New LFS ?

[on3ofak1nd]

Loyalty to one store is silly... healthy competition is the way of life... it will keep both store owners on their toes. I don't think it will hurt either... in fact benefit indeed. I'm certainly more willing to drive longer distances if I know I can hit a few locations... I do this often when driving to Rochester/Buffalo... I'll also swing through Canadaigua because it's conveniently on the way. Now I may not spend all my money in one location... I'll definitely spend more where the selection is worth it... but more often than not I make a purchase from several if not all locations. Spread the wealth.

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

It doesn't appear that Randy is bothered by it at all. As I eluded to before, after leaving ARC- I saw Randy at the other guys store. What do I know, but he was bringing some things in for the guy. Like they do "some" business together.

If Randy as owner of ARC is not bothered by it, I don't see why anyone else should be.

2 factors:

#1 any competition is healthy for multiple businesses. If your afraid of it, your doing something wrong in your business. Usually it helps mutually to attract enough customers for both.

#2 Specifically for ARC, they are higher end. The new store is not. At least not presently. But both businesses should be able to co-exist just fine and bring something "different" to all customers. Which is where hobbyists can benefit from time to time.

 

[BuffaloReef]

I remember when ARC first opened as Aquatech. The guy who owned it tried putting signs out by the road but the business park manager wouldn't allow it. ARC is hard to find, there's no question about it and wheb I saw a new store had opened up practically in ARC's driveway I figured the goal was to capitalize on potential new customers' confusion. If I knew that to be the case I couldn't support the new guy.

I stopped in awhile back and he seems like a really nice guy, even mentioning ARC right away which surprised me. What others have said about him talking your ear off is absolutely true. Enthusiasm doesn't always translate to good business skills though. It's a very difficult market, with a limited customer base so I don't know if both can survive. I absolutely wish them both success.

 

[Bluephish13]

I have not been in yet. Def not down the road more like in the front yard.

They should have opened the store some place near the Orchard park area. IMO

 

[cardiffgiant]

I thought the location was a good business move on their part (cashing in on people having difficulty locating ARC)... as long as what's going on inside of the location measures up.

I remember correctly, when he joined RC and spammed the board he got booted, then made a 2nd handle and tried to chime in as if he was someone else, got caught, and got booted again :lol:

I don't know. Location isn't that big of a deal to me. If it's within 30-45 minutes and it's an awesome store, then that's where I'm going most often. I go to most of the area shops once a year, and go to ARC every couple of months. For a few months there was a store that was literally at the end of my street, and I would still drive out to ARC.

 

[cjrbuf1]

is this the store their first post was new store opening under buffalo corals then moved on?

You are exactly right, I believe he got banned under that user name. He was trying to pretend he was a regular Joe who just happened to hear about a new store opening.

I stopped in there once and was not impressed at all.

IMO there are only two reef stores in WNY........

A Reef Creation and Saltwater Paradise.................thats it.

 

[talon4x4]

Some of these posts are pretty harsh. This guy is new and has to start somewhere. Maybe he got a great deal on the spot he's at. Maybe he is cashing in on the confused consumer. Who knows, who cares. He's trying his hand at something he's passionate about and kudos to him for that.

I would have to imagine that opening a store in OP would also have cost quite a deal more money. So, I don't think opening a store of this type, in that area, would have been a financially good decision.

For what its worth, I've never even stopped in there.

 

[Jstn]

You are exactly right, I believe he got banned under that user name. He was trying to pretend he was a regular Joe who just happened to hear about a new store opening.

I stopped in there once and was not impressed at all.

IMO there are only two reef stores in WNY........

A Reef Creation and Saltwater Paradise.................thats it.

Im not trying to start anything, but I find it funny that someone is complaining about a new guy making a few post and acting like a regular joe, is in fact someone who just joined and then one his third post slanders someone else.

If you don't like the new place don't shop it, simple fact. I think we should be thankful we have SO many good LFS in the area. When I leave the area to visit friends I often looks for other LFS to check out, after seeing how little variety I often feel thankful that we have many nice stores around us.

 

[cjrbuf1]

I did not start this thread and in no way did I slander anyone, just confirming what others had already posted. I then gave my opinion of the best two Reef stores in the area, that's it.

 

[dc]

Let's play nice kids!

 

[SquidwardTentacles]

I am pretty sure DBS didn't expect the initial post would have created all of this drama. It's a great dialog. I've spent more that a few bucks at both shops in this thread and a ton at SWP and a bit at the SD. I plan to hit the big guys in Rochester again soon to take a look there. I travel a lot for work and agree -- we, in WNY, are spoiled with the options that we have right in our "backyards."

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

I did not start this thread and in no way did I slander anyone, just confirming what others had already posted. I then gave my opinion of the best two Reef stores in the area, that's it.

I am pretty sure DBS didn't expect the initial post would have created all of this drama. It's a great dialog. I've spent more that a few bucks at both shops in this thread and a ton at SWP and a bit at the SD. I plan to hit the big guys in Rochester again soon to take a look there. I travel a lot for work and agree -- we, in WNY, are spoiled with the options that we have right in our "backyards."

Let's play nice kids!

Yeah, I didn't expect the drama on this. I also think we can all forgive (if it's even needed the new store guy for his initial couple mistakes here. Again, I don't know him. But I think he was most likely excited about opening up his business in this hobby we all love and wanted to spread the word. We all get that it was not the correct way to do it. We all know the rules and I think that wether he's on here now or not.. he knows now as well. Been there done that now. Issue with it should be over. As a seperate point I don't think it should be reason to "boycott" the store. That's anyone individuals choice. But (even if not the best store out there) It still may have some nice things from time to time. Why not support? IMO If you do, you only have yet another saltwater/reef store to add to the list of many we have in this area. That was the main reason why I thought it was cool. Yet another store.
What's not to like in having another location to stop by at? Just wondered what other people thought(in a perspective point of view. but hopefully leaving unrelated issues to the actual subject out of play) or if they had been in.

We do have the greatest selection of stores in this area. I can think of about 5 or so in the rochester area (great ones IMO) and 2-3 in Buffalo (also great). As well as 1 Canadaigua and 2 out in Syracuse areas. IMO all these stores are awesome in their own ways. There are also some other multi-catagory pet shops (that have some saltwater) that are not quite as good.
But we are very lucky here. Anyhow, this was just an iquisitive post not intended to insite any negative dialog by others.

We have a great group of people up here in upstate NY into this hobby. Including those on this site and this particular post. Why can't we all just keep comments less abrasive to others? There's really no need for it. Objective or personal opinions are totally OK. As long as we conduct ourselves in constructive yet definitely "respectful" manner to all others.

Thanks DC ! You said it, plain and simple!

 

[obicanobi0]

I was in there a few months back. Guy was nice as everyone said. Thank god he was chatting it up with someone else. I hate when someone is hownding you while u just want to check things out. Has some nice tanks setup but not much but beginner things inside. Prices seemed to be a bit high for me. If I remember he had very odd hours and never seems to be open when I go by.