Big Al's - Now a BIG RIP OFF?
- Thread starter Speckled Grouper
- Start date
fla_spearo
Premium Member
I agree we should boycott Big Al's. You mention Jaws and Reef Life but what about Reefs Edge? They have great selection and good people willing to help.
I'm on the fence about the whole internet/store pricing issue. I used to go into the store with the internet printout and get that price plus a "shipping" price (usually $8). Sometimes, especially on the higher priced items, it was certainly a good deal, but generally, the "shipping" amount added in did not make it worth while. I ended up paying the store price on most of the items I purchased anyway.
The reason I still frequent the store is because of shear selection. If I need dry goods/equipment, that is where I go. If I don't need something in a rush, I will get on the internet and check it out, but if I need it now, I'll go there. I tend to frequent the smaller "mom & pop" shops for livestock still.
Every shop has its strengths and weaknesses, I will go to any of about half of a dozen different stores to get specific items I am looking for. I think that whether Big Al's survives or not will be an instance of "natural selection;" if they are running beyond their means, they won't last long, but in the meantime, I will still be there for some items.
The reason I still frequent the store is because of shear selection. If I need dry goods/equipment, that is where I go. If I don't need something in a rush, I will get on the internet and check it out, but if I need it now, I'll go there. I tend to frequent the smaller "mom & pop" shops for livestock still.
Every shop has its strengths and weaknesses, I will go to any of about half of a dozen different stores to get specific items I am looking for. I think that whether Big Al's survives or not will be an instance of "natural selection;" if they are running beyond their means, they won't last long, but in the meantime, I will still be there for some items.
ninjamini
New member
Hugh?
Hugh?
OK I dont get it. We all want good pricing and a store to back it up. But this is a industry built on mom and pop stores. Now Places like Big Als used to have great corals, now they don't. They used to match there own prices, now they don't. I for one no longer shop there. The last thing that I bought there was my 90 gallon tank. I got the stand somewhere else. The stand was a good price $219. The stand was $399. That was crazy. I got the stand at petworld on university.
So here are the stores in the area:
Big Als. - they are fun to shop in but lousy to buy in.
PEtworld - they got nothing good going for them. Horrible tanks.
Barrier reef - great store for corals - rudest people working there. + There expensive
Jawz - I went there only once a year ago. no reason just haven't been back
Reef Life - OK now here is a find. I found them they day they moved into there new location. I have been back several times. They have the tank stand I really want for $2000 but sensibility sets in quick at 10x the cost of my shorter stand. They have a Awesome coral collection Although its hard to see. There tank is so low and they have so much flow that everything flops to one side and LPS stay retracted. There center tank cant be seen because you are looking through the light fixtures and through the top of the water. They are very expensive for there corals even with the FMAS discount. They are nice and knowledgeable but they are also business men and miss the fun of it all. This is my new place to get corals.
But when it comes to hardware just buy it online. Why pay more to the LFS.
Hugh?
OK I dont get it. We all want good pricing and a store to back it up. But this is a industry built on mom and pop stores. Now Places like Big Als used to have great corals, now they don't. They used to match there own prices, now they don't. I for one no longer shop there. The last thing that I bought there was my 90 gallon tank. I got the stand somewhere else. The stand was a good price $219. The stand was $399. That was crazy. I got the stand at petworld on university.
So here are the stores in the area:
Big Als. - they are fun to shop in but lousy to buy in.
PEtworld - they got nothing good going for them. Horrible tanks.
Barrier reef - great store for corals - rudest people working there. + There expensive
Jawz - I went there only once a year ago. no reason just haven't been back
Reef Life - OK now here is a find. I found them they day they moved into there new location. I have been back several times. They have the tank stand I really want for $2000 but sensibility sets in quick at 10x the cost of my shorter stand. They have a Awesome coral collection Although its hard to see. There tank is so low and they have so much flow that everything flops to one side and LPS stay retracted. There center tank cant be seen because you are looking through the light fixtures and through the top of the water. They are very expensive for there corals even with the FMAS discount. They are nice and knowledgeable but they are also business men and miss the fun of it all. This is my new place to get corals.
But when it comes to hardware just buy it online. Why pay more to the LFS.
fla_spearo
Premium Member
Doesn't anyone go to Reefs Edge?
fla_spearo
Premium Member
Reefs Edge- Orange just west of 441- they have the best corals I have seen in the area. Mark owns the place.
There is also Coral Reef Farm off off Sterling and I-95
There is also Coral Reef Farm off off Sterling and I-95
gasman059
The OG mad scientist
LFS is the way to go unfortunately when u need something and really need something some littel stores don't have it.
I like for livestock aquariumart in miami on bird rod, small store on tuesdays they have killer coral shipments, u just have to be there when the owner is there Rick he will give u a good deal, the rest of the staff maybe.
Been to coralreeffarm- ok service ok
coralseaspets- In prospect and 441 its a s---ole but the guy from time to time has some nice sps
reef's edge- was there about a wks ago the guy is uper nice and i liked his setups and corals , hoping that he would have some more sps , but anyways he seem like a friendly and knew wat he was talkong abiout.
I like for livestock aquariumart in miami on bird rod, small store on tuesdays they have killer coral shipments, u just have to be there when the owner is there Rick he will give u a good deal, the rest of the staff maybe.
Been to coralreeffarm- ok service ok
coralseaspets- In prospect and 441 its a s---ole but the guy from time to time has some nice sps
reef's edge- was there about a wks ago the guy is uper nice and i liked his setups and corals , hoping that he would have some more sps , but anyways he seem like a friendly and knew wat he was talkong abiout.
"$ 60.00 for a monti cap frag the size of my pinky......"
all the corals they have mounted on frag disk ( got one for 55 once..) i found they only pay 16 average on them (saw the price list)
i got some coral there today and it looks like they redid there tanks.. nice. but when i picked out a piece the guy liked it as well and told me he was going to buy it later and i couldent have it
i also went down to beverlys( pines store) and got some more ricordia. i couldent find reef life and reefs edge was closed (today is my coral shopping day .) barrier reef is by far my favorite.. nice people and nice corals. ( and no i work for a different fish store)
all the corals they have mounted on frag disk ( got one for 55 once..) i found they only pay 16 average on them (saw the price list)
i got some coral there today and it looks like they redid there tanks.. nice. but when i picked out a piece the guy liked it as well and told me he was going to buy it later and i couldent have it
i also went down to beverlys( pines store) and got some more ricordia. i couldent find reef life and reefs edge was closed (today is my coral shopping day .) barrier reef is by far my favorite.. nice people and nice corals. ( and no i work for a different fish store)
fla_spearo
Premium Member
Reef Life - is on Griffen just west of Pine Island
Reefs Edge - is just west of 441 on Orange before Andrx.
Reefs Edge - is just west of 441 on Orange before Andrx.
gasman059
The OG mad scientist
BEEN TO REEF'S EDGE ITS GOOD THE GUY IS A NICE GUY AND SEEMS TO UNDERSTAND THE BISS AND HOBBY. GOOD EXPERIENCE IMO.
I FAVOR AQUARIUMART IN MIAMI THE ONE ON BIRD ROAD I'VE BEEN DOIN BUSINESS WITH THEM FOR 10+ AND THEY TRULY GET SOME GREAT STUFF. AGAN U HAVE TO GET TO TALK TO THE OWNER RICKY HE'S THE ONE TO TALK TO BUT HE'S ALWAYS OUT DOING CUSTOM SETUPS. THANKS FOR THE INFO.
I FAVOR AQUARIUMART IN MIAMI THE ONE ON BIRD ROAD I'VE BEEN DOIN BUSINESS WITH THEM FOR 10+ AND THEY TRULY GET SOME GREAT STUFF. AGAN U HAVE TO GET TO TALK TO THE OWNER RICKY HE'S THE ONE TO TALK TO BUT HE'S ALWAYS OUT DOING CUSTOM SETUPS. THANKS FOR THE INFO.
Gasman...Barrier Reef is in Boca...I believe on Boca Raton Blvd. just north of Glades. It's a nice store with good selection and very knowledgable staff. I have had experiences with the staff being a little "blunt" but it was when they were extremely busy, which they are quite often. I always get quality stuff there, including lots of nano size corals and even my Nova Extreme light fixture.
