coralfragger
In Memoriam
just want to see how many people will visit this thread. Tongs is the greatest store in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tongs in fountain valley review
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phishx
In Memoriam
:lmao: :thumbdown i way do not agree with this one...hahahaha :lol:
i usta think just like you do now... then i took a deeper look... im not gonna bash a store just from my personal experience... i think they have kewl customer service (one of the chix flirts with me every time i go in there for about 15-20 mins... prolly just a sales tactic, BUT IT WORKS EVERY TIME :lol: ) but the health of their livestock is not in the best of check... EVERY FISH i have brought home has died or ended up in a QT... im sure that can be normal for most LFS's....and im POSITIVE i shud just QT everything i bring home anyways before waiting to see if it will make it on its own in my system... but i just think that Tongs in general has bit off more then they can chew... i do not have the same experience with other LFS's i attend...
will i still shop at Tongs you ask...(?)
YES... as long as they still employ that same chick
hmn... i wonder if she is working today
i usta think just like you do now... then i took a deeper look... im not gonna bash a store just from my personal experience... i think they have kewl customer service (one of the chix flirts with me every time i go in there for about 15-20 mins... prolly just a sales tactic, BUT IT WORKS EVERY TIME :lol: ) but the health of their livestock is not in the best of check... EVERY FISH i have brought home has died or ended up in a QT... im sure that can be normal for most LFS's....and im POSITIVE i shud just QT everything i bring home anyways before waiting to see if it will make it on its own in my system... but i just think that Tongs in general has bit off more then they can chew... i do not have the same experience with other LFS's i attend...
will i still shop at Tongs you ask...(?)
YES... as long as they still employ that same chick
hmn... i wonder if she is working today
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Corriander
Member
Talk about statements designed to stir up trouble . . .
coralfragger
In Memoriam
tongs is by far the one stop shop, they have everything you need, but remember you must have deep pockets. it was funny that i ran into an employee of tongs at atafish.com. tongs employee shops there because they said ata has better prices even with tongs employee discounts still won't beat it. but no matter what i have love tongs and one one will change my mind. the whitter tongs sucks
TrojanScott
Active member
Does the Whittier Tongs still exist? I started out in the hobby from that place, and watched over the years, as they ripped off customer after cutsomer.
Tongs in FV is nice, and they have nice corals for sure. But.. they're expensive, and I'd never buy a fish from them, not ever. I saw a tang tank there once, must've been 100 or more in a tank, with 6 or 7 dead ones on the bottom. They're by far NOT the best store around. They don't care about their customers or livestock. I'm not trying to bash here, but that's my opinion. The one tank in the corner has some incredible pieces in it, and they do have nice corals, that's for sure.
Tongs in FV is nice, and they have nice corals for sure. But.. they're expensive, and I'd never buy a fish from them, not ever. I saw a tang tank there once, must've been 100 or more in a tank, with 6 or 7 dead ones on the bottom. They're by far NOT the best store around. They don't care about their customers or livestock. I'm not trying to bash here, but that's my opinion. The one tank in the corner has some incredible pieces in it, and they do have nice corals, that's for sure.
Re: Tongs in fountain valley review
So what exactly is the purpose of this thread? Are you asking for an opinion or you just want to promote the store?
I actually like Tong's FV coral and fish selection. They seem to get the rare fish that I'm always after. However, I do not agree with their business practices so I no longer buy from them. They put things on sale but double up on the "original" price. You end up paying higher than the true original price. This often happens during the weekend when the walk-in traffic is higher. Customer service is atrocious. I also agree that their fish looks good in the store but often gets sick or die shortly after.
So what exactly is the purpose of this thread? Are you asking for an opinion or you just want to promote the store?
I actually like Tong's FV coral and fish selection. They seem to get the rare fish that I'm always after. However, I do not agree with their business practices so I no longer buy from them. They put things on sale but double up on the "original" price. You end up paying higher than the true original price. This often happens during the weekend when the walk-in traffic is higher. Customer service is atrocious. I also agree that their fish looks good in the store but often gets sick or die shortly after.
coralfragger
In Memoriam
hey name one store that does not have sick fish. did you know that every store gets their fish from all the same supplier.
i AM NOT PROMOTING tongs but just expressing my thought and opinion. all i am saying is tongs is theeee best store that i have been to. unless you know some where better please do tell..
i AM NOT PROMOTING tongs but just expressing my thought and opinion. all i am saying is tongs is theeee best store that i have been to. unless you know some where better please do tell..
Corriander
Member
Deep pockets is right. I went in for a 2" bulkhead and they wanted $80 for it. I got it from another LFS for $10. It was the last time I visited Tong's.
When I first moved to California I shopped there. Every single fish and coral I bought from Tong's died within 3 months. Many didn't even make it out of quarantine. It certainly has not been my reef keeping habits either . . . I have a number of fish and corals that are over three years old purchased from other sources.
Additionally, when I ordered a custom tank from them they ordered the wrong tank. Not a single dimension was within 6" of those specified. It was no easy task to get them to order the right tank which ended up being delivered damaged.
When I first moved to California I shopped there. Every single fish and coral I bought from Tong's died within 3 months. Many didn't even make it out of quarantine. It certainly has not been my reef keeping habits either . . . I have a number of fish and corals that are over three years old purchased from other sources.
Additionally, when I ordered a custom tank from them they ordered the wrong tank. Not a single dimension was within 6" of those specified. It was no easy task to get them to order the right tank which ended up being delivered damaged.
TrojanScott
Active member
When they have bright pink leather corals that have obviously been died, and I test one of the guys there by playing stupid and asking if that's the true color and get a, "yes" answer? The more I think about it, the more I realize why I rarely stop there.
All LFS stores may get from the same places, but they all don't order by the boatload nor do they stuff them in tanks the way Tong's does.
Coral Oasis is getting to be a better place to go, IMO. Selection not as good, but they do seem to care about the fish and the customer. They're just starting out too, and trying to learn from mistakes. I'd recommend them over Tongs any day.
All LFS stores may get from the same places, but they all don't order by the boatload nor do they stuff them in tanks the way Tong's does.
Coral Oasis is getting to be a better place to go, IMO. Selection not as good, but they do seem to care about the fish and the customer. They're just starting out too, and trying to learn from mistakes. I'd recommend them over Tongs any day.
laverda
Well-known member
Tongs Does have the best selection of fish and live goods. It is really depressing when I go in there and see all the fish knowing 90% of them will be dead with in the week! I will never buy fish there again as they have all died, one before I made it home in 15 min. Almost every other LFS has healthier fish. Not all fish come form the same sources. and they are not all taken care of the same way. Considering how many fish from Tongs die shortly after purchase, I suspect they are getting cyanide caught fish. Only reason I can think of for the high mortality rates.
SteveOhh
In Memoriam
The only thing I like about the Tong's FV store is the frag tank..............other then that I think they suck.
You obviously have been limited in your visits to LFS's if you think Tong's rules..................Drive the extra 5 minutes & visit OC Aquatics...........blows Tong's away & Kevin & co. won't rip you off like the Tong's family will...........
You obviously have been limited in your visits to LFS's if you think Tong's rules..................Drive the extra 5 minutes & visit OC Aquatics...........blows Tong's away & Kevin & co. won't rip you off like the Tong's family will...........
They have everything. The prices suck, but they have everything.
So when you need something, it's the only place you need to go.
I've bought plenty of specimens there that were healthy.
It's just the cost factor.
ANd I don't think their customer service is that great. Most times when ringing me up the girl is on a personal cell phone call.
I like Tongs overall.
Cheers
Josh
So when you need something, it's the only place you need to go.
I've bought plenty of specimens there that were healthy.
It's just the cost factor.
ANd I don't think their customer service is that great. Most times when ringing me up the girl is on a personal cell phone call.
I like Tongs overall.
Cheers
Josh
Corriander
Member
I do know that a number of stores with GREAT customer service in the area not only give discounts to frequent visitor/buyers, but will also happily hand pick anything you ask for without jacking up the price beyond their usual markup. (which is cool in my book since they do have to pay rent and all)
A few will even keep a dedicated tank for your order just to make sure they are healthy before you pick them up.
Personally, I would rather give my money to good people that love what they are doing (even if I have to wait a few days for them to fill a request) than an establishment that doesn't care one bit about their product or customer.
A few will even keep a dedicated tank for your order just to make sure they are healthy before you pick them up.
Personally, I would rather give my money to good people that love what they are doing (even if I have to wait a few days for them to fill a request) than an establishment that doesn't care one bit about their product or customer.
SPSFiend
New member
Is the Fountain Valley Tong's the on eoff of Warner?
If so...
I don't know anything about their hard goods but they have one of the most amazing display tanks...
Some of their corals may be expensive but they have some ridiculous corals... I wish I could buy some of the things in his display only tank.
If so...
I don't know anything about their hard goods but they have one of the most amazing display tanks...
Some of their corals may be expensive but they have some ridiculous corals... I wish I could buy some of the things in his display only tank.
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