The Seascape Nazis

[Crit21]

I've noticed their mood seems to differ from visit to visit (yes, they make me uncomfortable sometimes), but I also see they're always very busy maintaining tanks or helping a customer who wants to BUY SOMETHING FROM THEM. Why would anyone walk into a LFS--where you can expect personal service from people trying to make a decent living--and give them crap because they don't, in your judgement, match prices from bulk sellers on the Internet? By the way, that $24.90, 40 pound bag of sand from Marine Depot will cost $53.89 after shipping is added.

I agree with Eric--vote with your wallet and feet. If you had a bad experience, shop somewhere else! I don't like seeing publicly-posted personal attacks on LFS owners, much less swearing.

I saw the same post in the RMRC group. It looks like the Denver people don't appreciate his posting either.

I wouldn't mind seeing this thread deleted.

 

[murfman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8155974#post8155974 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Crit21
I saw the same post in the RMRC group. It looks like the Denver people don't appreciate his posting either.

I wouldn't mind seeing this thread deleted.

Dan, you might want to go and re read the RMRC post again. The only negative comment to his posting is that he used the a term that is considered political and some took offense to that. Other than that, they are trying to explain how the trade works and voice opinions and experiences on the same type situation. He is a self proclaimed newbie to the hobby and may not know any better and is voicing his frustration with the way he was treated. He is picking up his live rock and equipment tomorrow from somewhere way up north. He hopes to be back so he can attend the meeting.

I agree with Eric L. about bashing anyone in here, it looks bad on the club as a whole. Don't forget, some of the LFS owners post and lurk in here.

If I have an issue with anyone and try and address it 1 on 1 and feel that I was cheated or treated badly, I will post for all to know what experience I had. They can make their own decisions as to whether or not they will continue to patronize the establishment.

 

[Thurge]

Its not the fact that you are buying from online retailers that peaves the LFS owner, its when you pick his brain for 20 minutes then tell him its cheaper online and try and hagle the same price. If you want to hagle try quoting another LFS's price as that is their fair competition. They know that because of overheads they can't match their prices. Most online venders are also located in close proximity to the ports of entry so they are already saving on shipping from the importer.
BUT how avalible are those online vendors to answer your question about lets say, which pump is better as a main return pump or which should really just be used as a mix/waterchange pump. Or which auto top off has a tendany to stick open or closed. You get what you pay for, and you pay for what you get. If your going to buy all your drygoods online then don't be suprised when an owners gets angry for you trying to get free information from them.

 

[reefkoi]

Good points Thurge, I fully agree that picking one guys brain with the INTENT to buy from another is very wrong, I dont do it. However we dont know the whole story. He didnt say exactly what marine depot had to do with it. I have to estimate jobs everyday, and I hate the fact that people waste my time on certain jobs but I have never yelled at a customer, or let anything get out of hand to the point where I told them off. I think that will hurt a guy in the long run. Word of mouth is the best (or worst) form of advertising for a small business, period.

Enough said i think, good post though it makes everybody think about ethics and what not, right? You always have to look at the positive side.
Chris

 

[fuzzyt]

Thanks for turning this thread around COReefer!

 

[Crit21]

Doggone lurkers!

 

[Crit21]

I did. Other than the "liberal" comment, I see that people agree it's rude to come to a LFS, pick the owner's brains, then compare their prices to the Internet.

I agree that the worst thing a LFS owner can do is yell at or be rude to customers, or worse, kick them out. There are just so many salt aquarium hobbyists in town, and it's not good for business to alienate buyers.

 

[and1varsity23]

the only thing i asked about marine depot was how his prices compare? that was it. i have heard a lot about marine depot but have never been there so i just asked for the point of asking i'm like anybody i wan't to get the best product for my $. thats when he began to bash me for being in the military and being cheap just like the rest of the military. yada yada yada. thats why i wrote the liberal comment. not to upset anybody else, but i was a little heated. so sorry if i affend. the point is i went in with the intension of buying from him until he blew up. on a better note i just went in to fishy buisness on academy and mazeland, and that was absolutely a 180 from seascape. the store is very clean they have great product, and more importantly the customer service was outstanding! never met nicer people, with the patience and willingness to help. they even tried directing me somewhere else when they didn't have what i was looking for! now that is a buisness who is all about the consumer. i will buy from them anyday rather than online just because i want them to succeed.

 

[reefkoi]

has'nt this thread died yet

 

[jakesgvr4]

I'd tend to agree with the Fishy Business statement. I have been to most of the LFS around town. Never had a problem at Seascape, I read about a bad vibe from them, maybe. I never have asked very many question of them, Ive asked her more. She SEEMS ok, a little short, but ok. Fishy Business, went in just to check it out, spent the next 30 minutes talking. Nice lady, nice shop, haven't met him yet. I plan on visiting them more often, this and they are right down the road from my house...
Just had to chime in...