Post your opinion about local fish stores. Help with this Directory.
- Thread starter Rurouni Kenshin
- Start date
The folks at Hung Ming on Broadway are bascially racist. They gave me a strange look when I walked in (read: I'm a white dude), and basically refused to help me. I found a tank I liked and the price seemed good, but they didn't have a stand. So i asked if they could order me one and tell me how much the stand would cost. Well, the guy who was helping me (and didnt really seem to care that I was white) spoke to some other guy (who definitely cared that I was white) and after about a 20 second conversation they told me the stand would be around 500 or 600. I said, "dollars?" He said yes--I walked out. BTW, we're talking about a black oceanic wooden stand 48 x 18. I got the same stand at 6th ave. for $180. So yea, if your asian I'm sure this place is great, otherwise, good luck all-in.
Kinetic
Active member
what? how do you know they're racist? just because they gave you a huge price? what if an asian person walked in there and got the same price? you never know. why do people jump to conclusions, especially one like this? Just goes to show how many people unjustifiably suggest racism is the motive behind certain actions, and how as much as we try to say we're not racist or racism isn't one of the major factors in determining a situation, it exists. I think you are wrong to call them racist. Innocent until proven guilty, and the only evidence you support your claim is with your one experience, without any other sort of evidence to back it up.
In a way it makes you seem a bit racist, just because they're asian and gave you a big price. Hypocritical, but anyway, that's just my opinion.
And of course, I'm not saying I'm not racist, nor do I ever judge without any racism, but I definately don't come to these kind of conclusions based on such weak support.
In a way it makes you seem a bit racist, just because they're asian and gave you a big price. Hypocritical, but anyway, that's just my opinion.
And of course, I'm not saying I'm not racist, nor do I ever judge without any racism, but I definately don't come to these kind of conclusions based on such weak support.
smellyfish
New member
I don't know about Hung Ming being racist, but I was also watched like a hawk when I was in there. I wanted to see how honest they were and told them I was thinking about starting a saltwater tank and asked how difficult it was to keep one. The response I got was, "They are so easy now that if you just buy one of these big canister filters that you don't even have to change the water." This was from one of the more mature employee's (say late 30's early 40's), so I assume he has some stake in this store. That was enough for me not to trust them.
dannieboiz
Active member
hahaha, I thought I was just be obnoxious when felt that way about them but it seems like that's just the way they are.... See my comments above.
smellyfish
New member
Well, if that is the case, then I guess they're not racist, they're just unethical dirt bag crooks. Smiley face need not apply.
Sorry, that's my opinion. I know you're in law school (probably at Boalt), and you're taught exclusively by academics (notoriously left-wing), who love to give a dissertation on racism whenever they see the word. You sound like a 1L who hasn't learned to think for him/herself yet. But next time an asian guy goes to North Beach and the owner of the store tells him/her that a piece of pizza is $8, tell me what kind of reaction they're going to have? It's a pretty strong indicia of racism, and that store doesn't pass the sniff test for me. What else could justify a product being 3x overpriced? I don't really care if you think I'm racist--this forum isn't about me. It's about LFSs / customer service / prices / etc.
My opinion stands (although I'm glad to have sparked your ire)
My opinion stands (although I'm glad to have sparked your ire)
Coral_Geek
New member
I think you are reading way too much into this. I have never felt discriminated against by any store in SF, including Hung Ming. When Burger King forgets to hold the pickles it isn't racism, it is most likely just an employee who is having a bad day. Now, if they burn a cross on your burger you have an issue. I believe that there is justice for whitey in this city. Feel free to dance with an overbite anywhere in SF!
Hattie B
Member
I like Mermaid. They are very nice and each employee anwsered all my questions without hesitation, even though I am sure some were really basic.
They put together a stand for me no charge and since I have spent some $ there I now receive a discount.
I like it when I walk in there a few weeks after I bought something and he askes how is it doing. I am sure they have hundreds of people come through and I honeslty don't care if they remember me becuase I have spent $ or for what ever reason.
There customer service to me is great.
Aquascene-I did not have a good experience.
Aquarium Concepts-I have had hit or miss experiences, some good some bad. But there live rock treated my tank well.
Atlantis-been there once-very nice, helpful and I will surly go back.
My top two are Mermaid and Atlantis.
Amber
They put together a stand for me no charge and since I have spent some $ there I now receive a discount.
I like it when I walk in there a few weeks after I bought something and he askes how is it doing. I am sure they have hundreds of people come through and I honeslty don't care if they remember me becuase I have spent $ or for what ever reason.
There customer service to me is great.
Aquascene-I did not have a good experience.
Aquarium Concepts-I have had hit or miss experiences, some good some bad. But there live rock treated my tank well.
Atlantis-been there once-very nice, helpful and I will surly go back.
My top two are Mermaid and Atlantis.
Amber
I've been to Hung Ming several times, always was treated terribly, never even thought that it might be racism... by the way, a japanese friend visiting from Tokyo was also treated badly there... perhaps they could tell he was japanese http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif ... anyway... the staff at 6th was pretty rude to me last night when I picked up yet another colony of blue zoas... they might be all about quantity with no quality, but that rock is sweet! the problem there is that the lighting is so bad you can't really correctly assess color, so it's always a bit of a crapshoot.
I've gotten some nice livestock at dolphin's pet village in Campbell, including a juv. WC true perc that ended up being an onyx.
I've gotten some nice livestock at dolphin's pet village in Campbell, including a juv. WC true perc that ended up being an onyx.
Newreeflady
New member
Berkeley: The Octopus's Garden
Well, I visited today. The prices seem a little high from what i've been used to and am willing to pay for dry goods. The main coral tank wasn't doing bad. LPS seemed to be doing well, but one sps was dying. Overall, the tank was ok. Other coral holding tanks seemed to have inadequate lighting or something that caused a lot of brown algae. The corals seemed in good health overall. I didn't see anything that I would have to have, personally, they had a lot of the normal.
The large fish holding tanks were adequately sized, as were some select small fish holding tanks. The shared water cubes were a little lacking and there was a dead clownfish that appeared to have been rotting for a couple of days (I could be wrong, but seemed long dead and definitely growing mold.) They had a very cute blenny that i'd love to have right next to the clowns. He was hiding under the tiny piece of rock in the tank, he had that "take me home and give me some sand" look. So cute!
I asked the staff about jbj 12g dx, they were very unpleased with the jbj products, something on the line of "junk be junk" was their response. Although, they didn't seem they wanted to bother giving me alternatives. I asked about another of their tanks and mentioned the lack of the back compartment, they just said 'yep.' Seemed nice, but not terribly helpful. I think if you want info, you'd really have to pry. The store wasn't busy, either, I was the only one there. Overall, I prefer store owners who like to talk about the hobby, make suggestions, ask your plans, etc. I would not discount this place, but I will attempt to find a store that more suits my needs.
-A
Well, I visited today. The prices seem a little high from what i've been used to and am willing to pay for dry goods. The main coral tank wasn't doing bad. LPS seemed to be doing well, but one sps was dying. Overall, the tank was ok. Other coral holding tanks seemed to have inadequate lighting or something that caused a lot of brown algae. The corals seemed in good health overall. I didn't see anything that I would have to have, personally, they had a lot of the normal.
The large fish holding tanks were adequately sized, as were some select small fish holding tanks. The shared water cubes were a little lacking and there was a dead clownfish that appeared to have been rotting for a couple of days (I could be wrong, but seemed long dead and definitely growing mold.) They had a very cute blenny that i'd love to have right next to the clowns. He was hiding under the tiny piece of rock in the tank, he had that "take me home and give me some sand" look. So cute!
I asked the staff about jbj 12g dx, they were very unpleased with the jbj products, something on the line of "junk be junk" was their response. Although, they didn't seem they wanted to bother giving me alternatives. I asked about another of their tanks and mentioned the lack of the back compartment, they just said 'yep.' Seemed nice, but not terribly helpful. I think if you want info, you'd really have to pry. The store wasn't busy, either, I was the only one there. Overall, I prefer store owners who like to talk about the hobby, make suggestions, ask your plans, etc. I would not discount this place, but I will attempt to find a store that more suits my needs.
-A
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