfp]

Hands down...as of right now, i've got so say yourreef's (john) display tank is the best show of colorful corals in town. if you have a chance, get out there and see for yourself . i've never seen it poppin like it is right now.