Big Al's - Now a BIG RIP OFF?

its a joint venture.
and yes it's seperate, but "Big Al" is still the HNIC.

unless he sold it recently... but i doubt it.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8071771#post8071771 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LawnTodd
You are probably the only person I've ever heard of that had good customer service at BR. The only time I went there they tried to charge me $59.99 for an Ice Cap 660 wire harnes. Most places sell them for $29.99. I was also told not to have more then 5x/ hour turn over in a sps reef tank. At the time I had about 15X/ hour. I was told thats too much and I'm going to kill everything. I haven't been back since.
LT
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Well, I will tell you that I do not find the employees in most places very friendly. Maybe if your experienced and knowledgeable, these "better LFS" will take the time to talk to you. But that has not been my experience which is actually just opposite of that, it seems like when you ask them a newb question (which is my level) they answer almost if you are annoying them and have better things to do besides sell me a fish etc. This was not the case at barrier reef, the couples times I have gone there and actually tried to interface with an employee. I wont name any of the other stores I have had not so good experiences at 4 other stores that are spoken about a lot on here.

Besides Barrier reef, The only LFS that I found helpful was Living Reef (Jose).
 
A friend of mine works at a water testing facility(actually its a facility that tests dairy products, but they do water testing for free). She told me that as soon you open the container that holds the ph solution the impurities in our air starts to effect its acuracy. She recomended that I use the single use packets to be sure I'm calibrating to the correct ph.
LT
 
i bought the 4 oz bottles of the stuff before, but like todd said, its best to go with the single use packets because i noticed definately a diference between the 2.

the single use packets seem alot easier to use too, just rip the bag a bit and drop in your probe.
 
Does anyone do business with Jaws.net in their LFS on broward blvd in fort lauderdale?

Im looking to buy all my hardware soon, it sounds like the concensus is to buy on line when its not an emergency and buy fish locally?
 
i think that most stores just hire kids who know squat. I know for a fact that this is the case a t a local stor ein jupiter (wont make the name known, but the stores initials are PR lol). they are the msot rude people ever. as far as barrier reef, i have never had a problem with them, they have always been helpful to me and my firends. but i havent really bought anything from them. as for good customer service, oceans below has some fo the best. rob knows what he is doing andif you are ever up in the area of lake park check him out. he is always willing to help you with you aquatic problems. but backto topic, ithink online is definately cheaper because of them buying in much mor equantity than the locl stores. most online retaielrs ,both aquatic and non aquatic, have huge warehuoses that they can store these products, or they have such a large client base that they can afford to sell items for less. local stores suck (with the exception of a few local ones in my area). thats all
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8074845#post8074845 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Beaut
Hey guys from what i understand,this Big Als is privately owned and has very little to do with Big Als Online. Like a franchise. Prices are very similar to the the rest of our smaller stores now.
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The place is ridiculously above retail. For example, last night through sheer bad luck I cracked a pc bulb. Im leaving to go out of town for 3 days this weekend. There is no way i will leave my tank unlit for 4 days. Headed there and the same bulb that sells online ANYWHERE for 44 dollars...and locally for 50.....the sell for 76 DOLLARS....W T F.....this is just ONE bulb....I walk out telling my wife.....S C R E W em I will never buy hardware from em again. Ungrateful buggers. I say we boycott em. If the largest reef club in town dont shop in your store....something is seriously wrong!!!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8289061#post8289061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davester1
Does anyone do business with Jaws.net in their LFS on broward blvd in fort lauderdale?

Im looking to buy all my hardware soon, it sounds like the concensus is to buy on line when its not an emergency and buy fish locally?
Click to expand...

Jawz are good people...you just have to take him aside and be up front with concerns.....for hardware they are reasonably priced



I ALSO SENT AN EMAIL TO BIG AL'S.....GEEZ THAT PLACE ANNOYS ME!!!!
 
Big Als does have a low price guanantee. They most likely will add shipping charges if it's an online price, but take advantage of it if you don't like their in store prices.
 
I usually go to Fishes of Eden and talk to Bernard. If I bring him a print out from online he usually give me real good prices. I think everyone shold support the smaller LFS. Reef Life also has okay prices on dry goods.
 
I agree that it is important to support small businesses in town. On a positive note Big Als has/had many livestock items I very rarely (or never) see anywhere else.
 
chris, are you sure they are still pricematching? andrea said they told her they dont anymore. i dont know for sure personally though
 
I asked again last week and was told no pricematching! In addition they wanted $ 40.00 for a zoarock with 4 polyps on it and $ 60.00 for a monti cap frag the size of my pinky......
I did get 3 peppermint shrimp for $ 9.99, but to me they look suspiciously like camel shrimp. Time will tell.
They do give the 10% discount for FMAS members though.
 
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