Store Reviews

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aaronlp

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Hello all fellow reefers, maybe we will be able to get this into a sticky for reviews of reef shops in New York and other places we may have been to help new reefers and those who have been on here for a while too to encourage a trip to these stores. I would like people to voice their opinion about reef stores, pros vs. cons but please no bashing or hijacking on this thread!
 
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Buffalo Coral reef

I travled out to Buffalo yesterday 7/21/12. I had heard about the new store and decided to take a look. What seems to be an old house the owner Micheal had bought; he turned it into a small reef shop very homey(no pun intended). I though this new store had lots of great corals as well as fish too. I was very satisfied with his customer service as he tried to make you feel at home, he tried to get to know you as a friend instead of a customer and overall hes a funny guy with great prices on stuff too. I was very pleased with this experience here too. Overall most of the tanks were good some could have been better and the prices on some stuff were alright but still fair IMO.
 
Aaron this is probably meant to be helpful but it's an epic mistake.

Your ideas of quality may vastly differ from mine.
 
Jacwil said:
Aaron this is probably meant to be helpful but it's an epic mistake.

Your ideas of quality may vastly differ from mine.
Click to expand...

Why would this thread be an epic mistake?!? Aren't all reviews the opinion of the writer?? So of course they may not be inline with what others think but would still give a good idea of what a store is all about. In my case I'll always search the internet for reviews on an item before making a purchase. I have also searched the internet for reviews on stores and restaurants. How is this any different?!?

For what its worth I think this thread is a great idea.

I'll give a quick review on SWP in Tonawanda (http://www.saltwaterparadise.com/)

I found this store to have a great selection. The owner Joe and his wife Annette have both always been a pleasure to speak with. They are both knowledgeable and friendly. I think his prices are very fair and I have purchased quite a few coral and fish from them. I always leave the store spending way more than I intended!! :D If you go to SWP don't forget to check out the amazing show tank in the back!!
 
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talon4x4 said:
Why would this thread be an epic mistake?!? Aren't all reviews the opinion of the writer?? So of course they may not be inline with what others think but would still give a good idea of what a store is all about. In my case I'll always search the internet for reviews on an item before making a purchase. I have also searched the internet for reviews on stores and restaurants. How is this any different?!?

For what its worth I think this thread is a great idea.

I'll give a quick review on SWP in Tonawanda (http://www.saltwaterparadise.com/)

I found this store to have a great selection. The owner Joe and his wife Annette have both always been a pleasure to speak with. They are both knowledgeable and friendly. I think his prices are very fair and I have purchased quite a few coral and fish from them. I always leave the store spending way more than I intended!! :D If you go to SWP don't forget to check out the amazing show tank in the back!!
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Mainly because people have their favorite places....it doesn't take a Stephen Hawking to realize once the wrong thing is said about a place, tempers will flare.
 
In part there could be a good idea here in general.

Not completely sure about the "reviews" part.
Everyone does have different opinions. Which is ok of course.
But regardless of a reviewers intent, it could get out of hand online.
As when people tend to disagree with others points and it can escalate.
Especially when it's a personal perspective of opinion.
Opinion is personal and not a writable science of anything.
However at minimum, a sticky showing all upstate reef LFS would be helpful for some.
Especially newbies to the area or hobby.

Just my own 2 cents (not that it has to be in line with anyone elses opinions):
ARC will always be successful for sure. Fantastic shop. I've been there at least 50 + times. Buffalo Reef store I've been to twice so far. I do appreciate BOTH stores for what they offer. I also think it was a great move on the part of BRS setting up shop close to ARC. It attracts more attention in close prox. and in general is good for hobbyists visiting as well as locals. Having more than one stop to check right next to each other is not something most hobbyists would want to complain about. It's a good thing and though a bit different(similar to the Caribbean Forest / Reefe Shoppe situation in Rochester) which has worked very well for both businesses and hobbyists alike for years.

No reason the same type of situation can not work in Buffalo.
Many will see a strong contrast of differences in both businesses (ARC & Buffalo Reef) as far as selection and style. ARC is higher end of course. But this does not diminish the fact that (Buffalo reef) can still be a good shop. I think that both shops are good for newbies as well as seasoned veterans of this hobby. Buffalo Reef may sometimes have a lesser cost coral selection or not as much higher end of a selection. Each shop however, has something good to offer IMO. It's always great to have more than one option and people find things at either shop they will buy from time to time. This makes the attraction of each almost a partial symbiotic relationship living off this hobby. Making it good for both businesses. I will be shopping at both I'm sure. As well as all the other area reef stores in Upstate.

BTW- thanks for the 2 frags Aaron. They are settling in the tank just fine.
 
I agree that this could become a cluster real quick. I have my favorites and not so favorites for my own personal reasons. They probably differ than other opinions, but they are mine and those are yours and its not my place to belittle anyones experience.
But I would like a sticky of addresses of businesses in the tri-city area. I have driven miles only to come to a wrong address or an establishment that was either closed or out of business. A current list would be exceptionally helpful.
 
I also agree that a "stickied" thread listing accurate addresses of the tri-city LFS's would be valuable.
 
skidoctor said:
I agree that this could become a cluster real quick
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the many LFS review threads in the past were epic mistakes. I think some people got banned in the heated exchanges they spurred.
A list of Western NY is a good idea. There's several existing already but they probably need updating.
 
Jacwil said:
Mainly because people have their favorite places....it doesn't take a Stephen Hawking to realize once the wrong thing is said about a place, tempers will flare.
Click to expand...

Its unfortunate that a bunch of grown men and woman can't post reviews of their favorite stores without upsetting other people.
 
talon4x4 said:
Its unfortunate that a bunch of grown men and woman can't post reviews of their favorite stores without upsetting other people.
Click to expand...

It IS unfortunate but it's reality. Like Gary said, the threads typically get closed and the "ban stick" often is pulled from its sheath! ;)
 
talon4x4 said:
Its unfortunate that a bunch of grown men and woman can't post reviews of their favorite stores without upsetting other people.
Click to expand...
fortunately we realize this and can avoid it :)

Like... who cares what political candidate Bruce Springsteen would vote for?

Why do I care if Aaron likes the new Buffalo LFS and wonders about ARC?
REALLY?

LOL! It's already off on a bad start. Like DUH.

Let everyone decide for themselves which LFS they like and don't like.

List the LFS's. Do it. Instead of arguing whether or not we should post reviews of the LFS somebody look 'em up and post them. Jeez.
 
LOL I agree.

How many bad reviews have we seen for Cinema films?
Then you watch the film and actually like it. Or all the above vice versa.
The same with stores and varying experiences.

That's why reviews are probably not a good idea.
Even if someone may be out to help. Not everyone is going to agree.
The past has obviously demonstrated this and people don't want to go there again. I don't blame them. There is nothing more annoying than a fun site where your trying to share info, teach and LEARN- to have it turn ugly like an after school fight.

So, what's the point!? Experience it for your self. Have your own opinion.
But don't ruin what could be a good time for someone else.

Posting the LFS in an accurate and current list, possibly linking any applicable website(s) if allowable, would be a good idea as useful and helpful information though.
 
The last time that I was traveling and had limited time to check out a few stores I found peoples reviews to be very helpful. Sure, there was some bull to seed through, but I got a feel for which stores were a must see.
 
I'll be honest, I saw t he title of the thread and imediately looked for the "lock" icon under the title. Good call to detour.
 
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