Sad Day Indeed

[kelley_mc]

I apologize if my post seemed a little harsh, but it was not my opinion, it is what I have been told for years. For those of you that know me well, I have been trying to help the stores in the state for years. I put a lot of time and effort into giving them a sounding board and place to reach out to customers directly with no restrictions. I want to see the stores survive. This all started from the sometimes lack of support from the club.

It's these years of experience that has given me a unique perspective. When the club does something that bothers them, I hear about it. When they have ideas that will help promote their business better, I hear about it. I've been on the phone with store owners across the state listening to them and their needs.

Do I know everything? No at all. But I do feel very confident with what I said. I would love to see the stores in the state excel. But it's a double edged sword. If they don't charge enough, they can't stay in business. If they charge too much, people come here and complain. Since 2007, when I started working with the stores and providing them with the platform, these have closed:

Rubiaquatics and Pet Supplies
The Pet Shop
Putnam aquarium
Aquaterrium
Aquarium Conservation
Jeepers Creepers
Reef and Fin
Reef Shop
Realm of Pets
Purrfect Pets
Magic Pet Shop
Puppy Center and Aquarium

That doesn't count Fin and Feather (retirement) or Go Fish who is in the process of closing. No doubt this list will continue to grow and I don't want to see that happen.

 

[Masedaddy]

How did this thread become a soap box for politics within the LFS and CLub member community? I agree with Capt if a LFS has customer service and good pricing then they will keep my business, whether the Club supports the LFS or not and the other way around. I do not like anyone telling me how to spend my money either....

I have been to almost every LFS in CT, NY, NJ and MASS. I have seen great stores and not so great stores. I think to maintain a proper business in this field you have to cater to not only the Beginners who don't know much about Reefing as well as the Seasoned Vet... Which PC was one of the best at doing just this.

I agree that Club influence does play a role in where I shop, but that is the purpose of these forums... To talk reef, shopping, advice etc. But to blame the closing of LFS on Clubs in general is absurd. If a store closes then they are doing something wrong or the location is wrong or maybe the economy just wasn't right at the time. The list could go on forever. I personally feel very upset about the above statements. I didn't join this Club to have someone blame me for poor business planning or that online purchases are killing LFS. That has nothing to do with what we are trying to get across on this thread.

This thread was created to lament the loss of a great LFS and that friends of the club as well as great Reefers have been put in a bad situation. It is an all around bad situation. But I will not stand for that kind of Bull ****.

That really ****es me off.

Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest...

 

[kelley_mc]

Masedaddy, I won't comment on your whole post but I do want to clarify, I am not trying to say that club members are why stores close. There are many factors. My post was in response to Suiciseissleep's question about the disconnect between the stores and club.

 

[Masedaddy]

It sure sounded like you were attributing that Clubs cause store closure..... I think in Ron's post he was Shaking his head because a few members were complaining about Gift cards but I may be wrong.... Ron please correct me if I am..... I think clubs in General will help a store if they are doing their jobs right... Ie fair prices with good customer service.... So if a few people join because they are interested in saving some money and a discount or two, Fine that's on them, I will admit if I can get a good deal then I will...but to say what you stated just seems to me like you are blaming Clubs for the demise if LFS' which just rubs me the wrong way....

 

[ca1ore]

I have two hobbies that I am passionate about: reef tanks and hi-end audio/video. In BOTH cases the Local Fish/Stereo Stores are rapidly disappearing and the reasons are strikingly similar: internet and second-hand selling. And, frankly, neither are going away anytime soon. I do think it is important to support your local shops, but there is also nothing wrong with shopping for the best deal.

Sort of 'off point' but an interesting analogy.

 

[DgenR8]

I've always recommended finding your best LFS(s), and regularly spend your hobby dollars there. When you need something NOW, next day air isn't fast enough, you need that LFS. If people aren't keeping the store in business because they can save $3.00 buying a box of salt on the 'Net., the stores will continue to disappear.
That said, I'm here in the hopes that this thread can remain open, let's keep it friendly.

 

[suicideissleep]

Was shaking my head about this whole thread and the crazy posts sry didn't mean to cause a uproar yes we are distant with most pet stores because all we want is the best deal but that didnt cause this pc bent over backwards for us great people was just hoping for little respect for these people

 

[shecter]

Absolutely. Great prices as well as dedication goes a long way. Many threads were put up because pc came in after hours to help one of us out. Wether it was for a pump that died ect. A huge loss for our hobby.

 

[NHATRANG]

With 24/7 internet store access, cheaper prices, no sale tax and free shipping, LFS just can not compete. It is also true for other business as well, even for well known electronic store. People just go to the store, look at the item, ask ton of questions then go home buy online. I must admit I do enjoy buying on the internet, because it is convenient 24/7, save me a lot of time and more choices. :facepalm::facepalm:

 

[DgenR8]

With 24/7 internet store access, cheaper prices, no sale tax and free shipping, LFS just can not compete. It is also true for other business as well, even for well known electronic store. People just go to the store, look at the item, ask ton of questions then go home buy online. I must admit I do enjoy buying on the internet, because it is convenient 24/7, save me a lot of time and more choices. :facepalm::facepalm:

An Internet store can't be there for you like your LFS. A good LFS will allow poor planning (or just plain bad luck) on your part to be an emergency for them to help you with. I had (notice, past tense) a LFS stay open for over an hour for me when I needed a main pump one night. I could have gotten the same pump for ten bux cheaper, if I could have waited a week or so.

 

[BfishLpond78]

To add to the above point...a member here came home to broken pump at around 11-12pm. Posted his news about broken pump and the Joe of PC texted him to meet him at the store and pick up a replacement pump. We need LFS more than we know.

 

[kelley_mc]

Well said dgenr8, problem for the stores is people do save that $3.

Suicideissleep and nhatrang, everyone has the right to get the best deal, of course. But we can't be surprised when the stores keep closing cause of the lost sales to lower prices elsewhere. They can't survive that way. If they charge the prices they need to stay open, then we complain and shop elsewhere for a better deal.

The Puppy Center was a great store. I'm truly sad for everyone there. I enjoyed working with Ron and Joe for all these years. I hope to see them back doing it again.

 

[osrascom]

I have never been to PC personally ,but from the comments you have made seem like the place to be for corals.
Some ctars members asked what had happened. PC filed for bankruptcy chapter 11 last year. That gives the store, corporation or such a year to get the money to pay back its creditors that it owed. The amount owed plus back rent is a six number figure. The store will go into liquidation. As of what will happen to the livestock is a question. PC may be able to open another business under a different name if it was incorporated. Hopefully they were incorporated so the debt doesnt fall back on Ron and Joe. Maybe the liquidators will sell the livestock to nearby stores. Good luck Ron and Joe. I know a store is willing to honor PC gift certificates, but there are legalities involved so there is no ok as of yet.

 

[kelley_mc]

I too have details on that store. Not sure I can post the link to the thread with the discussion so if interested, please PM me. If you know me already you know where you can find the thread.

 

[osrascom]

kelly, being a moderator for The CT fish stores forum you probably have more info then i do. I know some things are private.

 

[FishWrangler]

Clearly most of you have never run your own small business...

It's nearly impossible to compete against online and national chains these days. They have the buying power (lower prices), selection, and convenience that most "mom and pop's" can't touch. There are exceptions of coarse, but few are thriving.

Supporting them in an emergency situation and paying $10 more for something isn't going to keep them in business long.

I suppose this isn't the right time or thread but it's an open forum and members and guests have a right to bring up "the elephant in the room"

I'm also very curious how the owners got so in debt and where all that money went? If they were not paying their bills, where did it all go?? There is more to this story.

I do not believe the owners are victims and the closing couldn't have been "sudden" or "unexpected" for them, they had to see this eventually/inevitably happening. I feel awful for the employees, critters, CTAR members who called PC their 2nd home, and especially all those creditors who are out big $$.

 

[Tweaked]

Joe Dirt: So you're gonna tell me that you don't have no black cats, no Roman Candles, or screaming mimis?

Kicking Wing: No

Joe Dirt: Oh come on, man. You got no lady fingers, fuzz buttles, snicker bombs, church burners, finger blasters, gut busters, zippity do das, or crap flappers?

Kicking Wing: No, I don't

Joe Dirt: You're gonna stand there, ownin' a fireworks stand, and tell me you don't have no whistlin' bungholes, no spleen splitters, whisker biscuits, honkey lighters, hoosker doos, hoosker don'ts, cherry bombs, nipsy daisers, with or without the scooter stick, or one single whistlin' kitty chaser?

Kicking Wing: No... because snakes and sparklers are the only ones I like.

Joe Dirt: Well that might be your problem, it's not what you like, it's the consumer.

 

[Masedaddy]

HAHAHAHAHA I love Joe Dirt!!!! I've always wanted a Whistling Kitty Chaser.... Any who, I think this is a nice metaphor for what we are trying to say... Well done Sir! Thank you for your insight Pat..

 

[Tweaked]

HAHAHAHAHA I love Joe Dirt!!!! I've always wanted a Whistling Kitty Chaser.... Any who, I think this is a nice metaphor for what we are trying to say... Well done Sir! Thank you for your insight Pat..

Exactly, wanted to end this with a smile before it spirals out of control. Miss you PC and crew.

 

[Masedaddy]

Agreed!!