just fish and premium aquatics-not so "premium"

H

hottuna

Active member
I finally decided on my way back from an out of state store to stop in both these local delaware vendors...

all I can say is I am not impressed with either one....
and my 13 yr old son ,when leaving just fish exclaimed - "just stinks"

we are in sore need of a "real" store here in delaware...
 
I was in Just Fish today, and yes, it was pretty bad. Haven't been in PA for a week or so, but it wasn't great when I was there. I did purchase some stuff at William's Greenbank the other day. He seems to be getting good stock in.
 
I agree constructive criticism goes way further in my opinion than a quick bashing comment.

Better yet.... I would appreciate the people who bash to simply explain how they would do it better. Let me know how you would get people in to your store, just throwing money at you to buy what you have in your "real" local fish store.

Sadly it is us hobbyists that individually put a nail in the coffin of ALL local fish stores. Working for a local fish store has given me a lot of insight into the struggles of all local fish stores anymore. This sad reality is just accelerated in this economy... Just in the region of West Virginia to Delaware there have been 6 local fish & pet stores that have closed due to a suffering economy and the effects of the internet. Even the wholesalers are having difficulty staying afloat (no pun intended) in this market.

So with that said, I would really love to hear how everyone would do it better instead of just bashing.
 
For better or worse, everyone has an opinion. There was a nice thread about PA and LFS on the DRC forum so i dont want to rehash it here. I will say that the opinion of the topic starter about PA is in the minority. I also agree that its pretty pointless, not to mention low, to start a thread bashing a LFS and not even bothering to mention details.
 
Oh, hey Jon! Nice to see you on the boards again! You need to ignore the "slow ones" and come back over to DRC. Your missed! Your even nominated for the upcoming officer elections.
 
you wanna see a "real" store..????.get a group together one weekend ,drive up to new york(long island) and visit a store called "country critters" in medford on rte 112...
then you'll know why I say PA and just fish are subpar at best...
just fish ought to be condemned ...period...PA had about 4 saltwater fish in the whole store...all of which looked terrible...the rest of the tanks had lots of macro ,but little if any coral...
 
I'll reply too, since I agreed...

Just Fish stinks. It literally smells like dead fish in there. It's around 89 degrees, and most of the tanks are overgrown with nuisance algaes. The tanks that are not overgrown with it appear to have recently been medicated to get rid of the algae, they're all quite blue/green. The fish they had looked bad, & were too large for most people's tanks. The corals were being consumed by algae, to the point that most were barely recognizeable.

Suggestions:

1. clean the store
2. clean the tanks
3. take a look at their orders to ensure they don't get 14- 7" triggerfish in at once.

Premium Aquatics jsut didn't have a great selection of livestock. It was clean, and the fish/corals they had looked good.

Suggestions:

1. corals seemed pricey (couple 'shrooms for $39 etc..)
2. get more fish/corals
3. keep up with the dry goods, prices seemed good, lots of equipment you won't find at many stores.
4. lots of macro algaes which is cool, I love to see that stuff at local stores.

So, with that all in mind, PA isn't bad, I went back today for snails. Just Fish is wretched, I used to be a fan of this one, but they've really gone down hill. Just my opinion.

Do you guys think that if you work at the LFS you should state that before you post in a thread about it? I kinda feel like it's incumbent, but what do you think?
 
Last edited:
Just Fish:
I’m sure there temp isn’t 89, but probably more like 83 with about 199% humidity. I used to go in every once and a while because I was told you could find rare treats at stores like that and they may miss price things. I have stopped going in because even if I did find something it would, agreeing with Joe, be covered in nuisance algae and aptasia or sick and covered with disease. The other reason why I stopped going in even though I live a half mile away, is because of the stories I have heard where they give people advice like: “You must feed you’re live rock this phyto-plankton(marked twice what it should be retail) to keep it alive or it will die”.

Premium:
Hottuna: “the rest of the tanks had lots of macro”
Jocephus: “lots of macro algaes which is cool, I love to see that stuff at local stores.”

Is that a complaint from one and a compliment from another? Even if you both agree on this topic and I am just reading it wrong the point is no two reefers agree on the best color temp bulbs, fish food, skimmers, or the exact way to run an LFS. You can’t make everyone 100% happy 100% of the time.

As far as the number of fish, that store has about 9-10X the number of tanks the average pet shop has and 5X the amount most fish stores have. If the store had twice the number of fish as any store in the state some of the tanks would still look empty. Wither you go to an LFS, retail pet shop, or even to a wholesaler you will sometimes find the shops stocked to the gills and sometimes empty. When both of you went to visit the store had had the busiest week on the salt isle in 4-5 months do to the slow season and the economy and then Monday they could not get a shipment on a flight from any of our main suppliers for corals and fish and then Tuesday the shop owner took the day off for his anniversary to spend with his wife which he promised weeks before, so there wasn’t 1/5th the amount of live stock that are normally in the store.

A store could be crammed with live stock 99% of the time, but if you come in the one time when it didn’t get a shipment early in the week and everything that is left is what was picked over for a week and a half and you’ll permanently post to the web to help tarnish the image of a store.

Hottuna if you think “country critters” is better it is a free market and you can shop where you like. I’m sure the gas stations between De and NY would love you for it. They also have the benefit of a large international air port locally where they can travel 5 minutes to pick up live stock ordered right from the islands, vs. a store around here which has to travel to Philli to pick up live stock that has been picked over in Cali.

Fact is if you have a massive population like NYC and if the local area is used to spend $20 on a hamburger then you can probably build a beautiful store. If in the local area the chickens out numbers humans only a couple of years ago and about half the people that enter the store walk to you’re store from their trailer on their way to the 99cent store to do grocery shopping then you’d be lucky to run a fish and chips shack. BTW NYC also has better musicals then Newark High school, and they have nicer restaurants and hotels. Perhaps you should tell the motel six next to 95 in Newark that the Hilton in NYC is MUCH better and they should drive up there to see what a “real” hotel is like. Seriously I have visited about 35-40 LFS in the surrounding states and I am always taking in new ideas, I haven't yet driven as far as NYC, but next time I am driving through that area I will check them out.



Joe“Do you guys think that if you work at the LFS you should state that before you post in a thread about it? I kinda feel like it's incumbent, but what do you think?”

I have news for you we are all part of an evil organization that is only out to give you bad advice and suck the money out of your pocket. We help each other out and share our trade secrets. That is why every LFS looks the same and carries the exact same dry goods and orders the same live stock week to week. We also have the same hours, maintenances schedules, and pricing schemes. That is why I posted originally to defend both stores. I wouldn’t want to tell the world of my affiliation with this evil organization because then no one would be suckered in to my evil plan to take over the planet. Mwa ha ha haaa.

Come on, I’m not hiding anything or jumping on and saying, “I went to that store Premium Aquatics a couple weeks ago. Their prices were great, their live stock was awesome, and their employees were so cool I wish I could be like them.”

Bottom line:
*There is not the local crowd to support the same type of LFS.
*Even if their was a local crowd to support it no store can remained fully stocked with live stock 100% of the time because even the suppliers of live stock run out of anything decent two days after their shipments arrive.
*I work for every LFS and am part of an evil organization just out to give bad advice and take your money.(that is also why I am rich, LOL!)

Evil Jon
 
Just Fish:
I’m sure there temp isn’t 89, but probably more like 83 with about 199% humidity.

**I still say 89. Joe

Premium:
Hottuna: “the rest of the tanks had lots of macro”
Jocephus: “lots of macro algaes which is cool, I love to see that stuff at local stores.”

Is that a complaint from one and a compliment from another?

**Two separate posts. I like the macro's apparently hottuna- not so much. Joe

As far as the number of fish, that store has about 9-10X the number of tanks the average pet shop has

**I could buy that. Joe

and 5X the amount most fish stores have.

**I dunno about this one. Are we talking about saltwater? Joe

When both of you went to visit the store had had the busiest week on the salt isle in 4-5 months do to the slow season and the economy and then Monday they could not get a shipment on a flight from any of our main suppliers for corals and fish and then Tuesday the shop owner took the day off for his anniversary to spend with his wife which he promised weeks before, so there wasn’t 1/5th the amount of live stock that are normally in the store.

**Happy anniversary. It happens. Joe

A store could be crammed with live stock 99% of the time, but if you come in the one time when it didn’t get a shipment early in the week and everything that is left is what was picked over for a week and a half and you’ll permanently post to the web to help tarnish the image of a store.

**I think it's really all about the one time a customer goes in, don't you? Or should people continue to visit stores that they feel are subpar, incase they get better? Joe

Fact is if you have a massive population like NYC and if the local area is used to spend $20 on a hamburger then you can probably build a beautiful store.

**A good point. Joe

half the people that enter the store walk to you’re store from their trailer on their way to the 99cent store to do grocery shopping then you’d be lucky to run a fish and chips shack.

**Not nice. I'm sure we have some (past, present, or future)trailer dwelling members out there somewhere. Joe


Joe“Do you guys think that if you work at the LFS you should state that before you post in a thread about it? I kinda feel like it's incumbent, but what do you think?”

Come on, I’m not hiding anything or jumping on and saying, “I went to that store Premium Aquatics a couple weeks ago. Their prices were great, their live stock was awesome, and their employees were so cool I wish I could be like them.”

**I know you work there, I'm happy that you do. You are able to give important feedback to the proprietor. I hope that's what you'll consider this. I do think, though that you should make it clear that you do in posts related to the store. Just so there is no confusion. Do you remember a few months back when someone was talking about how great The Fish Bowl was? Then it turned out it was their employees? Not exactly the same, as you have more than one post, but that's what I'm getting at. Just trying to keep it fair and balanced, like Fox News. Joe

Bottom line:
*There is not the local crowd to support the same type of LFS.
*Even if their was a local crowd to support it no store can remained fully stocked with live stock 100% of the time because even the suppliers of live stock run out of anything decent two days after their shipments arrive.

**Good points, I don't disagree with either.

Evil Jon

**Thanks for you response, Jon. I think the store is doing well. My criticism is that when I was in (twice in the last couple of weeks) there wasn't much livestock. Maybe that isn't the norm, I'm only going off of my experience. Either way, the endorsement the DRC has given this store is enough for me to continue to check back for dry goods (which seemed priced well), and I'll take another look at the livestock next time I'm in. Joe
 
<I>"**I think it's really all about the one time a customer goes in, don't you? Or should people continue to visit stores that they feel are subpar, incase they get better? Joe"</I>

-First impressions when bad are hard to shake, but you have to realize that it is next to impossible to keep a store completly stocked all the time. Especially with marine animals. Jon


<I>"**Not nice. I'm sure we have some (past, present, or future)trailer dwelling members out there somewhere. Joe"</I>

-Please don't think I was refering to anyone on this forum or even in this hobby.


<I>"**I know you work there, I'm happy that you do. You are able to give important feedback to the proprietor. I hope that's what you'll consider this. I do think, though that you should make it clear that you do in posts related to the store. Just so there is no confusion. Do you remember a few months back when someone was talking about how great The Fish Bowl was? Then it turned out it was their employees? Not exactly the same, as you have more than one post, but that's what I'm getting at. Just trying to keep it fair and balanced, like Fox News. Joe"</I>

-I'm all about being fair and I'll give you that one. Some have abused the forums in the past.
 
Appriciate you're responding to my post as well.

Fact is recently times have been rough on the store... and for that matter the state, the country, and the modern world. The economy sucks and all we can do is do our part in our own little worlds and elect a US President that will restore the worlds confidence.

I really hope things turn around soon. The hobby is hurting bad. On the upside if you want to find some cheap used equipment now is the time. Isn't always easy finding a tank you're sure won't leak and doesn't have copper in it, but it is possible and if you do there is this great LFS around that I'm sure you'll find some live stock you'll like to fill it... JK. ;-)

Jon
 
Jon,
1. I agree and see your point on keeping the store constantly stocked. I remember my LFS days and you're right, everything is cherry picked on day two!

2. Don't wanna get into the politics on this forum, but let's hope we get the right guy in.

3. People in the general pet industry tell me that numbers are coming back up (last three months). Have you guys had different experience?

4n4sd4-

I think you guys are right, in that we should specify what we are being critical of with these stores. I don't think it's fair to simply say "how would you do it better?" though. I would love to give LFS owners some idea as to how to get more people in, turn a better profit, etc... but I have no idea. That's not my job. I also don't know how to build a ford focus, but I can tell you they are pieces of crap. Okay, maybe not the best analogy, but you see where I'm going, right?
 
Joe,

You are right my statement "how would you do it better" may have been a little too vague, but it was more of a blanket statement to draw out suggestions on what you would change in a store you did not like.

I got where you were going with the Ford Focus analogy, but by stating it is a piece of crap you could also tell me the reasons why you feel it is a piece of crap, and what you would change or fix about it. Just like I am not expecting you to know how to build a better Ford Focus, I am not expecting everyone to know the ins and out of running a business, but we all know what we want to see when we go into a store. If a person does not see what they want, suggestions to the store of what they would like to see are always appreciated.

I wish we all could figure out the magical method of getting more people into the store or better yet to feel that Fish and corals are a better expense than gas right now! Haha

I think there has been a slight increase in activity due to the change in seasons, but it is down from previous years as an overall trend... Lets hope it does pick up!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13562104#post13562104 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by firecrackerbob
here we go again......
Click to expand...

:hammer: Couldn't have said it any better. I am staying out of this one. The only thing I have to say is go where you like, don't go where you don't like. I know what stores give me the best deals, and which stores are good for a laugh, to each his own.
 
I guess you guys are right- to the average delaware HO-HO ... a place like PA is just peachy...
to me: ITs a joke ...compared to the stores I had access to when I lived in new york and ct..
I'll give you a LIST of must see stores in the ny,nj,conn area...
if you guys can carpool a trip would DEFINETELY be worth it ...

new york : country critters...rte 112 patchogue
new jersey : absolutely fish...rte 46 west ,clifton...underwater world ...roselle park
connecticut : house of fins...99 bruce park ave ...greenwich
and the ultimate high end store - greenwich aquaria...in riverside
I have a minivan that seats 7 ...would gladly do a winter /holiday trip up there if people showed interest and shared expenses...
 
There are lots of nice stores around the wurld! But I live near these ones. We are all working with them in our own little ways, to help them improve. But it's a business, with fixed or rising rent, energy, and supplies expenses, in a recessionary economy.

They all need more BUYING customers so that they can restock with new stuff. It's like the gas stations. When wholesale prices of gas are rising, the wholesale cost of 5000 gallons of gas tomorrow costs more than you grossed retail on the last 5000 gallons of gas you sold. so you can only afford to buy 4000 gallons the next load. and the tanks run low.

Econ-101 ~~~
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13581903#post13581903 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gordonious

Fact is recently times have been rough on the store... and for that matter the state, the country, and the modern world. The economy sucks and all we can do is do our part in our own little worlds and elect a US President that will restore the worlds confidence.
Click to expand...

Well that is not entirely true. One of the biggest problems the economy is facing right now is the largest transfer of wealth in history. For anyone not familiar with the term - it is spending American dollars outside of America.

So what can we do as hobbyists? Instead of waiting for the next yahoo...I mean President .... to come in and not really be able to fix it anyway we can take steps in our hobby that will not only helpo the economy, will help the world's reefs, and could very well bring down the prices of the animals we like to keep.

We should be encouraging our LFS to only buy from suppliers that aquaculture the animals they sell domestically. I realize it may not be feasible to get every animal / coral we have ever wanted this way, but if such a distribtor does exists think about the impact:

No transfer of wealth from us. Our American dollars stay right here at home.
Successful small businesses domestically (LFS and Distributors).
More Jobs.
Less wild harvesting and damage to the world's reefs.
If the distributor does not have to spend the money on importing animals they may very well start to pass the savings on to us, which means more American dollars in our pockets.

OK - that was my rant.
 
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